Mine has black cylinders. I'm not the original owner, so maybe something was done to the bike along the way, but does anyone know if all 73 850s originally came with silver cylinders?

Per serial number, mine is an early one, one of the first 500 850s.

I like the black. Just repainted the cylinder when I had it off for new rings, actually. Just curious.

Yep, the 1973 Commandos, both 750 (MkV) and 850 had silver barrels. The elusive short-stroke 750 had black barrels according to the brochure. 1974 and 1975 barrels were again black.

Thanks Ron. Somebody musta switched something along the way. Found .020 over pistons in there with a bore that couldn't be better (max .001 circumference variation), so maybe one of the POs threw a set of 74 cylinders on for the overbore.

More likely re-painted them when the cylinders were bored.

Could well be. I repainted while they were off myself.

Earlier still. An 850 and #69, a one owner. Silver is the color.

Yup, just looked up at the 73 "Temptation" Norton-girl ad that's framed over my desk. Silver cylinders. Wonder why I never noticed before?

Oh yeah, the girl...!

Another 73 with black cylinders - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NORTON-COMMANDO_W ... 2559295b71

BrianK wrote:Another 73 with black cylinders - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NORTON-COMMANDO_W ... 2559295b71

But that's "restored" - not original.

And I've never known original 850 Interstates to have pinstriped side panels, either!

The rocker feed seems arse about face as well.

I could be talked into that one.

My bike was born 10-73 850 I am the second owner. The guy I got it from only had it one summer. The cyclinders are black. Phil

Norton-Villier wrote:My bike was born 10-73 850 I am the second owner. The guy I got it from only had it one summer. The cyclinders are black. Phil

But a 10/73 manufacture could be a '74 model year. What cylinder head, RH4 or RH10? Both of my '73 MkV 750's have an 11/72 headstock tag, but are MkV's not Combat MkIV's (and silver barrels).

Mine was built in 73, late 73. It was an original barn find with 4200 miles. All stock and never been in to. It had black barrels.

850 BTW. still stock exhaust and everything.

Ron, My ID plate says 10-73 but its registered as a 74. I read somewhere if you try to change it, all you get is a big run-a-round from the DMV. It has a RH10 head, 30mm intake, 32mm carbs. Phil