1975 Commando 850 restoration

Fast Eddie · Jun 20, 2020

Rotor shouldn’t be impossibly tight, it’s on a straight shaft.

It may have been loctited, if so, heat may help.

Larry S · Jun 20, 2020

The three jaw puller worked like a charm on that rotor. Now all I need is a couple of longer bolts for my gear puller and I'll be well on my way getting the rest of it apart. I think the rotor did have loctite on it but it didn't need any heat to get it off. Thanks for the help everyone.

Larry S · Jun 21, 2020

Finally got the primary apart. When the engine sprocket finally came off it came off with a BANG! Scared the crap out of me. I didn't know what happened at first, I thought I broke something. Haha. Engine pulled, cleaned up and on the stand. A good days work, I'm happy.

Fast Eddie · Jun 21, 2020

What’s the mileage on the bike? Doesn’t look like it’s done much to me.

Its much nicer working on an engine on the bench in a decent engine stand.

Carry on...

grandpaul · Jun 22, 2020

Nice to see a set of rods that is not dark brown or black on the con rod small ends. Kinda rare in my experience (but then again, MOST of what I've ever done are restorations of clapped-out stuff)

Larry S · Jun 22, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
What’s the mileage on the bike? Doesn’t look like it’s done much to me.

Its much nicer working on an engine on the bench in a decent engine stand.

Carry on...

Odometer reading 5321 I don't know if it's accurate or not but everything mechanically seems pretty good. All the fluids that were drained looked fresh and clean with no debris. All that time sitting took its toll though. I'm happy with it.

Larry S · Jun 22, 2020

More progress on disassembly today. Next up is the swingarm.

Larry S · Jun 24, 2020

More progress, swingarm disassembled. Everything looks pretty good to me. Rebuild kit needs to be ordered. Need to clean the swingarm and cradle next. I guess I'll do the iso's after that.

Larry S · Jun 27, 2020

More progress today. Removed both iso's, cleaned, primed and painted the swingarm, engine cradle and front iso mount.

Fast Eddie · Jun 28, 2020

Larry that’s just NOT how we do things around here ok...

Once stripped you must spend some weeks (or months, or in some advanced cases years) looking, and thinking, and debating, and changing your mind.

You must repeat the above cycle several times before being allowed to proceed.

We have no interest in following speedy, practical execution on this site...

Bernhard · Jun 28, 2020

Larry S said:
More progress today. Removed both iso's, cleaned, primed and painted the swingarm, engine cradle and front iso mount.

Should the section where the iso be painted as this will rub off when engine/gearbox is going up and down in normal use, making you reshim the iso again?

EstuaryBoy · Jun 28, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Larry that’s just NOT how we do things around here ok...

Once stripped you must spend some weeks (or months, or in some advanced cases years) looking, and thinking, and debating, and changing your mind.

You must repeat the above cycle several times before being allowed to proceed.

We have no interest in following speedy, practical execution on this site...

Obviously the man needs a hobby!

jan nelder · Jun 28, 2020

Bernhard said:
Should the section where the iso be painted as this will rub off when engine/gearbox is going up and down in normal use, making you reshim the iso again?

and also the engine cradle where swing arm slides over it!

mdt-son · Jun 28, 2020

Larry S said:
The widow and former owner also gets first ride when I get it on the road.

Sweet deal, but giving the widow a first ride opportunity on a fresh restoration? Hmm.

-Knut

grandpaul · Jun 28, 2020

Bernhard said:
Should the section where the iso be painted as this will rub off when engine/gearbox is going up and down in normal use, making you reshim the iso again?

All of the paint and primer at the swingarm seal face area of the cradle needs to be removed to a patch slightly larger than the seal itself. Same goes for the bolt holes that mount the engine and transmission. Then, one thin layer of paint only. per Old Britts tech guide...

mdt-son · Jun 28, 2020

Richard Tool said:
You should consider having the master cylinder sleeved down for smaller piston - rebuild is generally part of this service.
Old Britts used to offer this on an exchange basis but I don’t know if they still do.

Buying a new M/C of the small-bore type might be a better proposition, considering this is a vital component.

-Knut

Larry S · Jul 1, 2020

EstuaryBoy said:
Obviously the man needs a hobby!

What do you mean? This is my hobby right now. That and training/showing my dogs.

Larry S · Jul 1, 2020

grandpaul said:
All of the paint and primer at the swingarm seal face area of the cradle needs to be removed to a patch slightly larger than the seal itself. Same goes for the bolt holes that mount the engine and transmission. Then, one thin layer of paint only. per Old Britts tech guide...

Thank you for the info, I will do as suggested. Do you happen to have a link to that tech guide that you can share? Old Britts website is kinda funky trying to find things - at least for me.

Larry S · Jul 1, 2020

More progress. Got my timing side cover off and cleaned up for the polishers. Think I'm going to get an electronic ignition, just trying to decide on one. Any thoughts on the best bang for my bucks?