1975 Commando 850 restoration

Regarding the fork yokes I might ad that you mask the two flats on the yokes where they meet the headstock if you plan on using the stock headlamp brackets . A build up of material on these surfaces will not allow the yokes to be drawn together sufficiently to clamp down on the tubular part of the headlamp bracket and you will be plagued with rattles . Don’t ask me how I know...
 
With a good portion of my bike at the polishers and powder coater I’m anxious to do anything to make progress on this rebuild. I want to install my stainless barrel studs and I need recommendations on what I need to use for thread goop. I have a bunch o stainless bits and it is my understanding that stainless on stainless you use a never seize type dope but I think it would be different with the barrel studs and I would use some type of locktite? Advice appreciated.
 
Do not Locktite barrel stud nuts onto the studs. That makes it impossible, or at least unnecessarily difficult to properly re torque them. Copper slip is perfect. Or you can buy a proper graphite based thread lube if you’re feeling posh.

Screwing a clean stainless nut onto a clean stainless stud can weld together amazingly quickly and amazingly well !
 
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Yes use anti seize. Copper or nickle based.

I have welded together two bare 316 bits just testing stuff out, without real torque.
 
Larry S said:
What type, brand of ring compressor do you guys use?
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Mine were from Andover or RGM - can’t remember which - but I’m sure one is as good as the other - they ain’t rods , cams or cranks if you get my drift ...
 
Addendum - I think I used a nickel based anti seize compound - Locktite brand maybe ? And yes it is imperative on stainless to stainless bits as I learned very quickly to my dismay... if you don’t buy it you will be buying lots of Dremel cut off wheels instead .
 
Ok, for clarification, stainless on stainless use a copper or nickel based anti seize. What I want to know is where the barrel studs screw into the crank case do I use some type of lock tite since it is stainless on aluminum. Thanks for the replies.
 
Larry S said:
Ok, for clarification, stainless on stainless use a copper or nickel based anti seize. What I want to know is where the barrel studs screw into the crank case do I use some type of lock tite since it is stainless on aluminum. Thanks for the replies.
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Anti seize. Same deal.
 
gortnipper said:
Anti seize. Same deal.
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Thank you. I am very grateful for everyones help on this forum. When I ask what seems like simple questions it is because I’ve never done whatever it is and I want to make double sure I’m doing this the right way. Oops, looks like a run on sentence. Hope there’s no grammar police lurking.
 
Larry S said:
Thank you. I am very grateful for everyones help on this forum. When I ask what seems like simple questions it is because I’ve never done whatever it is and I want to make double sure I’m doing this the right way. Oops, looks like a run on sentence. Hope there’s no grammar police lurking.
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Ask away Larry - all of us ask when we don’t know. The only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked when needed .
 
Larry S said:
Thank you. I am very grateful for everyones help on this forum. When I ask what seems like simple questions it is because I’ve never done whatever it is and I want to make double sure I’m doing this the right way. Oops, looks like a run on sentence. Hope there’s no grammar police lurking.
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Larry, honestly, this site is like the oracle.
I’ve asked tons of questions on here, some dumb, some quite specific and technical, and 99% of the time have received a clear, informed way forward.
The only really dumb question to ask is “what’s the best oil for a Commando...” !!
 
Fast Eddie said:
Larry, honestly, this site is like the oracle.
I’ve asked tons of questions on here, some dumb, some quite specific and technical, and 99% of the time have received a clear, informed way forward.
The only really dumb question to ask is “what’s the best oil for a Commando...” !!
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That question got some dumb answers, some quite specific ones and a a very thorough and technical analysis that yielded a clear, informed way forward for most. So anyone that asks that question should get but one answer in the future:

What is the best oil for a Norton Commando?

Norton Commando Motorcycle Oil Tests by Jim Comstock.
www.accessnorton.com

Now, if you had said, “what’s the best fork oil for a Commando...” I would have agreed!
 
Thanks for all the replies. I’m planning to install my pistons and rings and I would like to have your opinions about gasket prep. Gasket seal, grease, etc. Thanks.
 
gortnipper said:
That question got some dumb answers, some quite specific ones and a a very thorough and technical analysis that yielded a clear, informed way forward for most. So anyone that asks that question should get but one answer in the future:

What is the best oil for a Norton Commando?

Norton Commando Motorcycle Oil Tests by Jim Comstock.
www.accessnorton.com

Now, if you had said, “what’s the best fork oil for a Commando...” I would have agreed!
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Eh?

The the engine oil topic has received a level of analysis that would be worthy of a phd, and is posted for all to see, hence asking would be pointless.

Fork oil, gearbox oil, etc, that’s all fair game ...!
 
Fast Eddie said:
Eh?

The the engine oil topic has received a level of analysis that would be worthy of a phd, and is posted for all to see, hence asking would be pointless.

Fork oil, gearbox oil, etc, that’s all fair game ...!
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My points exactly.
 
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