Ebay 'historic' Commando

Commando75 · Feb 15, 2011

No doubt this is a very nice looking machine but I am amazed when people inacurately describe an item with complete conviction.

"It was restored to exacting historic standards that are expensive to replicate and is a true historical document that will be preserved for many years to come."

The word historic is used twice in one sentence! Can anyone else spot the items on this bike that are not in any way a historic representation of a 1970 Commando? Again, nice bike and I'm sure it will make someone happy but call it what it is and if you don't know get some help from someone who does.

OK, I'm done. Just had to vent a little ; )

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-7 ... otorcycles

dave M · Feb 15, 2011

Yes quite a bit that is non-standard;

Aftermarket seat,
Triumph tail light and number plate bracket
Drilled and painted front hub, painted rear hub,
Alloy rims,
relocated crankcase breather
barrel nuts and washers
'Made in England' decal on frame
Tank decals and embelishments
instruments
headlight and chain guard not chrome
front mudguard stays rear non standard front missing
Head light switch
ignition coils and missing reflectors
painted triple clamps, headlight holders
timing cover alan screws
later model carb ticklers

It looks OK on the face of it and one or two of these mods could be considered improvements, but it doesn't meet up to the sellers claims of complete originality.

Marathon Man · Feb 15, 2011

The 'N' on the green globes. :roll:

hudson29 · Feb 15, 2011

Just a few more items that jump right out - no chrome ring around the headlight, wrong headlight bucket painted rather than chrome, wrong light switch, later chain guard, lack of front fender stays, painted rather than chromed rear stays on the front fender, later side covers, later ignition switch location, wrong cylinder head oil pipes, wrong spark plug caps, black paint rather than silver on the barrels . . .

Paul
Fullerton, SoCal

ILLF8ED · Feb 15, 2011

Definitely not an accurate historic representation as claimed. Based on the claim the owner is disengenuous or ignorant. Buyer beware.

79x100 · Feb 15, 2011

It's got the oil stain on the third head fin up. That looks genuine at least !

gtsun · Feb 15, 2011

I think this is a classic example of someone who thinks anything older then the first Starwars movie is a "Collectable historic classic "! Not meant to misslead, just not aware.

rightshiftrick · Feb 15, 2011

Complete misuse of the term restored. Uses correct way too much. I love the list of upgrades. If it is a correct and proper restoration, then why are these on it? Also, a black 1970? Never seen one, didn't know they were offered. Afaik colors were solid yellow, and the various flakes for 1970.

AussieCombat · Feb 15, 2011

Dear o dear o dear, what a spiel. Ex Insurance salesman ?? I'm supprised he didn't want payment in advance.

DogT · Feb 15, 2011

Sounds like a sales pitch, nothing more, nothing less.

Dave
69S

britbike220 · Feb 15, 2011

Apparently there are quite a few buyers unaware of what they are buying or don't care about the details as long as it's shiny.

Danno · Feb 15, 2011

Braided-stainless oil lines! The horror!!!! 8)

britbike220 · Feb 15, 2011

Danno said:
Braided-stainless oil lines! The horror!!!! 8)

Hey I resemble that remark

grandpaul · Feb 15, 2011

Gadzooks.

gtsun · Feb 15, 2011

The guy is also selling one of those big Suzuki rotory monstrosities. Funny, he says the exact same things about it. I met a guy a Willow Springs last year on a Commando that he had just bought for $3,000 if my memory is serving me. It had 3,000 origional miles on it and I don't think a wrench had ever touched it other than to change the fluids & make sure it was safe. Now that is "historicly correct"

builder · Feb 15, 2011

gtsun said:
The guy is also selling one of those big Suzuki rotory monstrosities.

That rotary is damn nice...and pretty accurate...more accurate than the Commando description. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get $8k for it...the '76 is not as collectible as the '75, but still hard to find in this nice of condition.

shrugger · Feb 15, 2011

'Period correct' maybe. 'Historical' and 'Accurate' can certainly not be used as proper descriptive's.

pelican · Feb 15, 2011

I've never even heard of or seen that suzuki before. That huge oil cooler looks so ridiculous. I can't imagine they were very popular?

shrugger · Feb 15, 2011

If I remember right. That bike very nearly ended Suzuki. So no, not popular in the least.

ntst8 · Feb 15, 2011

shrugger said:
.... no, not popular in the least.

Which is one of the reasons they are now collectable.

Ebay 'historic' Commando

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