commando year problem?

marshg246 said:

My best guess is that the stamping timing changed over time. For instance, there are several examples of "72" bikes having the date stamped in the wrong place on the label and almost certainly when the bike was built.

Also, the recorded info varied greatly over time and sometimes it matches the label well and other times there is very little correlation between them.

My guess is that you are right at the end of production (if you can call it that). In fact, the Bonhams bike engine (336539) even looks like a restamp of the 336539 and maybe the 336539. Since we have three "last one made" in this thread and 336539 has a bike picture, engine serial picture, and a label picture, I'm assuming that neither 336537 or 336538 were really the last even though there is evidence to say that each was. Of course, either of them could have been finished after 336539!

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ilikevelos said:

You might try contacting the trev deeley museum in vancouver. https://deeleyexhibition.ca They may know more about your dealership.

It has been nearly twenty years since I visited it but seem to remember that that the museum evolved from a multi-marque dealer in vancouver. As I recall, quite a few bikes were still new and at least one of those was a commando. Most of the new bikes were acquired from their dealership activities and so they were probably around in the late seventies and might be either related to the dealership in question or may know about them as a competitor.

Worth a try to find more of the bikes provenance.

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marshg246 said:

OK, here's what I believe.
Your engine, frame, and certification label left the factor as they are.
1) By June 1975 the last six numbers stamped into the frame matched the serial number on the red certification label and the entire frame and engine numbers matched.
2) Your certification label has almost certainly always been on the bike because it has the original type and material hammer drive screws.
3) If the top of your gearbox has the same last six numbers as the other locations, then at least the gearbox shell is original.
4) It is not a "76 MK3". If it's titled that way, it's no big deal. In most states and probably Canada as well, the title/registration were essentially done by the dealer and since Norton had no "model years", they usually put the date when they did the work. You bike clearly states 6/75. In truth there's little clear about even that. When the records exist for 850s, there are about 6 data items and those tell you little. 750s usually have much less than that!

The other things interesting to me are:
1) What head (should have RH4 or RH10 stamped into the head on top near the timing side exhaust rocker.
2) The thing I wish all would tell me is the number like 00xxx which is sometimes stamped into the drive side of the head stock and knowing there is no number is just as important as knowing what the number is when is exists.
3) If there is dispatch record, I like to include that data.
4) Anything else you want to provide.

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pji said:

Thanks for this information, I had been trying to work out how to date my machine.
Engine no 327591
Gearbox 327591, although the 7 is partly obscured by a ding.
Frame plate 2 75 327591, but not red and appears never to have been red, appears to be attached with rivets.
RHS headstock 850 F129155. I guess this means it is not original.
RH4 on head.
Can't find 00xxx.
Can't find the T, but unsure where to search for it.

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B+Bogus said:

Agreed.
Andover Norton may be able to provide a Factory dispatch record, and I like to have a copy where possible, but for the purposes of registering the bike the NOC dating certificate is the way to go.
I'm not sure if anyone has had any success with the DVLA using the dispatch record, but the NOC is the recognised Authority.

How your first advisor came up with 1973 is beyond my comprehension!

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Edfury828 said:

Greg, I found my bike on your list.
"Now I am somebody!" - Steve Martin, (upon finding himself listed in the phone book) "The Jerk".

But seriously...
AN also had no dispatch on mine 332581 - payment refunded.
1976 MK III
Originally purchased in Vancouver B.C.

I'll look into the NOC dating certificate and see what it is...

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kommando said:

The liquidator of Norton in order to make some money from the creditors used parts stocks to make more MK3's in 76 and 77. So very late MK3's made by the liquidator in this period could have been stamped with 76 or 77.

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