1972 Norton Combat Commando Interstate

I am about to acquire a one-owner, '72 Combat Commando Interstate - it has about 68,000 original miles on it, complete and assembled, but has not been started in 12 years. It has a single Mikuni carb, 2 into 1 exhaust, hardened valves, and the cylinders have been shimmed so that it will run on less than 92 octane fuel.

Does anyone have an idea as to what this bike might be worth?

dpm

1999 paid $4000 for a good runner IS '72 in constant use since new but smoked or leaked everywhere and had cracked cases and bend crank plug electric to head and drive train about used up. The rebuild repair recovery took 5 yr but changed my life for the better

2006 I paid $3300 for Roadster '72 that sat a dozen years in shed or shop. I ran after basic servicing but split a piston by 3rd week careful normal legal use, d/t an Aluminum gasket intruding on the comma oil slot weak pistons.

If it lived 65K likely darn good upgrades done already and just basic wear items
to refresh and finishes to shine, so I'd nab it if Commando is something you want to change you life too, usually for the better. Some claim 100K miles so might just use it up taking it easy watching for signs its time to refresh inside and out. To get a fully fettered soup to nuts show class Cdo can easy cost like 10K estra.

I still have my 2 Combats one plain factory, one super special beastie, but I'm hard pressed to decide which I like better as realistically both deliver sane thrills enough for me 99.98% of the time. BTW you can't go anywhere w/o being center of attention with sight and sound of a Commando around.

dpm said:

I am about to acquire a one-owner, '72 Combat Commando Interstate - it has about 68,000 original miles on it, complete and assembled, but has not been started in 12 years. It has a single Mikuni carb, 2 into 1 exhaust, hardened valves, and the cylinders have been shimmed so that it will run on less than 92 octane fuel.

Does anyone have an idea as to what this bike might be worth?

dpm

Click to expand...

Depends on where in the world you are.

Steel tank? I figure mine is worth about 6k.

Thanx for the information -

To swooshdave - I live near Eugene and the bike is down in Southern California -

I did own a '67 Triumph 650 back in the '70's and will be happy to get back on a similar ride.

67,000 miles is quite a few.
Since it's a Combat with that many miles lets assume it has had new superblend bearings put in.
The valve work and spacer under barrel indicates the head and at least the rings have been done within that 67K miles.
If the bike looks like it has been well cared for then maybe mechanicals ok.
If it looks like ridden hard I'd look into a compression test for rings and valves.
Condition of plugs and silencers for oilyness.
Overall condition of chrome and paint.

If the above mentioned checks out as a 3-4 out of 5 and it runs smooth with no smoke I'd think $4,500 -$5,500
If can't start but everything else checks out I'd take $1,000 off price.

Good luck and if you get it post pictures and the guys in this site will give lots of advice and suggestions to get it out on the road in good fettle.

Bob

dpm said:

Thanx for the information -

To swooshdave - I live near Eugene and the bike is down in Southern California -

I did own a '67 Triumph 650 back in the '70's and will be happy to get back on a similar ride.

Click to expand...

Ah, down the road from here.

"similar ride"? Nothing similar about a Norton and a Triumph. Don't get yourself banned already. :mrgreen:

It would be a lot easier if you told us the asking price and then we can say if you are getting a great deal.

The steel tank question was not idle curiousity. There are problems associated with fiberglass tanks and the steel tanks fetch a high price. When I bought my bike I searched out a steel tank. It was harder to find than I originally assumed and I ended up paying extra for the priviledge. I am really glad I did. So if the bike has a fiberglass tank be aware, do some research on it and adjust your offer accordingly. That is my best advice.

PS-lots of great riding roads out of Eugene!

My own preference since I've owned my '72 combat for 14 years and it's my second, the Interstate set up is for touring. An 850 is more suited to that with lower compression and more torque. The combat is a road burner and is best as a roadster for street trim or maybe cafe racer. If you want an Interstate hold out for the 850 version.

I have always found it interesting as to how many Combats were turned out in Interstate dress. Now that I have my 850 project the eventual evolution is to turn the 750 into the Roadster and put the Interstate on the 850. Of course if you were going to own just one, you could dig up a set of both tanks, seats, panels and swap it out for any longer duration trips. It's only a matter of money and patience!

Thanx to all for the input - I will be paying about $2500 for the bike - I have no idea what tank is on it at the moment but will check.

Swooshdave - In addition to the Triumph, I have had a couple of BSA's - they were "similar" as compared to the Harley and Japanese bikes I've owned - but maybe not similar to a Norton.

dpm said:

Thanx to all for the input - I will be paying about $2500 for the bike - I have no idea what tank is on it at the moment but will check.

Swooshdave - In addition to the Triumph, I have had a couple of BSA's - they were "similar" as compared to the Harley and Japanese bikes I've owned - but maybe not similar to a Norton.

Click to expand...

I was just funnin' with you.

And I'd lump the BSA with the Triumph, but would barely use either one in the same sentence with a Norton.

Dammit, I just did.
:mrgreen: