Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1975 Norton Commando 850 Mk. III Interstate
Essentially brand-new with just one mile on the odometer
Estimate
£8, 000 - £9, 000
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: 334683
MOT: Exempt
Preserved on static display since the day it left the showroom
Odometer reading of just one mile
Almost perfectly original and supplied with a complete owner's literature pack
The Norton 850 MKIII Interstate, produced from 1975 to 1977, was the final and most refined version of the classic Norton Commando line. It was specifically designed for long-distance touring and incorporated several key upgrades to meet regulatory requirements and improve usability. The bike featured an 829cc (marketed as 850cc) air-cooled parallel-twin engine, known for its strong mid-range torque and smooth power delivery due to the vibration-isolating Isolastic frame (or "GlideRide"). It produced around 60 horsepower at 6, 000 rpm and was capable of a top speed of approximately 115 mph.
Launched in 1967, the 745cc parallel-twin Norton Commando was lauded by Motor Cycle News as its Machine of the Year on five successive occasions from 1968 to 1972. The bored-out 850 model (actually 828cc) arrived for 1973 and steadily evolved, with the ultimate Mk. III of 1975-77 benefitting from electric start and front and rear disc brakes, though it was heavier and higher-geared than its predecessors. The Interstate was particularly conceived for long-distance cruising, featuring a larger 5½-gallon tank.
This Norton was bought from Elite Motors in Tooting in 1975 but was never registered, hence it is supplied with the original Department of Transport form used for obtaining registration, but no V5. Supposedly kept in the first owner’s living room for 35 years, it is surely the most original Commando you will ever find and presents very much as it did on the day it left Elite Motors. Only the battery and fuel lines have been replaced, the latter recently because they had become brittle. As a matter of preservation, one of the original fuel lines and its carburettor fittings has been kept and will be supplied with the bike. All the original documents are present: the rider’s manual, workshop manual, parts list, dealer directory, and unused service voucher booklet.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
