1974 Norton Commando 850, 828cc. Registration number FRN 422...

Hammer

£5,900

1974 Norton Commando 850, 828cc. Registration number FRN 422M. Frame number 316478. Engine number 316478.
The 850 Commando was the last new machine from medium-sized Norton Villiers before the firm endeavored – ostensibly with British Government assistance – to assume control of the bankrupt BSA Triumph Group, which, with two large equally outdated factories, was an altogether bigger enterprise. It is a much labored tale, of course, but one that impacts on certain models, for no sooner were Norton and Triumph under way in the joint operation than it was felt the management’s former sharp focus upon Norton – who, ‘til then, had traded profitably – was seriously now diluted. BSA, as we know, failed to survive the merger, and the hiatus with unions at Triumph’s old Meriden factory ensured that newly created NVT didn’t produce any new models until 1975. Norton’s 1974 build, therefore, was arguably the last of the pure Nortons! The original 750 Roadster, with options for 7 colors of fiberglass fuel tank, hit the market in 1970, proving an instant success in USA and elsewhere. Steel fuel tanks and front discs were added for the 1972 season and, given its momentum, there was little reason but to continue the Roadster, unchanged, but from 1973 fitted with the sturdier 850-motor. The 850, which actually displaced 828cc, employed the same transmission as before, but the motor itself was strengthened to give even better low down performance. In recalling that the 850 had originally appeared as a 500, designed by Bert Hopwood in 1948, contemporary magazine road testers were amazed with how little stress the 850’s huge torque was delivered.
FRN was imported into the UK by our vendors deceased engineer husband in 2015 and then subject to an extensive rebuild, including the fitting of an electric start, new camshaft and followers, Lockhead caliper. Unused since his passing in 2017 it will require recommissioning.
Sold with the V5C and a large quantity of receipts for over £4,000 for parts used during the rebuild.