Org retail price on a '74 850 Commando Roadster ?

AZScott · Sep 1, 2015

Need to get this bike titled and insured. They always ask what the original retail on the bike was when it originally sold in 1974 in USA.
Would take a W.A.G. because it's really meaningless. But thought some one out there that might actually know. For current value I use NADA.
All I need is a ball park original sales price.
Really any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks

ashman · Sep 1, 2015

In 1976 when I brought my new 74 850 it was $1,999 on the road but that is in Australia but I think it would have been pretty close to it in the US maybe $1,700-$1,900 US as this question was asked a fair while ago, hope this helps.

Ashley

PeterJoe · Sep 1, 2015

According to Petersen's publications' 1974 Motorcycle Buyer's Guide both the Roadster and the Interstate were listed at $2225. Of course that would not include dealer prep, tax and license, destination charges, etc.

I have the original sales receipt for my 1974 Commando. It was first sold February 26, 1975 for $1938.67. However, the out the door price with tax and DMV was $2100.00. Apparently it was the last year's model and they wanted to unload it at a reduced price. It was sold at Tillman's Sport Center in Los Angeles, California.

Peter Joe

WZ507 · Sep 1, 2015

When I purchased a 1974 850 Roadster last year, it came with the original sales receipt from the dealership which showed a sale date of July 26, 1975 and a price of $2150 USD.

Torontonian · Sep 1, 2015

Who's to say. I just paid 10 G, for a lovely 76.

jeffdavison · Sep 1, 2015

Ace Cycle World on Western Ave in Chicago is where I bought my first Commando. It was back in 1974. It was a '74 850 Roadster. Brand new. It was my first bike and my first bank loan. I paid $1995. Included in that price was a custom pearl white paint job by the dealer, who valued it at $100. The stock colored Roadsters went out the door for $1895. I was torn between the Norton and a Triumph Bonneville. I chose the Norton for two reasons... it was faster, and I could place both my feet flat on the ground....

JD

johnm · Sep 2, 2015

In NZ in 1974 you paid NZ$2395.

The NZ dollar was a little stronger than the US $ back then.

Torontonian · Sep 2, 2015

Thinking about it I vaguely remember Capital City Cycle in Ottawa had one for $1895 but I had no money for new.

jaydee75 · Sep 2, 2015

Just for reference, I paid $1695 for my 75 when I bought it new in Georgia. I still have the Bill of Sale and receipts.
Jaydee

AZScott · Sep 2, 2015

Really appreciate all the input. Thank You ! I will go with $2100, when asked, and say that's an estimate based on averages of prices paid in 1974.

maylar · Sep 3, 2015

The price would depend on when and where it was purchased. My '74 MKII Roadster was built in August of 74 and was sold to me in May of '75 as a new '75 model. The original bill of sale and my Connecticut registration show it as a 75 850, though it's clearly a 74. In May of 75 it was on the showroom floor with the new MKIII electric start. I paid $2550 US for the MKII and the MKIII's were $2995 at the time.

In July of 75 NVT went into receivership and by August the price of a new (leftover) MKII had dropped to $1995 and the MKIII was $2495.

Org retail price on a '74 850 Commando Roadster ?

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