Something is not quite right here - eBay

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Ron L

Ron L

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973...8809632?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item20c37ea220

The engine/frame/transmission number is a late '73 750, but the small taillight, short and polished instrument holders, and drum brake are '72 or earlier. It's listed as a converted Hi-Rider, so the 850 style seat is a replacement, but the '73 Hi-rider, especially a late number should have a disc. Although my connection here will only download the first picture, the description of the other seat also sounds like a pre-'73.

Certainly not a bad looking bike, but with only 5460 miles and all the early components with a late '73 serial number is very strange. Any list members bidding on this should ask more questions.
 
I could believe it was a '73 750 hi rider. Either seat would not have been original to this machine. It's possible the hi rider could have come with the '72 tail light and instrument holders. The other anomoly is the non shrouded Amal carb ticklers which changed to shrouded type in '73. Like L.A.B. said.....another 235xxx mystery. It's a bit of lost history.
 
It may be a bit of a bitsa but it looks like a winner to me. The early taillight is desirable. Looks to be a $6000 bike. I truly question that milage, though.
 
Something is not quite right here - eBay
 
Well L.A.B.

It certainly could have been a Hi-Rider...Learn something new every day.

Thanks,

Ray
 
L.A.B. said:
Not even a late '73 750, as "the last 750" was supposedly 230935.
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I have a vague feeling that this info is more or less a misinterpretation of an incomplete database and far from being a fact. According to our own ZFD he has seen all kinds of 23x bikes so my guess is that there is simply a book missing in the NOC files. I mean it is a well known fact that this database is incomplete anyway.


Tim
 
The engine cases aren't original as they lack the symbol for n' aft of the numbers. Why would you need to replace eng cases on such a low milage bike?

After watching the video it appears to be stuck in 3rd gear. :P
 
RennieK said:
The engine cases aren't original as they lack the symbol for n' aft of the numbers. Why would you need to replace eng cases on such a low milage bike?

After watching the video it appears to be stuck in 3rd gear. :P
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My early 73 850 does not have the symbols. My early 74 850 also did not have them. From all that I have read there is no method or cutoff date when the symbols were introduced and adopted.
 
Tintin said:
L.A.B. said:
Not even a late '73 750, as "the last 750" was supposedly 230935.
Click to expand...

I have a vague feeling that this info is more or less a misinterpretation of an incomplete database and far from being a fact.
Click to expand...

Certainly, I wouldn't dispute that, there are various points of reference that seem to show that after 850 production commenced, 750 production logically reduced to a trickle of machines per month with 230558 made in October '73.

Tintin said:
According to our own ZFD he has seen all kinds of 23x bikes so my guess is that there is simply a book missing in the NOC files. I mean it is a well known fact that this database is incomplete anyway.
Click to expand...

That book (or books) would have to account for 235xxx 750 and 850 machines built from early '73 to late '74 but where are all the other 235xxx Commandos and why the need for a separate "235" number series? Perhaps one day we might know?

RennieK said:
The engine cases aren't original as they lack the symbol for n' aft of the numbers. Why would you need to replace eng cases on such a low milage bike?
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If it was built in 2/73 then it probably shouldn't have the circular limit stamps which seem to have been introduced sometime between late '73 and early '74.
 
...the seller's FIFTEEN THOUSAND 100% positive feedback is huge. A testament to his trustworthiness.
 
Thanks for the education on the serial # symbols bwolfe + lab. I was thinking they always were there. How foggy the mind becomes when not fully immersed in this stuff on a regular basis.
I have only 1 out of 4 with the symbols. :oops:
 
850 306680 10/73 is a reasonably early example.

4onthefloor said:
Something is not quite right here - eBay
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Does anybody have an earlier date/serial example with the limit marks?
 
L.A.B. said:
Tintin said:
L.A.B. said:
That book (or books) would have to account for 235xxx 750 and 850 machines built from early '73 to late '74 but where are all the other 235xxx Commandos and why the need for a separate "235" number series? Perhaps one day we might know?

If it was built in 2/73 then it probably shouldn't have the circular limit stamps which seem to have been introduced sometime between late '73 and early '74.
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Gooday L.A.B

Here is 235017 built 02/73. Originally a black roadster first registered in USA, rebuilt in New Zealand and now living in Sydney.

Combat breather, small sump plug, 30mm carbs with unstamped small port head. (850 breather added) Square tail light

Something is not quite right here - eBay


Let me know if you need more details.

I also have this 235xxx but that is another story

Something is not quite right here - eBay


Cheers

Mark
 
Other than the fact he is riding on the wrong side of the road, looks like a winner to me.
 
...the seller's FIFTEEN THOUSAND 100% positive feedback is huge. A testament to his trustworthiness.
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Believe me I am not impuning the seller's reputation. He does not claim to be the original owner. It just is odd that with a build date of 02/73 it still has the small taillight, a '72 ROADSTER seat, early instrument cups, and a drum brake. My two MkV 750's ('73) were both built in 11/72 and have the large taillight, basketweave seat cover, 850 style instrument cups, and disc brakes. Seems unlikely the factory would have all that early stuff laying around 4 months later. A

And if this was originally a Hi-Rider, someone went to the trouble to change the headlight to a 7-inch bucket and add the Roadster seat.

If you are not in the market for an original '73 750, this one looks to be pretty nice.
 
Josh Cox said:
My two MkV 750's ('73) were both built in 11/72 and have the large taillight, basketweave seat cover, 850 style instrument cups, and disc brakes.
Click to expand...

The same with my '73 750 that has a build date of 10/1972. This is as titled and sold to me in March 1973 by the local Norton dealer.
 
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