What years had what color choices?

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grandpaul

grandpaul

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Like the thread title reads, what years were what colors available?

Somebody is telling my the 72 Combat I have wasn't available in Roman Fireflake Purple...
 
Where is that 1972 Commando Colour Chart when you need one.
Anyone got one ?


Roy Bacon lists the Commando 1972 colors as "as for 1971 and 1970".
Although it is a little ambiguous if this applied to the Combats

This was shown here previously, for 1971 (?).

What years had what color choices?


Does anyone else think it somewhat amazing that we are still discussing this colour range,
in the dark as it were, some 40 to 45 years later.
If I go over to the Kwaka websites, they have clickable pics that show all the color choices available then.
(what does that prove ? ).
 
I pulled this list off of Reg's now defunct AUS page:

1969 British Racing Green Fireflake Red Grenadier Red QuickSilver MetalFlake
Sapphire Blue
1970 British Racing Green Canary Yellow Fireflake Bronze Fireflake Emerald
Fireflake Purple Fireflake Royal Blue Fireflake Silver Livery Black
Signal Red
1971 British Racing Green Fireflake Golden Bronze Fireflake Royal Blue
Livery Black Roman Purple Signal Orange Signal Red
Tangerine
1972 Blue Canary Yellow Livery Black Metalflake Blue
Red Tangerine White
1973 Candy Apple Red Livery Black
1974 Candy Apple Red Livery Black Pacific Blue Tangerine
White
1975 Candy Apple Red Livery Black Manx Silver White with Blue stripes
 
Comparing Reg's list to the brochures, he's short of a few colours there.
So can't be quoted as any sort of definitive answer....

GP's Combat is short of a few sidecovers too, so as an 'original paint' bike its lacking something ?!
 
grandpaul said:
Like the thread title reads, what years were what colors available?

Somebody is telling my the 72 Combat I have wasn't available in Roman Fireflake Purple...
Click to expand...
I bought a brand new 1972 Combat Roadster in that color. It was kinda rare but it was available. I can send you a photo if you PM me.
 
With your permission, could that photo also be posted here sometime ?

Thats what makes this forum so great, info comes out of the woodwork when stuff like this gets asked.
 
Rohan said:
GP's Combat is short of a few sidecovers too, so as an 'original paint' bike its lacking something ?!
Click to expand...
I stated that it is original paint on the tank, sun faded. Also clearly stated and shown in photos that it's missing both sidecovers.
 
I'd love to post a picture but after setting up a photobucket account it asked me to install flashplayer so that I could then share. My anti virus software keeps kicking the flashplayer download stating that it contains unsafe material. Gotta see how else to do this.
 
Proof positive...



Dig the groovy Levis Big Bells, I wore them for years.

(he married her for her socks)
 

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grandpaul said:
Proof positive...



Dig the groovy Levis Big Bells, I wore them for years.

(he married her for her socks)
Click to expand...
Good God! I just did the math. I was 20 and Debbie was 17. What happened? 43 years ago. Wow! A year later we were married and on our honeymoon. Me on the Norton and Deb on her brand new RD350.
 
I remember test riding a Combat engined Roadster back in the day in Fireflake Roman Purple. The only one I've ever seen in the flesh.
 
Fullauto said:
I remember test riding a Combat engined Roadster back in the day in Fireflake Roman Purple. The only one I've ever seen in the flesh.
Click to expand...
I had just turned 19 years old when I saw this bike at Pokes Cycle in Seattle. It was scheduled for set up later that week. I asked my dad if he would co-sign a loan for me and SHAZAAM! he agreed. $2024.00 tax, license, and a years insurance. My payments were $51 per month for 36 months. I put over 65,000 miles on this bike before I sold it in 1976 for a down payment on our first house. It seemed that I was always on that bike. There's nothing like a Combat when it comes on the cam at 4000rpm. The sound reminded me of a WWII fighter plane. I may have seen two or three other '72 purple Combats . Kind of rare. Poke's was a fairly large retailer for Norton and he told me that it was the only one that he ever sold.
 
eskasteve said:
Fullauto said:
I remember test riding a Combat engined Roadster back in the day in Fireflake Roman Purple. The only one I've ever seen in the flesh.
Click to expand...
I had just turned 19 years old when I saw this bike at Pokes Cycle in Seattle. It was scheduled for set up later that week. I asked my dad if he would co-sign a loan for me and SHAZAAM! he agreed. $2024.00 tax, license, and a years insurance. My payments were $51 per month for 36 months. I put over 65,000 miles on this bike before I sold it in 1976 for a down payment on our first house. It seemed that I was always on that bike. There's nothing like a Combat when it comes on the cam at 4000rpm. The sound reminded me of a WWII fighter plane. I may have seen two or three other '72 purple Combats . Kind of rare. Poke's was a fairly large retailer for Norton and he told me that it was the only one that he ever sold.
Click to expand...

Pokes is where I bought my first Norton, a 75 Mk3 Roadster. Talked to Ross (Larry's son) a year or so ago, and he sent me a couple of their cool old cafe-racer cut out business cards and an old fender sticker.
 
Great pic of a purple combat, thats the sort of proof that is filling in the gaps in knowledge.
Thanks for stories too.

grandpaul said:
I stated that it is original paint on the tank, sun faded. Also clearly stated and shown in photos that it's missing both sidecovers.
Click to expand...

I'm not arguing with that, and you were certainly upfront about it.
But the fact remains its still missing its sidecovers, and as an 'original paint' bike that is rather a flaw in the plan...!
 
Rohan said:
... the fact remains its still missing its sidecovers, and as an 'original paint' bike that is rather a flaw in the plan...!
Click to expand...
From the listing:

BODYWORK - Original "Fireflake Purple" gas tank in fair condition with significant sun fade; inside is somewhat gummed up. It is recommended that the tank be professionally stripped and lined before regular use and/or repainting. This tank WILL NOT hold up with modern / ethanol fuels. Good replacement fuel taps installed. Original gas cap. Seat is a replacement in good condition. Both fenders are original, cleaned up; some minor scuffs and dings. Missing both sidecovers. Original oil tank in very good condition, flushed, jet washed and spray painted, with new rubber mount buffers.

Crystal clear that:

A) Gas tank has original paint, faded

and

B) Sidecovers are missing

If I would have stated "BIKE has original paint...", and neglected to mention the obvious (that both sidecovers are missing), then your comments would have significance, and be a concern to any potential buyers.

Also, I didn't feel I needed to further qualify the "fair condition" statement, and that it's not overly optimistic. As it is, it doesn't leak, and doesn't have the ugly tell-tale bubbles that result from de-lamination from modern fuel.
 
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