Greetings ,fellow Nortonians, My brother has a 1974 850 commando roadster with metal gas/petrol tank. He acquired the machine from original owner. It was black .My brother is sanding it down to repaint and has uncovered primer then burgundy/maroon color paint under the primer coat. There is no body filler on tank. what is the explanation??? Were 74 tanks painted maroon/burgundy at factory? Did factory repaint maroon/burgundy color tanks black? Did someone ( original owner or dealer) damage original black tank and repaint a burgundy/maroon tank'black? What say ye?? If, stock color maroon or burgundy was available in 1974 , what was the color really called and how can one obtain the paint code in order to duplicate??? thank you all for any help you may be able to offer! captain

I bought a 1975 Commando MK III in 1990, it too came from the original owner. It was a "burgundy/maroon color" and it had a gold tpye of under coating, the guy told me it was orgginal(which I could never verify) anyway, he told me it was "wineberry" I've never been able to find an exact color match. I had a fuel leak and ended up painting mine black. I know that doesn't tell you much, of what your looking for anyway.

If you find out anything more else where pleae advise.

Siggy

Are you sure it is not a Candy Apple Red?
Most Nortons are repainted black because it is easy.
Candy Apple Red was an original color.
I have no knowledge about the Maroon.

Mike