The best all round 850 Roadster MKII or MKIII ?

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I am biased to my 73 and 74 and I imagine the simplicity of the early models was/is very nice as well. Not that I don't like them, but I always think the mk3's look to cluttered with all of the extras when I see them, but everyone that has one loves them. The other thing that comes to mind is the mk3 has a lot more consumables to mess with when they wear out.
 
Has to be a MK11 IMHO right-shift, no electric start,no inspection cover to make camchain adjustment simpler and certainly not the luxury of a hydraulically powered primary change adjustment. ...........last but not least a sensible location for the main ignition switch.(Where would I be without the pleasure of fiddling around below the tank to switch the lights on.)In all seriousness get hold of something like Mick Duckworths book on Norton Commandos that lists the improvements listed year by year and MK by MK and of course recommendations from owners here. I prefer the MK11 with sensible mods like belt drive and adjustable Isolastics. :) :)

Forgot to add that if you want the benefit of electric start you will have to upgrade the starter motor...(even NVT described the standard system as an 'electric assist') maybe the current owner has carried this out. 16,000 or 50,000 mileage may not tell you much as a lot of work will have breen done to keep the bike in good running order hopefully.
 
Well, I just can't resist "chiming in" ... and have to side with granpaul on this. Of the 8 Nortons I've owned since 1981 (3 850's and 5 750's) ... I would have to go with the MK III; never owned one of those yet. However, I don't plan on selling my 1973 750 (great runner) or my 1974 850 (currently being built). However, as L.A.B. states, it would be nice to to test ride both ... and see which one YOU prefer. ( But if ya got the money buy em' both ???) Cheers.
 
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