Hello. I'm a new member to the forum and in the process of freshening my '73 850 Roadster (I've had it since new and finally getting it on the road again). I've painted the cylinders with a hig-temp silver just like it came with but all I see on line are black cylinders. Does anyone have any experience with what determined which color the factory used? Any problems with using one type or brand of paint over another? Thanks!

Thanks L.A.B.

The only silver barrels I've seen were '73s and Dunstalls.

The story I heard is that Norton made the barrels silver in '73 to differentiate the models from the Combats (and their perceived problems) of '72.

They probably went back to black in '74 because black paint is cheaper!

Bill,

That's likely - Norton using silver in '73 to distiguish these were not combats. Also all Commandos prior to 1972 combat engines and 1972 non-combat engines had silver barrels. The 1972 sales brochure mentions the combat engine is distiguish by the black barrel. And also many non-combat engine barrels were repainted black by the owners so they looked like a combat.

Thanks everyone. This clears it up for me.

Diamondjet wrote:Does anyone have any experience with what determined which color the factory used? Any problems with using one type or brand of paint over another? Thanks!

I have used a couple of different black engine paints on barrels and they all seem to hold up just fine. I think the most recent I used was Krylon Engine Enamel.

My '73 Interstate had silver barrels when I bought it but I painted them black just because I think they look better that way! The silver always seems to discolour fairly quickly. I think i've only re-painted them 2 or 3 times in the last 34 years, over here we have a cylinder paint called 'pot black'. (not sure if that's still available, my tin is probably 20 years old!)

I have the barrel off my 69, and I remember it was silver when I got it. I had it apart and painted it black many years ago, now it is rusty and in need of a new paint job. Wanting to go back to the original silver color, I notice that OB now recommends VHT Flat Aluminym SP117 and DupliColor DE1636. Anyone have any experience with these paints?

Dave
69S

Hello and welcome,
I know you said you had it apart.
I repainted my cylinders in situ w/ a high temp 500 degree engine paint from Pep Boys.
Spray(rattlecan) application.
If you need it I can get the specifics off the can when I get home.
It smelled during initial start up but has held up very nicely.
Mine is a combat so I repainted it using black.
As others have stated the black will probably hold up and I know is easier to touch up
than the silver.
Marshal

Yes, I like the black, but I was going for an original look. It's a quandary.

Dave
69S

That's likely - Norton using silver in '73 to distiguish these were not combats. Also all Commandos prior to 1972 combat engines and 1972 non-combat engines had silver barrels.

Except for the '68-'70 Fastbacks.

Gday diamondjet, Ive just not long painted my Commando 920 cc barrels with gloss black VHT Brake Calipir paint. Its temp rating is in excess of 900 deg F (normal barrel paint 500 F) because of its ceramic element which must be cured/baked in an oven. I was very happy with the finish which is durable and resistant to petrol etc. VHT,s latest claim to fame with this product is, that its used on the Space Shuttle! Check it out and see what you think.
Rgds Foxy

Its temp rating is in excess of 900 deg F (normal barrel paint 500 F) because of its ceramic element which must be cured/baked in an oven.[/quote]

Yes, but what did the old lady say about using her oven for a bit?

I found that PJ1 'Fast Black' leaves an odour in the oven for a couple of hours, but doesn't affect the flavour of the pizza

The barrels came up well, incidentally.