Help identifying this originally red Commando please?

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Simonohoh7

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Can I ask, before I think more seriously about buying it here in the UK, if anyone in the USA knows this bike? It is a 1973 850 Commando engine/frame number 303651 and a speedo showing just 8000 miles. I can’t work out how to load up a photo but it’s a black roadster (originally red) with silver barrels exported to NVC CHIC in USA in May 1973.
Imported back to the UK in 2017/18 it’s on sale with no history so any help, advice, insights would be very appreciated:
 
First, welcome to this forum; there is a wealth of knowledge here and countless members, like myself, who almost made all the mistakes.

The Commando in question has likely had, may have had, several owners so if you are looking for a maintenance history it will be piece meal at best; certainly if could have had a single owner and your question(s) is well placed in this forum.

If the motorcycle is currently offer for sale, is complete, running, no obvious damage and is offered at a competitive price you may have to decide quickly. Commandos when new to a new owner, should be gone through from axle to axle.

When a Commando sees you reaching for your wallet it will nuzzle up to you, and when your attention is drawn elsewhere it will suck up your cash and credit cards; less expensive to find a mistress, but a Commando is faster and handles better....

Best.
 
Bikes of that age can only be appraised by looking and testing by someone experienced. The 8000 could be right or a replacement has been fitted or the cable has not worked for 30 years.
 
Hi RoadScholar thanks for your reply - I’m just curious to find out more about it as it’s on sale with virtually no history though I can imagine how it might have got lost on the way over ‘the pond’. Thanks for the encouragement
 
Help identifying this originally red Commando please?
 
It looks like a decent enough bike but no doubt bought in the USA (sitting for decades most likely) for a fraction of the current asking price.
By the look of the front Isolastic boot they are probably original and a good deal of folk know where that road can lead to..............
 
Had to blow the pic up and the detail is sketchy and unclear, but looks to be missing a front iso central stud nut and something very strange looking going on in the carb/aircleaner dept. Tyres are old as will the rest of the rubber parts and need changing. Other than that and any internal hidden faults it looks tidy.
 
kommando said:
Had to blow the pic up and the detail is sketchy and unclear, but looks to be missing a front iso central stud nut and something very strange looking going on in the carb/aircleaner dept.
Click to expand...

Bigger pics.
www.carandclassic.com

1973 Norton Commando 850 Roadster For Sale | Car And Classic

For Sale 1973 Norton Commando 850 Roadster, with it's powerful Big Twin engine and vibration free Isolastic frame this was the bike to beat in the early Seventy's! This one was returned home from the dry USA and given a mild restoration using mostly it's original parts and then ridden as a...
www.carandclassic.com www.carandclassic.com
 
Looks like a nice bike IMHO.

If you want a nice usable bike, you’ve a good chance this’ll fit the bill.

But I think it’s priced accordingly for the low mileage. But as Kommando says, the speedo reading cannot be used as sole evidence for this. On top of the reasons already given, it was not uncommon for ‘enterprising’ yoof back in the day to disconnect the speedo to keep the mileage low ready for trade in time. It wasn’t even really considered dishonest, more ‘cheeky chappy’ !

The bike has had a lot of work for an 8,000 miler, repaint and carb replacement. This is NOT evidence of high mileage per se, but it’s enough to raise the question in my book.

The only way to be satisfied would be to view the bike and have a good look for wear and tear.

If not certain, walk away. There are plenty of other very nice Commando's around at that price.
 
Yep, I agree. Paint and carbs could be just due to standing around for a long time. Mine had pretty much stood still since 2013 and I've spent close to £1500 on parts and Commando specific tools, to get it where I'm happy. If it runs well, could be a good one, but if it's not been ridden regularly recently, budget on some time and spares on top of the purchase cost.
 
Simonohoh7 said:
Can I ask, before I think more seriously about buying it here in the UK, if anyone in the USA knows this bike? It is a 1973 850 Commando engine/frame number 303651 and a speedo showing just 8000 miles. I can’t work out how to load up a photo but it’s a black roadster (originally red) with silver barrels exported to NVC CHIC in USA in May 1973.
Imported back to the UK in 2017/18 it’s on sale with no history so any help, advice, insights would be very appreciated:
Click to expand...
Question about NVC CHIC. In 1973 NVC was in Duarte, California as the Western USA distributor. Berliner was the distributor for Eastern USA.
 
$19000 which seems to be the Arthur Daley rubber stamp price in the UK straight off the boat.

Why is the inner side of the brake rotor rusty compared to the outer, it might look like an OK bike but obviously had the bare minimum to move it on.
Do these 1973 bikes have a decent layshaft bearing etc.

What a minefield and not a road I would want to go down again.
Budget more money and have the skills, time and space to go though it after a knowledgeable person looked at it or any other candidate.
Even then who knows without X Ray vision.

I would hazard a guess the silver cylinder says it all if original Wurth paint, another Commando (of thousands) plucked from the USA, the usual blurb description (no real work done) and not even a new set of tyres before moving it on at a 100% mark up.
Australia is no different so good luck in the search in general.



Repainted cheaply and a poor seat cover by the look of it, all signs it sat unused for a long time but what is the entry price for a near 50 year old motorcycle compared to properly restored . (which would cost more than its worth)
 
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It will have the infamous Portuguese layshaft bearing with Quickly Detachable cage, a seized rear wheel coming within 10K miles for full originality ;) .

My advice to any prospective new Commando owner is to get to know an owner who has had a Commando for many years and does all his maintenance and take them to any viewings. Avoid recent full restorations with less than 2000 miles and preferably buy a well maintained long ownership bike direct from said owner.

A 50 year old bike comes with little to no warranty from dealers, why pay the premium a dealer charges for so little come back.

NOC for sale ads are a good start.
 
Bubble burster: Chances are it needs some attention. Definitely not ridden much recently with a rusty rotor.

The history won't make it run any better or be in better condition than it is. If you are handy with tools and have extensive experience wrenching on motorcycles, and like it, buy it. That is the bottom line.

More negativity: As mentioned, the bike should be gone through axle to axle. The mileage is low, but probably not accurate if it was originally sold in California. Lots of open space in Cailfornia in the 1970's. Putting 8000 miles on a bike in California takes less than a year easily. The modifications and repaint from metalic Red to Black actually lower the value. I would not pay a premium for it myself unless I had a chubby for a Commando, and money didn't mean a thing to me. If you are not handy with tools, it will cost a lot more to get it all sorted out. Based on the spots on the driveway, it looks like it needs seals here and there if it gets parked in that location frequently.

It might be OK, but the market for Commandos is ripe for ripping off old guys reliving their youth. You can do a lot better with $19K.
 
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Simonohoh7 said:
Can I ask, before I think more seriously about buying it here in the UK, if anyone in the USA knows this bike? It is a 1973 850 Commando engine/frame number 303651 and a speedo showing just 8000 miles. I can’t work out how to load up a photo but it’s a black roadster (originally red) with silver barrels exported to NVC CHIC in USA in May 1973.
Imported back to the UK in 2017/18 it’s on sale with no history so any help, advice, insights would be very appreciated:
Click to expand...
What are your expectations? Change the oil & ride? Or tinker, inspect, update, ride as you are allowed? Mechanical skillset? Time/desire to tinker?
 
Simonohoh7 said:
Can I ask, before I think more seriously about buying it here in the UK, if anyone in the USA knows this bike? It is a 1973 850 Commando engine/frame number 303651 and a speedo showing just 8000 miles. I can’t work out how to load up a photo but it’s a black roadster (originally red) with silver barrels exported to NVC CHIC in USA in May 1973.
Imported back to the UK in 2017/18 it’s on sale with no history so any help, advice, insights would be very appreciated:
Click to expand...
I know nothing about the worth of Nortons outside the USA so take what I say with that in mind.

I've seen different pictures this thread that I assume are all from the same ad. If I understand right the seller wants 9999 GBP for the bike. It's my opinion that's more than double what it would be worth in the USA assuming it is rideable, is matching numbers, and has a clear title (registration). I would pay no more than $6000 USD if I could start and ride it since the condition is not great. As it sits, I'm thinking more like $4500. I bought my rider that looked better, and rode great for $6000 - matching numbers, 74 Black Roadster, new tires, electronic ignition, etc.
 
TBH, IMHO, my 'initial' impression is it's not an OTT asking price in the UK, assuming all's AOK....
BUT..... It really needs a knowledgeable eye cast over it to confirm, as well as you can do with these things.
Might get lucky...... might not!!
 
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