My new to me Commando

Good Evening and thanks for the add

I have bought my first Commando today and I was wondering if I had a Combat or not
The engine number is 202345 which puts it firmly in the right area , the barrels are black but its got a drum front brake and a date on the headstock of Dec 1971
Im new to Nortons so your advice would be appreciated

Thanks Chris

Combat engines have narrow head/barrel fin space d/t shaved .040" head and 2S cam which can be checked by tedious micing the lift vs crank degree's or holding WOT it should lift front hitting redline then valve float too soon after. Can checkspaerk timiing which mainly depends on dynamic effective CR, Combats will tend to back fire on starts if not set close to 28" full advance, while all other engines like 31" w/o kick back on kick offs. '72's cases [Combat or standard] have low rear breath hose fitted not the cam end hose of '71's. So yours don't have '71 cases unless substited in a pinch at factory. Do stem tag and case number match, if so its factory issue engine but only disc brakes came on Combats as another feature to set them above the prior Commmandos - not likely anyone would remove disc for a drum, but everything is possible on 40 yr old Commandos.

Thanks Hobot
Yes the tag on the headstock and the engine match and it reads less than 10k on the clock which given the overall condition of the bike and the history would seem to be correct , I agree its unlikely the front has been replaced so ........ im guessing NON Combat but barrels painted at some time

Thanks

Chris

Arighty welcome to Commando curve balls to catch up. Only thing to actually be concerned if Combat or not is the spark timing for safe easy kick offs w/o back fire leg smacks. I often have to run 87 no lead in my Combats but have not noticed or seen evidence of any more detonation than they all are designed to tolerate when mixture is properly lean enough for full warm conditions, so it need a tickle or choke on 1 st cold starts then mostly one step on starts w/o trhottle after that unless fully cold again. I would not play heated Combat racer games on 87 octane but otherwise fine thrills above legal rates no problemo but tickets. Curious to know what ya do have as there's mystery surrounding blends of '71, '72 & '73's that Norton issued.

Hi Hobot
Ive just had a closer look and its on 30mm carbs as well so almost certainly not a Combat despite the black barrels
Im thinking its just a very late number 71 spec roadster ,,,,,,, I particularly wanted a drum braked model roadster so Im happy with it now its running

Regards

Chris

Mine is 202497 and it's certainly a Combat. Yours may have Combat cases and a non-combat head -with many other parts from an earlier bike. What is the serial on the gearbox?

Ok neato as small port head and 30 mm Amals are more spunky till near red line than a Combat and drove my ole P!! dragster into mid 10 sec 1/4 miles with a flat drag slick so you will not be delaying anyone ya care to ride with. I've used Norton drum brake in all conditions and rather fast on the P!! so they can work rather well while looking nice polished vintage.

I see '74 gas tank, seat and grab rail. It could have been a hi rider converted with these parts. The hi rider in '72 had a drum front brake and 30mm Amals

Same shape seat and grab rail as both my ;72's from factory so defintitely not a sissy bar like the HiRider my bud Wes makes great us of on tieing cargo for out of state trips on. Pulls like crazy to well over the ton. 32 Amals came in with disc brake Combats, though some non Combats might snucked through with disc. Get the Anodized Amal slides soon as ya can as Amal will wear to not idle down if not already - then just get one size less cut out for even more down low response. Don't ever set primary as slack as seems reasonable cold and not double check pretty soon on a ride to make sure before it realy tightens up on full heat straining the snot out of tranny shaft and bushes.

Its great to see that you have almost finished the "workshop" renovations before the Norton addiction escalates out of control.... Good luck and great first Commando acquisition..