1973 Norton Commando Value

Hi all - I'm new to the forum and new to Norton's but not to old motorcycles. I have 72' Triumph T100R and a 67' Harley but have been looking at Norton's as a perfect addition to my bikes. I found a 73' 850 Commando that the seller wants $8,200 for - it's original paint on the tank, electronic ignition, new tires, fluids, electronics, rebuilt carbs. Matching numbers on frame and engine but not the transmission which is a period correct 4 speed. It's in excellent shape and otherwise original with 12,000 allegedly original miles. Any thoughts on value there?

Thank you,

Eric

We need pics.

maylar said:

We need pics.

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I just posted the pics

Nice and clean. 8000 isn't unrealistic.

It looks very complete. Figure $500 to correct minor irregularities and tidy it up. I'd want to know what was done to the motor.
The barrels from a '73 850 would have been painted silver. It's not the original exhaust headers as there is no
crossover pipe, and the exhaust rose nuts are for the exhaust WITH the crossover. I'd want to at least do a compression
test. If I was shopping for a Commando I'd be seriously considering this one for $7800 assuming all is well mechanically.

lazyeye6 said:

It looks very complete. Figure $500 to correct minor irregularities and tidy it up. I'd want to know what was done to the motor.
The barrels from a '73 850 would have been painted silver. It's not the original exhaust headers as there is no
crossover pipe, and the exhaust rose nuts are for the exhaust WITH the crossover. I'd want to at least do a compression
test. If I was shopping for a Commando I'd be seriously considering this one for $7800 assuming all is well mechanically.

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He said to his knowledge the engine had never been apart. He says it runs perfectly and has just had $2K of refresh at a local British bike shop. That is what i offered. THank you for your thoughts.

Nice looking bike. Can you ask him where he got that tail bag thats behind the seat?

Good luck with your purchase , it is a nice looking Commando .... and welcome aboard !

I would think it is obvious there has not had a lot done...isn't that an antisump valve in the intake oil line. You only need to fix..... PROBLEMS!!!
Looks nice from what you can see...

Eric Bauer said:

He said to his knowledge the engine had never been apart. He says it runs perfectly and has just had $2K of refresh at a local British bike shop. That is what i offered. Thank you for your thoughts.

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Ask the seller how long he has had it, a long time is good, a short time not so for obvious reasons (Unless it was a in the family a long time bike with known history and passed on)

$7800 for what looks to be an original bike seems fair.
It may very well run fine but any seller will say that and you would want to see what $2000 at the shop got, $2000 spent is a reasonable sum of money for a bike that is now for sale.

Good original bikes are not that common so it can be a seller's market all the same but 12000 miles says it sat for a long or long periods and one of those periods could have ended recently. (a find and flip)
Does it matter, not really without X ray glasses... If it feels right do it or find a Norton club close by that someone can look it over as a second opinion.

Time Warp said:

Ask the seller how long he has had it, a long time is good, a short time not so for obvious reasons (Unless it was a in the family a long time bike with known history and passed on)

$7800 for what looks to be an original bike seems fair.
It may very well run fine but any seller will say that and you would want to see what $2000 at the shop got, $2000 spent is a reasonable sum of money for a bike that is now for sale.

Good original bikes are not that common so it can be a seller's market all the same but 12000 miles says it sat for a long or long periods and one of those periods could have ended recently. (a find and flip)
Does it matter, not really without X ray glasses... If it feels right do it or find a Norton club close by that someone can look it over as a second opinion.

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It was a carb rebuild, new tires, new battery, fluid change, etc. Not sure if the $2K is real to your point, that sounds like a lot for that but it was done at a shop so who knows. The seller and previous owner (they are friends) have had it for 15 years. I think it looks pretty good. Thank you all for looking, I'm going to go pick it up soon.

Saber said:

Nice looking bike. Can you ask him where he got that tail bag thats behind the seat?

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will do!

Eric Bauer said:

It was a carb rebuild, new tires, new battery, fluid change, etc. Not sure if the $2K is real to your point, that sounds like a lot for that but it was done at a shop so who knows. The seller and previous owner (they are friends) have had it for 15 years. I think it looks pretty good. Thank you all for looking, I'm going to go pick it up soon.

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That would be what I would want to hear.
It looks like a solid bike and looked after given its age.

dynodave said:

isn't that an antisump valve in the intake oil line.

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Looks like one of these... which would give me pause. OP, I would throw a compression tester on it at the very least, and ideally an oil pressure test gauge at the timing cover outlet before agreeing to purchase.

besides the previous comments, I'd also want to see what the bill for the previous shop work included... and a voltage check at the battery when running...

acadian said:

Looks like one of these... which would give me pause. OP, I would throw a compression tester on it at the very least, and ideally an oil pressure test gauge at the timing cover outlet before agreeing to purchase.

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What is the fear in having one of those?

850commando said:

besides the previous comments, I'd also want to see what the bill for the previous shop work included... and a voltage check at the battery when running...

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The paperwork is coming with it. The work was done at the shop below.

http://www.azbritbikes.com/

Eric Bauer said:

What is the fear in having one of those?

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These valves impede oil delivery, often resulting in engine seizure, though many still insist on running them (auto or manual versions).

Eric Bauer said:

Hi all - I'm new to the forum and new to Norton's but not to old motorcycles. I have 72' Triumph T100R and a 67' Harley but have been looking at Norton's as a perfect addition to my bikes. I found a 73' 850 Commando that the seller wants $8,200 for - it's original paint on the tank, electronic ignition, new tires, fluids, electronics, rebuilt carbs. Matching numbers on frame and engine but not the transmission which is a period correct 4 speed. It's in excellent shape and otherwise original with 12,000 allegedly original miles. Any thoughts on value there?

Thank you,

Eric

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If, starts on first or second kick, idles, blipping the throttle has no hesitation, no smoke, and shifts smoothly through all gears, then probably OK. If the tank is clear coated (looks like it), then it is not original paint. The pinstripe as not normal near the read so again probably not original paint. Rebuilt original carbs with 12k miles are not great - if a complete rebuild, including new slides and stayup floats might be ok but most are no doing this today - upgrade to Premier carbs. See if the rims say Dunlop Trade

If I were looking for a rider, I would offer $7000 (I paid $6500 for my rider). $8200 is an eBay price - should be less direct. I have too many so I'm a little jaded on the value. If it's just for you ride and enjoy, then $8200 is fine if it local and you don't have to ship it.

I have a perfect 74 850 for sale at $11500 direct and I just sold a show winning 72 750 Combat for $11500 so that will give you and idea what it will be worth if you buy and make it perfect like my 850 or original and show winning like my 750. What's the difference? The 850 has new rims. spokes, fenders, chainguard, seat, etc. Those are all original on the 750, not perfect, but clearly original.