Vehicle Description
Lot #48 - Tastefully custom-designed Norton 850 Commando that is
truly a one of a kind. The Norton Commando was a British
Norton-Villiers motorcycle with an OHV pre-unit parallel-twin
engine produced by the Norton Motorcycle Company from 1967 until
1977. Initially it had a 750cc displacement, actually 745cc. In
1973 it became a 850cc displacement, actually 828cc. It had a
HEMI-type head similar to all the OHV Norton engines since the
early 1920s. During its 10 years of production, the Commando was
popular all over the world. In the United Kingdom it won the Motor
Cycle News “Machine of the Year Award” for five straight years. As
the original manufactures tag indicates, this bike was built in
March 1973. Although the build date was 1973, here in the U.S.,
bikes were often titled in the year they were sold, rather than the
model year the factory produced them. This bike is titled as a
model year 1974. The tag number matches the engine number. This
machine was purchased from the previous owner as a very original
bike. It was then treated to a nut-and-bolt professional
restoration. The vision of the restoration was to keep it mostly
factory original with some custom features that would set it apart
from the rest. Some of the custom features include a black
powder-coated frame, black powder-coated rims with red pinstriping
and Bucahan spokes, black ceramic exhaust pipes, custom Corbin
seat, Mikuni carburetors and steel braided hoses. It was painted
2017 Crystal White Pearl Tri Coat with black letters, which looks
absolutely beautiful. The original 828cc engine was completely
rebuilt and runs great. The engine is paired with a 4-speed manual
transmission. It only has 5 test miles since completion and is in
show-quality condition throughout. From the MS Classic Cars
Collection.
