For what its worth, my 73 came to Australia ex-Canada. Was originally a Black Roadster, 32mm carbs, I assume RH5 head but no actual marking stamped anywhere on it, breather behind LH case, long black gauge holders, late square tail light, ANG fork trees (IE 850 type), basket weave seat.
Matching engine, gearbox and frame VIN 230034. date stamped on frame ID plate DEC 1972
I have recently sent a copy of my Norton VIN information list (with over 2000 VIN from 1952 to the last Commando built) that I have been compiling for many years to Jerry on this forum. He plans to publish it in a new website and give me access to update it. I am sure this list will be very interesting to forum members as it has many examples of the 230 series machines built December 1972, as well as the 235 series built Jan to March 1973 with 750 STD, 850 STD machines and 750 Shortstroke engines all built stamped with a 235 VIN.
I have also saved folders of photos of the majority of entries on my list for reference and in time will complete the large task of properly putting them into chronological VIN order.
In time I will save it all to an external hard drive and mail it over to Jerry for inclusion in his planned website for that kind of information.
Seeing 230935 is supposed to be the last 230 series machine, your bike is close to the end Piero. Is there a build date stamped on the frame ID plate? That would be very interesting to know please.
It is interesting that the 230 series seem to have been all built (to the best of my knowledge based on the many build date examples in my list) during December 1972 but Roy Bacon gives a date of October 1973 for 230935.
I think he must have had access to the dispatch records and not the production records for a lot of his information. I think that some 73 750cc machines for whatever reason were held over for a time before dispatch (perhaps as the 850 was in now in production and demand).
As already stated above, the 230 series built in Dec 72 were not the last 750's built considering the build dates Jan-March stamped on the 235 machines.
Perhaps 230935 may for whatever reason been held over at Andover and became the last 750 DISPATCHED in October 73 rather then being the last 750 BUILT???
As has been stated by Joe Siefert the records (both production and dispatch?) for late 750's have been lost. Perhaps they were among the various documents thrown out when Andover closed?
I received a letter from John Hudson many years ago and he told me that a lot of documents were thrown onto a garbage pile to be dumped when Andover closed but an employee saw this and collected it and delivered it onto the front steps of a boarding house John was staying at and he says he got a big surprise when he came home and found the boxes waiting for him. John did not state exactly what he was given but I know there were sales brochures and I think period factory photographs of which he sent me a few. All that he got he later passed on to the NOC.
I will copy his letter and post it here some time when I can get the time to find it amongst all my bike related stuff.
Regards, Tom
