WANTED: DOES ANYONE KNOW THIS LIME-GREEN EARLY COMMANDO?

Monsieur · Jan 19, 2018

My dear Norton friends overseas,

I've recently bought this early 68 Norton Commando with matching numbers (127546):

http://tws.dk-server.co.uk/item232148-5.jpg
http://tws.dk-server.co.uk/item232148-2.jpg

The bike has been imported from the US by a UK motorcycle dealer. After a long journey it looks as this very distinct looking bike has found its home now

The problem is: I don't know nothing about the history of that bike, and I would like to ask for your help. Perhaps you all could help me to shed some light on the past?

All I know is, that the bike has been shipped to Berliner Motor Corporation NYC on 28-8-68 and shipped back to Europe from Colorado 27-4-2016. So.. how can I find out more obout the 48 years from NY to NM and CO?

I guess, the best way is to start my search in Colorado. I don't know at which time the bike was painted in lime-green. This colour (no original of course) is quite unusual and should be easy recognized.

I keep my eyes and ears open for any kind of hint, thank you very much!

Regards
Nicolas

oldbeezer · Jan 19, 2018

Looks like a New Mexico plate. Bernalillo is a town near Albuquerque.

Madnorton · Jan 20, 2018

Sadly or maybe not, most were used then for some reason put to the back of the shed, maybe the next best new bike consigned it to the shed who knows. I like the colour and most of these re-imports tend to have done low mileages.

jimbo · Jan 20, 2018

Never saw that one around, looks to be pretty correct , with the early frame, but with a newer chainguard. You will probably see the original paint work color on the under side of the tank. Good luck with the history, It will not be easy.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Jan 20, 2018

I forwarded your picture to a friend in NM, he might know.
John in Texas

N0rt0nelectr@ · Jan 22, 2018

olbbeezer said:
Looks like a New Mexico plate. Bernalillo is a town near Albuquerque.

Bernalillo is the county where Albuquerque is. I sent your picture to a friend who lives there. I hope he can give you an answer. Rissmond Motors was the Norton dealer there, He passed away a few years ago. Wonder where his sales info might have gone.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Jan 22, 2018

The local Norton club in Colorado, which is called Norton Colorado might be a source of information. My friend in NM doesn't recognize it. Eric Bergman onenorton@gmail.com, is the president of Norton Colorado you could contact him.

John in Texas

DogT · Jan 22, 2018

If you knew a cop or even a federal agent you 'might' get them to get the name of the guy that had that license plate. I doubt the NM DMV would give it out. But that information is there somewhere. NCIC might have some info if anyone has a law enforcement contact. I've gotten info from local police on plates here in VA that have come onto my property.

Monsieur · Jan 30, 2018

Dear all, thanks very much for your comments and hints. I've already contacted the Norton Colorado and got immediate help -- but no positive findings so far .. I found out that there is red colour underneath the green. But besides of that? No News :-/

Is there anyone who knows (ex-)dealers in the Albuquerque NM area? The bike was shipped from Colorado, so maybe someone remember Englishmen collecting old Nortons in that area? .. Unfortunately I do not know any cop or federal agent. Is there any chance to get your support in requesting data from any official source? E.g. how can I get a VIN history report?

Next idea, in order to begin in the year 68: Does anyone know whether dispatch records from Berliner NYC from that time still exist?

jimbo · Jan 30, 2018

The NOC has records, ending at the port of entry. Nothing after that.

mdt-son · Jan 30, 2018

Monsieur said:
Next idea, in order to begin in the year 68: Does anyone know whether dispatch records from Berliner NYC from that time still exist?

You need a lot of luck to find someone who kept them. I think you're better off investigating backwards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berliner_Motor_Corporation

-Knut

wrecks · Jan 31, 2018

The Old Britts site lists this contact as a INOA chapter in New Mexico. Perhaps he can help:
Zia (New Mexico)
John Schmidt
5724 Peppertree PL NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505)291-5494
dryheat99@earthlink.net

DogT · Jan 31, 2018

Someone in MM could call the State Police and ask if they can get any information on that plate. Long shot. But I think worth a try. Just be up front about it.

1up3down · Jan 31, 2018

The Old Britts site lists this contact as a INOA chapter in New Mexico. Perhaps he can help:
Zia (New Mexico)
John Schmidt
5724 Peppertree PL NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505)291-5494
dryheat99@earthlink.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That would be me, John Schmidt here in Albuquerque, NM, but that old email is way past bad.
Sorry I can be of no help as we really no longer have any Norton owner organization here mostly after Heinz Kegler died some years back.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Jan 31, 2018

Monsieur said:
Dear all, thanks very much for your comments and hints. I've already contacted the Norton Colorado and got immediate help -- but no positive findings so far .. I found out that there is red colour underneath the green. But besides of that? No News :-/

Is there anyone who knows (ex-)dealers in the Albuquerque NM area? The bike was shipped from Colorado, so maybe someone remember Englishmen collecting old Nortons in that area? .. Unfortunately I do not know any cop or federal agent. Is there any chance to get your support in requesting data from any official source? E.g. how can I get a VIN history report?

Next idea, in order to begin in the year 68: Does anyone know whether dispatch records from Berliner NYC from that time still exist?

Rissman Motors was the Norton dealer but he passed away some time ago.
John in Texas

pierodn · Jan 31, 2018

Monsieur said:
My dear Norton friends overseas,

I've recently bought this early 68 Norton Commando with matching numbers (127546):

http://tws.dk-server.co.uk/item232148-5.jpg
http://tws.dk-server.co.uk/item232148-2.jpg

The bike has been imported from the US by a UK motorcycle dealer. After a long journey it looks as this very distinct looking bike has found its home now

The problem is: I don't know nothing about the history of that bike, and I would like to ask for your help. Perhaps you all could help me to shed some light on the past?

All I know is, that the bike has been shipped to Berliner Motor Corporation NYC on 28-8-68 and shipped back to Europe from Colorado 27-4-2016. So.. how can I find out more obout the 48 years from NY to NM and CO?

I guess, the best way is to start my search in Colorado. I don't know at which time the bike was painted in lime-green. This colour (no original of course) is quite unusual and should be easy recognized.

I keep my eyes and ears open for any kind of hint, thank you very much!

Regards
Nicolas

Hi.
Limes green was a colour used on british bikes.
The 1969 BSA Rocket 3 used this colour.
Piero

N0rt0nelectr@ · Feb 10, 2018

Do a google search under vin numbers. There is a data base of vin numbers in the US. I used it several years ago when I bought a 55 5T Triumph Speed Twin. Turned out there were 3 vehicles with the same 6 digit vin. The good thing was all the others were trailers and I got the title sorted out. Now don't expect to get names and addresses but it might be a start. What is the plate number and year?

John in Texas

ashman · Feb 10, 2018

Nice straight looking bike, look for someone with long arms as those handle bars are a bit wild and a bit way to forward, must be a Mexican thing of the times lol.

Ashley

Monsieur · Feb 14, 2018

Still need your help. I do not know any police station to call, and I am far away

.. I understood that the records from Berliner's are all gone? .. Checking the VIN: Do you have a link for me? I see that there are a lot of agencies charging money for a history report? Which is the correct website to look at? .. The plates, look at the picture above, unfortunately I cannot read the year .. :-(

DogT · Feb 14, 2018

I was suggesting that perhaps someone in New Mexico could help you. But someone there has to step up to the plate. If it were a Virginia plate I'd help if I could get any info from the police. They may or may not help depending on who you get hold of. County or city police would probably be most responsive, then State Police. Good luck.

WANTED: DOES ANYONE KNOW THIS LIME-GREEN EARLY COMMANDO?

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