Hi to all

Hi all :

Just a bit of background. 51 years young and feeling it !!!!
Presently have a 1984 Honda 750 Interceptor which is running well and is fun and oh so realiable !!!!!
Press the button and go
Owned a 1973 Bonneville 750 ( 5 speed ) and also a 1971 BSA Lightning ( 4 speed )
Kinda miss the sound, torque, feel and look ( capture lost youth I know )
Will not tell you how long ago that was !!!
So not a newbie to British machines and all there issues (haha)
I have always wanted a Norton and figure its now or never
Looking for a winter hobby that I can enjoy in the summer
Half decent at mechanics and pretty good with electrical ( Both will come in handy I am sure )
What I don’t know I am willing to listen to the fine advice out there.
I know what I am getting into
Understand with modern ignitions, gasket material, mods etc you can make one of these almost reliable and oil tight with a headlight that is actually bright !!!
Have read up and reading up on Norton's and kinda figured on a 73 or 74 850 ( Best years ?? without the weight of electric start and extra gear shift levers )
I want to modify for sure but keep the stock parts
A couple of questions I would like to ask in order of importance
I believe the 850 start with serial number 300000
For the 850 there were a couple of Mk's
Is there a link where I can find what serial numbers start with what MK's
And what mods should you do 1st if its in good running condition to increase realiablity
I would like to put the isolastics in as well
Anyway I am looking around and the mNortons are out there but am going to wait till I find a nice fairly original one
No chopper or hard tail etc
Anyway hello again and thanking you in advance for any advice you may have

Islander

I believe the 850 start with serial number 300000 Yes
For the 850 there were a couple of Mk's'
, 1 2 and 3 plus A versions
Is there a link where I can find what serial numbers start with what MK's Don't know the number for 1 to 3 but the changes are only minor, Mk3 starts at 325000 and is the Electic start wrong side gear change version so stick to Mk1 and 2 eg anything below 325000
And what mods should you do 1st if its in good running condition to increase realiablity On an 850 they are well sorted std but for upgrades brakes first especially the front. next electonic igntion, then go for a Taylor or similar headsteady. Only real relibility bugbear is the driveside layshaft bearing which needs to be a roller not a ball bearing as the gearing and torque are so high.
I would like to put the isolastics in as well, go for the MK 3 isos if you plan a full strip; if not planning a full strip then go for the Hemmings iso's which give same effect but with less dismantling required.

And welcome, be prepared to look at your BSA and Triumph with distain after riding a Commando :wink: , never rode a Honda but my Commando has never not got me home yet in 24 years of ownership 8) .

Welcome to the forum Islander,

The 850 (MkI) did indeed start at 300000.

MkII and IIA models apparently started at 307311, and there's very little difference between the MkI and MkII models.

'A' models were also produced alongside the MkIs & IIs, and those were 'noise emission' models with large black plastic airboxes and 'Black cap' or 'Bean can' silencers/mufflers fitted to reduce noise output. Not many MkIAs were made.

The 850 models came in four main body styles, - 'Interstate', 'Roadster', 'Hi-Rider', and 'JPN Replica' (JPN for '74 only). http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Commando.htm There were also Police/military 'Interpol' versions.

Welcome...Nortons are mighty fine Motorcycles. I've owned a lot of Scooters..too many to list. Norton is one of my favorites. I toured Canada and the US on a 1963 Norton Atlas(750) Featherbed Frame(Roadholder Forks) in 1977 in my 20's....I'm 55 now. Had a Magneto for my spark and Rotor and Stator for lights....no battery. A great touring motorcycle..Duel Monoblocks...sweet! Traveled during the day I picked up a 1975 MK3 with 6976 original miles back in 1994..still have her...all sorted out.