What's the deal with pre-1971 Commando's?

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Bonwit

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When looking up Commando parts, often I will see "For 1971 and later bikes". What changed after 1970? Is this an electrical issue? Any other differences in 750's produced after 1970?

Thanks
 
Center stand on Pre 71 mounted on lugs on the bottom frame brace, not on the cradle.
Kickstand mounted on frame lug also, in a not so good place.
Seats are different, S and roadster seat is not as tall as the newer ones at the rear.
No turn signals, headlamp had only 3 holes in top, ammeter, hi/lo lamp, headlamp switch, hi/low switch on handlebars (I may be wrong here).
Oil box mounted across the frame between the air filter and the battery, not on the side.
No mirror mounts on the control levers, right side brake lever had air control (choke) integral to the lever. Mirrors not included.
Improved front drum brake (not sure when this happened) on newer models, easily upgraded.
No cush drive in rear drum, solid drive. Rear wheel spindle mounts a bit differently than the newer ones.
S and Roadster (?) had ring around the headlamp and a different headlamp mount arrangement.
No boots on the forks, small sliding seal at the top of the fork slider.

I'm sure there are other subtle differences, others can correct me and take up the slack.

Dave
marked Apr 69 (registered in 70) Fireflake Blue S
 
DogT said:
Center stand on Pre 71 mounted on lugs on the bottom frame brace, not on the cradle.
Kickstand mounted on frame lug also, in a not so good place.
Seats are different, S and roadster seat is not as tall as the newer ones at the rear.
No turn signals, headlamp had only 3 holes in top, ammeter, hi/lo lamp, headlamp switch, hi/low switch on handlebars (I may be wrong here).
Oil box mounted across the frame between the air filter and the battery, not on the side.
No mirror mounts on the control levers, right side brake lever had air control (choke) integral to the lever. Mirrors not included.
Improved front drum brake (not sure when this happened) on newer models, easily upgraded.
No cush drive in rear drum, solid drive. Rear wheel spindle mounts a bit differently than the newer ones.
S and Roadster (?) had ring around the headlamp and a different headlamp mount arrangement.
No boots on the forks, small sliding seal at the top of the fork slider.

I'm sure there are other subtle differences, others can correct me and take up the slack.

Dave
marked Apr 69 (registered in 70) Fireflake Blue S
Click to expand...

Thank you so much! Very helpful information. Given all these differences, are the parts more difficult to come by? For example on the bike I'm looking at the headlamp bucket is pretty rough and the ring is broken. I might be able to restore it, but would a new or good used one be hard to find?
 
I see that stuff every now and then, the bucket should be pretty standard, I know I saw the ring on Ebay a while back.
 
As far as I have found, most of the parts are available, you just have to look for them. Walridge has some older parts, the headlamp rings and brackets I think you can get from Norvil in UK, they are probably the hardest thing to find. The headlamp bucket I have never found a direct replacement but one could probably be modified and look just right, I need one. A lot of the parts have been updated to new part numbers. Excpet for the actual different parts, I think everything else is just about directly replaceable. the spares list for 69 and 70 is available from old britts I think.

Dave
69S
 
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