Jonez69
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- Joined
- Aug 15, 2024
- Messages
- 48
We woke up to -13F this morning! My newly installed mini split still managed to keep the garage at 50F, so I can still keep tinkering on the very original Commando I traded for last fall. The refresh list includes new tires, new carbs, Tri-Spark, wheel bearing service, and front brake system rebuild, amount other things. For me, the most enjoyable project bike is the one that has been relegated to the corner of the garage by a long time previous owner and finally sold for any number of reasons. It takes me back to being a farm kid in the 1960s. I fell in love with trying to make old engines run again and a hobby was born! Anyway, this bike is going to be a treat to ride, warts and all!
I now install a 5 amp fuse in the ignition switch wire to the Tri-Spark for added protection against a surge. New brake line installed along with caliper and master cylinder rebuild.
Upgrades also include a Tri-Spark MOSFET and blade style fuse. The original stator had seen better days as well, it was cracked, so I upgraded to a 3 phase. The original rotor was in good condition and still strong magnetically, so I left it in place.
I've never worked on a Norton rear wheel assembly before, so some new lessons learned. I used tire paste to install the new cushions rubbers and it worked really well.
I tapped them in place at an angle and then straightened them out once they were at the bottom of the "well". I held them in place for a time with a suitable sized punch while the tire paste dried. I hope the brake drum assembly when it comes time to put the wheel back on goes smoothly!
I highly recommend tire paste if you mount your own tires. This was my first time using it and it works far better than soapy water or even the tire "snot" I tried previously. And as I just mentioned, it works great for other rubber lube applications too. I used to squeeze my three wire stator lead through the new grommet. Slick!
This bike shows just over 10,000 miles on the clock and all signs point to that being accurate. Here's The drum bearing as I found it. That looks like factory grease to me, but I'm just guessing. I drove out the bearing and seeing that the dummy axle drives against the center race when you pound the bearing out, I decided to replace it out of caution.
Perfect time for a new chain install and for good reason. Here's the condition of the master link, original Renold chain!
I will share more pics when I get this one on the road in the coming weeks, it is a lovely bike, warts and all!
I now install a 5 amp fuse in the ignition switch wire to the Tri-Spark for added protection against a surge. New brake line installed along with caliper and master cylinder rebuild.
Upgrades also include a Tri-Spark MOSFET and blade style fuse. The original stator had seen better days as well, it was cracked, so I upgraded to a 3 phase. The original rotor was in good condition and still strong magnetically, so I left it in place.
I've never worked on a Norton rear wheel assembly before, so some new lessons learned. I used tire paste to install the new cushions rubbers and it worked really well.
I tapped them in place at an angle and then straightened them out once they were at the bottom of the "well". I held them in place for a time with a suitable sized punch while the tire paste dried. I hope the brake drum assembly when it comes time to put the wheel back on goes smoothly!
I highly recommend tire paste if you mount your own tires. This was my first time using it and it works far better than soapy water or even the tire "snot" I tried previously. And as I just mentioned, it works great for other rubber lube applications too. I used to squeeze my three wire stator lead through the new grommet. Slick!
This bike shows just over 10,000 miles on the clock and all signs point to that being accurate. Here's The drum bearing as I found it. That looks like factory grease to me, but I'm just guessing. I drove out the bearing and seeing that the dummy axle drives against the center race when you pound the bearing out, I decided to replace it out of caution.
Perfect time for a new chain install and for good reason. Here's the condition of the master link, original Renold chain!
I will share more pics when I get this one on the road in the coming weeks, it is a lovely bike, warts and all!
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Just a factory red that sun faded for an "ombre" look....
