A Rare Bird – 1974 John Player Norton

The 1974 John Player Norton is among the most widely recognized collector bikes since WWII. A one year only (1974) model the fairing and trim are settled on an a stock Norton 850 Commando. Only around 200 were made, and 120 of those came to the US.

Understand, the John Player Norton is NOT a race bike. I simply looks like one. The fairing and bodywork came from the same maker (Avon) as the race bike’s plastic, so the copy is really good. The fuel tank is steel under that thin fiberglass cover, the motor and frame are utterly stock.

The 1974 John Player Norton was a bone stock Commando that used a 829 CC air cooled overhead valve parallel twin motor that made 60 HP. At 414 LBS with a four speed transmission the top speed was in excess of 115 MPH. Suspension was the typically good Norton standard and a single disc front and back stopped the bike nicely.

A word here about copies. The Player Norton is collectible enough and the bits that make it what it is are available enough that a buyer must be aware of the possibility that a Player Norton didn’t start life that way. I believe that this is truly a John Player, but any prospective buyer of one needs due diligence.

This particular John Player Norton (VIN#: 850F112614) is in Redondo Beach, California and is listed as a ‘truly original 34,752 mile survivor’. The listing is quite good, and the photographs are excellent, The motor number confirms that it is a ‘74 Commando. The bike is currently on the starting bid of $7,975 with reserve not met and a Buy It Now price of $11,500