Register your Commando!

Was just on this site registering my Hawk GT and noticed they didn't have a Commando registry, so I sent in a request, and...
http://www.micapeak.com/reg/bikes/Commando/

Figured it'd be nice for people on this site to register since it seems expertise is (geographically) few and far between, so it might at least help knowing if there's another Commando in the area. Can also put in other info useful to other owners, or less if you've got privacy paranoia.

Not a bad idea, I guess. You can learn a lot from a place like that. E.g., somebody's already registered a "1973 Mk3."

You mean the 73 MkV I registered? Not seeing a MkIII anywhere...

Sorry, yes that's the one. Howdja get a 73 Mark V?

BrianK said:

Howdja get a 73 Mark V?

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The 1973 750 was the *Mk V* model (from 3.73-10.73), as most Commando models would be more correctly identified by their mark number, rather than a *year* model type. Mark numbers roughly correspond to a particular production period which did not actually match calendar years. Not all mark numbers were used for all models, (-apparently there being no 750 Roadster Mk 'III' or Interstate 'I/II/III/IV' models for instance, the Interstate was just an 'Interstate' model before the Mk V version) 1973 850 models starting from 'Mk I' again, and are more commonly referred to by their mark numbers than the 750s are.

Interesting. Thanks much - BrianK

Here is some information on Commando Build Periods, which should only be referred to as a guide as I cannot say that any information given is 100% accurate:

750 Production period month/year

Commando (20M3) ... 4.68-2.69 (also later referred to as a 'Fastback')

Fastback ... 3.69-8.70
II ... 9.70-12-70
III ... 1.71-12.71
LR ... 4.71-12.71
IV ... 1.72-3.73

R ... 3.69-10.69
S ... 3.69-6.70
SS ... 3.71-10.71

Roadster ... 3.70-12.70
II ... 1.71-12.71
IV ... 1.72-2.73
V ... 3.73-10.73

Interstate ... 1.72-2.73
V ... 3.73-10.73

Hi-Rider ... 5.71-12.71
IV ... 1.72-2.73
V ... 3.73-10.73


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850 models

Roadster/Interstate

1 ... 4.73-12.73
1A ... 9.73-2.74
2 & 2A ... 1.74-2.75
3 ... 2.75-10.77 (most, if not all, assembled late '75-on were built as Interstates I believe)

850 Hi-Rider

1 ... 4.73-12.73
2 ... 1.74-2.75
3 ... 3.75-?.75

JPN ... 11.73-2.75

Well, as you say L.A.B., Take that as a guide only. I have two Mk V 750's with build dates of 11/72 on both. One I bought new so I know the numbers were not changed. The other has a number very close to my original one.

Ron L said:

I have two Mk V 750's with build dates of 11/72 on both.

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Yes I thought somebody might raise that.

Can you say if those two Mk Vs (or any others?) were actually purchased new before 1973 -unlikely I know given the time it would take to ship the bikes over from the UK? Or were they bought/used or at least part of a dealer's stock somewhere around the middle of 1973-on?

(And I do have a reason for asking)

My original Mk V was purchased on May 12, 1973. The other one was originally purchased in Pennsylvania on May 31, 1973.

Ron L said:

My original Mk V was purchased on May 12, 1973. The other one was originally purchased in Pennsylvania on May 31, 1973.

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Thanks for that information Ron L.

So both bikes were bought well into the 1973 year.

This fits in with a possible theory I have that these '72 plated 'Mk V' bikes could have actually been made during the early part of 1973 and deliberately given '72 date stamps!

A few months ago as I read through the (then) latest Feb./Mar. issue of 'Triple Echo' magazine (the club mag. of the Trident & Rocket 3 Owners Club) I came across a reply from the club Archivist & Machine Registrar, to a machine dating inquiry letter from a club member, and it would appear from the answer he gave that the Triumph factory falsified some of the build dates of its early 1973 models in order circumvent new US noise and emissions regulations that apparently came into force on the 1st of January 1973, these new regulations applied to bikes built from 1st Jan. '73-on.
That got me wondering if Norton had also been guilty of using the same deception concerning these *72 build* Mk Vs? Actually building them in 73 but giving them a 72 date stamp in order to side-step these emissions regulations?

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When this topic of 72 build Mk Vs cropped up before, getting on for two years ago now, I contacted the Norton Owners Club Machine Dating & Records Officer about this and, as far as the Norton Owners Club is concerned there are no factory records of any Mk Vs being built before March 1973, although I was told by him that the records from mid 72-on were incomplete and were "not model specific".

Interesting theory. However, if noise or emissions in the US were the issue, then there would need to be a difference between the 1972 built models and 1973 built models. Mine came with removable muffler mutes and a set of 220 mainjets in a bag with instructions that if the mutes were removed, then the 210 mains should be replaced with the 220's. As far as I know, the later models were the same as there were no part number changes. I suppose they could have leaned out the carburetor to meet stiffer emissions. Anyone have a Mk V with other than 210 or 220 mains?

Or do all MkV's show the 1972 build date on the frame plate?

Ron L said:

Interesting theory. However, if noise or emissions in the US were the issue, then there would need to be a difference between the 1972 built models and 1973 built models......................

As far as I know, the later models were the same as there were no part number changes.

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Yes it is just a theory.

However the *73* parts book carb/airbox diagram shows the 750 had a baffled front airbox plate, which I presume was there to cut intake noise?

The front plate is shown in the 72 parts book as just a flat plate, yet there is no part number change, or was it baffled also?
And a technical change to a component may not have resulted in a part number change in any case? For instance, I believe there were at least three changes made to the clutch diaphragm spring specification during Commando production, -yet the spring part number never changed.

The 73 book back plate does have a different part number although I'm not sure why or if it was significant emissions-wise?

Ron L said:

Or do all MkV's show the 1972 build date on the frame plate?

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No probably not, and only other (US) Mk V owners could add extra information here, as this would not have affected UK or other export market 750 Mk Vs.

But if there were any Mk V specification models made well before the 3-73 date, then I'd expect some of them to have actually 'been on the road' rather earlier than May 73?

However the *73* parts book carb/airbox diagram shows the 750 had a baffled front airbox plate, which I presume was there to cut intake noise?

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Both my '72 build Mk V have this baffled front airbox plate, so that isn't the difference. Quite a mystery.

Could it have been something as simple as creative accounting to cover some "boasting" on 1972 inventory? Perhaps for credit financing for the merger with Triumph??