New Commando book from NOC

Harry and myself went to the NOC AGM at the British Motor Museum and on the spares table were copies of the Commando book for sale. I wasn't going to buy one and was just flicking through it when i spotted my name against the starter motor articles i wrote for roadholder, had to buy a copy then! I spoke to Mark Woodward (the chap who put the book together) and told him i had written up the overhaul procedure for the prestolite starter. He said that the procedure could be easily included as they work on a 'print on demand' basis. Maybe that is why there is a delay in order delivery.

SteveBorland said:

So, what do you think of the book now? Worth buying or just more regurgitated info?

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Haven’t looked at it much to be honest !

L.A.B. said:

The Combat engine was supposed to have been introduced on the production line at 200976 so in theory that should be the start of the Interstate as all '72 Interstates to 211110 were Combats.

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Your data is correct, but your conclusion is faulty. All Interstates were Combat but not all Combats were Interstates. The first Combats were likely Roadsters (or arguably Fastbacks).

Ron L said:

but not all Combats were Interstates.

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I never said otherwise.

The first Combats being Roadsters is still doubtful in my opinion unless you have some proof.
"The 750cc Norton Commando which is now entering its fifth year of production, takes on a fresh guise for 1972 with the launching of the new Interstate, Norton's most powerful road bike."
"When the Commando Roadster is fitted with the Combat engine and front disc brake as optional extras, it's hardly distinguishable from the Interstate model. ...etc." Obviously the Roadster Combat spec couldn't have remained as an optional extra for long.

L.A.B. said:

I never said otherwise.

The first Combats being Roadsters is still doubtful in my opinion unless you have some proof.
"The 750cc Norton Commando which is now entering its fifth year of production, takes on a fresh guise for 1972 with the launching of the new Interstate, Norton's most powerful road bike."
"When the Commando Roadster is fitted with the Combat engine and front disc brake as optional extras, it's hardly distinguishable from the Interstate model. ...etc."

https://postimg.cc/TKJh5QV2

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ok, but what's the book like? Worth buying or .... ???

SteveBorland said:

ok, but what's the book like? Worth buying or .... ???

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It does contain some information that I already had but yes it's probably worth buying as you can't have too many Norton Commando books can you? I don't really like the spiral binding though and it could have done with a better cover.

The Norton Owners Club have a record made by Roy Bacon of 200976 supposedly being the first Combat but there's no record of which model it was.