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Norton Commando Roadster 750cc — 1971

A wonderful classic in excellent condition. British engineering at its finest.

Nisse Brandt
Inspector
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Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
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"An attractive Englishman in every respect."

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CURRENT BID
30 OKT 14:30
33 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18806
ALFTA
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
90 - 110 000 SEK
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25 OKT 22:25
33 000 SEK
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32 000 SEK
3337
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31 000 SEK
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30 000 SEK
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17 000 SEK
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Nisse Brandt
Inspector
Send message
Robin Gidebrant
Case manager
Send message

"An attractive Englishman in every respect."

Description

This 1971 Norton Commando Roadster was purchased in 2010 by its current owner from an acquaintance who had owned it since 1987. Throughout all these years, the motorcycle has been treated with great care. Over the past 15 years, the Norton has been used sparingly — occasionally started up and taken for short “exercise rides,” mainly to keep the machinery alive. It has spent most of its time in a private collection of British motorcycles, a collection that is now gradually being sold off.

Despite its quiet life, the bike recently returned to the spotlight. At the Bollnäs Motor Show in April 2025, it took home first prize — a testament to its excellent condition. It remains in very fine original condition and, according to the owner, is one of the most beautiful motorcycles he has ever owned. Some documentation is included with the motorcycle; see photos.

Technical data

  • Year
    1971/1971 
  • Registration date
    1973-06-04 
  • Mileage
    23485 km 
  • Registration Number
    GSE477 
  • Chassis Number
    152744 
  • Kw / hp
     
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
     
  • Colour
    Black 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    The motorcycle was not test-ridden at the time of photography but was started — see video. There is a crack in the tachometer glass.

  • Exterior condition:

    Very fine and well-maintained condition — see photos.

  • General condition:

    The Norton is in overall fine condition. It will need to pass inspection at the vehicle testing station before being put back on the road.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Avst 2008-11-11
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1973-06-04 (regbes) (Ombes:19870730)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1973-06-04
Senast godkända besiktning: 2001-07-27
Besiktigad tom: 2003-07-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 8

Facts about the model

“The Black Lightning from Birmingham”

It was early spring in 1971, in a small village in southern England. The fog lay heavy over the moors, and in the grey morning light something gleamed metallic by the workshop door — a brand new Norton Commando Roadster 750 cc. It had just been delivered from the factory in Andover, where Norton’s engineers had worked with almost manic precision to refine what was already being called “The best handling bike in the world.”

This machine was not just a motorcycle — it was a manifesto of British engineering and stubbornness, created in an era when Japanese brands were conquering the world with easy-starting, high-revving fours. Norton answered with character, torque, and the raw sound of metal.

The Engine and the Soul

Beneath the tank pulsed the classic 745 cc parallel twin, with its twin Amal carburetors and its distinctive, spirited rhythm. It had earned a reputation for being as powerful as it was unpolished — an engine that preferred to fight rather than whisper. At idle, it shook like an angry animal on a leash, but once the clutch was released and the revs climbed, the vibrations smoothed out thanks to the ingenious Isolastic system — a mounting design that separated the engine from the frame. The result was a smooth, stable ride that no previous British twin had managed to offer.

Design and Presence

The Roadster was the sportier version of the Commando family. It featured a shorter tank, an upright riding position, and a compact silhouette that gave it a muscular stance. Its typical color — often Fireflake Golden Bronze or Black with silver pinstriping — shimmered in the sunlight, and beneath the glossy finish lived a raw, mechanical soul.

Chrome exhausts, wire-spoked 19-inch wheels, and the small rear light gave it a look that was both timeless and rebellious.

On the Road

When the rider — let’s call him Peter — twisted the throttle on the narrow country road toward Salisbury Plain, the air filled with the deep roar from the twin megaphones. The Commando Roadster wasn’t just fast for its time (with a top speed exceeding 190 km/h); it felt alive. Every gear shift through the four-speed box was a conversation between man and machine.

In the corners it was firm, stable, and confidence-inspiring — thanks to its long wheelbase and balanced weight. But most of all, it was about the feeling: that indescribable blend of power, sound, and the scent of oil that made every ride an adventure.

The Legacy

The 1971 Norton Commando 750 Roadster quickly became an icon. It won Motorcycle News’ “Machine of the Year” five years in a row and is now regarded as one of the last truly great British motorcycles before the industry succumbed to Japanese dominance.

Today, more than fifty years later, a few surviving examples still stand ready in their owners’ garages. They’re not always started — but when they are, the echo of the 1970s awakens once more: the sound of open roads, the scent of warm oil, and the spirit of freedom reborn.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Alfta

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Nisse Brandt
+46 707 50 89 99
nisse@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-11-13.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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