Hi everyone.
I've read a few posts related to Norton Commando tank badges but couldn't read a definitive answer.
I have a Norton Commando 130XXX (with same chassis, engine and gearbox numbers. Engine prefix 20M3) built on January 31, 1969 and shipped to Garreau of Paris (France). Norton Owners Club UK (N.O.C.) info source
When I bought the bike in France, the seller gave me the bike with the tank and tail (green) with badges.
This bike had and has the cylinder, the rear chain guard, the headlight holders and the front fender holders all black.
It has ignition points behind the cylinder, tachometer drive gearbox and has a domed primary cover.
Therefore it has all the characteristics of the first Norton Commando production batch (from 126125 to 131179).
From 131180 of March 1969 the Norton Commando acquired the name Fastback to distinguish it from the new S model, also started in March 1969 with the number 131257 and with camshaft points.
With number 133668 from September 1969 the Fastback model also had camshaft points.
If I am wrong on the historical reconstruction, please correct me.
Having said this, I ask:
Can you tell me when Norton dropped the petrol tank badges on the Norton Commando ???
Were they kept until the first production batch (from 126125 to 131179)?
This may explain why some Norton Commandos from early 1969 have badges and others have decals.
I saw brochures of the 1969 Norton Commando model with decals on the fuel tank and tail, with the cylinder, the headlight holders and the front fender holders all chrome or silver, the rear chain guard black but with still ignition points behind the cylinder, tachometer drive gearbox and out primary dome cover.
These brochures, since the date was not specified, referred to the second batch of Norton Commando Fastback production starting from March 1969 until September 1969 (from 131180 to 133667) ???
Thanks for any reply.
P.S. Copies of documents of the time are welcome as they can solve the mystery.
Gian.
I've read a few posts related to Norton Commando tank badges but couldn't read a definitive answer.
I have a Norton Commando 130XXX (with same chassis, engine and gearbox numbers. Engine prefix 20M3) built on January 31, 1969 and shipped to Garreau of Paris (France). Norton Owners Club UK (N.O.C.) info source
When I bought the bike in France, the seller gave me the bike with the tank and tail (green) with badges.
This bike had and has the cylinder, the rear chain guard, the headlight holders and the front fender holders all black.
It has ignition points behind the cylinder, tachometer drive gearbox and has a domed primary cover.
Therefore it has all the characteristics of the first Norton Commando production batch (from 126125 to 131179).
From 131180 of March 1969 the Norton Commando acquired the name Fastback to distinguish it from the new S model, also started in March 1969 with the number 131257 and with camshaft points.
With number 133668 from September 1969 the Fastback model also had camshaft points.
If I am wrong on the historical reconstruction, please correct me.
Having said this, I ask:
Can you tell me when Norton dropped the petrol tank badges on the Norton Commando ???
Were they kept until the first production batch (from 126125 to 131179)?
This may explain why some Norton Commandos from early 1969 have badges and others have decals.
I saw brochures of the 1969 Norton Commando model with decals on the fuel tank and tail, with the cylinder, the headlight holders and the front fender holders all chrome or silver, the rear chain guard black but with still ignition points behind the cylinder, tachometer drive gearbox and out primary dome cover.
These brochures, since the date was not specified, referred to the second batch of Norton Commando Fastback production starting from March 1969 until September 1969 (from 131180 to 133667) ???
Thanks for any reply.
P.S. Copies of documents of the time are welcome as they can solve the mystery.
Gian.
