72 Combat Proddy Build

swooshdave · Apr 5, 2011

grandpaul said:
Hate to find out about previous problems AFTER the engine is back together and in the rolling chassis...

Eh, it's no big deal. Just one of those things with old British engines. Somehow they find a way to get the oil on the outside. :mrgreen:

swooshdave · Apr 8, 2011

Spent the day with my brother fettling the bike. We go the headlight working. It's a little different from the original plan but that's because the switchgear was meant to have the power running through and not using a relay like I am. The lefthand switchgear works as follows: Blade Up = Lo Beam, Blade Centered = Hi Beam, If on Lo Beam the Top Button will flash the Hi Beam. The headlight is master controlled by the switch on the headlight shell. The wiring is, ahem, dodgy, so some cleanup will be required but as long as I go in a label everything, it will be ok, right? We also got the new Proddy exhaust mounts on, except I didn't have enough of the rubber mounts so one side has one for now. The exhaust pipe touches the primary covers so I have some more tweaking to do. We then pulled it off the bench and tightened the front and rear wheels. When kicking it over there was some clunking so off came the primary cover and the belt was so loose it was skipping. Probably happened when we adjusted the rear wheel? Dunno. Adjusted the tranny and took care of the belt. Back off the bench and I let my brother start it up, mostly because he actually has way more experience kicking a Norton. Considering it hadn't run since, hmmm, maybe September, it took about 10 kicks and she fired up. When warmed up she idled (according to the tach) about 900ish. When then took turns riding it up and down the alley.

Best day ever.

And because I care:
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ0duSHKV1o[/video]

It was a rare 65 degree day and we took advantage of it. Won't be like that again for a while. But more stuff to do. That 750 is a beast. Far too much fun. :mrgreen:

grandpaul · Apr 9, 2011

So, do your neighbors all open thier gates and set out lawn chairs to watch you guys ride up and down, just waiting for one of you to grab the front brake a bit too much and then bike some dust?

pete.v · Apr 9, 2011

grandpaul said:
just waiting for one of you to grab the front brake a bit too much and then bike some dust?

Shouldn't be a problem with the stock setup.
EDIT
"What do ya think, huh?....... What do think?" He said with want of ecceptedness. "I like it!" was the responce well knowing that the what he really wanted to say was "God, I am soooooooo in love," playing it down because of the fear of seeming too un-manly.

Belt seem about right to me too. I adjust mine just until doesn't jump the front hub when starting.

Hobot · Apr 9, 2011

I really enjoyed the fumbling and grinning on your Commando as very similar to me on mine - till I get its and my own quirks under control. Belt is about right but needs more heating time to check for sure. They all flap about just short of rubbing when correct. The tinkling sound is not right but sounds like tranny not completely in N or such. Might have the light switch reversed, IIRC mine hits hi beam with toggle down and flashes bright by the push button. I love how Commandos affect the girls but not all will cover their ears, some will cup them to hear more and stand behind for the puff balls to tickle them : )

grandpaul · Apr 9, 2011

hobot said:
I love how Commandos affect the girls but not all will cover their ears, some will cup them to hear more and stand behind for the puff balls to tickle them

I love you, man.

The purest comment I've ever seen posted on a forum, PERIOD.

Norton-Villier · Apr 9, 2011

Nice Dave, You just got alot of guys motivated to go do some wrenchin so thay can get to that point. And the kicking pain memory, Priceless

Phil

Hortons Norton · Apr 9, 2011

Hobot has used words in ways that many may never understand, But try and take the time to unravel the code and you too my son may see the meaning!!!! LOL!! I still love the fact we have his words on our very own calendar. But your right Paul that last one was one of the very best yet, I can picture it in my mind as I read it; AND ALSO FEEL THE PUFFS ON MY FACE. Have a great day guys. Oh and great work on the bike Dave, It's really looking good. Summers coming and it looks as if you are right on time. :wink:

swooshdave · Apr 9, 2011

hobot said:
I really enjoyed the fumbling and grinning on your Commando as very similar to me on mine - till I get its and my own quirks under control. Belt is about right but needs more heating time to check for sure. They all flap about just short of rubbing when correct. The tinkling sound is not right but sounds like tranny not completely in N or such.

Pretty sure that sound was the dry clutch plates. :mrgreen:

hobot said:
Might have the light switch reversed, IIRC mine hits hi beam with toggle down and flashes bright by the push button.

That's what mine does, I think it's a result of running the power to the relay instead of the handlebar switch.

hobot said:
I love how Commandos affect the girls but not all will cover their ears, some will cup them to hear more and stand behind for the puff balls to tickle them : )

I did get it restarted and she loved it even more. You can see her imploring me to get it moving. :mrgreen:

As for tickling I got the wife to sit on the bike while it was running and goosed the throttle. I can'r reprint any of those comments...

swooshdave · Apr 9, 2011

Still need to build these with LEDs.

Avert your eyes if you are squeamish. A horrible wiring job but we have light. Need to redo this with better connectors.

Need a mirror. There is a small hole in the clutch perch that might take one.

Turnsignals.

NFG. Need a new one.

I might mount the front turn signals here, use that slot area and just tuck them in there. Just need something temp for now.

More muffler mounts, please.

Primary cover hits. Need to wait for the muffler mounts to see how to space this.

Here's one leak. There is a hole where they drilled the passage. The plug is apparently leaking.

Here's another leak. Might do an X-ring and see if that works.

So, just a short list. I'm sure there will be more.

Hobot · Apr 9, 2011

I love all the grinning the posting brings home.

That's what mine does, I think it's a result of running the power to the relay instead of the handlebar switch.

It took me 3 relays and some time to get mine to operate as expected.

Surveys of women as pillions on a wide scope of cycles - almost to a gal they rate Commando's tops. Commando always sound bigger meaner than they are. Hide your keys form you know who eh. When i follow my buddy on his '71 a couple bike lengths back I can get some of the puff balls in the face. Once following Wesley he lost one alternator wire so Boyer timing went Bonkers and backfired ran ruff so hard it blew out coke chips and rusted hot metal bits with the puff balls. We both 1st thought it had blown it self up 600 miles from home.

Jeandr · Apr 9, 2011

hobot said:

What's the coin for :?:

Jean

Hobot · Apr 9, 2011

To show scale of 3 half size 30 amp relays is all as it'd rattle around and short stuff. Don't think 3 regular cube relays would have fit.

swooshdave · Apr 9, 2011

hobot said:
To show scale of 3 half size 30 amp relays is all as it'd rattle around and short stuff. Don't think 3 regular cube relays would have fit.

Yeah, but we all know how big the headlight shell is. :mrgreen:

Just kidding. It does help.

Nice job but I think your description of your light matches what I said but I only used one relay. Blade in up position = Lo Beam, Blade Middle (straight) is High and Push Top Button = Hi

hobot said:
Might have the light switch reversed, IIRC mine hits hi beam with toggle down and flashes bright by the push button.

Hobot · Apr 9, 2011

i'm mainly happy it worked and made bright lights till I tore it out to redo Peel after her over rev event. Bar switches that didn't get warm was a good thing.

swooshdave · Apr 9, 2011

hobot said:
i'm mainly happy it worked and made bright lights till I tore it out to redo Peel after her over rev event. Bar switches that didn't get warm was a good thing.

So am I right or am I reading it wrong? I'd love to figure out how to make it work so the middle position was low beam but the blade switch is up it was open so that was the challenge with the relay.

rx7171 · Apr 9, 2011

Dave
You commented about trying to figure out a way to mount turn signals tight to your headlight bucket.
Old Britts has a slick way of doing it.
Check their site for products they make themselves.
I have them on my bike and the look and work great.

>>Front Stainless Mounting Bolts for Mini Stalk Turn Signals
The price for this set of two mounting bolts (part # 06-2321/B) is $55.00, and is current as of 04/05/11.

This pictures shows the turn signals mounted on a Commando. The mounting bolts replace the stock bolts that hold the headlight bucket in place.

Installation:
Replace the stock bolts with these bolts, tightening them as you would your stock bolts. Reverse the nuts on the Mini Stalk so they can act as jam nuts and thread them up flush with the body of the turn signals. Snake the two wires through the bolt and thread the turn signal as far as you can into the bolt. Position the turn signal to where you want it and tighten the jam nut against the bolt.

We make these mounting bolts from a stainless bolt, 7/16 x 20, 1 1/2" long, and bore out the center. We then tap the head end to 8 x 1.25 Metric to accept the Mini Stalk. We then turn the end of the head to remove the lettering on the bolt head providing a flat surface for the jam nut to press against.

Note:The Mini Stalks come with a smaller bullet terminal than the standard Lucas bullet terminals. If you want the Mini Stalks to plug into your stock wiring harness, you'll need to replace these -- see Lucas Bullet Type Terminal and Installation. <<

swooshdave · Apr 10, 2011

rx7171 said:
Dave
You commented about trying to figure out a way to mount turn signals tight to your headlight bucket.
Old Britts has a slick way of doing it.
Check their site for products they make themselves.
I have them on my bike and the look and work great.

Thanks for that. I've seen those before. I've got two things working against me on that solution. I want LEDs and I want something temporary and cheap because I need to also be able to fit the fairing which will be here in a couple weeks, although I may not install it for a while. So, basically I'm being difficult, much like what I tell the wife when she's being unreasonable. :mrgreen:

swooshdave · Apr 10, 2011

swooshdave said:
Here's another leak. Might do an X-ring and see if that works.

Changed my mind, going to go with the hint from here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8946#p97964

pvisseriii said:
Here is an old post of mine.

"Instead of replacing that worthless oring with another, here is a simple and effective solution.
You must still pop the cover off. Then heat the case around where the oring is with a propane torch or heat gun to pop out the kickshaft bushing.
You can buy this seal, Timkin #240731, seal number 9815 1.25 x 1 x .125 at your local oilseal dealer for around $6.00.
Lay the seal in there with a little locktite, pop the bushing in and you will be good to go and the cover will not be harmed."

swooshdave · Apr 10, 2011

Also I know some people don't like the K&N filters but I kinda do. I found the filter at a great price, maybe they'll have it in stock. Since it's K&N themselves there is a good chance. :mrgreen:

K&N on Amazon

$30.39 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.

Less than some filters and I have the kit to clean and re-oil.