Barrel Color `71

I've been told that the Black engine jug/barrels did not come out until `72, and that `71 models were painted silver (which gradually toasted to a light gold/rust color -- like what I have now).

Yet I see posters of the `71s showing black barrel colors.
Which is correct?
(Or was `71 a split year w/ some silver and some black?)

Black barrels were the distiguishing mark of the combat engines from 1972. Up to the combat including non-combat '72 engines, the barrells were painted silver. Silver returned in '73 on that year 750 and 850 Commandos to be replaced in '74 onward with black again. This is at least the case for North American models.

My '73 850 Interstate had silver barrels when I first bought it, I painted them black soon after though.

MEHAVEY said:

I've been told that the Black engine jug/barrels did not come out until `72, and that `71 models were painted silver


Yet I see posters of the `71s showing black barrel colors.

Click to expand...

Silver would have been standard, but as you say, there are certain brochure photos of pre-'72 models that appear to have black barrels?