What’s the difference?

Hey fellas,

Is the only difference between the MK3 Roadster and Interstate,
the tanks, seat and side covers?

Cheers.

Certainly Bob Trigg and NVs philosophy was to have different models basically the same structure but with model specific tanks, seat, side panels, maybe exhausts and handlebars.
So broadly I reckon a qualified "yes" to your question. No doubt there will be some disagreement!!
cheers
wakeup

Possibly reduced steering lock to protect the huge tank from contact with the fork legs.

I was noticing yesterday when I swapped front tires that the SS clone has less steering lock than the Titanic, although this could be from the parts-bin special quality of the SS (MkIII yokes on a 750 frame).

scotnort75 said:

Hey fellas,

Is the only difference between the MK3 Roadster and Interstate,
the tanks, seat and side covers?

Cheers.

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Rear gas tank bracket, fender mud flap(s), and Interstate model grab rail is quite different than the Roadster equivalent.

I recall reading in other posts here that Interstate models were more likely to have a trip meter on the speedometer, which may mean a Smiths manufactured speedo instead of a Veglia, but I've certainly seen Smiths speedos on MKIII bikes with trip meters; can't say for sure about the Veglias.

And I have no knowledge to suggest it's more than my own thought, but perhaps the Interstate model was more likely to have a larger gearbox sprocket than a Roadster.



.

Robert_Norton said:

I recall reading in other posts here that Interstate models were more likely to have a trip meter on the speedometer, which may mean a Smiths manufactured speedo instead of a Veglia, but I've certainly seen Smiths speedos on MKIII bikes with trip meters; can't say for sure about the Veglias.

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It was actually the Veglia speedos that had the trip odometers so were fitted to Interstates before Mk3.
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/commando-instrument-number-list.1385/page-3#post-10493

The Mk III clocks on the SS clone (blue-and-white arrow) are Smiths.

Interesting ... I have Veglia clocks on my MK2A built September '73, and the speedo has a trip meter, which looks to be correct from the list to which L.A.B. links, but neither clock has 'Norton' or the green globe on its face; the tacho has a red line. I've been told the clocks can't be original, and it seems to be so, but still it seems odd to me that both clocks might've been replaced at some point, and both be Veglias. I suppose a clue might be that the speedo carries the number '0919 094 9900', which doesn't feature in the list – that's from a photo, and I don't have sight of the tacho at the moment.

NortonMKIIA850 said:

Interesting ... I have Veglia clocks on my MK2A built September '73, and the speedo has a trip meter, which looks to be correct from the list to which L.A.B. links, but neither clock has 'Norton' or the green globe on its face; the tacho has a red line. I've been told the clocks can't be original, and it seems to be so, but still it seems odd to me that both clocks might've been replaced at some point, and both be Veglias. I suppose a clue might be that the speedo carries the number '0919 094 9900', which doesn't feature in the list – that's from a photo, and I don't have sight of the tacho at the moment.

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I have the same on my bike. I have also seen them on a few other bikes. I believe they were all 1975 models. I sometimes wonder if these bikes came over with KPH gauges that were swapped out here in the US, or possibly they were running out of “proper” gauges at the factory. Mine is a Roadster, and according to the shipping invoice came that way from the factory. Speedo is a 150 mph unit with a trip meter. I contacted LAB about this about four years ago and at that time he was not familiar with these units, which makes me think it’s a US thing. They have the proper part numbers on them, just no logos at all. LAB did point out one difference on them, I think it had to do with the needle stop pin is different on the speedo.
Pete

NortonMKIIA850 said:

but neither clock has 'Norton' or the green globe on its face; the tacho has a red line. I've been told the clocks can't be original, and it seems to be so, but still it seems odd to me that both clocks might've been replaced at some point, and both be Veglias. I suppose a clue might be that the speedo carries the number '0919 094 9900', which doesn't feature in the list – that's from a photo, and I don't have sight of the tacho at the moment.

Click to expand...

Deets55 said:

I have the same on my bike. I have also seen them on a few other bikes. I believe they were all 1975 models. I sometimes wonder if these bikes came over with KPH gauges that were swapped out here in the US, or possibly they were running out of “proper” gauges at the factory. Mine is a Roadster, and according to the shipping invoice came that way from the factory. Speedo is a 150 mph unit with a trip meter. I contacted LAB about this about four years ago and at that time he was not familiar with these units, which makes me think it’s a US thing. They have the proper part numbers on them, just no logos at all. LAB did point out one difference on them, I think it had to do with the needle stop pin is different on the speedo.

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What I do know is the '1919 094 9900' speedo was fitted to various batches of '78 (and possibly some '79) Meriden Triumphs (T140/TR7RV).
The matching Veglia tacho (8000 RPM with 7000 red line) would be 0920 093 9900.
Both marked 'Veglia'.

scotnort75 said:

Hey fellas,

Is the only difference between the MK3 Roadster and Interstate,
the tanks, seat and side covers?

Cheers.

Click to expand...

I owned a 73 850 Interstate and Roadster at the same time. After reading your post I dug out some notes that I'd made on the differences.
1. Tanks size (Duh)
2. Rear tank mount
3. Seat.
4. Rear grab rail- The roadster didn't come with one
5. Side covers
6. Header pipes
7. The Roadster had the hole in the chainguard for the extension, the Interstate had the extension.
8. The Interstate had Avon tires and the Roadster was equipped with Dunlap K-81s
9. The Interstate had turn signals none on the Roadster. I know that the Roadster didn't come with blinkers as I followed the original owner home from the dealership.
These were the only differences that I noted. Same handlebars, instruments without trip meters, front sprockets, rear fender/mudguard. That said, I was the second owner of both bikes. I got these bikes within two weeks of each other in September of 1976. I know that the Roadster was 100% original as I was good friends with the owner. I even drove him to the dealer (Budschat Motors, Seattle) to pick it up. It had just over 12,000 miles on it when I bought it and was on it's second set of tires. John included the original set of K-81 tires with the purchase as a crafty way to clear accumulated junk out of his garage. The Interstate I traded a 370cc powered Bultaco Metralia to get. It had 5,500 miles on it and the owner claimed that it was as he'd bought it new except for the knee size dent in the right side of the gas tank.

Pretty complete list eskasteve.

eskasteve said:

4. Rear grab rail- The roadster didn't come with one

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eskasteve said:

9. The Interstate had turn signals none on the Roadster. I know that the Roadster didn't come with blinkers as I followed the original owner home from the dealership.

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The grab rails were different length. I took my Roaster (build date 6-73) out of the crate myself and it came with a rear grab rail and turn signals although the turn signals never made it onto the bike. This may have been the case with the Roadster that you followed home.

eskasteve said:

6. Header pipes

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The difference in the header pipes is that the Interstate did not have the upsweep. I am not surprised by these differing answers as there was surely a lack of consistency.
I also put an interstate tank on a Roadster and did not have a fork clearance issue.

L.A.B. said:

What I do know is the '1919 094 9900' speedo was fitted to various batches of '78 (and possibly some '79) Meriden Triumphs (T140/TR7RV).
The matching Veglia tacho (8000 RPM with 7000 red line) would be 0920 093 9900.
Both marked 'Veglia'.

Click to expand...

Spot on! I've just been out on the bike and checked the number on the tacho while I was at it – 0920 093 9900 it is! I wonder then if my clocks were effectively 'what the factory had on the day', as Deets55 suggested; or from what you say, L.A.B., more likely later replacements, maybe under warranty, although that would've been long gone by 1978. I've heard that the Veglias weren't up to the same standard as Smiths, but mine are still going strong (touch wood) even if, as it seems, they're around 40 years old! Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread ...

I have the lower euro-bars on my current 73 850. Vey tight clearance with the tank. I also have an Interstate tank for it which has the identical tight fit. I have to push both tanks rearward in the front mounts to keep the gap acceptable.
If I remember right it was a $25 additional fee to get the turn signals with the bike. In 1973 that was the equivalent of about 5 cases of Rainier Beer. So you're 21 years old and you are given a choice between dorky looking turn signals or 5 crisp cold refreshing cases of Seattle's finest beer.... Friend Alcohol usually won out, at least in the circle that I traveled in.

If you guys zoom in you should be able to read the part number.

Deets55 said:

View attachment 4895
If you guys zoom in you should be able to read the part number.

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0919 091 9911 if I've read it correctly which is the standard 850 Mk3 Veglia MPH speedo (and is on my list) although without the usual NVT logo.

Les,
Yes, that is correct. I have seen it on at least 3 other MKIII. Mine has a February production date.
Pete

Sometime during the 1974 production run Norton made a replacement Grab Rail (p/n 06-4978) that works for both Interstate and Roadster. The same part was carried over into the 850 Mark III range. It's surprising that Andover-Norton doesn't sell this part, instead they have the earlier Roadster and Interstate specific Grab Rails as a replacement for the 850 Mark III's. So if your 850 Mark III has the original Grab Rail you are good to go with either the Roadster or Interstate setup. Simply loosen the clamp bolts and slide the Rail to the desired position. Here is a picture of the 'universal' Grab Rail (p/n 06-4978):




Peter Joe