WI Newbie Post with some pics:)

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ive attached a pic showing where the numbers are pulled from so there is no confusion. :?

WI Newbie Post with some pics:)
 
OK, thanks again.

Presumably when you said "yoke" earlier, you actually meant the headstock as "yoke", or "yokes" to us in the UK means the "(triple) trees"?


I don't know if I'm imagining it, or whether it's a trick of the camera, light or my computer, but I seem to be able to see what appears to be an area of Red on the headstock exactly where the Red ID plate would normally be?
 
Is there any chance you could post a close-up photo of that engine stamping please?
 
And "332539" would identify the frame and gearbox as being from around the May 1975 period. The engine, or at least the crankcases would appear to have been replaced at some point, I think?
The F number as a frame number would be from around the middle of '74, all 850 engine numbers ('73-on) had 3xxxxx serials.
 
thanks for the help L.A.B. :D I'll get some pics of the engine stamping sometime this weekend and get them posted.
 
tom2240zap said:
(F110302 is what appears on the title as the VIN)
Click to expand...


I somehow get the feeling this '75 model Commando has had its identity changed to that of another Commando from '74, at some point in its history?
 
Question #3 - turn signals. i'd kinda like to have em.
Click to expand...
There are reproductions of the original Lucas turn signals and stalks available from most British m/c parts dealers. If your headlight bucket does not have any hi-beam, charge light, or turn signal indicator light, then you have the original '75 bucket. It should have the signal flasher mounted inside. If the bucket was replaced with the earlier style with the indicator lights, then you will need to find a place to mount the flasher.

The stalks replace the bolts holding the shell to the fork ears. In the back they bolt to the taillight housing. Easy installation.
 
The great thing about Commandos is that there are plenty of them and they probably have the lowest percentage of owners anywhere who are 'precious' about matching numbers. They are riders machines and apart from some specific early models most people don't worry and appreciate the 'mix and match' construction.

At $2000 for a complete bike, you can't go wrong by European standards.

It does look as if your bike has been 'adjusted' to allow registration based on engine number using 1974 documents. It wouldn't put me off if the paperwork and title were in order.
 
L.A.B. said:
As it's the frame that should have the F number?
Click to expand...

I've just checked my numbers, all mine match they are stamped with a sort of small round globe thing, then 850, globe, 335774 and globe. There is also a 77 stamped on the frame plate but that will be the year mark, there is no other number stamped on the steering head.
I don't have an "F" in my frame number, (believe you me there have been a few "F's" with this bike!!!!!), Mine is a '77 Mk3 so it may be a case of numbers only?

To tom2240zap... I take it your toolchest did not like the Bush administration?????? :shock:
Robert
 
It's the "Bat Bike", by golly.

So what if it's been re-stamped as long as it's been legitimized for proper titling for the owner, I say "Ride On".

I've built a couple of bikes from legally obtained engines & frames, and titled them legally as salvage bikes.

Of course, I'd MUCH rather have a matching numbers bike, but there's a long queue of people wanting an AFFORDABLE bike, and the numbers-matching ones are getting less and less so.
 
haha! yes, i noticed that is does bear an uncanny resemblance to a vehicle that might be ridden by our caped crusader 8)

I noticed another number last night when i was out taking pictures of the COMMANDO vin. It matches the F# on the engine :?: I'm not really sure if it is factory or if someone migwelded the plate on sometime after then. I also noticed that from all the headstock plates that i've seen; am i correct in assuming that these would have been riveted on? If this is the case, i didn't see any holes in the headstock where these would have been. I guess regardless of the bikes history, i can't lose any sleep over it. I still feel pretty satisfied with the purchase and have all the required paperwork. I've attached a few more pics of the questionable VIN numbers..

WI Newbie Post with some pics:)


WI Newbie Post with some pics:)


WI Newbie Post with some pics:)


WI Newbie Post with some pics:)


:wink: Thanks to all for your help and assistance! Im looking forward to getting her on the road!

-Tom

PS. my apologies for the crude GWB sticker on the tool chest, and no, i was not a fan.. :roll: Later!!
 
The 850 prefix frame number and gearbox number look like original Norton stampings and as LAB stated, would indicate around a May 1975 build date. I think that the whole machine here is a mid '75 850 Mk111.

The F prefix engine number and the small plate, although very nicely done are not Norton factory stampings. Again as LAB says, they are the frame number from a mid 1974 850 (Mk11 ?)

I have read here that some US states rely on the engine number for title (which is different from most European countries) It would seem that at some time for administrative reasons, someone has cloned the identity of the earlier machine on to his Mk111. The fact that no attempt has been made to hide the original identity suggests that there is nothing too sinister behind this.

The headstock rivet holes have presumably been filled. The John Player replicas had the plate under the seat but your frame isn't one of those.
 
rbt11548 said:
L.A.B. said:
As it's the frame that should have the F number?
Click to expand...


I don't have an "F" in my frame number, (believe you me there have been a few "F's" with this bike!!!!!), Mine is a '77 Mk3 so it may be a case of numbers only?
Click to expand...

Actually, what I meant was that IF there was an "F" number, it should be on the frame, and not on the engine.




As 850 MkIIIs from around mid '75-on would not normally have had the "F" prefixed frame number, in which case, the frame serial next to the plate would normally match the ID plate number, thus your frame stamp is apparently: "#850#335744#" so there's no problem with your MkIII.


The significance of the "F" (F1) marking is that it supposedly identifies the frames as being one of the Italian-made Commando frames.
Frames made by Reynolds Tubing are supposed to have the matching number stamps. The Italian frames were apparently made using metric tubing, so "F" frames should have metric tube (60mm & 25mm etc.) instead of Reynolds frame Imperial size tube (2-1/4" & 1" etc.).
 
No electic "starter" is no great loss, IMHO.

You can find Lucas-looking turn signals on eBay. I got mine there a while back, I think it was $50 for four (two shorter ones for the front and two longer ones for the back). I put in a new wiring harness prior to installation, since I believe it was the same as OEM, you should already have the wiring for the turn signals. I did have to plug in a flasher unit, I found a fairly generic one for about $25 I believe it was. Those connections were in the harness already too. So - plug and play!

Good luck and welcome to the forum and Norton ownership. Ask a lot of stupid questions - it'll take a lot of those to catch up with me, and folks here are great!
 
Welcome to the world of Norton! Great looking bike. Ride safe and enjoy all the looks your about to get on every ride. They do draw attention.
 
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