Skip to main content
English French German Italian Spanish

Anyone know these bikes?

Forums

The search continues!

There's a couple of Commandos coming up at auction.  HJ Pugh.  Any members know them?  

I know buying at auction is a risk but the recent prices they've been fetching leaves me with a couple of grand to fettle...

Orange 750

750 Norvil Interstate

Would welcome opinions!

cheers

Mick

 

Permalink

... 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!

Permalink

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

Permalink

Thanks Martin and Ian,

Definitely  to ride!  However its always nice to have a bike pretty enough to admire from the cafe...

I prefer the 'sportster' livery over the interstate.  However the interstate looks like its been more regularly ridden and with the 'Norvil' patch on the side may have received a few uprated parts over the years.  The front brake does look its received some attention.

So the choice is 'prettier' or more 'practical'! 

Thanks for you info on 72 to 73.  Looks like I'll be studying Henshaw for a bit.

I guess its always a risk - at least if they are the right price then I have some resource left over to put things straight.  Prices do seem to be depressed at the moment - that's refected more in the auction side than in the classified side.

Thanks for the pointers.  Hoping to be at the East Yorks meet next sunday.

Mick

Permalink

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. 

Permalink

Thanks Ashley - can see the logic in that.  Was surprised how the prices were way down at Bonhams.  I think sunny weather also puts prices up!  Either way I'll set a limit to reflect the fact  that I can't get over to see the bikes - if they go for more than that then so be it.

cheers

Mick

Permalink

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.

In reply to by dave_taylor

Permalink

Well Dave I looked up the serial number in Henshaw's book...  Combat!  However - it can't be on the original internals can it??  Both looking tidy - but of course we can't look inside...  guess it depends on the price.  Would be interesting to see if they still have a C prefix on the head.
 

Permalink

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.

Attachments
Permalink

Thanks Donald,

Thanks for that.

Nice looking machine with the red white and blue colours.  Is that the same machine with a different tank in black and gold?  Looks nicely set up to do some miles!  I'll look out for you at Pocklington!

best

Mick

Permalink

Well the I've bought a '72 Roadster - possibly a Combat (hopefully with Superblend bearings by now...).  Will look out for the C stamp on the head.

So a re-comission will be in order and a set of Euro or flat bars.  I'll be picking everyone's brains at Pocklington tomorrow.  

Thanks everyone who's chipped in - especially Alan for the ride and chat.  

 



© 2024 Norton Owners Club Website by 2Toucans