Norton Commando Fastback LR

[Martyn520]

I have only just discovered this forum, & 'stumbled across' a now-locked discussion about the Fastback LR, in particular, whether or not the Fastback LR was available with the ‘Combat’ engine.
I can assure sceptics that it was indeed possible to buy such a bike, as I did just that in July 1972, from an old established dealer, still trading, Fowlers of Bristol (UK) .
I was riding a BSA Rocket III at that time, & with the casual insouciance of youth I decided I wanted to try something different, & they were indeed very different machines.
My LR came in British Racing Green, & it was fitted with indicators, a front disc brake, & the “Combat” motor.
What 20 year old would not want to have the latest & most powerful engine?
What I cannot recall, more than 50 years on, was whether or not the disc was an option, or it had become the standard fit.
With hindsight totally predictably, the engine needed a rebuild before the 10,000 miles mark, although to the dealers credit it was dealt with expeditiously under warranty.
It was explained to me at the time that the engine was now fitted with the Superblend bearings, & I have seen it suggested in recent years that the dealers rebuild included an unadvertised lowered CR,
either with new pistons, or possibly a compression plate under the barrel.
That may or may not have been the case, but it would seem to be a sensible course to follow.
I ran the bike for another 18 months or so, then the itch to change yet again overcame me & it went to make way for a Triumph T150V.
4 Imperial gallons, & the LR was four gallons.
All in all, happy memories.
Martyn, Cheltenham UK.

 

[kommando]

The Combat and disc options were linked, order one and you got the other automatically.

 

[Martyn520]

The Combat and disc options were linked, order one and you got the other automatically.

I bought it from the showroom stock, so I didn't actually order it, but the point being made by some in the original post, now locked, was scepticism that a Commando LR was ever factory produced with the Combat engine.
I can affirm that it was indeed possible, certainly in the UK, to buy such a beast !

I

Thread 'Commando LR model specifications'

Sep 7, 2015

There were only around 400 fastback LR's built between 1971-73, period photos of this model are very few and there was only ever one photo in the factory brochures. The model is always shown with silver cylinders and a TLS front brake.
Roy Bacons Norton restoration book has a period drive side photo of a 1972 LR, clearly showing that it has the new strengthened crankcase's and the 72 only crankcase breather.
My question is, because the LR build period overlapped the combat engined commando's, does that mean that a number of LR's would have been built to combat spec, which would have...

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• Replies: 24
• Forum: Norton Commando Forum

 

[kommando]

I can affirm that it was indeed possible, certainly in the UK, to buy such a beast !

Regardless of a customer order or dealer order the 2 options were linked. What you also can't discount is someone seeing an LR with non combat engine and no disc in the showroom next to a combat interstate and asking for the interstate tank and panels to be swapped off the combat with disc onto the LR. Dealers would do such stuff to make a sale and the Commando seat and side panels made it an easy swap.

 

[Alan L]

So, in hindsight, was it the Commando or the triple that you ultimately preferred?