Anyone know these bikes?

... know them but Pugh seem to get lower prices generally, and their premiums are lower than the more well know houses.

I don't think buying at auction is much more of a risk than private sales. Meybe more than buying from a dealer but then you have to factor in their profit margin. Some years ago I sold a Velo Venom to a well known former numberplate dealer in the north west of England. I was happy with the price he paid me. A month or so later I saw the bike - polished up - on his website for nearly double the price!

Dear Mick
Both look complete, shiney and ready to go with new oil and battery, probably from deceased estate as no doubt mine will be in years to come. Question is are you buying to ride? I have commandos that are pre 72, 72 and post 72. 72 was a special year, new engine cases without filter in oil pickup, and more important if you are a spirited rider new headstock angle on frame, they can be somewhat interesting in their behaviour at speed. Original brake is rather poor unless upgraded.
    73 on models had engine and frame deficiencies attended to, and one in your pic has a decent looking brake too so much better to ride.
Regarding pre 72 models, fine to ride, with drum brake, old style frame and engine.
All are getting on for 50 years old so expect a little settling and dont be surprised if tyres are of a certain age too.
Choice is yours, hope you get one at right price, unfortunately I have too many or would be bidding on later one too.

Regards Martin

The more common bikes tend to get better prices at Pugh's than Bonhams, daft, I know, but common bikes don't tend to do so well at Bonhams. Most buyers are there for the big ticket bikes. I think many see Pughs as an out in the country auction so believe they will get a bargain. 

They both appear to have combat motors and the Interstate has a few base gaskets packed under the barrels to reduce the compression. Perhaps not a good idea, they might need replacing with a proper decompression plate. However, at the right price you could get a goodun. Best of luck with the bidding.

Hi Mick, the black interstate is not a Combat model as the engine number is after the number where Combats were discontinued. The barrels were probably silver originally but have painted black at sometime. Maybe see you at the East Yorkshire meet in Pocklington. Mine has the White tank with blue & red stripes.

Hello Mick, and welcome to the world of Norton.
From the pictures, it looks like you have (usually worthwhile) a tap on the oil supply from the oil tank. This will have been fitted to prevent the engine 'wet sumping'.
What I can't see is whether there are any wires coming from it to cut the ignition when it is 'off'.
If there aren't any,  may I suggest that you change the tap to one that does have the microswitch on it, wired into the ignition circuit otherwise it could easily end up as a very expensive 'Oh shit, I forgot' experience!
Best regards, 
George 

I thought you could get anti drain valves that were automatic and mechanical - no action needed when starting the bike or parking it up for the working week?

Mark Hawkins .....you poked a stick in a termite mound, by suggesting an automatic anti-drain valve to cure wet sumping.
Although the Velo one was adapted by Mick Hemmings for use on Norton's, you can't get away from the fact that it relies on atmospheric pressure (14psi) to lift the ball off its seat, as it is located BEFORE the oil pump.
The MkIII item is located AFTER the oil pump, hence it has full pump pressure (100psi?) acting on it.

Another thing to consider is that a tap, when open, has no restriction to the flow of oil.
A non-return valve (like the Velo item) will always have a ball & spring in line with the oil flow.

BUT....fitting a tap, although superior, has a downside.
As stated above, it must be fail-safe, with a microswitch cutting off your ignition until the tap is opened. A 'Remove before Flight" tab like airplane pilots have over their Pitot Tube....like our man says above.