What Commando Do I Have?

Tridentman · 2026-08-25T17:16:05-0600

I have recently become the beneficiary of a friends misfortune and now possess a 1974 Commando 850 non electric start.
It was damaged in a fire in 1999 and has been standing since.
The VIN # is 3127**.
Under the fire damaged side covers and gas tank it looks to have been red in color.
I have been involved with Brit bikes for over 60 years but this is my first Norton.
The model names ---Fastback, Interpol, Roadster, Interstate, HI-Rider confuse me.
Is there any way of knowing the model from the VIN #?
Any info gratefully received.

concours · 2026-08-25T17:22:28-0600

Tridentman said:
I have recently become the beneficiary of a friends misfortune and now possess a 1974 Commando 850 non electric start.
It was damaged in a fire in 1999 and has been standing since.
The VIN # is 3127**.
Under the fire damaged side covers and gas tank it looks to have been red in color.
I have been involved with Brit bikes for over 60 years but this is my first Norton.
The model names ---Fastback, Interpol, Roadster, Interstate, HI-Rider confuse me.
Is there any way of knowing the model from the VIN #?
Any info gratefully received.

Pictures?

ilikevelos · 2026-08-25T18:03:01-0600

The model is not coded in the Vin for that series of numbers. Likely either a roadster or interstate mk 2 850 from 1974 ish. Bodywork and seat mostly the only difference.

stanthomas · 2026-08-25T18:08:09-0600

850s were either Roadster or Interstate models. Pictures here will show you which you have : Commando brochure 1974

Tridentman · 2026-08-25T18:37:43-0600

So it is narrowed down to Interstate or Roadster---thank you!
But from the brochure it is not clear to me what distinguishes the Interstate from the Roadster.
Are there two or three key differences that I can concentrate on to identify mine?

concours · 2026-08-25T19:35:04-0600

Tridentman said:
So it is narrowed down to Interstate or Roadster---thank you!
But from the brochure it is not clear to me what distinguishes the Interstate from the Roadster.
Are there two or three key differences that I can concentrate on to identify mine?

Fuel tank size

Seat length & width

Side covers

Tridentman · 2026-08-25T20:17:16-0600

Presume Roadster gas tank is smaller than Interstate?
Will try to get some photos tomorrow.
My seat is just the base--foam and cover were lost in the fire.
What is the difference in the side covers?
Thanks in advance for your time in helping a Norton numskull!

Torontonian · 2026-08-25T23:26:00-0600

Tridentman said:
I have recently become the beneficiary of a friends misfortune and now possess a 1974 Commando 850 non electric start.
It was damaged in a fire in 1999 and has been standing since.
The VIN # is 3127**.
Under the fire damaged side covers and gas tank it looks to have been red in color.
I have been involved with Brit bikes for over 60 years but this is my first Norton.
The model names ---Fastback, Interpol, Roadster, Interstate, HI-Rider confuse me.
Is there any way of knowing the model from the VIN #?
Any info gratefully received.

$pending time .

kommando · 2026-08-26T00:12:12-0600

Roadster has triangular shaped side covers, Interstate are squarish. The petrol tank is the bigger giveaway, 2.5 gal for Roadster, 5 gal for Interstate.

robs ss · 2026-08-26T00:41:26-0600

Tridentman said:
Presume Roadster gas tank is smaller than Interstate?

Big difference. The roadster is only about 11 litres whereas the Interstate is about 25 litres.
The roadster is good for going to the shops on!

L.A.B. · 2026-08-26T00:58:28-0600

There were no original 850 Fastbacks so you can rule that model out. As it's a US model then it's unlikely to be an Interpol.

Tridentman said:
Is there any way of knowing the model from the VIN #?

No. The records for that serial number are lost.

What Commando Do I Have?

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