Norton Commando 1975 MK3 Orginality

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a Norton Commando MK3 from 1975. I'm pretty new in the Norton scene so i'd like your opinions of the originality of this bike.
As far as my eye can see it is the front and rear brake, which are converted to Brembo ones. The carburetor which is converted to 36mm mikuni and the side panel is missing "Electric Start"
Some doubt in the controls and switches on the hanlebar, but overall it looks genuine, what do you guys think?

Cheers,
Nick

https://picasaweb.google.com/1092086074 ... directlink

Myself ... more into reliability ... stopping is good ... easy starting is good ... beauty is in the eye of the owner ... my bike is modified ... but no one has ever said hey I like your Honda ... still looks and sounds like a Norton ... If you want it buy it ... only you can know if it fits your bill ...
Craig

Craig said:

Myself ... more into reliability ... stopping is good ... easy starting is good ... beauty is in the eye of the owner ... my bike is modified ... but no one has ever said hey I like your Honda ... still looks and sounds like a Norton ... If you want it buy it ... only you can know if it fits your bill ...
Craig

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True....but than again I like originality and my experience isn't good enough to judge I'm asking the people that have the experience.
Than again, if its just the stopping and starting, thats all good.

Nick

Incorrect seat, shouldn't have a strap.
forks have been swapped to the opposite sides as mk 111 has caliper in front of fork leg on the drive side.
Should have black cap silencers not pea shooters.
Disc has been drilled, originals were not
Obviously hasn't got the correct airbox and carbs.

All in all a great looking bike with the changes that a lot of owners do.
sam

Also the original brake callipers have been replaced - not necessarily a bad thing either.

All good mods for a 'rider'

Welcome.

nick's_Cafe said:

what do you guys think?

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Mikuni carb and filter (and what appears to be a fabricated "box" behind)
Electric Start decals missing.
Non standard brake calipers, master cylinders, drilled discs, brake lines, and the front brake on the wrong side for a MkIII.
Front wheel hub appears to be pre-MkIII type.
Seat is earlier Roadster type, wrong cover, not hinged and seat lock missing.
Grab rail missing.
Right hand part of the front mudguard lower stay is missing (presumably removed because of the non-standard brake caliper).
Yokes should be silver.
Non standard handlebar switches throttle, bar end mirror (and brake master cylinder).
Non standard peashooter exhausts.
Non standard headlamp reflector unit. Headlamp brackets perhaps non-original.
Rear rim/wheel appears to be 18 inch instead of 19 inch.
Hagon shocks.
Tacho and cable appear to be missing?
Rear mudguard may not be the standard item?
The charging system has probably been upgraded, as both Zener diodes have been removed.
[Edit: I think the oil filter may be in its correct location but is just out of view?)
(One or two other minor details)
However, none of those things should put you off buying it.

If you like it then thats all that matters. Not what any other person be they a passersby in the street or other Commando owners think. My bike is not original and has penalty of stainless and other non standard parts but as far as I'm concerned it makes it easier to use an apart from few things you can see it looks stock. Nothing on that bike is irreversibly altered an who want to be the same as everyone else anyway? Also without wishing to offend you but if you don't know what stock bike should be then how do you know you would like the stock bike more than this one? As had been said it looks to have sense able mods for riding which are what most owners would do.

Its not orginal but hey after 39 years how many are orginal, the changes look to be all good, if it starts and runs well you should be OK with it, the mods seem to be for the better anyway, the bike looks good the way it is and if its the right price go for it,

Ashley

If you want originality, and the bike to be concourse [ IE never ridden ] you are going to spend a lot of money and time doing anything up.
If you want to enjoy riding it, then just buy it provided it checks out ok mechanically. Either way, it looks like a bike that worth having. Make your own mind up while you own it, what to do as far as restorations are concerned. In the end, you will probably end up like most of us and own two Commando's and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Is it too early to welcome you to the fold?
Dereck

Thx for all your reply's, not yet decided, waiting for the mechanical state....after that I think I will go on!

Just to introduce myself, in the past I rescued a Norton Big4/ Model 18 (Frame/ Engine) that came in a basket case, all in all it came out really nice. After that I decided to go the Harley route, bought a poor running and customized FXEF Lowrider from '79, I made it completely original, that also came out real nice, good runner, just to heavy and no English Classic, sold them both.

Now I still own a Ducati 748R 2002, and a Ducati Streetfighter, but I just want an English classic for those nice weekends.

See pictures of the Big4 and harley:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1092086074 ... directlink

Cheers,
Nick

Since you are moving on it really makes no difference but besides what others have said, it also came from the factory with fat "titty grips" on the handle bars and twin mirrors would have been either rectangular or trapezoidal and mounted on chrome stalks that were screwed into holes tapped into the switch gear castings and locked with a chrome nut.

After that I decided to go the Harley route, bought a poor running and customized FXEF Lowrider from '79, I made it completely original,

The Norton you are looking a is as close to original as your restored Harley. Looks like Vance and Hynes StraightShot pipes, no Ham Can air filter, custom derby cover and a few other items, very much the type of changes made to the Commando.
both nice bikes to ride.

That is one nice Norton. Originality is not all that, especially if its a rider. Reliability and safety is the way to go.
Good luck. If you feel like a trade, let me know!

Hey guys,

Found another one for sale: it's a 1973 750cc, this looks like its in good original condition. How about the paint color?

Thanks for watching, https://picasaweb.google.com/1092086074 ... directlink

Gr, Nick

"211562" would make it late 1972. Dark blue would be a standard Interstate colour for 1972.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... ochure.pdf

Looks like an combat engine...., but I thought the combat engine had black cilinders?
History of maintenance is unknown, just from 2011 it had several oil and filter replacement, before that unknown.

Nick

nick's_Cafe said:

Looks like an combat engine....,

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Looks like? Personally, after 40 years, I think I'd want to examine it more closely, also Combat production supposedly ended at 211110.

nick's_Cafe said:

but I thought the combat engine had black cilinders?

Click to expand...

They did, but, after 40 years and an unknown service history who knows what parts might have been changed? :?

There are good reasons the wiser ones before you have modified yours away from original for real life use rather than museums or trailered to shows. Any model can be restored to stock with enough time and money but then may find out why after market upgrade vendors are so plentiful.

Down side to the '72 750 is it likely has the original fiberglass gas tank...will need to be replaced with steel unless you plan to only show it - don't but gasohol in it. If you plan to ride it I'd go with the 850 MkIII even though I prefer my '72 combat to 850s.