Combat side cover markings

OldGeezer · Saturday at 9:05 AM

Hi all,
I recently acquired a 1972 Commando Combat in the standard Black/Gold color scheme, and noticed that some other examples have a "Combat" decal on the side cover. Mine does not. Did all Combat's have the decal?

I'd like to restore the bike to factory original as much as possible, hence my question.
Thanks,
OG

MichaelB · Saturday at 9:32 AM

Factory didn't put Combat on the cover.
750 Commando with no pinstripes was standard.
Any pictures?

kommando · Saturday at 11:11 AM

The Combat decals are not OEM but a owner enhancement. The 72 combat was identified by the disc brake which was a linked option with the Combat tune, ask for either and you got both. Barrels were a different colour too, black for Combat instead of silver.

OldGeezer · Saturday at 1:33 PM

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to have to verify it's actually a Combat. The registration just says 1972 Norton Commando, but I doubt Washington State would differentiate the models. Even if it's a plain old Commando, I got an extremely good deal.

Apparently has 1600 original miles. The seller stated he bought it from the original owner and has never ridden it! I believe him - I worked with him for a number of years, and he's not the kind of person to be riding m/c's. I didn't even know he had it until my retirement party, when he casually mentioned it and asked if I'd be interested,,,

He said he's started it a couple times a year, changed the oil occasionally and just replaced the battery. It does start easily, but I need to check the float levels and the needles - it's a little unbalanced. And put on some new tires. they're showing their age. And change the gas,,,, and... and..... and.....

It looks like someone dropped it in the past, too. The shift lever has been repaired (rather poorly) and there's some scuff marks on the kick starter, but otherwise it's in pretty nice shape. Here's a couple pics:

L.A.B. · Saturday at 1:50 PM

OldGeezer said:
I think I'm going to have to verify it's actually a Combat.

What are at least the first four digits of the engine or frame plate number (assuming they're the same) and does the frame plate have a date stamp? It has the disc brake and black barrels so it is likely to be a Combat. What are the numbers on the carbs. The air filter is missing. A Combat may have a 'C' stamped on the cylinder head under the head steady.

OldGeezer · Saturday at 2:44 PM

Thanks! I'll have to check all that when I take possession next week. The seller is out of town for Memorial Day weekend, but I've paid him so it's not going anywhere.

Seller has the air cleaner, just not assembled.

batrider · Saturday at 6:04 PM

Those fake Combat decals are an abomination of the highest order.

jimbo · 2026-05-24T07:48:29-0600

should look like this (just sold it)

NickZ · 2026-05-24T11:30:42-0600

OldGeezer said:
Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to have to verify it's actually a Combat. The registration just says 1972 Norton Commando, but I doubt Washington State would differentiate the models. Even if it's a plain old Commando, I got an extremely good deal.

Apparently has 1600 original miles. The seller stated he bought it from the original owner and has never ridden it! I believe him - I worked with him for a number of years, and he's not the kind of person to be riding m/c's. I didn't even know he had it until my retirement party, when he casually mentioned it and asked if I'd be interested,,,

He said he's started it a couple times a year, changed the oil occasionally and just replaced the battery. It does start easily, but I need to check the float levels and the needles - it's a little unbalanced. And put on some new tires. they're showing their age. And change the gas,,,, and... and..... and.....

It looks like someone dropped it in the past, too. The shift lever has been repaired (rather poorly) and there's some scuff marks on the kick starter, but otherwise it's in pretty nice shape. Here's a couple pics:

Is it the angle of this photo or is the exhaust not upswept the normal amount? Referring to OP photo, not jimbo's

o0norton0o · 2026-05-24T11:32:52-0600

See the little button like object between the seat and the fuel tank in your picture,.... I had a pair of those "buttons" on my original '70 model tank to hold the back of the tank to the frame. That is how they mount fiberglass fuel tanks.. so yours is probably fiberglass too... Best is to get a metal tank and not have to worry about ethanol dissolving your glass tank and distributing the resin inside your engine...

lazyeye6 · 2026-05-24T17:33:33-0600

NickZ said:
Is it the angle of this photo or is the exhaust not upswept the normal amount? Referring to OP photo, not jimbo's

It does seem like somehow the header pipes and mounting brackets are having a lowering effect.

batrider · 2026-05-24T17:58:25-0600

Neither bike has the original downpipes. They did not come straight out from the head.

lazyeye6 · 2026-05-24T18:02:52-0600

Could this be an Interstate model that has been converted to a Roadster without changing out the header pipes and/or muffler mounting brackets.
The seat cover, also, seems to be from a ’74-75. I think it doubtful that the odometer reading is original mileage.

L.A.B. · 2026-05-24T20:23:17-0600

The tank 'Norton' decal appears to be the late type and gold, the 'D' pinstripe is missing, the side panel decal looks to be silver so the bike has possibly been resprayed.

OldGeezer · 2026-05-25T08:26:42-0600

Thanks for all the responses. I assumed at the outset that this was eventually going to be a ground-up restoration, so all your input is very much appreciated. A Norton has always been on my bucket list, so when this came along for $3K, I wasn't going to say no.

If the exhaust is not original, is there a supplier who does make a system more true to the original?

A copy of White's book just arrived, so I have some good info about the motor, but bodywork details and a prototype picture for comparison would be very helpful. Jimbo's pic is beautiful, so it may serve well!

jimbo · 2026-05-25T09:13:50-0600

batrider said:
Neither bike has the original downpipes. They did not come straight out from the head.

I think you are thinking about the early bikes ,68-70 that have the tucked in headers, by 72 the roadsters had the ones that came straight out,( but I could be wrong)

ludwig · 2026-05-25T09:54:46-0600

The sticker on the side cover should be level with the ground. Not parallel with the upper edge of the cover.

batrider · 2026-05-25T11:14:15-0600

My Combat Jan 72 had the tucked in ones. May have to look to see if I kept them now.

Combat side cover markings

OldGeezer

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

kommando

OldGeezer

Attachments

L.A.B.

Moderator

OldGeezer

batrider

jimbo

NickZ

o0norton0o

lazyeye6

batrider

lazyeye6

L.A.B.

Moderator

OldGeezer

jimbo

ludwig

batrider

Similar threads