1972 Norton Commando 750

Lot details
Registration No: BPA346K
Frame No: 209442
Engine No: 209442
cc: 745
MOT Expiry Date: None

By 1965 the range of Norton motorcycles inherited by the new owners of the marque, Norton Villiers Ltd. was incapable of any further development. Prospective buyers demanded reliable machinery capable of sustained high speed, machinery which was readily available from Yamonda and Suzuwaki, those unsporting Japanese chaps who totally disregarded the Great British Motorcycle Industry's inalienable right to supply the world with motorbikes, and at extremely competitive prices too. The ageing Norton twins, revered as they were by Norton enthusiasts, were no match for these products and something new was required. Fast. Typically resources were few or outdated and finance limited, but for once the GBMI got it right, almost, and the Commando range was created. Destined to become an amazingly successful motorcycle, combining both modern and traditional styling the Commando was basically a single machine that could be disguised with low cost cosmetics and sold as firstly the unconventionally styled Fastback, secondly the more traditional style Roadster, a factory custom Hi-Rider, also a properly competitive production race bike and its progeny the John Player Special for the poseurs, and the Interstate version, a long distance tourer also commercially developed as the Interpol. An early example of badge (or trim) engineering, all these variants used the same superficially modern powerplant, essentially a similar design to the preceding engines but slanted forward in a more sporting fashion and having some of their inherent faults, principally vibration, substantially reduced by the revolutionary Isolastic mounting system. Various minor improvements evolved over the next ten years of production, plus some major ones, disc brakes, electric starters, indicators, left foot gear change and an 850cc model towards the end.
The model here is a 1972 750 Interstate and can be described as an 'older restoration' which will repay careful recommissioning before returning to the road, although after long storage a good clean up alone should reveal a very attractive bike in the correct black and gold livery. Discovered by the airline pilot owner in Maine USA in poor condition in 1991, it was repatriated to the UK in his Tri-Star's hold and fully restored over the next two years, using much stainless and being fitted with many new parts. A current Swansea V5 is with the machine, confirming the correct matching engine and frame numbers. The Commando, seen by some as the definitive Brit Twin, is a joy to ride when well set up and BPA346K has the potential to reward the new owner with hours of enjoyable motorcycling.