Engine number help

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Stephen Munton

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Hello guys just wondering if someone can help. I have just acquired my fathers Norton Commando after his passing. He was looking to restore the machine but never got around to it, he has had it since 1972. The bike when initially bought came in the Fastback LR guise but not traditional paint and since then it has been through many guises ie Roadster, Dunstall racing kit and now its latest as a Fastback with fibre glass tank .......My father always believed the bike to be a roadster (he bought it second hand form a dealer) and that was what he was going to restore it as. I have the engine number as the frame has no plate on it. Can some one give me information on the following numbers 20M3S and 144***. I understand the bike is 71 but when exactly was it produced and what model do i have as i want to restore it to its original model
 
My March 71 VIN Fastback is #143958
The dispatch records would give the model it was delivered as.
Being Australia it may very well be a LR Fastback.

This site http://classicenglishbikes.com/tech_file/norton.html suggests the LR started at Apr 1971 144343.

Engine number help
 
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Stephan
Sorry about your dad.
His bike, as a 71, is a pin type side stand frame and is often upgraded to the bolt type side stand. The rolling chassis is a Series 2 with later frame and triple trees, roadster oil tank and cush drive rear wheel. The 20M3S engine/drive train is the last of the thick cam bush but the first of cam end points.
The body styles are totally interchangeable and you can use any that were particlular for 71. You have listed some, and they are all OK based on your preference and the matching side cover that would fit over the roadster type oil tank.
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/versions-of-commando.27393/
 
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I edited my post with more LR information.

Andover Norton have records, they can also stamp a new VIN plate.
 
dynodave thanks for the condolences appreciated. I will need to check the side stand to see if it was converted to the bolt type. Yes the bike does have the triple trees small roadster oil tank and the cush drive rear wheel. Thank you for the info on the engine appreciated. The body style is the one i want to confirm so that i restore it to original as from factory for my dad...... plus i have been pricing roadster parts as thats what he thought it was and wanted to restore it to..... it is currently in fastback with fibreglass tank style at present so before i spend money on things that might not be needed i want to confirm it all LOL
 
Time Warp said:
I edited my post with more LR information.

Andover Norton have records, they can also stamp a new VIN plate.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate for that.....I found that little tid bit but was skeptical as it was the only piece i found on the engine numbers it does look promising and there is one photo of the bike just after my dad bought her that has it in deep maroon paint and LR style but i want to be 100 percent positive before i start on restoration
 
You could try contacting Andover Norton in the UK for model confirmation, at the end of the day, the 1971 drum brake 750 was the last of the real Commando's so its win, win. :D
 
Time Warp said:
You could try contacting Andover Norton in the UK for model confirmation, at the end of the day, the 1971 drum brake 750 was the last of the real Commando's so its win, win. :D
Click to expand...
Yes very true the original photos of the machine have it with a drum brake but my father converted over to disc front so neither here nor there if i have to replace it
 
Yes mate the machine is very dirty it has been sitting in a barn for the last 15 yrs and it is in a sorry state but yes photos will be the go
 
I think the 71 FB had the upswept roadster style pipes. The early FB's had the flat cigar pipes as I recall. The brochures will tell. Notice that the registration (sale) date usually is a year after production date, at least here in the US. Sorry about your dad. I too bought my 70 Norton 'S' 2nd hand in 72. That picture over there to the left is about 2 years later.
 
DogT said:
I think the 71 FB had the upswept roadster style pipes. The early FB's had the flat cigar pipes as I recall. The brochures will tell. Notice that the registration (sale) date usually is a year after production date, at least here in the US. Sorry about your dad. I too bought my 70 Norton 'S' 2nd hand in 72. That picture over there to the left is about 2 years later.
Click to expand...
The photos i have of the bike always had the pipes running under the primary case and down low but something i will need to look at further mate thank you. I am not sure about rego etc year it was back in 72 I was born 75 so at a loss there mate
 
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