General sentiments on paint...

[jae]

Just curious what the general sentiment is on painting a bike like the Commando... I don't know if there's any way to reliably find out the original color of my bike (it's apparently been repainted at least twice), and I don't know if it's really "worth it" to go with an originally available paint scheme vs. just painting it how I want. I don't want to go crazy with it, just wondering how pissed off "purists" would be if I went with a paint scheme that was never available stock.

Kind of kicking around the idea of painting it similar to how I had my old Sprint:

Not the easiest to see, but it was a close approximation of British Racing Green (PPG paint) with a white triple racing stripe down the center of the tank and tail. Outside stripes about 1/4" wide with a 1/4" gap to a 1-1/2" wide center stripe.

I probably wouldn't do the center stripe on the Commando, just stock-style pinstripes and Norton/Commando logos in white.

 

[ashman]

Its your bike so do what you want and don't worry about what others think, when I converted my original Commando to the Featherbed it went through a few different colour changes on the tank, first paint job was Gum Metal Grey, looked great till the major fire, second colour was Charcoal and burned (from the fire and stayed like that for about 2 years LOL) but I ended up with the blue and has been that colour for a long time now over 30 years, its been a good luck colour for me, its showing its age now with scatchs, chips and a few little dings in it and where a bit of paint lifted around the fuel cap but hey it was a everyday rider till 6 years ago and now its semi retire just like me.
They say green is a bad luck colour on a bike but not to me I have 2 Thruxtons one Brooklands Green and my newer one Compertion Green and they also have been good luck colour for me.

Ashley

 

[baz]

Just paint it whatever colour you like

 

[jbruney]

One can get all of the decals & stripes on the bay which can handle going under clear coat and the price isn't much. I had to have them when doing mine. Didn't do much good because all the youngsters want to know who made it and what it is..... Don't guess they can read.

 

[Ron L]

One of the best things about Commandos is the multitude of colors that were available. Non original colors have a much smaller effect on selling price for Commandos than other Brits. So if resale is figuring into your decision, just don't go too wild.

 

[ashman]

What's wrong with flames and skulls, arrr that's right we aren't a Harley. But really there are a lot of different colour paint jobs that look good on Commando's and going original is not always the best option and having a Norton that is not the same as everyone else and you won't lose any money if you sell because it looks different, but then you do get those who are fussy and think keeping original is the only way to go, well good luck to them, if I would have listen to all my mates about converting my Commando to the Featherbed back in the early 80s I would not had a bike that handle so much better or a one off bike as where I am there is not another one like mine.
I get a lot of interest where ever I pull up on it and have never had a bad word about it, so do what is best for you and do your own thing to make it your bike and not there's.

Ashley

 

[rvich]

There are no Commando purists.

 

[o0norton0o]

so do what is best for you and do your own thing to make it your bike and not there's.

Ashley

ditto...

 

[marshg246]

Its your bike so do what you want and don't worry about what others think, when I converted my original Commando to the Featherbed it went through a few different colour changes on the tank, first paint job was Gum Metal Grey, looked great till the major fire, second colour was Charcoal and burned (from the fire and stayed like that for about 2 years LOL) but I ended up with the blue and has been that colour for a long time now over 30 years, its been a good luck colour for me, its showing its age now with scatchs, chips and a few little dings in it and where a bit of paint lifted around the fuel cap but hey it was a everyday rider till 6 years ago and now its semi retire just like me.
They say green is a bad luck colour on a bike but not to me I have 2 Thruxtons one Brooklands Green and my newer one Compertion Green and they also have been good luck colour for me.

Ashley

If building to sell, a standard Norton scheme is preferable. For yourself, whatever you like. I've seen some beautiful bikes that are classic looking but with classy modern paint schemes. This bike is one of them: http://ncno.org/feature-pix-darrel/ It's still clearly a Norton, but has many upgrades and is even nicer in person.

 

[lazyeye6]

Mine is a '74
Red, Blue, Black
Red, Blue, Black
So, I painted mine in Norton silver. Can't go wrong with Silver, chrome, black and polished alloy.
No regrets whatsoever.

 

[Danno]

On display at Seaba Station.

 

[Danno]

My attempt at matching Fireflake Blue.

 

[Richard Tool]

Your bike - paint it as you wish .

 

[maylar]

I painted this one for my brother. It's actually purple (DuPont Hot Hues) but my silly digital camera thinks it's blue. The guy who bought it painted it black. Go figure.

It's your bike, make it what you want.

 

[jae]

That purple is pretty cool!

I really love the BRG that I had on my Sprint, and am seriously considering getting my current one painted the same. Thinking it might be kind of cool to have the old and new British bikes in my stable in similar (or complementary) color schemes.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[jae]

It's still clearly a Norton, but has many upgrades and is even nicer in person.

Wow, that is beautiful.

 

[DevonNorton]

Jae
Some great colour schemes out there. Really up to you which way to go.
There are some expert folks on this forum who can comment on which year/model had what colour scheme.
If you go for British Racing Green, it is listed here for 1969 Commando models http://classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1960/69NortonCommandoBrochure.pdf
And according to Roy Bacon's Norton Twin Restoration book (pg 222) it was also used on some models in 1970 and 1971.
So a 'standard' Norton colour.
Andy

 

[Jdub]

Green is a great color for your Norton, especially as gold decal and stripes give it such a classic look. My first Norton was a steel Interstate tank matched to Roadster side covers in Mallard green.

Go for it. It will look great.

 

[NPeteN]

My bike is purple because that's how it left the factory. Painted by Brent Budgor.

Picking paint is fun. Hard to make a Commando look bad.

 

[jae]

I'm getting a feeling that Commando's are still plentiful enough to be regarded as being a "rider's bike" and modifications that generally improve the bike are fairly well received vs. the idea that an older bike should be kept as factory-original as possible. I find this great news as I plan to be riding this bike for a long time.