Original colour of my commando

On the 1970 Commando dispatch records the colour of the bike was shown by the frame and engine number, so the later dispatch records may also show the colour in the colour column for your engine and frame number. The 1970 dispatch records also show the frame number, destination, agent, engine number, colour, model, and the date of dispatch. Andover Norton may have the later dispatch records for your Mk2A or you could contact the twins record officer, Dave Catton when he returns.

You will probably not find out as the records got worse in terms of details recorded as time progressed and also there are large gaps missing later on. My MK2A had no ref to colour or whether it was an Interstate or Roadster in the records. That leaves you with the choice of colours in the 74 model year catalogue.

Pacific Blue is a correct colour for 1974 and the lining style is as it should be.

If it's a UK bike, you could try asking DVLA for previous keeper details. You may get lucky and find the original owner.

One thing to bear in mind is that only the tank and panels differed on the 850s and dealers were not averse to swapping parts if that was what the customer wanted. What would then be 'original' ? As it left the factory or as it left the dealer's forecourt ?

Yes, it's a metalflake colour and can bere-finished back to original by a competent paintshop. The flakes are still available (dry flakes in clear).

In previous years the colour was called Fireflake Royal Blue.

I repainted mine a few years back, but don't have the time any more (see attachment)

I've compared mine to a chip from an original '74 MkIIA, and to a new Old Stock '69 'S' Type side panel and it's the same colour.

The left side cover is 850 Mk2 not Mk2a. Why do you believe this is originally a Mk2a? Mk2a has an indentation at the lower right with a roto-lock fasterner. Mk2 has a dzus fastener on the extended bracket at the top of the panel....as your's shows. Color looks original to the sales brochures....go with it.

The Mk2 was not listed for Europe. We got the German-requirement airbox and silencers. Some may have slipped through and some will have been re-imported but most UK bikes should be 2As.

This one has velocity stacks fitted and many of us have fitted earlier panels when junking the black box.