Commando Rear disc

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

oleblu72

Joined
Dec 5, 2015
Messages
71
Country flag
Could some kind soul tell me what year they started putting a disc on the rear? I've seen some pictures of a 74 with a rear disc and I've seen some 74's with a drum brake, Thank you for your reply.

Mark
 
Ok thanks David. I was trying to figure out what year this 850 is in this auction because they didn't list the year and it has a drum on the back thanks again.

Mark
 
The 1975 is an 850 MkIII. Many changes with discs front and back, but most importantly the change from right side to left side gear shift and it has electric start.
 
My Aug '74 built MKII 850 was sold to me new as a 75. That's what the bill of sale, title, and my Connecticut registration say. Never had any reason to change that.
 
swooshdave said:
Not really, registered year has nothing to do with manufactured year. At least in those days. I believe the logic was that the bike was technically new when registered, regardless of when it was made.
Click to expand...
That is true, same here in the U.K. However, the point was about model years. His was, he stated “sold to me new as a 75” which suggests he was sold a 75 model year bike, which obviously it wasn’t as that would be a mk3................Oh, and it wasn’t a completely serious remark, I was taking the piss a little.......:rolleyes:
 
JOHNO23 said:
His was, he stated “sold to me new as a 75” which suggests he was sold a 75 model year bike, which obviously it wasn’t as that would be a mk3.......
Click to expand...

This is true. There were MK3's on the showroom floor at the dealership at the time (May of 75) as well as the MK2 that I bought. I think that it should have been sold to me as a "leftover" 74. But I knew nothing about Nortons back then other than that they handled well and were fast. It wasn't until years later that someone pointed out to me that it was a 74.
 
maylar said:
This is true. There were MK3's on the showroom floor at the dealership at the time (May of 75) as well as the MK2 that I bought. I think that it should have been sold to me as a "leftover" 74. But I knew nothing about Nortons back then other than that they handled well and were fast. It wasn't until years later that someone pointed out to me that it was a 74.
Click to expand...
Hopefully you had a good deal on it!:) More importantly, it’s great that you still have it!
 
gtiller said:
@maylar many will say (including me) that you actually got the better model!
Click to expand...

I remember lusting after the rear disc brake and electric start but the MKIII was $500 more and I was a poor kid. I also recall visiting my dealer a few months later and the prices had dropped by $500, as Norton was struggling to survive. In retrospect now after 45 years with it, I think you're right. I have no regrets.
 
@EstuaryBoy it wasn't meant as disrespect to the MK3 (we have one too)

But I do feel it was losing a lot of the original Commando personality by the end - I appreciate that some of that was due to various noise and emissions mandates that were being rolled out across Europe and the US, so some of the change was totally necessary.
 
So then this is either a 73 or 74 then. It even has one option a Harley sissy bar that's got to be a plus right .You're aloud to charge more money for it because the word patina applies because of the Harley sissy bar and all the dirt & dust all over it. Thanks for all your help.

Mark
 
Well the auction for this 850 is fast approaching and I have a bid of $1500 on it so far. The bike is all stock and through all the dirt it looks to be in decent shape its been sitting for quite a few years it even has a title. I talked with the auctioneer today and he tells me the words I don't want to hear the motor is froze up but he tells me they got it to move a little after spraying penetrant in the cylinders I told him to dump some atf in there and leave it sit. At this point I don't know if I should increase my bid much more or am I cruising for a bruisen like I said it looks like it will clean up pretty decent.

Mark
 
swooshdave said:
Not really, registered year has nothing to do with manufactured year. At least in those days. I believe the logic was that the bike was technically new when registered, regardless of when it was made.
Click to expand...
I agree; and, In truth, there's really no such thing as a "model year" for Norton. My MK2A (310311) is titled as 75. My other 850 (320691) is titled as 74. Even Triumph, who had specific model years were often titled "incorrectly" by dealers in the US. I have three Tridents. A 74 titled as 75, a 74 titled as 73, and a 73 titled as 74.
 
oleblu72 said:
Well the auction for this 850 is fast approaching and I have a bid of $1500 on it so far. The bike is all stock and through all the dirt it looks to be in decent shape its been sitting for quite a few years it even has a title. I talked with the auctioneer today and he tells me the words I don't want to hear the motor is froze up but he tells me they got it to move a little after spraying penetrant in the cylinders I told him to dump some atf in there and leave it sit. At this point I don't know if I should increase my bid much more or am I cruising for a bruisen like I said it looks like it will clean up pretty decent.

Mark
Click to expand...
Plan on spending a lot of time, effort & $$$. Then, you may be pleasantly surprised.
 
I always thought that there are model years - beginning at the Earls Court show in late October where the new year's models were first shown. USA title dates mean nothing.
 
batrider said:
I always thought that there are model years - beginning at the Earls Court show in late October where the new year's models were first shown.
Click to expand...

It's a myth.
www.accessnorton.com

850 Mk2 & Mk2A Discussion Split From Another Thread

I'm most likely wrong and this is pure speculation, but I keep thinking that they might have partly finished the frame before putting it on the power unit. All available photos show what appears to be a bare frame being attached to the power unit. Wouldn't matter if they were only making...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
Help Required-Rear Hub Rebuild!!
Replies
10
Views
595
Shelby-Right
Shelby-Right
Q
Commando spark plug
Replies
9
Views
688
norton bob
norton bob
C
  • Locked
1975 Mk3 Commando rear drive sprocket
Replies
4
Views
585
chrisf1
C
baz
  • Locked
Rear disc brake conversion
Replies
7
Views
947
Danno
Danno
Beaneater
Who manufactures/sells Commando rearset kits that aren't so expensive?
2
Replies
31
Views
2,189
Fast Eddie
Fast Eddie
Back
Top