Commando 'R'

Anyone restored one or even have one?

I need a new project.

Dog

Well, it's not an "R" but checkout the ebay item #1106 1404 8443 that I sold on ebay in November. The guy who bought it has paid in full, but he lives in Australia !!! This being a non-titled bike ... is going to cause him additional "issues" (grief) To title it in your state, maybe not so bad though. If your interested, I could put you in contact with him and maybe you two can make a deal. I have a gearbox and a good set of Z-plates I might sell with it too. If you want a PROJECT ... this might be just the one. WHAT GREAT BEFORE ... AND AFTER PICTURES it would make too, EH ???

Dave, There is one featured in the December issue of The Classic Motorcycle Magazine printed in the UK. If you can't get a copy let me know and I will try to scan the article for you. I do however have to say that this featured bike has quite a few non-original parts and incorrect decals, colour scheme etc. I wrote to the magazine highlighting the items I myself noted as inaccurate and had a reply back from the editor saying he would inform the builder. There is a photo of an R-type in some of the Norton promotional material from the period.

It looks like we are both in the same boat, having finished one project and now nothing but time on our hands! I am doing a Dunstall equipped 750 cafe racer as my next project, as I fancy something a bit different and already have a few of the relevant Dunstall parts in stock. Dare I mention that I am also doing a complete restoration of 1965 Tr---ph that was given to me recently. Why not have a look around at what Norton projects are available for reasonable money in your area and then simply build the model that you desire out of it, lets face it apart from tank and seat and some details the basic Commando platform is almost identical and you will probably save quite a bit of money over seeking out something relatively rare and complete.

Dave M

I saw a man on the street hitting himself in the head with a hammer. I stopped and asked "doesn't it hurt hitting yourself in the head with that hammer". Yes was his reply. Then why do you hit yourself in the head with the hammer, I asked.

He replyed: "Because it feels so good when I stop".

P.S. Do you, by any chance mean the Fastback L.R.?

I'm not sure I would actually do it, but it is an idea. If I did, I'd probably take an old fastback and re-do it into the R.



DogT

I take it an "R" is a pre-Roadster with Berliner's buckhorn bars?

Actually it's a pre-roadster, built from the original fastback with the side oil tank instead of the central one and with the camshaft points. Probably built between the first fastback and the S and Roadster models. I think only about 500 of them were made and they were probably all converted to something else.

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/NCRModel.htm

nortribuell, I think I'll just keep my eyes open, I'm not in a rush, the boss just bought a new car too.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Actually it's a pre-roadster, built from the original fastback with the side oil tank instead of the central one and with the camshaft points.

Click to expand...

No camshaft points on the R model, at least, not the early ones (look at the R photos) only the S (20M3S) models had camshaft points initially-which was necessary because the high level S exhaust system would have made access to the original 20M3 "magneto position" points housing almost impossible without removing the S exhaust system first.

Was the gas tank made specially for this model?
Metal or fiberglass !
Thanks
Philippe

tank was fibreglass, points were behind the engine [mag position], i came across one years ago but being young and stupid i passed it up, i have never seeen it again.

Spares book lists the same tank number for the R as the S, 061108 or 10 depending on Red or Blue. I'm sure it was a hybrid from the original commando (fastback) with magneto located points, tach drive off the cam (thanks L.A.B.) and the S or early (pre-71) Roadster.

Interesting that possm has seen one, they are rarely mentioned, not that they need to be, kind of like the Norton Edsel.

Dave
69S

The only one I have seen in the flesh was a Red/Silver one at Daytona a few years back. Very much like a Fastback with the exception of Tank, seat, and tail. Looked like the same tank as on my early '70 Roadster. Can't remember if it had the silver flake on the tail light housing like the 'S' and early flake roadsters. I took some pics, but can't seem to find them at this time.

In the 1980's and 1990's There a number of people bring bikes from the U.S.A. over to here [NewZealand] by the container load. Think that was how the R got here. I had a P11 Ranger for about 15 years same applys got it off a guy that brought a continer in [only 499 Rangers built].

Nice writing here:
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motor ... andos.aspx

Philippe

That's my "R" Type in the article that Philippe posted. 8)

It's pretty much dead stock, restored it myself.

What would you like to know?

Tony

Tony,

Cool. Just would like to know if that article is accurate? Do you have any more pics you could supply. Love to hear the stories about the early Commandos. It pretty much seems like what I think about the 'R'. Where are you, BC? Where did the R come from?

Dave
69S

The article is reasonably accurate but the "R" is a little hard to research because of the lack of factory documentation. I received some help through the NOC and a few west coast Norton enthusiasts.

She was dispatched to British Motorcycles, Vancouver, BC on the 15 of January 1969. s/n 1301xx.
I've owned her for about 18 years and she's a keeper.

List price in '69 was $1,495.00 cdn. :shock:

You could build one from any '69 20M3 but a serial number check through the NOC would prove it wasn't an original.

I know of only two other genuine R Types. They're quite rare and were an export model only, the majority of them being shipped to the US. They're a blast to ride although the stock seat is a tad uncomfortable. It's got more grunt than my '71 and is a hands off rider (doesn't pull left).

I've got pleanty of pics and could post some or email them to you if you like. There's a larger one of my avatar on the "metalflake" thread.

Regards, Tony

I just noticed something tonight. I blew up the picture of the R (the one I posted earlier) and you can clearly see that the Norton logo on the back of the seat is gold in colour. Makes me wonder if the S was also gold, it would match the gold in the transfers, like Mike Partrige and RK Leighton said. Just throwing it out there. I would love to see a colour picture of an original S from the rear.

Actually the gold seat logo looks good with the gold transfer on the red tank, I'm not sure about a blue tank and black/gold outline tank transfer, but the panels on the blue S are gold/black outline.

Dave
69S

Some people maintain ( and I think Mike P is one) that the original "R"s and "S"s (production models) had no writing on the seat back. My aftermarket seat has gold writing and I like it because it matches the tank (sort-of). I've also wondered whether the "R" had any decal (750 Commando) on the side cover from factory. I've yet to talk to an original "R" owner who remembers whether they had it or not...after all it's been 40+ years... ;-)

Tony

Yes, I remember Mike said there was no logo on the seat now. It was Leighton that said gold. I'm thinking if I do the cover again, I'll use gold, it will match the transfers.

Dave
69S