Commando LR model specifications

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INOA Canada rep

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There were only around 400 fastback LR's built between 1971-73, period photos of this model are very few and there was only ever one photo in the factory brochures. The model is always shown with silver cylinders and a TLS front brake.
Roy Bacons Norton restoration book has a period drive side photo of a 1972 LR, clearly showing that it has the new strengthened crankcase's and the 72 only crankcase breather.
My question is, because the LR build period overlapped the combat engined commando's, does that mean that a number of LR's would have been built to combat spec, which would have included being fitted with a front disc brake, as all combat engined commando's had the new at the time, front disc.
I have heard it said that a small number of LR's were built to combat spec, but cannot find any facts to back this up, it seems that the LR is not a well researched commando model.
 
My understanding only roadster and interstate were built with the combat engine. That said it's easy enough to build an engine to a higher output spec if it's important.
 
Went looking for the source of my understanding. The '72 sales brochure says Combat Engine: new exciting higher power engine option now available for the Roadster and Interstate...

Disc Brake:....now available for the Roadster and Interstate.
 
The combat engine was also offered for the fastback models. I saw them new on the showroom floor in the UK.
My question is, were any LR models also built to combat spec, the only people who can probably answer this question would have worked at the factory, at a major dealer, or someone that owned one.
 
INOA Canada rep said:
The combat engine was also offered for the fastback models. I saw them new on the showroom floor in the UK.
My question is, were any LR models also built to combat spec, the only people who can probably answer this question would have worked at the factory, at a major dealer, or someone that owned one.
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Excuse the ignorance but what is a LR model?
 
The disc brake and Combat option were linked for Interstate and Roadster, so if you specified either one you got both, so look for LR's with original Disc brake and it could have a combat engine if the same followed for the Fastback.
 
kommando said:
so look for LR's with original Disc brake and it could have a combat engine if the same followed for the Fastback.
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There's at least one (apparently factory) photo of a '72 disc brake standard Fastback, this has 'standard model' silver barrels, unfortunately it's not easy to tell if the carb intake manifold is the 30mm standard, or 32mm 'Combat' type?

Commando LR model specifications
 
The fins don't look closer head to barrel either, not that the picture is clear enough to tell properly.
 
I've never seen a genuine Combat LR Fastback. I'd be highly skeptical if I ever saw someone trying to pass one off as genuine.
I'm sure there have been quite a few "Frankenbikes" built with Interpol gas tanks and Fastback bodywork. And I'm not knocking "Frankenbikes". It's a lot of fun mixing and matching parts on these old crocks. But they shouldn't be touted as "rare model". Commando's are a bit like Mr. Potato-Head swapping out nose, eyes, ears for a different personality. I converted my `71 Roadster into an Interback easily enough. I bought an Interpol tank on ebay but ran out of interest after I calculated the expense of another paint job and Leighton repop saddle. The Interpol tank I purchased did not have a radio box but it did have 4 small threaded inserts on the top, presumably for a radio mount (I probably sold it too cheaply). The bottom tunnel was welded-up from pieces, rather cobby looking, and the bottom edge was very rough. It was also extremely tight fitting around the head steady. I doubt it would work with a Taylor head steady, etc. There are probably more LR Fastback now than were ever built by the factory. Because of this It's probably impossible to verify if a LR F/B is genuine or not.

Here's an Interpol tank on eBay AU. Yikes.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norton-Comman ... 2a4cdbbca9
 
I think the caveat normally used is no LR Fastback were produced with combat engine unless you know differently. It's only really important if the processor is trying to drive up the value due to rarity of an originally manufactured model. It's very easy to modify a combat roadster to LR tank and FB seat and tail section. We have at least two of these in the local club. In fact in the past I put '71-'72 fastback tank, seat tail section and side covers on my '72 combat roadster only to take them off later as I prefer a roadster.
 
mschmitz57 said:
There are probably more LR Fastback now than were ever built by the factory. Because of this It's probably impossible to verify if a LR F/B is genuine or not.
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wow :shock: i was wonderin what the value might be, then i read this :eek:
 
Thanks for your replies on this subject.
It seems that other than the number, month and year stamped on the engine and ID plate, there is no official way of proving that a commando has been a particular model since new, unless it comes with a documented history.
The factory had no idea at the time that these machines would be around 40 plus years later,
The LR has always been my favourite model, having owned several.
 
INOA Canada rep said:
Thanks for your replies on this subject.
It seems that other than the number, month and year stamped on the engine and ID plate, there is no official way of proving that a commando has been a particular model since new, unless it comes with a documented history.
The factory had no idea at the time that these machines would be around 40 plus years later,
The LR has always been my favourite model, having owned several.
Click to expand...

The factory production record up through the 1971 Commando model year does show body style such as RDSTR, FB, LR FB as well as color. If you have a VIN you can check with the NOC or VMCC in England who have limited copies of the records. In the few Commando pages I have copies there are no Long Range FB listed.
 
And here is one of the constructed LR Fastbacks in the NCNOC membership. Nice aftermarket seat on the yellow LR. I'm the guy in red with the red roadster :)

Commando LR model specifications
 
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