Norton Commando
NORTON COMMANDO | NEW ZEALAND
Bikes, projects, parts and resources from Angloclassics.
The Norton Commando has been a regular part of Angloclassics, from very early 750s through to Roadsters, Combats, Interstates and 850 MkIIIs.
This page brings together the Commandos we have owned, worked on and sold, along with useful parts, manuals and services for owners in New Zealand.
COMMANDO MODEL GUIDE
The main Norton Commando variants
The Commando range changed a lot during its production life. Some names describe the body style, some describe a particular specification, and some refer to engine capacity or a later generation.
The dates below follow the Norton Owners Club model guide and are intended as a practical overview rather than a serial-number dating reference.
1967–1973 | 750
Fastback
The original Commando. It was simply called the Commando at first and became known as the Fastback once other versions joined the range. Production ended in early 1973 and it was never sold with the 850 engine.
1969 | 750
R Type
A short-lived American-market version with high bars, a small fuel tank and conventional dual seat. It is one of the rarer factory Commandos today.
1969–1970 | 750
S Type
Another American-focused version, with high bars and both high-level exhaust pipes running down the left side. Its styling formed the basis of the Roadster.
1971 | 750
SS Type
Closely related to the S Type but with a high-level exhaust on each side of the motorcycle rather than both pipes on the left.
1970 season–1977 | 750 then 850
Roadster
The most familiar Commando layout and the version we have dealt with most often. The Roadster began as a 750 and changed to the 850 during 1973.
1971–1972 | 750
Fastback Long Range
A rare Fastback variant with a larger Atlas-style fuel tank and a modified seat. Only a relatively small number were produced.
1971–1975 | 750 then 850
Hi-Rider
A deliberately American-styled model with very high handlebars, a stepped-up rear seat and tall grab rail. The 850 version arrived in 1973.
1972–1975 | 750 then 850
Interstate
The touring model, most easily recognised by its larger fuel tank. It started as a 750 in 1972 and moved to the 850 engine in 1973.
1974–1975 | 850
John Player Norton
A limited-production road model with full race-style bodywork inspired by the factory John Player racing machines, but using a standard Commando engine underneath.
1970–1976 | 750 then 850
Interpol
The police-specification Commando, built for home and export markets with specialist bodywork and equipment. It became one of the longer-running variants.
A NOTE ON COMBAT, 850 AND MKIII
Not every familiar Commando name describes a separate body style
Combat refers to the higher-performance 750 engine specification introduced for 1972. Combat engines appeared in more than one Commando model, so it is better treated as an engine specification rather than a separate model family.
850 refers to the later 828cc engine. Roadster, Interstate, Hi-Rider and Interpol versions were all produced with the 850 engine.
MkIII is the final 850 generation, introduced in 1975 with electric start, rear disc brake, left-foot gear change and vernier Isolastic adjustment. Normal production ended in 1977, with a small batch assembled in 1978.
SPECIAL AND COMPETITION COMMANDOS
Production Racer and other specialist machines
The factory also produced the 750 Production Racer in small numbers in the early 1970s. Known as the Yellow Peril, it was a genuine competition machine assembled at Thruxton and sits outside the normal road-model family shown above.
ENGINE, FRAME AND SERIAL NUMBERS
Identifying and roughly dating a Norton Commando
Commando numbers are useful for checking whether a bike is broadly consistent with its claimed year and for working out where an engine or frame sits in the production run. They are not quite as simple as assuming one stamped number always identifies the complete motorcycle.
The guide below is intended for rough dating only. Norton records contain gaps and later Commandos can carry more than one legitimate frame-related number.
ENGINE NUMBER
Left side of the crankcases
The engine number is found on the left or drive side of the crankcases, just below the cylinder barrel flange. Early engines normally carry a 20M3 or 20M3S prefix before the serial number. The prefix disappeared when the 200000 series began.
HEADSTOCK AND FRAME
The system changed during production
Very early Commandos can have the serial number stamped directly into the left side of the headstock. Later 750s normally use the red certification plate on the headstock for the machine serial number and build date rather than a separate factory serial stamped into the frame.
WHAT DOES “MATCHING NUMBERS” MEAN?
On most 750 Commandos, the engine number and the serial number on the headstock certification plate should correspond. The gearbox also normally carries the same machine serial number.
Later 850s complicate things because the frame can also carry a separate manufacturer or frame number that is not the same as the engine or certification-plate number. MkIII machines use the later F-series frame numbering, so a different-looking frame number is not automatically evidence that the bike has been assembled from mismatched parts.
| Approx. period | Serial number guide | Useful reference point |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 126125 onward | 126125 is widely recorded as the first production Commando, February 1968. |
| 1969 | around 131000–134000 | 131180 is a commonly used March 1969 Fastback reference point. |
| 1970 | around 135000–141000 | 135140 is a commonly quoted early-1970 Roadster reference. |
| 1971 | around 141700–150700 | This range includes Roadster, SS, Hi-Rider and Fastback Long Range production. |
| 1972 | 200000 series | The numbering jumped to 200001 for the 1972 range. Combat engines begin within this series. |
| 1973 750 | 212000–230935 | Later MkV 750 production sits in the 220000 range. 230935 is commonly quoted as the final 750 Commando serial. |
| 1973 850 | 300000 onward | 300000 marks the start of 850 production. 306591 is commonly associated with the MkIA change. |
| Later 850 MkI / MkII / MkIIA | 306000–324000 range | 307311 is often used as a MkII/MkIIA reference point, but build dates and change points do not line up neatly enough to use that number as an exact dating rule. |
| 1975 onward MkIII | Engine around 325000 Frame F125001 onward |
MkIII engine and frame numbering follow different sequences. Do not expect the F-series frame number to match the engine number digit for digit. |
20M3 AND 20M3S
20M3 identifies the early Commando engine with the points behind the cylinders. 20M3S identifies the later arrangement with the points moved to the end of the camshaft in the timing cover.
FACTORY DESPATCH RECORDS
A serial-number chart can only get you so far. Replacement crankcases, frames, old registration errors and gaps in the surviving records can all muddy the picture.
Andover Norton holds original Norton factory despatch records and can supply a record extract where the relevant Commando records survive. Their Commando records are incomplete, so not every serial number can be covered.
CHECK ANDOVER NORTON FACTORY RECORDSNORTON OWNERS IN NEW ZEALAND
Norton Owners Club of New Zealand
If you own a Norton in New Zealand, the Norton Owners Club of New Zealand is well worth joining. It is a nationwide club for Norton enthusiasts, with technical information, a regular newsletter, local rides and events, and an annual rally.
Angloclassics is part of the wider Norton community in New Zealand, and we would rather point owners toward the club than try to duplicate the knowledge and connections already there.
Visit Norton Owners Club NZCURRENT BIKES AND PROJECTS
Commandos currently with Angloclassics
1968 Norton Commando 750
A March 1968 triple-matching-numbers Commando, the 365th bike off the first production line. Extensively refurbished while retaining the character of a very early Commando.
VIEW THE 1968 COMMANDO
1971 Norton Commando 750 Project
A largely complete Roadster project from the Angloclassics Kickstart Collection, offered as a solid starting point for someone wanting to finish a Commando build themselves.
VIEW THE PROJECTPREVIOUS WORK
Commandos that have passed through Angloclassics
The archive includes low-mile survivors, bikes parked for decades, regular riders, restored examples and Commandos with practical upgrades.
1969 Commando Fastback
Matching numbers, 5,800 recorded miles and refinished in Fireflake Red and Silver.
SEE THE FASTBACK
1971 Commando Roadster
An ex-USA matching-numbers Roadster that became a regular-use Angloclassics bike.
SEE THE BLACK ROADSTER
1971 NZ-New Roadster
A New Zealand-new matching-numbers 750 brought back after around 30 years off the road.
SEE THE NZ-NEW ROADSTER
1973 Commando 850
A matching-numbers 850 recommissioned after several years parked up.
SEE THE 1973 850
1974 Commando 850 Interstate
A one-owner Louisiana bike with 7,900 recorded miles, returned to regular use after long storage.
SEE THE INTERSTATE
1975 Commando 850 MkIII
A well-sorted rider with hydraulic clutch, improved electric start and Brembo front brake.
SEE THE MKIIIHOW WE LOOK AT THEM
There is no single correct way to approach an old Commando
Some bikes justify keeping as much originality as possible. Others are better served by careful upgrades that make them easier to use. The condition and history of the individual motorcycle matter more than following a fixed formula.
PARTS AND RESOURCES
Useful Commando parts and factory information
The parts range is deliberately small. It focuses on items we know, use or regularly get asked about, with factory literature available separately for workshop procedures and parts information.
Oil pressure gauge kit
For Norton Commando 750 and 850 models.
Roadster seat cover
Replacement cover for later Commando Roadsters.
Interstate seat
Complete replacement seat for pre-MkIII Interstate models.
Stainless screw kit
Complete pre-MkIII stainless fastener set.
Factory workshop manuals
For servicing, repair procedures and specifications, factory workshop literature is the better source.
OPEN WORKSHOP MANUALSFactory parts books
Useful for exploded diagrams, original part numbers and checking how assemblies were put together.
OPEN PARTS BOOKSBUYING, SELLING AND VALUES
Norton Commando values in New Zealand
Values can vary significantly between apparently similar bikes. Year, model, matching numbers, originality, engine history, registration status, condition and the quality of earlier work all matter.
A tidy Roadster ready to use can appeal to a different buyer from an early Fastback, an original survivor or a project Combat, so each motorcycle needs to be looked at on its own merits.
AN ONGOING RESOURCE
More Commando material will be added over time
As more Norton Commandos pass through Angloclassics, the relevant bikes, projects, parts and resources will be added here.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.