1974 John Player Norton 850 - Mk2a

Take that tax return and put it into something that’s only going up in value. like this genuine 1974 John Player Norton 850! This is one of the ~200 factory-built street bikes (120 of which came to the US) meant to evoke the aesthetics. if not the performance. of the factory works race bikes. The one before you is the real deal; every unique JPN bit (and there are a ton of unique bits beyond just the obvious bodywork and black chrome annular discharge silencers) is present. including the factory-modified. steel Roadster fuel tank. Underneath the race-inspired bodywork of all JPN's is a European-spec Mk2a 850 Commando. which is itself widely regarded as the best all-around Commando to own. The “Player” Norton offers a unique riding experience among Commandos: they are long-legged and take advantage of the aerodynamic fairing. plus with their twin headlamps they look like nothing else from the era. JPNs also have a high speed smoothness. quietness uncommon even to regular Commandos. again thanks to that large fairing and partially enclosed bodywork. Jay Leno has owned his JPN for over 30 years and is a huge fan of the model. I know it might seem like 400 of the original 200 survive. what with all the tributes and replicas out there. but none of those can capture the honesty of a factory-built. numbers-matching example like this one. I have owned this bike for about six years and knew about it for about ten years prior to that. This is one of the most original. un-restored JPNs I have seen. but my recent purchase of a slightly better JPN means I’m letting this one go to a new home. The bike has just under 14. 00 miles on the clock and is a pleasure to ride; it starts. idles. shifts. accelerates. handles. and stops as it should. It has been upgraded to a Boyer ignition and braided stainless rocker oil feed line. Don't let the photo of the crudely extended. semi-gloss steel Roadster tank (with its fiberglass cover removed) and randomly placed foam pads scare you; this is the work of the factory and one of the unique aspects of the JPN. I reserve the right to end the auction at any time and for any reason. If you want this JPN. I suggest you bid early and often. I don't often sell bikes on eBay. but when I do. the auctions usually end early as a result of a negotiated deal or a change of heart. Condition:By the end of last year's riding season. a few gremlins started to emerge. although nothing a little TLC won’t fix. The male-end of a Dzus fastener connecting the tank cover to the front fairing vibrated out (the other 7 are still in place and replacements are available). It needs a new flasher relay for the blinkers. There’s an intermittent short in the original battery fuse holder. although I hope to have this sorted by the end of the auction. The bike has a new Exide battery. Both gauges and the idiot lights work as they should. The paintwork is very nice. although there are a few nicks. scratches. rock chips and the common stress cracks in the fiberglass. It is also evident that the bodywork paint may have been re-finished or at least been cleared over at some point. owing to some separation of the clear coat on the timing side of the fairing (see pix). There’s a finger nail-sized worn spot on the lower front inside edge of the tank cover (not normally visible) from where a front fork tie down wore through during transit years ago. The bike is clean. but not show clean. The tires are not original of course. but are the correct type and in good condition. I have tried to describe and photograph anything that really stood out on the bike condition-wise. but this is now a 40+ year old motorcycle with some light wear and tear. so I cannot be held accountable for every single scratch. chip. crack or ding. I encourage would-be buyers/bidders to inspect the bike personally. if possible. If you need additional photos. detail shots of anything. a running video. etc. just ask. Terms:The bike is sold on a signed-over Florida title. The buyer can fill in his/her info. The title lists the bike as a 1975. probably reflecting the first year it was registered. The 316xxx serial number confirms it as part of the 1974 Mk2a production run. Again. this is a 40+ year old motorcycle; no warranty is expressed or implied. Your bid is a commitment to buy. not an option to buy. so please ask any and all questions prior to bidding. The bike is available for inspection by appointment only in the Brewster. NY 10509 area. I cannot crate the bike. but I will meet with the shipper of your choice. Delivery in the tri-state area is possible in exchange for expenses. but please coordinate this with me ahead of time to confirm. Check my feedback and bid with confidence. Good luck!