I noticed an ad for Commando bits in the States, seller lists it as a 72 but the points are behind the barrels so possibly 68/69... but what model? I have suggested it might be an R type and he would like to know for sure.
Engine and frame no. 209031
Any ideas?
I would suggest that the s/n…
- Log in to post comments
commando ID
engine is 20M3 series. so 68, 69, fastback early 70.
Not enough frame seen to determine any further. Center stand type may give a hint if original. Coil mount hints of 71+
- Log in to post comments
It would be good to see a…
It would be good to see a clear picture of the engine number.....
- Log in to post comments
Commando ID
The gearbox number (across the top mount) would also be of interest.
- Log in to post comments
photos
Hope these help, I agree the numbers seem wrong and bearing in mind the engine could have fitted to the "newer bike" so really looking at the engine as a single unit, do not have the gearbox number and the clutch certainly looks to be in better condition to the rest of the bike.
Can't be a 72 so maybe the number has been changed
only seem to be able to load one image at a time.
- Log in to post comments
ahh, just noticed
Just noticed, engine 209031 frame 206031, not helping much though!
- Log in to post comments
There are some coincidences that seem too good to be true
Engine and frame numbers exactly 3000 apart?
And unless someone knows better, there's no (normal, or dare I say it, legit?) way that a 200000 series engine has points on the back of the timing case (and what looks like a blanking plate where the rev-counter drive would go on a 20M3 engine).
Could someone have mated a later l/h crankcase half with an early r/h half?
- Log in to post comments
Frankensteins Commando
That Julian is what I had considered but feared to mention it.
So its possible that the seller has a 72 frame 206031 (centre stand also confirms not an old frame)
A later 72 left hand crank case 209031, unless the numbers were altered to match the frame but the crook messed up one figure!!
A much earlier 68/69 right hand crank case
Builders surname could be Frankenstein? but then again maybe somebody was just pulling a load of bits together to put a bike on the road! can't blame him for that unless he was guilty of altering the numbers of course.
- Log in to post comments
commando ID
Engine number appears to have been restamped, head is also wrong if it is an early engine.
- Log in to post comments
Numbers
As I said earlier that both halves of that engine are for a 20M3(edit: remove S) engine . 200000 series has a 1x4" flat tab where the SN goes AND similar flat tab under the timing side timing cover.
Of course different jurisdictions have different rules but for us the Frame/VIN/SN is the only thing that matters. Having an earlier engine is of no particular concern...and certainly not worth trying to fake a wrong series number.
- Log in to post comments
Personally I think this is a…
Personally I think this is a 20M3 engine with altered numbers, 20M3S is for points on cam.
- Log in to post comments
...fair comment about the…
...fair comment about the left hand crankcase though, thanks. Can't be a 20000 series as it has no flat tab
- Log in to post comments
I would suggest that the s/n that you have supplied are not correct, my Feb 1969 20M3 Commando is 130XXX and they shifted the points to the end of the cam shortly after.