Highlights

Rare and very collectable P53 Commander
Just 298 miles from new
One of only 239 built
Painted white to evoke Commander’s police heritage
Two registered keepers with first to 2021
Dry stored ‘barn find’ example never exposed to rain
Recommissioned since 2021 including new tyres, hoses and battery
Serviced, new spark plugs and brakes and carburettors cleaned 2026
Included original factory ordering paperwork
Current MOT valid to May 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

The Commander is one of those unusual, leftfield bikes that occasionally emerged from Britain’s illustrious motorcycle manufacturers. Originally conceived for UK police forces, this 125mph bike features a clever twin-rotor 588cc liquid-cooled 85bhp rotary engine never before fitted to a Norton, and never repeated. Only a handful of ‘P52’ single-seat bikes were built for the police before funding failed and Norton switched to civilian sales. The ‘dual seat’ P53 was marketed to private buyers as a luxury tourer, yet despite that evocative name and clever engine, just 239 P53s were sold.

Today these rare bikes are highly collectable. This 1989 P53 is among the best available. White was not a standard factory colour, but it is not unusual for owners to specify this colour as a homage to the bike’s police heritage. The seller discovered it in 2021 as what he described as a ‘barn find.’ A private collector of rotary Mazdas had dry-stored it. The vendor reports it has never been exposed to rain. Since acquisition, it has been recommissioned with fresh consumables and has been regularly started and warmed to operating temperature. In 2026 it was serviced with new spark plugs and the carburettor and brakes were checked and cleaned. It comes with a useful MOT valid to May 2027 with no advisories.

The history file includes original factory ordering paperwork and early tax discs. The vendor notes some minor pitting on the front fork stanchions, consistent with age, and a small amount of cosmetic damage to the nearside pannier crash bar sustained during storage. For any enthusiast of Norton motorcycles or rotary-engined machines, this represents a rare opportunity.

Key Information

Mileage: 298 miles indicated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 10th May 2026 with no advisories
Technical specs: 85bhp 88cc twin-rotor Wankel petrol engine, five-speed manual
Paperwork: Factory ordering paperwork, V5C, handbooks, brochure, old tax disc, set of keys

The Detail

Police specification white in good overall condition with correct integrated panniers
Recently serviced with two new spark plugs fitted
New Avon tyres fitted with original factory tyres included in sale
Two new batteries fitted
Two new horns sourced as original-make items from the Italian manufacturer
Original horns retained and available
Vendor reports bike regularly started and warmed to operating temperature
Minor pitting noted on front fork stanchions, described as typical for age
Small cosmetic damage to the nearside pannier crash bar sustained during storage
Vendor states that a replacement is available from Norton Andover
The vendor states all dials and electrics are sound
Features an XJ900 Yamaha front end
Recent service, new plugs and brake.carburettor checks
No advisories on current MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

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