1974 Norton John Player Norton on 2040-motos

1974 JOHN PLAYER NORTON COMMANDO 850 MKIIA

RARE CLASSIC ORIGINAL BRITISH FACTORY SPECIAL

AUCTION INCLUDES ALL NUMBERS-MATCHING TITLE & SHIPPING TO YOUR DOOR (ConUS)

NO RESERVE - YOU BID, YOU WIN!

On offer is an ORIGINAL John Player Norton, originally built as a JPN with all the correct bits* totally restored from top to bottom, tires to sludge trap. VERY FEW parts on this bike are not original, but ALL are original specification with the exception of the modern electronic ignition for ease of maintenance. MOST of the wear parts that were replaced are genuine Andover Norton parts, a few are aftermarket replacements. All new items are indicated below as to spec. A few used, original spec items were installed to replace damaged originals, in order to retain as much original outward appearance as possible.

*This bike came to me without the original fairing & brackets, front fender, headlights, seat, airbox, tail light, and (one) muffler. ALL of the other ORIGINAL John Player Norton OEM parts are confirmed to be correct.

CHASSIS, BRACKETS & HARDWARE - All original chassis parts & brackets are powdercoated glossy black. Engine & transmission mounting points were properly masked before powdercoating. Keyswitch mounting bracket and swingarm bushing seals are new Andover Norton replacements. Seat securing knobs were polished. Original sealed steering bearings are in perfect condition. All fastener hardware was cadmium plated. A very few new Andover Norton OEM spec fasteners were installed, as well as (1) welsh plug on the swingarm.

ISOLASTICS - Front & rear main isolastics were replaced with modern vernier adjustable stainless steel units. The isolastics, (including gaiters, rear through bolt and top steady isolator rubbers) are new Andover Norton replacements.

SUSPENSION - Original forks were overhauled, new Emgo seals were installed, and lower legs polished. A set of very good condition used original fork boots were installed to replace the torn originals. Original rear shocks were inspected (excellent damping), thoroughly cleaned, and repainted. New Hagon chrome springs were installed.

WHEELS, BRAKES & TIRES - Wheel assemblies (hard parts) are all original. Wheel bearings were cleaned and re-packed. Brakes are all original with the exception of a new Andover Norton front brake hose, caliper seal kit, and master cylinder kit. A very good condition used brake hose boot at the master cylinder was installed to replace the very hard, cracking original. New Andover Norton cush rubbers were installed in the rear hub. Tires are modern original pattern Dunlop K81s, tubes and rim strips are new aftermarket replacements. Brake caliper was polished. Drive chain is a new, original spec Cycle Craft part. Rear brake inspection plugs are new Andover Norton bits.

ENGINE - All original non-wear parts. New Andover Norton parts include complete gasket set, seals, connecting rod bearing shells (STD), primary case locktab washers, clutch locktab washer, and alternator wire rubber grommet. One (1) intake valve with slight corrosion on the seating face was replaced with an excellent condition original spec replacment; all other valves, springs, collets & keepers were thoroughly cleaned and re-used. First oversize (.020) pistons are new JCC parts, piston rings are new Hastings parts. My machinist (for nearly 30 years and over 40 of my rebuilds) carefully re-bored and finish honed the original cylinders to .0045 clearance with .012 end gap on the rings. Cylinders were then solvent boiled, scrubbed with dish soap and water, then painted with Rust-O-Leum glossy black paint. Original triplex primary chain and steel & bronze friction plates were thoroughly cleaned, and plates were carefully resurfaced with a fine grit sanding belt to knock off the surface glaze and contamination. All transmission seals were replaced. All original cases, covers, cam, lifters, pushrods, oil pump, valve guides, gears, shafts, forks, bearings, and all other hard parts were inspected and thoroughly cleaned. ALL bushings, shafts and critical parts measured well within Norton manual wear specs; Original F.A.G. "Superblend" main bearings were in excellent condition. Crankshaft sludge trap & oil galleries were thoroughly cleaned out. Original engine power unit, transmission, and primary outer covers were all polished. New Champion N7Y plugs are installed.

Intake & Exhaust - Original Amal 932 carbs were overhauled with new Amal gasket kits & needles. Original rust damaged chrome header crossover pipe was replaced with a new Andover Norton part, clamps were replaced with new OEM spec aftermarket parts. Original black chrome headers were carefully cleaned. New original spec black chrome "bean can" mufflers were installed (one original muffler with significant rust-through will be included, in a box). Original spec MkIIA airbox & rubber boots were installed to replace missing original parts. A new Andover Norton air filter was installed.

Oiling & Fuel Systems -  Original herringbone hoses were all thoroughly cleaned and re-installed with the exception of one new Gates hose from oil filter head to return line on oil tank. Oil filter head was thoroughly cleaned and repainted. A new Champion oil filter was installed. All OEM spec Castrol lubricants were used. New Andover Norton chain oiler hoses were installed (refurbished original oiler is shut off at present). All new OEM spec fuel lines and aftermarket petcocks are installed.

Ignition - A new Sparx electronic ignition was installed, matched to the original refurbished coils. Original points & condensers with original wires are included, in a box. All original ignition wires, condensers and ballast resistor remain in place, with "hot" wires taped off as applicable. The Sparx ignition wiring harness is very neatly installed and not visible externally, except on very close inspection.

ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING - Original Lucas wiring harness was thoroughly cleaned, (2) male bullet connectors were replaced. Original spec Lucas headlight shells & adjuster frames are installed with original Lucas lenses. A new OEM spec dual headlight wiring harness was installed to replace the incorrect single headlight harness that was installed; sub-harness manufacturer is unknown. A new genuine OEM spec Lucas tail light assembly was installed to replace an aftertermarket unit. The bike has a new, modern, maintenance-free battery installed (battery hold-down is not original). The headlight switch is a new original type aftermarket part. The Keyswitch is an original Lucas part, but is not the original spec (does not affect operation). Turn signals are very good condition genuine Lucas used parts with some connectors replaced. The (3) dashboard indicator light assemblies are new aftermarket replacements, as are the meter lighting assemblies. Keyswitch enclosure rubber boots are original spec, used, very good condition parts. Original Lucas thumbswitch clusters are all refurbished and working properly. Original zener diodes, diode plate rectifier, 2MC capacitor, assimilator, and turn signal flasher are all refurbished.

METERS - Original JPN spec Smiths "Green Globe" meters were restored by Joel Levine who has restored over 20 sets of meters for me in the last 15 years. Mileage is presumed incorrect as the speedometer cable was not on the bike when I bought it. As indicated, (5,209 miles), my opinion is that it is not FAR off. The wear on the cylinders that required an overbore was only due to the pistons fixed position over several years having slightly corroded one bore. All other wear patterns on engine rotating parts, bushings, and bearings indicated relatively low mileage. Meter retaining clip assemblies are field-fabricated; at this time, I have no photos of the original mounting setup, and/or availability of original replacement parts.

HAND & FOOT CONTROLS - All original JPN parts (rearset footpegs & clip-on handlebars). Footpeg rubbers appear to be original (round profile), but I have been advised that original JPN peg rubbers were "flattened" profile. Shifter, kickstarter and sidestand rubbers are all new Andover Norton parts. New, original spec, Grantourismo hand grips were installed to replace hardened originals. All levers are original.

CABLES - All original JPN cables, thoroughly cleaned and lubed (more evidence of low mileage). Tach & speedo cables are new JPN spec Andover Norton parts (longer than other models).

BODYWORK - Original JPN factory extended fuel tank appears to have been re-sprayed; as of yet, I have not affixed OEM spec foam pads to protect the tank from the shroud (using an inverted Norton seat cover). Original rear fender has been polished, and has some light scratches and scuffs. Front fender is a new, original JPN style, aftermarket fiberglass replacement. Original left sidecover has been painted by spray can; it has the original plastic twist-type fastener. Original oil tank, thoroughly cleaned and spray painted. Missing right sidecover. Original JPN gas tank shroud with Norton logos, thoroughly cleaned but has some scratches and scuffs.

The main fairing is an almost-new 1975 reproduction assembly complete with front upper & lower mounts, rear lower mounts, windscreen and decals. It was bought by the previous owner who installed it on his '75 e-start 850, took a good look at it and decided he didn't like it, then took it back off and put it in the box where it stayed in his garage until this January when I bought it (along with gas tank, tank shroud and extended tach & speedo cables). Sadly, the fairing developed some sub-surface hazing and finish cracking during shipment. It is still sound, and the damage is not visible from several feet away.

Seat is a new, original JPN style, aftermarket part with matching seat pan. The seat mounting P-clamps are original, but the seat pan-to-seat attachment is done with a pair of aluminum clips epoxied in place at the nose of the seat pan (not the original tabbed pan and slotted seat which allowed slippage under braking and accelleration). Seat upholstery was carefully patterned from many photographs of various JPNs gleaned from the internet; all of the common ones had the same number of pleats, general profile, and length of upper flap with snap placement that has been duplicated as closely as possible. Seat has oil tank cap access cut-out, and storage compartment in the hump. As pictured, the seat is missing the Union Jack logo on the left side, right side sticker will be on the bike when it ships; all other original Andover Norton supplied decals are in place.

OTHER - This is a mostly original example of a very rare Norton (only 200 produced by the factory). It is perhaps the most well-documented restoration of ANY John Player Norton, and indisputably legitimate and correct (except as already stated in great detail, and mostly due to unavailability of a few genuine original parts). I will include (on DVD) over 500 photos of the entire restoration process, as well as almost 50 reference photographs from various sources. The entire process is documented on Facebook (Born Again Bikes page), with complete narrative referring to the previously mentioned photos, plus additional photos that were attached to several replies.

DOCUMENTATION - New registration and vanity license plate "74 JPN", notarized Bill Of Sale are provided, as well as any other signed & notarized paperwork required by the buyer (with time allowed as required to forward forms to me and return them to buyer). I will provide copies of all invoices and receipts from the build. A copy of the Norton JPN parts supplement will be included.

SHIPPING - I am including enclosed shipping to the buyer's door, fully insured, anywhere in the continental U.S. I can disassemble and/or crate the bike FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE. International buyer will receive a $500 credit toward international shipping (includes Alaska & Hawaii); balance of international shipping cost is at BUYER'S expense.

BOTTOM LINE

As with every bike, project and part I’ve sold online in over 15 years (with 100% satisfaction), the above listing contains no hype, no fluff and NO BULL. Photos show excellent detail including some of the critical overhaul photos. I can claim 100% customer satisfaction over 12 years in the motorcycle restoration & custom building business.

SOLD AS-IS. ALL SALES FINAL, NO RETURNS, NO REFUNDS.

Payment terms per e-bay auction format.