John Player Norton

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S41nt

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What is the sentiment on the John Player Norton 850 Commando? Are these actively sought after, or are they more of a “nice to have”?



I’ve been researching myself, and I find the history of the bike fascinating. However, everything I’ve found on the internet seems to focus on its history – would be nice to get an understanding on how the community feels about these. Any input is appreciated greatly!
 
As with any & all other types, styles, genres, and even brands & models of bikes, that question can only be answered to 100% satisfaction by the person ASKING the question. "To each his own"...

Just know up front, that if you cannot handle full cafe racer crouch (as far as personal ergonomics), you should weigh the choice more AWAY from the JPN.

Also, for what it's worth, there were only 200 or so REAL JPNs, and there are now many more "examples" than that in existence, so spend your money wisely.

I have a complete restoration thread of an ACTUAL original JPN HERE

There is LOTS of research regarding all the details that can help identify a real JPN...
 
IMHO one of the prettiest Brit bikes ever.... But, it is only 'skin deep'. Underneath lurks a bog standard 850 Commando ('Short strokes' not withstanding). That fairing though... almost Freudian!
 
Thanks all.

@grandpaul - that's a very helpful article. I have reason to believe this is an original, will be taking a look at it this week. From what I know it went through a restoration in Colorado at cNw. Your article is very helpful in identifying and understanding what I will be looking at.

Personally, I've always wanted a cafe racer stance. My first bike is a '75 BMW r75 I've always dreamed about making a cafe racer, but loved it too much to make any changes. I think this will be a great fit to fulfill the need, and own a piece of history.
 
If that bike has been thru CNW, there are two certainties:

1. It is in EXCELLENT form, unless the owner messed it up AFTER collecting it from CNW.

2. It will NOT be cheap!
 
Brent,
Like GP said about riding position. I sold my JPN in 2003 as my body cannot tolerate the position. Otherwise my impression is it runs like any 850 Mk2a with a bit taller gearing with 22t gearbox sprocket. I was always stuffing bits of foam rubber between the fiberglass and metal parts to cut down on the rattle. The gas tank is pretty hokey, extension welded onto a standard roadster tank under the fiberglass cover. There is a fiberglass cover you have to open to then open the standard gas cap underneath. If rarity is what you seek it is definitely that. Arctic Snowfrog - white with two eyes.
John Player Norton
 
It's about if you want a riding machine or a living room/investrment motorcycle. At my age that ergonomic position is good for
about 20 miles. A collector rather than a fun motorcycle.
 
There was a (scam) Craigslist ad 9 years ago, next town over from me, for a JPN. Perfect. Original. Cheap.
It pegged the bullshit meter just reading it.
Be careful.
 
That one looks mighty fine. I'm guessing that was one of the last sets of Viking black chrome repro mufflers that they sold...
 
Phil Radford sold us all the remaining parts and fairing moulds some years ago, before he moved. At the time I feared he might dump them, which he could have done. I don't think most of the JPN boxes were ever unpacked by him after they arrived from England.
In my Southampton days I bought a sort-of-rebuilt JPN that had had a VERY interesting restoration from a local Norton fan. He was also a Peter Williams fan, and Peter still had his Kawasaki store in Southampton.
I rode it after I got it for a few years (2? 3?), found it uncomfortable and seriously overrated, took it apart, restored it about 20 years and four moves later, then sold it to a collector who wanted one. I doubt it was ever ridden after it changed hands.
How much stability the normal front mudguard with stays gives becomes apparent when you ride the JPN with the GRP front mudguard. You see the forks twist as you brake and look through the bottom opening of the fairing down to the front wheel.
If you absolutely insist we can make all the GRP parts to convert a Commando into a JPN.
 
I bought the second-to-last set of black chrome mufflers that Phil had in Dec 2015. When I called him to buy the last set a month or two later, they were gone.
 
Isn't a JPN just a Commando with a bit more fibreglass ? Why couldn't you covert a standard one to become a JPN, you would probably do it better.
Who has got the moulds ? It might be worth borrowing some original JPN bits and copying them, you would probably sell a few.
 
Last edited:
acotrel said:
Isn't a JPN just a Commando with a bit more fibreglass ? Why couldn't you covert a standard one to become a JPN, you would probably do it better.
Who has got the moulds ? It might be worth borrowing some original JPN bits and copying them, you would probably sell a few.
Click to expand...
Two replies above...Joe bought the molds from Phil Radford. Maybe the fairing and tail section would be useful to make a better version, but the cover over the gas tank is pretty useless.
 
grandpaul said:
I bought the second-to-last set of black chrome mufflers that Phil had in Dec 2015. When I called him to buy the last set a month or two later, they were gone.
Click to expand...
since then he said he had more, FYI, any reproductions are not made as original
 
S41nt said:
What is the sentiment on the John Player Norton 850 Commando? Are these actively sought after, or are they more of a “nice to have”?



I’ve been researching myself, and I find the history of the bike fascinating. However, everything I’ve found on the internet seems to focus on its history – would be nice to get an understanding on how the community feels about these. Any input is appreciated greatly!
Click to expand...
Are you considering a purchase or only curious. The price of these is prohibitive now to me. Once over $10,000 I ask myself what else could I have for that amount. Yes I know restoring a standard Commando can go this high, just not all up front.
 
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