72 Commando Roadster Combat

I know very little about the history of this bike other than it is a matching numbers combat and (supposedly) low miles (5300). Last ridden in 2011?
Prior owner put new carbs, ignition, tires on it when he bought it. Then rode it maybe a couple of hundred miles.

Goal first is to replace fluids, pull carbs clean/inspect, fix funky wiring, get inspected/titled/registered.



I should be able to pass inspection with the tires, but they need replacing. Also replace soft lines at that time as well.

It was love at first site. Let's hope our honeymoon lasts.

I know this will be asked by someone... I do plan to keep this a proper combat.

Certainly is a clean example for having sat 9 years.......
Have you heard it run or are you waiting to change out fluids?

Very nice ! Keep us posted, please ! What month built ? Mine is June

Mine is April /72 , 7400 miles ..... numbers match as well , is that really a selling feature

Five years ago I purchased a good running Combat that needed lots of 'attention'.
First year or two was spent wondering when it would leave me stranded and why, mostly sorting electric, carb, and timing issues.
Maybe 50/50 riding / wrenching during that time.
I came to enjoy both activities.
After much research, local Commando guru help, and of course a few $, I now am happy to say it is about 90/10 ride/wrench ratio.
I miss the wrenching so might have buy another project bike.
Good luck - it looks like a well cared for machine.

Craig said:

Mine is April /72 , 7400 miles ..... numbers match as well , is that really a selling feature

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Fair point. I didn't pay a premium for that. But I would say that bikes like yours are fewer in-between these days. This one may be but I will never really know for sure. There is no date stamp which to me says that the plate was restamped. (A long time ago judging from the rivets.) I do plan to see if there are any factory records on the frame number.

Here’s to finding some relevant info on your ‘72 , good luck !

Conrad said:

There is no date stamp which to me says that the plate was restamped. (A long time ago judging from the rivets.)

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It seems the date stamp was occasionally forgotten or not stamped for some reason or other.

That would be nice Les if that was the situation.

Conrad said:

That would be nice Les if that was the situation.

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Nothing suspicious about the plate (or rivets) as far as I can tell so it's likely to be the original plate.
As mentioned, it's not unheard of for the date stamp to be missing (or stamped in the wrong place outside the 'box' alongside the serial number, sometimes the other way up or not completely legible).