· Year 1975
· Make Norton
· Model 850 Commando Mk2a
· Colour Black
· Odometer 18,769 miles
· Engine size 828cc
· Location Norfolk
· Country United Kingdom
· Price £POA

THE HIGHLIGHTS
・Excellent restored condition, with subtle upgrades
・Under 20,000 miles covered
・Large paperwork folder with bills and technical documentation
・Comes with a package of spare parts

THE BACKGROUND
The Commando was a very successful model for Norton, and today, it’s regarded as one of the stand-outs from the classic era of British motorcycles. It proved popular all over the world, and during the 10 years that it was in production, around 60,000 examples were made. For five of those years, it also scooped Motor Cycle News’ Machine of the Year award.

The Commando story started shortly after Norton’s 1966 purchase by Manganese Bronze Holdings, which already had an established track record with motorcycles, thanks to its ownership of Villiers. The new broom decided that Norton needed a new flagship to replace its ageing Atlas model, and a deadline was set for 1967’s Earls Court Motor Show. Design work started on a new frame, body and engine, but only the frame and body were complete as the September show date loomed. Thus, when the Commando made its debut at Earls Court, it was with the old 745cc engine of the Atlas. Everything around it was new and a lot more modern however, including the vibration-beating Isolastic frame.  

With its two 30mm Amal Concentric carburettors, the Commando’s initial 748cc engine (with four-speed transmission) put out 58bhp. In 1972, a ‘Combat’ engine became available, with 65bhp, but it proved unreliable. Much more resilient was the 828cc engine of 1973, used for the Commando 850 of that year. While this dialled power back to 60bhp, various areas such as the bottom end and pistons were strengthened. The front brake also changed from drum to much more effective disc. Top speed was around 105mph. The 850 progressed through from Mk1 in 1973, to Mk2 in 1974 and finally the Mk3 of 1975, which proved heavier and thus slower than its predecessors. The last Commando 850s were made in October of 1977.     

THE HISTORY
This Commando 850 Mk2a was registered in February 1975 and is one of the ‘narrow tank’ Roadster variants, with a smaller tank, low-level exhaust and upwards-angled silencers with reverse cones. These were rarer than their Interstate siblings in later form; Norton was financially struggling by the mid-1970s, and because the Interstate had a more expensive price tag, the company pushed it in preference to the Roadster. The Mk2a designation denoted that the bike could meet new European noise requirements, with a quieter exhaust and larger airbox.

Not much is known of the Norton’s early history, but a comprehensive rebuild was completed in 2003, with the aim being to retain the classic Commando Mk2 look but subtly upgrade both specification and performance. The frame and swinging arm were powder-coated, and the wheels rebuilt with alloy rims and stainless spokes. A full Boyer electronic ignition and power box were installed, along with a new purpose-made wiring harness. Norton specialist, FD Motorcycles, repainted the tank and side panels in black and gold and rebuilt the engine with a new camshaft, rebore, new pistons etc. These engines can suffer with a porosity in the alloy cylinder head; this has been resolved on this example with vacuum impregnation by Ultraseal, a specialist firm in this field.

The bike’s original European specification was black cap silencers with black box air filter and silver-painted spokes. The rebuild included conversion to US spec, with a stainless steel perforated air filter and new reverse cone silencers with the yokes now chromed. The work cost over £3600, with £3100 in stainless steel parts.

The odometer reads 18,769 miles, and although this can’t be verified, its online MoT history shows very little use over the years back to 2006, when the mileage was recorded as 12,899 miles. No more than a thousand miles a year have been covered since then, and for several years, it was as little as a few hundred.   

THE PAPERWORK
The V5 is present, as are MoT certificates back to 2003 (the year of the rebuild), when the mileage was just 11,955. The bike is now MoT-exempt, thanks to its historic status.  Also included in the paperwork folder are a Haynes workshop manual, the owners’ handbook, period sales brochures, copies of tech features from magazines and websites and a parts list. For anybody happy to get their hands dirty, there are Norton Owners’ Club DVDs on gearbox servicing and heavyweight twin engine restoration. There are a lot of bills, testifying to a great deal of care and attention over the years, plus photos from various points in the bike’s life.

THE CONDITION
This Commando is very well-preserved, with its renovation work having obviously been done extremely competently and professionally. It has very few signs of being nearly 50 years old. The black paint is still glossy and even, and the lettering and lining intact. All of the chrome and other brightwork is sparkling and free from any corrosion or serious marking. Up close, there is some very mild mottling around some areas such as the handlebar controls, but you do have to look very closely to find it. We’re talking nit-picking territory here.

The leather saddle has next-to-no creasing or patina. In fact, the items areas that show any real signs of use are ones such are ones such as the rubber footrests, kick start and metal support stands - all bits that would be expected to show the most wear. However, any flaws are minimal.

All spokes on the wheels are sound and free from corrosion, and clad with Dunlop Roadmaster TT100 4.10 19in tyres front and rear. These were the factory spec fitted to new Norton Commandos of this era, so the attention to originality extends even to the rubber. There’s plenty of tread left on both tyres.  

THE MECHANICS
Suffice to say, on a bike where there’s been so much care lavished elsewhere, everything on the mechanical side is completely as it should be, with the bike starting and running well. All the mechanical components are in excellent order - there’s not even any discolouration on the upswept exhausts - and included with the sale will be a package of spare parts, to keep this Norton in fine form for years to come.

OUR OPINION
The Commando name is one of the greats from the days when the British bikes were still regarded as among the most desirable in the world, before the Japanese onslaught stole their glory. Motorcycles don’t walk - sorry, ride - away with MCN’s Machine of the Year five years in a row without being very good at what they’re meant to do. This example is in superb condition and has to be one of the best around. Its mileage is very low for the year, and it no doubt has many years of life left; whether it’s ridden just occasionally or used more frequently. We invite any viewing, because our photos simply don’t do this Norton true justice - it really has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

While Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this Norton 850 Commando.

PRICE

£SOLD

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YEAR

1975

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ENGINE

828cc

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MILEAGE

18,769 miles

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COLOUR

Black

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To enquire about this vehicle or request a viewing, please contact us via phone or email.