New member advice

Hi all,
New to the site as well as researching i would like to ask people with practical experience. I am looking to buy a commando have always hankered after one had the chance when i was 17 back in the late 70's, green fastback and needing a helicoil. Just didnt have a spare 250 pounds (ouch).
Any reccomendations as to what model to go for? Dont want a basket case needs to run but i would like to be able to do it up over time. Seen a few with single carbs is this ok? I have seen runners over here (AUS) for from $7000 to $18000 :?: (so say concours). I have a Meridan bonnie at the moment and can afford a cheaper commando or sell the bonnie and buy a yankee thing (please no comments on this)!
Any AUS owners know of any bikes. Does any one have experience of importing bikes and what are prices like in the UK.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Welcome milo2,

milo2 said:

Any reccomendations as to what model to go for?

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I'd say that the overall condition is as important as the model?

milo2 said:

Seen a few with single carbs is this ok?

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Nothing wrong with a single carb, many owners prefer that setup.

milo2 said:

what are prices like in the UK

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IF you can find any Commandos for sale in the UK, then at the moment, expect to pay around £2,500 GBP for a basket case, £5,000 for a smart one, and up to £7,000 for one that's been professionally rebuilt.

No idea of Oz prices but you can make any model work. I rode a 750 for years and I have friends getting good service from 850s.

Try Ebay Aus look in the motorcycle / vintage & classic section. There are usually a couple of Commandos for sale. Good ones go for $10,000 - $12,000. If you do buy one, definetly go for one that is complete and running. Don't buy a wrecker or in boxes of bits. Most Commandos in Aus by this time have been cared for by enthusiast owners so tend to be in good condition. The Mk2 850 is the pick of the Commandos for all round ridability and very dependable. The single Mikuni carb conversion works fine. Parts are relatively easy to get and affordable (compared to modern stuff). If you are in or near Melbourne I'd be happy to help out with any prospective buys.

Mick

One thing to keep in mind re Commandos is that any model can pretty much "become" any other model. I have a 73 850 Roadster that I bought in '06 (I owned a new 71 Commando from 71-78 but, like a fool sold it). Anyway, I always liked the fastbacks and just recently converted my black Roadster to a BRG fastback. Yeah, I know that there was never a 73 850 fastback but the point is, you can make your commando into whatever model you like just by changing body parts. And who's going to know, besides us Norton geeks that my Fastback Commando never came out of the factory? I also removed the PO's 18" wheels (roadster) and 100 front and 120 rear tire and went back to oem 19" wheels and 4.10 tires.

In addition to the "flexibility" of the various styles, IMO, the Commando is the affordable Vincent Black Shadow!

Attached are pics of my Commando as a roadster than as a fastback (taken about a year apart here at our house in Mexico City). Note that in the Roadster pic I had just changed the fork seals and hadn't realized when I was taking the pic that the gaiter had ridden up the fork. I hadn't yet wire=tied them in place.

Welcome to the site I would give jon a call at classic Style cycles in seaford VIC last time I was there 6 months agou he had several commando from fully restored to basket case and he is a real nice guy they have a web site as well