Commando Instrument Number List

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L.A.B.

L.A.B.

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I would like to try (with the assistance of the forum) to compile a list of the different Smiths and Veglia speedo and tacho types used on Commandos over the years as there seems to have been many changes throughout the production period and a definitive list could be useful?

I already have some of these numbers but there is only a very limited amount of this information on the internet that I know of, if anyone should know of a list then I hope they would be able to say where I could find it (I am aware of the Rask list but this has very little information for Commandos).

It's the small code at the bottom of the dials that is needed (I don't need any of the Norton part numbers-thanks), the Smiths types normally start with 'SSM' (for speedos) and RSM (for tachos) and the Veglias have a sequence of four-three-four numbers (or just an eleven digit number?).

If the instruments are known to match the production year of the motorcycle then even better if that info can be given?

So next time you are in the garage/shed/workshop if some of you could jot down those numbers and post up the info that would be great?



Thanks.
 
Hello L.A.B.,

Thought I'd be the first one to help you along. My numbers are as follows :-

1972 750 MkIV Roadster - SSM 3001/09 1000 - No Trip
RSM 3003/15

1975 850 MkIII Roadster - SSM 4003/00 1000

I have cheated with my tacho because when I bought the bike it had a vaugelia. I have had a T160 Trident dial cobbled into a studded Commando Housing. The Trident dial looks the same (squiggly blue line job) but lacks a red line ! It has the number

RSM 3006/00

Perhaps you can help confirm or deny what I have heard about Veglias ? The 1973 750 Mk V brochure states that the trip was fitted to the Interstate only and shows a Veglia (can't read the code though) Veglia bodies are deeper and this was alledgedly the reason for the long clockholders. I don't remember seeing a Smiths "green spot" with a trip. Does this mean that all bikes with Veglia clocks should have been Interstates unless they've been got at ? Mk III clocks all seem to have trips and come in both variations.

Have you noted similar ?
 
Thanks 79x100,

The reason for the '73-on clockholders being deeper to accommodate the Veglia instruments is fairly well understood I believe, and according to the parts book listings Smiths instruments were fitted to Roadsters and Veglias to Interstates although as we know that did not always appear to be the case!

There would also appear to be some late models as yours fitted with NVT '/00' instruments.

These I had been led to believe were fitted to Triumphs (T140/T160) as I am sure another Norton enthusiast I spoke to some while ago said the Smiths Norton NVT (wiggly worm logo) instruments had different numbers after the '/' although somebody else selling a set of Smiths 'Norton' NVT /00 instruments on eBay recently said that they had been fitted from new, these '/00' type tachos having no redline?

The '73 Vague-liar speedo (stripey green dot with trip) number I believe is '09190919900'

Still,-early days!
 
I know that my tacho is a fake because I faked it !

The T160 clocks were housed in a rubber mount and had no fixing studs. I had to use a Commando case to be able to fit it.

As for my speedo, well, no way of knowing if it had had a similar conversion. It had passed through a few owners in quick succession before I bought it. It would surprise me though if at that time anyone else had been fiddling with Trident clocks to fit them to Commandos. Judging by the evidence, most of the previous owners weren't even up to checking the oil level !
 
79x100 said:
I know that my tacho is a fake because I faked it !
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes I understood what you meant. I was just remarking that some Smiths '/00's could have been original Norton fitment-as your 850 MkIII SSM 4003/00 could be, just that I was led to believe otherwise?
 
L.A.B.,

I'm curious now, what codes do you reckon for Smiths fitted to MkIIIs ? As MkIIIs go, mine is relatively early (3305**) 5/75.

I have to say that my tacho is the only one that I've ever seen on a Commando without a red line. If any one says otherwise, it may just be that they have heard me bullsh***ing at an NOC rally or something :)

My only reason for doing it was that I found the Trident clock for £5 at a Cheltenham autojumble years ago and thought that it would look better with more or less matching clocks !

I think that Norton clocks must have had a different part number because of the two fixing studs on the case. It would not make sense to keep the same number on the dial because that is a reference for the instrument (isn't it ?)

Might Triumph clocks have done without the red line because it differed between Tridents and Bonnevilles ? Researching Triumphs can be your next project !
 
79x100 said:
I'm curious now, what codes do you reckon for Smiths fitted to MkIIIs ? As MkIIIs go, mine is relatively early (3305**) 5/75.
Click to expand...

Somebody did tell me the Smiths 850 MkIII (red line tacho etc.) numbers once but I jotted them down on a piece of paper which I mislaid unfortunately (I have the wiggly worm Veglia numbers) as far as I can remember they were not /00.


I have to say that my tacho is the only one that I've ever seen on a Commando without a red line.
Click to expand...

Someone was selling a set of 'Norton' non-redline wigglies on eBay, I e-mailed the person (originally to ask for the numbers which had not been given) and he was quite sure they were original Norton fitment.


I think that Norton clocks must have had a different part number because of the two fixing studs on the case. It would not make sense to keep the same number on the dial because that is a reference for the instrument (isn't it ?)
Click to expand...

Yes the clock numbers are different for stud and non-stud types although the stud types do fit to T160 pods the studs not doing anything but neither do they foul anything. The standard T160 clocks are tacho: RSM 3006/00 (as you know) no redline, MPH speedo: SSM 4004/00 (although some T160s *could* have had the studded SSM 4003/00 speedo fitted?



Might Triumph clocks have done without the red line because it differed between Tridents and Bonnevilles ?
Click to expand...

Some Bonneville tachos at least, had redlines


Researching Triumphs can be your next project !
Click to expand...


Too late! As I am also a T160 owner that project is already ongoing!
 
G,Day L.A.B.

I have matching numbers on my '73 - 09200909900 - Veglia i guess, made in france.

Regards Mike.
 
Hey, L.A.B.,

Veglias on a '73 Interstate. That must prove that all Norton factory literature is 100% credible :)
 
Thanks 79x100, txnortonrdr and mike mcmanus.

The Smiths SSM/RSM numbers are at least what I would expect for that year.

Mike,

You say you have matching numbers?
Possibly the number you have given beginning 0920******* is correct for the tach only?
As I would have expected the speedo to start with 0919******* (I know those numbers are quite small) also *Made in France* on the dials and I guess you have a KPH (sorry I can't remember when you changed from miles) speedo so may also say *600t = 1 Kilometre* at the very bottom?
If you could possibly re-check that speedo number sometime I would be grateful?

I have one Veglia MPH speedo number 09190919900 and would expect that (or the KPH speedo 09190909900?) to be the match to the 09200909900 tacho?

Thanks again, -and has anyone got anything different? (Smiths 850 MkIII numbers [with the red line tacho] needed please.)


Update
--------------------
I checked on the metrication date and that was 1st July 1974 so maybe you have a MPH speedo Mike?
 
L.A.B.

I will double check the numbers but i thought they were right, i am at work at the moment and my bikes at home, the speedo reads M.P.H. or i am going a lot slower than i thought :wink:

Mike.
 
Not strictly related to the question, but can someone confirm to me that the Commando MK3 veglia tacho read up to "10" thou and not as the green globe tachos, which went to "9" thou?

Reggie
 
Reggie said:
Not strictly related to the question, but can someone confirm to me that the Commando MK3 veglia tacho read up to "10" thou and not as the green globe tachos, which went to "9" thou?
Click to expand...

= Confirmed.

It would appear that the Smiths 850 MkIII tacho scale also read up to 10,000 RPM. All earlier types reading to 9,000 RPM.
 
Ok, another data point:

'75 MK3 - Veglia speedo and tach - speedo number: 0919 091 9911, the tach registers up to 10,000 rpm.

Jason
 
Thanks for the new responses, and thanks 79x100 I had erm..spotted that one on eBay, and the SSM 3001/02 I did already have on my list.
(A pair of Veglia NVTs sold on UK eBay too quite recently.)

Still no-one with 1975 red line Smiths numbers?

Or any KPH speedos?

I will give it another week or so then I will post up the list.
 
L.A.B. said:
I had erm..spotted that one on eBay

OUCH :)

I can find out what KPH clocks my brother in law has on his '73 750. I'll give him a ring this week.
Click to expand...
 
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