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For Sale by Owner

1973 Norton Commando Interstate 850

Show-quality café racer
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This 1973 Norton Commando Interstate 850 has been fully restored to show quality while sporting some upgrades for improved reliability and performance. This Commando is known as the “Interstate” edition because of its increased fuel capacity from 2.6 to 6.3 gallons. It features an 828 cc air cooled parallel twin engine good for 58 bhp and a 4 speed transmission. In its time, the Commando was known as one of the best motorcycles you could buy. In fact, Motor Cycle News named the Commando “Machine of the Year” for 5 years in a row. Today, it becoming increasingly hard to find Norton’s with their original engine and transmission. Not only is this Norton Commando beautiful to look at, but it’s reliable and ready to ride. It was bought from a motorcycle shop in Seattle and brought to Pittsburgh by its current owner. The owner has spent thousands restoring and upgrading this motorcycle so you don’t have to! Below is a guide to what improvements were made to the Commando by the current owner. The restoration was completed in April 2016.

FRAME: Stripped and powder-coated gloss black.  Engine cradle and swing arm powder-coated gloss black.  Swing arm rebuilt using new Norton parts.

FUEL TANK: Quality steel reproduction Interstate gas tank (6.3 gallon capacity) so no fiberglass delamination problems.Complete tank repaint in glossy black with heritage gold Norton script & pinstripes. New fuel petcocks installed.

FRONT END: Triple-set powder-coated satin black; lower fork legs powder-coated satin black.  New English made fork tubes fitted with new bushings and new seals, new fork gaiters. All new control cables & speedo cable.

FRONT WHEEL: Original Dunlop Rim, stripped and powder-coated satin black. Hub completely rebuilt with new bearings and seals, powder-coated satin black. Front wheel re-laced with new stainless steel spokes by Buchanan’s Spoke & Rim (trued & balanced, spot on).  New front tire (5 miles).  Front brake disc stripped of chrome (for much improved braking response), disc center powder-coated satin black. Rebuilt front caliper with new seals and new stainless steel pistons, natural aluminum finish. New brake pads (Emgo).  New front brake line.

REAR WHEEL: Original Dunlop rim stripped and powder-coated satin black; Hub completely rebuilt with new wheel bearings, spacers & seals, powder-coated satin black.  New axle.  NOS Norton rear brake drum, powder-coated satin black. New cush rubbers. New shoes. Rear wheel re-laced with new stainless steel spokes; trued & balanced, spot on by Buchanan’s Spoke & Rim.  New rear shocks w/chrome springs.  New rear drive chain & chain oiler, new sprockets; new chain guard; new adjusters.  New TT100 rear tire (5 miles).

ENGINE: Bottom end rebuilt with new big-end bearings and new rod bearings, Standard pistons and rings, Top end completely rebuilt using new Black Diamond valves (work done by Jack Simmons). Clutch completely gone through.  New Norton front motor mount & MKIII Isolastics.  New oil sump check-valve.Primary cover powder-coated satin black, timing side cover and rocker covers powder-coated satin black.

EXHAUST: New English made exhaust pipes & pea shooter mufflers. New exhaust pipe retaining nuts.

INDUCTION: New Mikuni 34mm single-carb and manifold, w/set up completed.

IGNITION: Converted to new Pazon electronic ignition, using new 6v coils.

ELECTRICS: Complete new wiring harnesses, capacitor, WL assimilator, rectifier, flasher, Emgo rear turn signals, Emgo tail light, all brackets are new Norton parts.  New battery.

TRANSMISSION: Completely rebuilt using new bearings and seals. Outer cover powder coated satin black, new kick start lever.

HANDLEBARS: New European low handlebars, original switchgear powder-coated satin black, Front brake master cylinder rebuilt and powder coated satin black, new brake hose, new grips.

FENDERS: Front and rear New Norton parts; front fender stays powder-coated satin black.

SIDE COVERS:  Painted glossy black w/heritage gold Norton graphics

SEAT: New English-made cafe solo seat w/heritage gold Norton script.

TRIM: Foot pegs and rear brake levers powder-coated satin black.

STYLING: Conservative glossy black w/heritage gold trim & new chrome, combined with natural, polished & satin black powder-coated aluminum accents, are easy to maintain …and give this Commando a more serious look, yet remains period correct.

UTILITY:  Mechanical and electrical upgrades for greater reliability.  Larger Interstate tank provides great cruising range. Single carb provides simple tuning. 

A matching numbers Norton in rare “like new”condition, that runs great.  Many thousands spent in restoration.  The bike is quite ridable, yet is show worthy in every respect.   

Sorry, this one got away. Check back often for new inventory.

Engine: I2
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