New Norton Commando- ID Help please.

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

I am very fond of British bikes and have a '42 BSA and a few Triumphs. As you can imagine, they are mostly "projects" and I should really stop buying any more until I finish one. I'm not alone with this type of problem, am I?

Anyway, right before the holidays, I purchased my first Norton, a 750 Commando, and I am trying to determine which model it is. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Engine and frame numbers match. Serial is 131331 (cool serial #!!) and the frame tag is stamped with the serial number and a build date of March 1969. Motor is stamped 20M3S 131331 How can I tell what model it is?

The bike is in need of help. Looks like it has been ridden hard. Came with a large Dunstall tank mounted, plus a spare Norton tank. Has one side cover. Has a set of Dunstall mufflers included as well. The clutch cover was off and the plates and sprockets were in a big box. Seat is missing.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Brian

L.A.B. · Feb 1, 2016

Brian B said:
Engine and frame numbers match. Serial is 131331 (cool serial #!!) and the frame tag is stamped with the serial number and a build date of March 1969. Motor is stamped 20M3S 131331 How can I tell what model it is?

As the engine has the 20M3S prefix, it's likely to be an early 750 'S' type.

The other Commando models in production at that time would have been the Fastback and 750 'R' type, however, those models would have had a 20M3 engine prefix.

Paddy_SP · Feb 1, 2016

I'd hate to disagree with such an authority as L.A.B., but it looks like an early Roadster to me - it has the wrong oil tank and headlamp to be an S-Type - but then again it appears to have later style clock brackets, so maybe it's a bitsa. Personally, I'd get rid of all the Dunstall stuff (except the rear set footrest mounting plates) ASAP - it was made so badly that it has no place on a decent Norton. Other than that, you look to have a lovely project there - I wish you luck with it!

L.A.B. · Feb 1, 2016

Paddy_SP said:
It looks like an early Roadster to me - it has the wrong oil tank to be an S-Type.

"131331" (March '69) is far too early for it to have been a Roadster (1st. Roadster supposedly 135140, March '70). :wink:

Agreed, the oil tank and a number of other parts are not original 'S' Type.

concours · Feb 1, 2016

Hi Brian, welcome. Your garage is too clean... :mrgreen: :wink: JK Looks like a fun project. Any idea it's sat idle?

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

L.A.B. said:
Brian B said:

Engine and frame numbers match. Serial is 131331 (cool serial #!!) and the frame tag is stamped with the serial number and a build date of March 1969. Motor is stamped 20M3S 131331 How can I tell what model it is?

Click to expand...

As the engine has the 20M3S prefix, it's likely to be an early 750 'S' type.

The other Commando models in production at that time would have been the Fastback and 750 'R' type, however, those models would have had a 20M3 engine prefix.

L.A.B- Thank you very much for both of your replies. I appreciate it.

Brian B

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

Paddy_SP said:
I'd hate to disagree with such an authority as L.A.B., but it looks like an early Roadster to me - it has the wrong oil tank and headlamp to be an S-Type - but then again it appears to have later style clock brackets, so maybe it's a bitsa. Personally, I'd get rid of all the Dunstall stuff (except the rear set footrest mounting plates) ASAP - it was made so badly that it has no place on a decent Norton. Other than that, you look to have a lovely project there - I wish you luck with it!

Paddy_SP,

Thank you very much for the information and for the feedback. I have a few other projects in front of this one, but I am chomping at the bit to get going on it.

Brian B

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

concours said:
Hi Brian, welcome. Your garage is too clean... :mrgreen: :wink: JK Looks like a fun project. Any idea it's sat idle?

Concours,

Thanks for the feedback. I feel like the garage is way disorganized and cluttered at the moment. I need to sort out and reorganize. I can't wait to get started on it, but it may be a while. Not sure why it sat idle. The last owner purchased it less than a year ago in the exact state as it sits today.

Thanks,

Brian B

Fast Eddie · Feb 1, 2016

If its numbered as an S Type then you must surely put it back to its former glory... High pipes iconic coolness all the way!!

And sort your garage out Brian, its embarrassing having pictures of such disorganised chaos on this otherwise fine site, lowers the tone doncha know...

L.A.B. · Feb 1, 2016

Brian B said:
L.A.B. said:

Brian B said:

Engine and frame numbers match. Serial is 131331 (cool serial #!!) and the frame tag is stamped with the serial number and a build date of March 1969. Motor is stamped 20M3S 131331 How can I tell what model it is?

Click to expand...

As the engine has the 20M3S prefix, it's likely to be an early 750 'S' type.

The other Commando models in production at that time would have been the Fastback and 750 'R' type, however, those models would have had a 20M3 engine prefix.

Click to expand...

L.A.B- Thank you very much for both of your replies. I appreciate it.

The UK NOC and VMCC both have access to the surviving Norton factory records for that period, if you are lucky, they may be able to give you official confirmation of the model type if you wanted it, but they do charge a fee for the service.

mudplugger · Feb 1, 2016

he probably had too many projects to start

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

Fast Eddie said:
If its numbered as an S Type then you must surely put it back to its former glory... High pipes iconic coolness all the way!!

And sort your garage out Brian, its embarrassing having pictures of such disorganised chaos on this otherwise fine site, lowers the tone doncha know...

Fast Eddie,

I was hoping it was an S Type. I love the look!! I'll get right on the garage!!

Thanks,

Brian B

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

The UK NOC and VMCC both have access to the surviving Norton factory records for that period, if you are lucky, they may be able to give you official confirmation of the model type if you wanted it, but they do charge a fee for the service.[/quote]

L.A.B.,

Thanks for the heads up on the UK NOC and VMCC. I may reach out to them for confirmation.

Take care,

Brian B

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

mudplugger said:
he probably had too many projects to start

I know that feeling all too well!!

Paddy_SP · Feb 1, 2016

If you're a member, the NOC don't charge for a basic model confirmation - at least they didn't charge me when I asked recently!

DogT · Feb 1, 2016

Lots of parts on that bike don't match up with the engine number and date on the frame. I've got 132031 made in April 69 and it was an S model. So yours being March 69 is right and most likely came out as an S model. If you want to know the specific details of parts, I can probably help, but you should get the Spares book, it's listed in the 'Technical information and how to post photos' thread at the top of the Commando page. I hope you have a big wallet. Have a look at the brochures for 70 also, there's an S model shown in there. Even though it was made in 69, it's actually listed as a 70 model and that's most likely when it was first registered.

dennisgb · Feb 1, 2016

Brian B said:
I am very fond of British bikes and have a '42 BSA and a few Triumphs. As you can imagine, they are mostly "projects" and I should really stop buying any more until I finish one. I'm not alone with this type of problem, am I?

Yes you are. All of our bikes are completely finished and perfect in every way.

Ha! I have 13 bikes...4 of which I can ride.

You can never have too many projects. The problem is the amount of time.

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

Paddy_SP said:
If you're a member, the NOC don't charge for a basic model confirmation - at least they didn't charge me when I asked recently!

Thank you Paddy_SP!!

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

DogT said:
Lots of parts on that bike don't match up with the engine number and date on the frame. I've got 132031 made in April 69 and it was an S model. So yours being March 69 is right and most likely came out as an S model. If you want to know the specific details of parts, I can probably help, but you should get the Spares book, it's listed in the 'Technical information and how to post photos' thread at the top of the Commando page. I hope you have a big wallet. Have a look at the brochures for 70 also, there's an S model shown in there. Even though it was made in 69, it's actually listed as a 70 model and that's most likely when it was first registered.

DogT,

Thank you very much for the additional information offer for help. I will most likely take you up on it!!

I will check out the spares book and the brochure that you refer to.

I see on my side cover under the black paint, blue paint just like your bike in your avatar. I also see the same blue on the front motor mount as well. Your bike is very nice.

Thanks,

Brian B

Brian B · Feb 1, 2016

dennisgb said:
Brian B said:

I am very fond of British bikes and have a '42 BSA and a few Triumphs. As you can imagine, they are mostly "projects" and I should really stop buying any more until I finish one. I'm not alone with this type of problem, am I?

Click to expand...

Yes you are. All of our bikes are completely finished and perfect in every way.

Ha! I have 13 bikes...4 of which I can ride.

You can never have too many projects. The problem is the amount of time.

Right now, you can ride 4 more than I can. I think I have about 7 bikes and I can't ride one of them. Getting a '72 Triumph Daytona close, so that along with the BSA should be the first runners of the group.

Thanks,

Brian B

New Norton Commando- ID Help please.

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