Commando 850 (1975)

CrazyTrain · Jan 20, 2013

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie here. I'm seriously considering buying a Commando Electric Start 1975. Bike is in very good original condition but I'm not sure about the 'matching numbers' bit. The engine and gearbox have no. 333584 but the number on the frame is F125826. Is there anyone who can shed some light on this bike?

You'll be probably 'seeing' a lot of me soon. Bike runs and looks great. The numbers bit will clench the deal. Price is $10k. Any comments and advice would be greatly appreciated before I part with my cash.

bwolfie · Jan 20, 2013

Is the number on the frame stamped on a red plate or into the frame itself. The number stamped directly on the frame is not a vin number, rather a manufacturing number.

Pictures would help also.

$10K seems a bit high. How many miles? Has it been stored or used. Any work been done to it?

mike996 · Jan 20, 2013

10K as in 10,000 USD? Wow...IMO that's way too much money for a Commando unless it's some extremely low mileage original bike that looks almost new. And if that's the case, you wouldn't want to ride it for fear or reducing it's value. I think 50-60% of that price should get you a nice numbers-matching bike and another 1000/1500 below that at least for a nice non-matching numbers bike.

L.A.B. · Jan 20, 2013

Welcome, CrazyTrain.

CrazyTrain said:
Hi everyone. I'm a newbie here. I'm seriously considering buying a Commando Electric Start 1975. Bike is in very good original condition but I'm not sure about the 'matching numbers' bit. The engine and gearbox have no. 333584 but the number on the frame is F125826. Is there anyone who can shed some light on this bike?

There is normally a certification plate riveted to the headstock stamped with the 'matching' serial number and month/year production date?

The F125826 frame could possibly be from another 850 Mk.3 originally, as that number seems to date from a slightly earlier production period than the engine and gearbox.

http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm

Snorton74 · Jan 20, 2013

mike996 said:
10K as in 10,000 USD? Wow...IMO that's way too much money for a Commando unless it's some extremely low mileage original bike that looks almost new. And if that's the case, you wouldn't want to ride it for fear or reducing it's value. I think 50-60% of that price should get you a nice numbers-matching bike and another 1000/1500 below that at least for a nice non-matching numbers bike.

Ditto.

CrazyTrain · Jan 20, 2013

The number is stamped directly into the frame. Didn't notice a red plate. I'll have another look.

The bike is very lightly used. Occasional Sunday mornings. The bike is in Malta (where I live) but originally came from Scotalnd. Mileage is 3566. The condition is good. By no means perfect.

Bike are generally expensive here in Malta. As an example a new Triumph Speedmaster retails for $15K here.

I've got some photos that I'll upload tomorrow.

Thanks for all the feedback.

concours · Jan 20, 2013

Welcome! Looking forward to the pics. As for value, how many others have you looked at? Prices? You know the home market best... how many to choose from? How much to ship in from abroad? Does the seller have GOOD documentation as to what's been done for repairs? Even with the low miles, it's had some work.. carb cleaning, etc. Any tasteful UPGRADES? Like a better starter motor? New isolastics? Brakes masters and calipers been rebuilt? Has the fuel tank been coated inside? Carbs original? Electronic ignition added? All this is time and $$$ so it may help justify the price... or not. You're off to a good start, RESEARCH. Be sure and do a compression test... they run pretty good even down low. Not just MILES that wear it out, the (possible long ago) rust damage in a bore can take the rings right out.

staticmoves · Jan 20, 2013

crazy train......

There could be a CVMG or Norton Owners club near by to possibly have a look at the bike with you and see what you are getting into, as far as value is concerned.
$10,000........... :?

cjandme · Jan 20, 2013

Welcome Crazy Train, I say..... If you can afford it, buy it

You're gonna be "goin' off the rails" with it anyway, so you might as well start with a good one, right???

mike996 · Jan 20, 2013

Malta, eh? Well, maybe that's what they cost there... If so, and you want one, maybe that's the only option.

CrazyTrain · Jan 21, 2013

so.....here are some photos (not great-taken with my phone) photos and a video starting the bike. I know the seat is not the original Commando seat and the carb was changed to a single. Mirrors also need attention. The owner was a bike mechanic and did his own maintenance.

Rohan · Jan 21, 2013

Nice looking cycle.

What does that brass tag on the front guard say ?

JRD · Jan 21, 2013

How many Commando in Malta ? I guess only a handful .
And it really looks nice and pretty much original .

I think it's a timelife opportunity as such bike will not come for sale very often

7500 to 8000 € seems correct for Europe

Peter R · Jan 21, 2013

I agree with JRD that 7500 to 8000 euro is a correct price for a Commando in Europe.
Generally speaking the prices for Commano's are higher in Europe than in the USA.
Your bike looks very good and original, they do not often come up for sale in such a nice condition.

pete.v · Jan 21, 2013

Peter R said:
I agree with JRD that 7500 to 8000 euro is a correct price for a Commando in Europe.
Generally speaking the prices for Commano's are higher in Europe than in the USA.
Your bike looks very good and original, they do not often come up for sale in such a nice condition.

No ES?

trident sam · Jan 21, 2013

Peter R said:
I agree with JRD that 7500 to 8000 euro is a correct price for a Commando in Europe.
Generally speaking the prices for Commano's are higher in Europe than in the USA.
Your bike looks very good and original, they do not often come up for sale in such a nice condition.

I also agree that the price is about right for a bike that looks this good, it would easily fetch £7000 + in the UK.
A few months ago I paid around the same for a bike in the same condition, buy it or someone else will, and the chances are another one like this will never be available again.
(assuming it runs well )
sam

Mark F · Jan 21, 2013

It looks like it has been well cared for. That would be a good price for one around here, especially with such low miles.
As for the seat, it looks as if someone has scooped a bit of foam out to reduce the seat height.
Is the current owner a bit vertically challenged?

speirmoor · Jan 21, 2013

Nice Bike! About checking for #'S in your original post. There's a red tag on the headstock check that for frame #

AntrimMan · Jan 21, 2013

It does look pretty decent in the pics.
Research the numbers matching issue if that is important to you.
Tag=engine=gearbox. The 850F12xx whatever stamped into the frame neck will differ on the 75 and will not match the other numbers.
As L.A.B. mentioned there is some info to be gained by attempting to date the tag number vs the frame number.
You are well enough informed to be able to mention there are some not so standard changes so you must have some idea of what the Norton is all about.
Value is that which is agreed upon by the seller and purchaser. If that's what they sell for locally and you want it then the decision is yours to make.
So do ya want it, well do ya?
All the best.

johnm · Jan 21, 2013

That would be upper endish $ but certainly not unreasonable in NZ.

The thing to remember with old bikes is that one set of worn out mufflers or tyres or shocks or bad paint and the price just went up $300 to $500 to $1000 plus anyway. If a bike is nice and tidy. The owner knows what he is doing, none of the nuts are chewed up and there is evidence of oil changes and good service (cables etc) then it is probabaly woth $1500 more than another bike anyway.

Looks a nice one to me. I cannot see signs of neglect and beleive me thats worth $1000s.

Commando 850 (1975)

CrazyTrain

bwolfie

mike996

L.A.B.

Moderator

Snorton74

CrazyTrain

concours

staticmoves

cjandme

mike996

CrazyTrain

Rohan

JRD

Peter R

pete.v

trident sam

Mark F

speirmoor

AntrimMan

johnm

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