1974 Norton Commando 850 Interstate
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Guide price: £9,500- £11,000
Highlights
・Fully rebuilt from ground-up
・Matching numbers bike with genuine low mileage
・Two owners from new
・As close to a ‘new’ Norton as you can get
The Background
When a bike wins the Motorcycle News Motorcycle of the Year award for five years in a row, it has to be something pretty special.
But that’s exactly what the Norton Commando achieved between 1968 and 1972, despite being born into a difficult corporate climate. It was the first new model from Norton-Villiers, which emerged from the collapsed Associated Motorcycle Company (AMC) in 1966, so was developed on a very tight budget.
The first Norton Commando 750’s arrived in 1968 and were built at the former Matchless factory in Plumstead, London, but in 1969 by production moved to the Villiers factory in the West Midlands after the old Matchless factory was subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order.
It was an incredible bike, with its most innovative feature being its “Isolastic” suspension, which used a series of rubber bushings and flexible mounts to suppress vibration from the engine. The design was the work of Dr Stephen Bauer, who had previously worked for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and knew a thing or two about smoothness and refinement.
The result was a bike that did away with much of the vibration, which was the biggest criticism of British motorcycles of the era.
The engine itself was a 745cc OHV, two valves per-cylinder, air cooled parallel twin that delivered 56hp at 6,500rpm, with an estimated top speed of 115mph, derived from the classic Norton Atlas engine in a newly designed frame.
In 1973, the 745cc engine was bored to 828cc and the model renamed the Commando 850. In its ultimate form, it was a fast and comfortable touring bike that was easily a match for the best European and Japanese models, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to save Norton, which folded in 1977.
The History
This is an 850 Interstate, which was the fastest and most developed variant of the Commando. The Interstate name was given to models fitted with the larger 5.5-gallon fuel tank, which allowed the Norton a touring range of around 250 miles.
Exported to South Africa when new, the bike was bought on the Eastern Cape by a South African National who works in the UK, and who brought it here with him. He bought it as a genuine low mileage motorcycle (it has just 29,661km on the clock, or around 19,000 miles) but rebuilt it himself, bolt-by-bolt, from the ground up, restoring or replacing every single component. The work began in 2016 and has recently been finished.
With the Norton complete, he now wants a new project.
The Paperwork
Included with the bike is a selection of receipts detailing all of the parts purchased for the rebuild, along with a digital archive pf photos showing the restoration at its various waypoints.
The Norton was brought into the UK last October and is now British registered and will be supplied with a full UK V5C. There are no import taxes due or paperwork to sort out.
The Condition
Make no mistake, this bike is unlike any other. The vendor has rebuilt it piece by piece, being careful to refurbish, repair or replace every single part to ensure it is the best it can be.
The Frame has been powder-coated and the Isolastic suspension completely refurbished and also powder-coated. It has been fitted with stainless steel wheels and spokes, new Dunlop TT100 tyres, refurbished front forks, new lamp lenses and indicators, new rubbers and handlebar grips.
The tank has been stripped and rebuilt, the bike has had a full high quality respray with all of the correct Norton and Commando detailing and the saddle has been refurbished in hand stitched leather. It’s a work of art, and the condition is absolutely breathtaking.
The Mechanics
Just as much attention has been paid to the oily bits. The engine has been bored out +20 (so is now genuinely close to 850cc), with new pistons, rings, valves and springs. The gearbox has had a new main shaft and new clutch plates have been fitted.
It has an electronic ignition and new spark plugs and leads, while all of the engine cables and hoses have been renewed.
New exhaust pipes and silencers are a feature, while it has also had brand new primary and secondary chains and rear shocks. Not one detail has been overlooked.
The Appeal
This is a truly, truly beautiful bike and one that has been lovingly restored with a high degree of craftsmanship by someone who has truly adored it.
It’s not a well-preserved survivor nor a nice example of a classic, but is more like the absolute closest you’ll ever get to having a brand new Norton Commando in 2021. It’s a stunner. A genuine piece of art.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1974
- Make Norton
- Model Commando 850 Insterstate
- Colour Black/Silver
- Odometer 29,661 Kilometres
- Engine size 828
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Surrey
- Country United Kingdom
19
bids
- Do•••• £9,300 01/07/21
- Ru•••• £9,200 01/07/21
- jl•••• £9,100 01/07/21
- Ni•••• £9,000 01/07/21
- Ni•••• £8,900 28/06/21
- Ja•••• £8,800 28/06/21
- Ni•••• £8,700 28/06/21
- Ja•••• £8,600 28/06/21
- Ni•••• £8,500 28/06/21
- mu•••• £8,400 28/06/21
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