IMHO these are not original Norton. I've never seen that pattern and the tanks with the round badge were silver or green if I understand correctly. Also, it appears to be clear coated. The stripes appear to be done with tape, not by hand.
These are original paint, the NOS tank on the right was purchased off eBay about 10 years ago and it's never been used. I believe its red over silver metal flake and the black pin striping on both tanks is pretty crude but consistent on both tanks. The tank on the right has a series of silver spots on the bottom where someone made a mistake. If you want a better close up I can snap some more pictures.
I agree about the round tank badge.
I've never seen that brochure - can you send a copy or tell me where you found it?
OK, but I'm shocked that Norton was that bad at pinstriping - looks like a tape job underneath and the stripe itself. Maybe they only made a few tanks that way and couldn't afford a professional? Most proof that I'm no expert on any of this!Norton Motorcycle Sparts Specialist - Genuine Norton Commando Factory Spare Parts - Genuine Norton Dominator Factory Spare Parts - Norton Motorbikes -
Norton Genuine Spare Parts: The exclusive Source of all Genuine Norton Commando and Norton Dominator Factory Spare Parts.andover-norton.co.uk
"The two-tone finish is correct though few Norton enthusiasts these days know this finish was optional for the year and think it is a "custom paintjob"
"
Greg, I can send you a copy of the brochure as I don't have the original, someone sent me them years ago and I have been looking for originals ever since that time. As far as the pin stripping is concerned, both tanks have the same inferior workmanship which I sort of like.
Les,Norton didn't really "make" much if anything. It was mainly bought from, and paintwork done by outside suppliers.
Actually, it has been my observation that the opposite is true. The flake in the fiberglass tank gelcoat appears to be larger than the steel tanks which looks more like a 'metallic' rather than 'metalflake'. I have a original blue metalflake tank and side covers on my MkV 750 and purchased a NOS blue metalflake Fastback tail section from the Norton Owners Club many years ago. When compared side by side, the flake was definitely larger on the tail section. I have since painted the tail section, but the MkV can be seen in the photos in my media files.
The frame part was me being dumb - I even have that on my web site.Commando frames were made by Reynolds Tube Co.(as Featherbed frames had been). Later Commando frames were made by Verlicchi in Italy but the last (Mk3) frames were probably made in the UK, possibly by Reynolds. I don't know exactly how much manufacturing was done at AMC in Plumstead but after the move to Andover then there would have been no foundry so all castings would have been bought from outside suppliers, cylinder barrels, some cylinder heads, for instance, were made by Birco.
Tanks both glass fibre and steel as far as I know were bought from outside suppliers (glass fibre from Avon? Or Reg Curley?) probably pre-finished as there was no factory paint shop as far as I'm aware as Andover was little more than an assembly plant although any 'factory' machining would most likely have been done at Wolverhampton.
From Motor Cycle News January 1972:
Nice bike.
Thanks for posting - the underside of the tank is the same colour as the silver gelcoat Roadster tank I had.Actually, it has been my observation that the opposite is true. The flake in the fiberglass tank gelcoat appears to be larger than the steel tanks which looks more like a 'metallic' rather than 'metalflake'. I have a original blue metalflake tank and side covers on my MkV 750 and purchased a NOS blue metalflake Fastback tail section from the Norton Owners Club many years ago. When compared side by side, the flake was definitely larger on the tail section. I have since painted the tail section, but the MkV can be seen in the photos in my media files.
If some unknown aftermarket company fabricated these tanks some 50+ years ago they did a pretty good job. I've also seen the same tank in blue with the recess for the badges.
The underside of the tank is exactly like another fastback tank I own.
Tape? Looks hand painted to me.
Yes, the tank on the bike was unfortunately sprayed with a clear coat by the previous owner.
I am currently rebuilding a Fastback. Scott, can you post details of your Fireflake blue paint match. Steve
