Best Commando shop Manual??

I am rebuilding my 1974 850 commando and am in need of the best shop manual out there to work on the engine and transmission. I currently have the crappy Hanes. I am looking for a detailed well illustrated manual. What do you guys recommend and where do I get it??? Thanks again. You have all been great help

Your best option is probably the Clymer manual: http://www.clymer.com/Book.aspx?bid=637 ... reet+Bikes

There used to be a separate Clymer Norton Commando manual available, but it would seem that it is now included in the British Street Bike manual as the Commando only manual doesn't appear to be available now?


In my opinion you can't have too many manual versions (so I've got Haynes/Factory/Clymer) as one manual version can sometimes give information on a particular procedure or technical spec. in a bit more detail than another type.
The factory manual is reasonably easy to follow, but there are only a few line drawings and no step-by-step type photos like Haynes or Clymer.

http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/publicat.htm

I have one that was published by Norton Triumph International. I'm not sure if this is still available, it is a large white Volume which came with the bike along with the Haynes manual. The Norton Triumph book is the one I reach for and is getting quite a few grease smudges . The Norton Triumph manual is specific to my MK111 whereas the Haynes book I have covers all Commandos from 68 to 77. The Norton Triumph book also has about 30 pages more than the Haynes book, so it really has a lot more detailed information about my model.
I'm not sure if Norton Triumph made a shop manual specific to your bike, but if they did it would be worth searching out.

worntorn said:

I have one that was published by Norton Triumph International. I'm not sure if this is still available, it is a large white Volume

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That factory manual is shown in the Norvil link I posted above, the 850 Mk3 manual being part 004224 and certainly more use to a Mk3 owner than the Haynes.

worntorn said:

I'm not sure if Norton Triumph made a shop manual specific to your bike, but if they did it would be worth searching out.

Click to expand...

Again, that particular one is listed in the Norvil page link, and was the 'factory' manual I referred to previously, -manual 065146

http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/publicat.htm

While we're on the subject of manuals, I'd highly recommend also picking up the INOA tech digest as well. Finally ordered one a few weeks ago after much off-putting and I'm a little peeved that I waited till after my rebuild to get it. It's not a step-by-step manual but it does have tons of priceless info to keep in mind and incorporate while rebuilding. Definitely worth its weight in gold.

Sheffy, is there any info in the Tech digest on the various 920 kits available for the Commando?

Off the top of my head I can't remember any mention of 920 info, but I'll flip through it once i get home to check for sure. I might have just mentally blocked out anything 920 related since I wouldn't much consider it on my 750...

Just checked and there's no 920 stuff in there.