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Newbie: Is it a Mk1A or a Mk2A ?

Submitted by david_henshaw on Sat, 04/12/2010
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Commando

Dear Norton Enthusiasts, Dear Commando Experts,

as a Newby to Norton and to the NOC, i may introduce myself, before i ask You Experts a Question.

I'm 45 Years old, living in Swiss ( near to Solothurn ), and after 37 Years of admiring the Norton Commando, i've bought an 850 Commando Interstate. Some Facts about the Commando i have bought: Built 08 / 1974, Had just 2 Owners, Original, still shiny Color, just 39000 KILOMETERS on the Counter, and the Bike was sold by a Norton Specialist, just some Miles from where i live.

As i'mvery interested in the History of my Norton Commando, and the Commando's in General, i've checked some Websites, to get some more Informations. Butthere is something at my Commando that does'nt match the Informations i've got:

My Chassis Nbr. is: 850 /109 342 and the Engine Nbr. is: MK1A 312 427 and exactly there the confusion ( possibly just in my mind ) begins.According to the Number Lists i've found on the Web, Engine Nbr. 312 427 must be built in 1974, and so in my Opinion it must be a MKIIA Type. TheBlack Barrel it has, supports my Opinion. But how can it be, that there's MK1A embossed on the Crankcase ?

I'm just a bit confused about that. Is it a MK1A now or is it a Mk2A ? Can Someone enlighten me?

Kind regards from Swiss

Peter

Submitted by richard_payne on Sat, 04/12/2010

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Peter, a photograph of the marking would be useful but there would not normally be any 'Mark' identification on the crankcase. Raised letters would suggest a casting number although I can't picture the type that you mean.

Submitted by david_henshaw on Sat, 04/12/2010

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Hello Richard

thanks for Your fast reply. I've taken some Pictures from the Chassis Number Plate and from the Engine Number. Shame on me, i've written down a wrong Number ! Sorry for that !

The correct Engine Number is: 318 427. Here is the Pic of it

Kind Regards from Swiss

Peter

Attachments
CIMG1820.JPG

Submitted by richard_payne on Sat, 04/12/2010

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On UK (or US) bikes, the 850-109342 number would normally be stamped direct on the headstock and the red 'VIN' plate would carry a duplicate of the engine number (in your case318427) Does your VIN plate not have a date stamp ? They are quite often absent.

I don't know if you've looked at Dave Comeau's website ? -

http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm

Your number combination seems to be in the right area for August 1974 which would certainly make it a MkII (and an 'A' for Switzerland, I'm sure).

I wonder if the Swiss importer used to specify the frame number on the VIN plate and if possibly he marked the crankcases too. There have been situations where particular importers have 'arranged' for machines to fit in with local legislation. Were there any changes to Swiss regulations during 1973 / 74 such as the introduction of 'Type Approval' or tougher noise laws ? Your country is a bit famous for tight vehicle regulations.

Do you have a photo of the MK1A marking ?

Submitted by hans_taylor on Sun, 05/12/2010

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Hi Peter,

According to Roy Bacon's book, the frame number and engine munber and gearbox number on Commandos should all be the same. In my limited experience I have also found this to be true, so the number stamped on your VIN plate is a little confusing. As Richard says there should also be a stamped number on the head stock, and may be underneath the vin plate. The Mk1a number on your crankcase is a later addition and unlikely to bea factory number. The owners club do have records so check with the librarian.

Cheers Hans

Submitted by david_henshaw on Thu, 09/12/2010

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Hans, Richard,

thanks a lot for Your Links and Hints ! I will contact the pervious Owner, and see if he know a Bit more about that.

Regards

Peter

Submitted by david_henshaw on Sat, 18/12/2010

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Previously wrote:

A mk2a would have black cap exhausts would it not?

Hi Mark

yes, thats correct. But i guess that the Black Caps have been dropped in favour of the Peashooters by the first Owner. Possibly the Fork Gaiters were also dropped for idontknowwhy reasons by the first Owner.

Kind Regards

Peter

Submitted by john_holmes on Sat, 29/01/2011

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Its a MK2A as mine is a MK2A and has an earlier engine number. the 850 /109 342 is the number stamped on the frame on the MK2A's in preparation for the change to MK3 having a frame number and could be linked to the frames being changed to Italian manuafacture, my bike also has this number stamped next to the red VIN plate but the red VIN plate has the engine number stamped on it.

 



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