Favorite Commando color?

fastback · Dec 4, 2012

Ok guys,
I have a '74 850 Commando that I want to sell on the spring. It's got a fresh coat of single yellow paint from the PO stick on decals - I can do better.
Yellow isn't my favorite, but I thought I would conduct a quasi-scientific survey.

What is your favorite color for a Commando?

Classic black 'n gold, black 'n silver, "resale" red, metal flake red, disco metalflake blue? yeller?

mikegray660 · Dec 4, 2012

depends on the type of oil and sparkplugs used :shock:

nortriubuell · Dec 4, 2012

Well ... if yer gonna sell it; can't go wrong with Black and Gold ...

But, Black and Gold is fairly common. Though more expensive, going with a "sparkly" color gives that true 70s feel ...

Just my 2 cents ...

tpeever · Dec 4, 2012

Candy Apple Red for me!!

rwalker28 · Dec 4, 2012

I dig the bronze metalflake

Matt Spencer · Dec 4, 2012

This would be inconspicuous .

these handlebars might have the right effect . :shock:

Matt Spencer · Dec 4, 2012

New NORTON tank decale .

deep Burgundy with silver script probly rarest . Cant even find a picture . :?

Rohan · Dec 4, 2012

The question you should really be asking is "what color will the person that buys MY bike want it painted " ??

Get that right, and you have an instant sale - if the $$ are right.
'Wrong' color, and you may get to own it still - so you better like that color.... ! ??

Trying to second guess the buyers could get you in a whole mess of trouble.... !!?

Notorious eh ? At this rate Matt, you will be a legend in your own lunchtime...

Tintin · Dec 5, 2012

fastback said:
What is your favorite color for a Commando?

Fireflake emerald green for the Roadster and Orange with black stripe for the Proddie racer, black or polished aluminium for Featherbeds.

Tim

dynodave · Dec 5, 2012

tpeever said:
Candy Apple Red for me!!

I like yellow but only a few years have it.
but most of all find a painter that knows something about nortons and can put the decals on correctly :roll:

BillT · Dec 5, 2012

I like the candy, but with Gold stripes rather than the more common silver

rvich · Dec 5, 2012

mikegray660 said:
depends on the type of oil and sparkplugs used :shock:

+1

If most of us said pink, would you do it?

Holmeslice · Dec 5, 2012

BillT said:
I like the candy, but with Gold stripes rather than the more common silver

I saw that Ranger in the flesh (or is it "in the alloy"?) at Barber, and it's as beaitufil as they come.

drones76 · Dec 5, 2012

Get it properly prepared and primed. Take off the amount you would have spent on a paint job and let the new owner decide. Give him a blank canvas.

If you were going to put in the time and effort to paint it, just let them make the choice. As someone said if the new owner loves the color, you are set.

To answer your question, I think Black and Gold is the standard bearer and most common, it is not a favorite of mine. I am partial to white.

I also like the early 70's sparkly colors. Especially the red. And that raises another issue, your buyer may want it to either go back to the original color if that can be determined or have a period/year correct color. You may paint it and waste a lot of effort for something that will be changed anyway.

BillT · Dec 5, 2012

Holmeslice said:
I saw that Ranger in the flesh (or is it "in the alloy"?) at Barber, and it's as beautiful as they come.

Too bad your foot was messed up. Next time you can take it for a spin around the pits.

swooshdave · Dec 5, 2012

fastback said:
Ok guys,
I have a '74 850 Commando that I want to sell on the spring. It's got a fresh coat of single yellow paint from the PO stick on decals - I can do better.

No, you can't do better. :roll:

Onder · Dec 5, 2012

Black w gold hard to beat. But Id go with what was stock. My 74 is red with gold pins and stick on logo.
Stick on is the pits but that is what guys bought off the floor. You are interested in an old Norton not
a new made bike.
The new owner can do as he will but stock seems best for sale. Unseen mods are fine.

T.C. · Dec 5, 2012

Not just any yellow - gotta be VERY yellow!

But I do love the Candy Red - I've always wanted to have one painted Candy Red, with the logo and pinstripes in applied gold leaf....
Always though that would be about the ultimate sorta-like-stock paint job.

As for what would sell, there was good advice to stay with stock, or as close as you can get.
Best of luck!

fastback · Dec 6, 2012

swooshdave said:
fastback said:

Ok guys,
I have a '74 850 Commando that I want to sell on the spring. It's got a fresh coat of single yellow paint from the PO stick on decals - I can do better.

Click to expand...

No, you can't do better. :roll:

oh yes I can, I've got an alloy tank too, but that's for the fastback.....!

fastback · Dec 6, 2012

Yes that pretty much is the bike, quilted seat, yellow tank... looks like yours doesn't have the performance deer whistles and St.Christopher medallion.....

Yes, painting it is a pain but I don't mind, I've got to repaint my Fastback tank anyway... so might as well shoot another while I've got the clear and decals out.
I've always been partial to metallic red, black is classic - might go black, can't go wrong with that.

On the other hand, maybe just leave it alone and see what happens as the paint is fine....

Decisions decisions.

Phil

Favorite Commando color?

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