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Norton 850 commando: - interstate First reg 1975 Engine no- 830-015 G/box no- 830-015 Frame no- 00100 I brought the bike in 1976 from a DR.Sewell from ST.Margarets hospital Epping. He bought it from elite m/cycles from a batch sold off at the time of the Norton villiers triumph debacle. elite told him it was a pr-production prototype electric-start machine. the bike has many unusual features. I'm aware of this as I worked for some 15 years for a well known Norton dealer, specializing in engine and gear box rebuilds. both crank case, gear box shell and crank shaft are non-standard. I think these plus inner and outer gear box shells are sand cast (L/H gear change). the primary chain case is unusual in that it has the center bolt (as early bikes) plus 4 allen screws, same shape as mark 3 the alternator stator plate has scribed on it around the bush for the starter drive train shaft move over .008" the bike has a drum rear brake with a one-off (??) brake pedal with cross-over cable. I have not seen a swinging-arm the same, it has fork ends for drum but cotter-pin location for S.A spindle (as per mark 3). it was also fitted with mark 3 type isolastics. cycle-parts as per mark 2 A. a single early type zener diode is used. the exhaust pipes were heavily flattened from just behind the bend. maybe from being thrashed around Thruxton? has any one got any knowledge of any other prototype commandos, if so aaron88lee@hotmail.com, many thanks!!