Logo on Timing Cover

In all those rows of new Commandos in Elite Motors and Gus Kuhn's I never saw one with the logo painted in. First time I remember seeing it was a used, and abused, Mk3 I bought in 1990.

As I was just thinking of painting it in today.

Mine came to me in the mid 80's with the logo and the brake disc centre in red, have kept it that way using Post Office Red.

Hi,

i bought a Mk3 Interpol direct from Norfolk Constabulary (via a small Norfolk bike sales place (EST Stanton Setvice Dtation!) in 1979 and the Norton logo was painted black. The bike was not in any way prepared for sale, being tatty (only years old) and with just the key police kit and stripes removed.  As the timing cover was partially obscured by the fairing, I cannot imagine that anyone, police or otherwise, would have ever considered adding the black paint later, so assume it to be original.

Hope this helps?

Andy

The UK / Rest of the world brochures showed a Mk3 Interstate without painted logo. It was painted in the photos taken for the US Market brochure which seems to have been photographed in the States. NVT were marketing the Commando alongside the Trident but that didn't conform with the US distribution arrangements so for the first time in some years, a separate brochure was needed.

It looks to me as if it was done to add definition for the US photoshoots.

In general, it's not the crispest sand casting and requires an artist's hand to make a decent job of it.

I have yet to see a Mklll Commando with a painted logo. But it would appear that there are probably more without them than otherwise.                     Perhaps Jeanette would know.                 

Further to my previous reply (apologies for the typos!), I have attached a photo of my 1975 Mk3 Interpol as it came from the police in 1979.  As can be seen, the logo is painted black and a bit tatty (like the rest of the bike was after only four years). The thought that a police garage mechanic would have bothered to paint the logo does not really seem likely - why would they?.  Nor does it seem likely that the police bike kitting department would have bothered either; again, why would they?  So in my opinion it seems most likely that the logo was already painted when the bike was delivered from the factory.

Andy

Just to add to the discussion,  my 1970 Roadster was shipped directly to Berliner in the US from the factory and has the logo on the timing cover painted black. As I purchased the machine with just over 2,000 miles on the speed,  I would have to assume that the logo was painted in the factory before despatch. 

Attached is a photo of my timing cover 

My 74 has red paint in the Norton and also the gear indicators. Looks original. (Ish) 

Well, why not paint it in black (very classic) if 100% originality is not needed?  Personally I'm not sold on red, but it's not my bike.

I agree with Richard (having tried this myself) that it has to look really crisp to make a statement, so study the casting quality first, and decide if it's worth the effort.