Whats the value of a 74-75 norton commando barn find

JimC said:

Does that $7,500 include the Loctite for the head fasteners you claim to use?

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Yep, two bottles, red and blue.

Still never had one of my engines fail.

few more pages to tie this one

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/my-uncles-barn-bike-value.22478/

" You will spend 8 to 10 grand restoring that bike "

COBBLERS .

not to say theres some that wouldnt .

a lot of hard work , cleaning , and a drop of oil .

So Something of this ilk .

kid in NZ , 2002 C M R C C had NSR 250 front & rear end , dunstall pipes & C F cans , upswept .
Biggest expense'd be Custom alloy cradle . Probly from scrap 7 a dozen D B for the welding .

Id Throw on a GSX R or some jap tripe front end , A 3 Quart OIL Tank , thats 4 1/2 q Min. O A for breathing space .
a 45 Weber ,
a real back wheel 7 tyre , 16 or 18 in . Dont assume anythings unserviceable untill proven .
Kuhn ish style seat , Sim to 70s SS Duc .

What were the late prod Racer F 750s called ? TZ / TR ??

The engine number is 320*** what year and size would that make it? I cant find any frame numbers stamped into it!! Where would they be located?

It is an 850 from late in 1974.

rvich said:

It is an 850 from late in 1974.

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Any ideas on frame numbers? Ive read and have been told many different things

Ryanc said:

I cant find any frame numbers stamped into it!! Where would they be located?

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The frame number would normally be stamped on the right-hand side of the headstock alongside the (missing) plate.

L.A.B. said:

The frame number would normally be stamped on the right-hand side of the headstock alongside the (missing) plate.

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I cleaned and looked there but didn't see anything. Is it possible its an older frame with numbers in a different location? Ive also read about paint covering them up? My next step with the bike is to have the numbers ran so if i cant find frame numbers can they run just the engine numbers?

Ryanc said:

I cleaned and looked there but didn't see anything. Is it possible its an older frame with numbers in a different location?

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Yes it's possible it could be an earlier frame as they only began stamping the additional 'frame' number from about mid-'73.

The 850 frame , has shock mounts as above .

Inner extend aft , angled rearward , to reinforce the subframe , as Maqma Cass as pillion causes deformation .
The Outers are angled forward vertical & up .

750 both are that way . later elec start are modifyed again , further with a hole or two .

number stamped L H S vertical on flank of neck . a rub with a rag should find a trace, even if its painted flush .

I said 8 to 10K to restore to original not hack up into some useless pile of junk with bastardized jap parts.

Matt Spencer said:

number stamped L H S vertical on flank of neck

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Only a 1968 frame would be likely to have that (as there was no frame plate before '69).

(850 frames can often have a 5-digit number (001xx) stamped on the left-hand side but it is not the frame number)

The No 4 theres thje thing I was thinking of . Note the ' home made ' footrest mounts , on both the yellow terrors .

They bored the carbs to 33 mm . on the 750 . Theres ancient factory tooning info on 10.5 quaters Dave Rawlins. SEARCH .



In my humble opinion , you need something like this ( central oil tank - flogged from here ( A. N. ) )
with double the std capacity & adequate breather volume , so really 1 Imp. Gal Total , for a start .
If you wish to double your engine life , and not cook it seeing off whizz bangs .

Id actually faaff around with cardboard to get one that finished out AS the side panels ,
so you can burn both legs ,
Like the First Commando oil tank - which WAS the R H S Side Panel .

p.s. unlike some , the theory is the seat hump should be AT the rear axle line vertically .
Further forward your cramped . Further aft youl get cumulative oscilations & gravel in the teeth .

Knactually , 68 / 73 Triumph seat foam , with a wedge of high density from the step to say 2 in = at the rear ,
gets a ' race seat ' That suits a pillion , more comfortably both .

Ya want the W&S Norvil valve spings . Progressive rate centerless ground .
A decent CAM , everyone hates the 2S - S S - Combat . But me and Hobot .
2 stage - Hits at about 3.200 .But itll wanna cruise at 80 + on 23 T sprocket .
a 22s likely best , unless youve got freeways .

DONT lever on the CAM CHAIN . use a locking block , not THE CHAIN , undoing cam nuts etc.
Geees , and the wonder why the tensions not even . Not to mention other things .

Most butcher a old timing cover to fit , or use a Mk III . or put a access port for tensioner / checking tension .
Saves the ' to remove clutch first remove rear axle assy ' syndrome .

One can overbore oilways , and fit a decent oil pump , too . & Filtration . Have ya gotta Lathe ?? .

Ryanc only asked what it was worth!

That Depends How Much he spends !

Saw a highly useable steel tank Mk 5 750 Hi rider went for $ 860 on ebay , once .
But TWICE THAT is more knormle . Plus a bit , being a 850 or is that 828 .

Some mug'd probly pay about 4 grand , being a steel interstate , depends on the milage ,
and if the heads NEVER been off / Factory Build . If anyone had any sense .

But if you WANTED a Norton , or detested hondas & the like , youd be insane to sell
an example of potentially the highest performance Commando made ,
Par tick u larly when it appears its all ' Low Time ' unmolested ( as yet ) Components,
from which to create your dream .

Nortoneers being a cut above mediocraty & commonality ! .

Id think a 74 850 would be the last thing youd get rid of , if you had any intrest in Norton Twins at all . Just rubbing it in .

BAh , o.k. It a TX 750 I was thinking of .
( Though Id keep the Interstate tank , & most of the rest of it - Just get it a bit more sporting ,
and not ' yet another ' overestored commando . oops .

L.A.B. said:

Ryanc only asked what it was worth!

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Matt Spencer said:

That Depends How Much he spends !.

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Spends?
Note the title of the thread: "Whats the value of a 74-75 Norton Commando barn find.

I have a decent grasp on the value of it as is and once its restored. Really what im trying to figure out now is what to do about getting the numbers ran. I cant see any stamped into the neck but the engine and trans numbers match im not sure if they can run those numbers. If they do and it comes back not in the system what then. Thanks everyone for the help ive learned alot about nortons over the last week or so

Ryanc said:

I have a decent grasp on the value of it as is and once its restored. Really what im trying to figure out now is what to do about getting the numbers ran. I cant see any stamped into the neck but the engine and trans numbers match im not sure if they can run those numbers. If they do and it comes back not in the system what then. Thanks everyone for the help ive learned alot about nortons over the last week or so

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If you could score a title, that would up the value. As most bikes like this do - it would probably bring more in pieces - but that involves a bunch more work. I'd definitely take more appealing pictures.

On a bike from the factory, frame tag, engine and gearbox numbers all matched. So assume it is the original frame and run the engine number. If it comes back clean, buy a frame tag, put the engine number on it and move on. There is only so much you can do.