850 Interstate tank

hi new to the Forum looking at buying my first norton .have my eye on a 1973 850 interstate have only seen photos as yet i would like to know if there was any pinstripe decal changes .as this bikes pin stripeing on the tankcurves around at the base where the tank meets the seat? other photos i have seen show the top stripe stop at a point. would this lean towards a re spray as the bike look completely original . che

Only the 850 models have twin pinstripes - 750 models had one pinstripe (or none), depending on model.

This 850 tank was taken off an 850 showroom bike back when they were new - thats its replacements' factory box its sitting on.

Its really common to see tanks, and sidecovers, repainted over the years - its 40 years since these bikes were new, after all.
And the paint was a bit thin and patchy even on this tank when it was new...

Hopethishelps.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... chures.htm

http://www.etmoteur.fr/norton_catalogue_commando.htm

Rohan,
You still have a factory fresh Interstate tank? I have a bike that would bolt to the bottom of it!

Russ

Rohan said:

Only the 850 models have twin pinstripes - 750 models had one pinstripe (or none), depending on model.

This 850 tank was taken off an 850 showroom bike back when they were new - thats its replacements' factory box its sitting on.

Its really common to see tanks, and sidecovers, repainted over the years - its 40 years since these bikes were new, after all.
And the paint was a bit thin and patchy even on this tank when it was new...

Hopethishelps.

Click to expand...

Very, very cool ... beautiful tank; and the "Norton" sticker is even mounted ...centered and NOT crooked even

rvich said:

You still have a factory fresh Interstate tank? I have a bike that would bolt to the bottom of it!

Russ

Click to expand...

I have a bike that goes under it too. ! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Watch this space....

Its not quite as good as it looks in a photo though - the paint has little bumps under it, quite a lot.
And it was taken off because it leaked. Although so far I haven't been able to find where.

nortriubuell said:

and the "Norton" sticker is even mounted ...centered and NOT crooked even

Click to expand...

Yes. Whoever pinstriped and decalled it knew what they were doing.
And had probably done a few before....