Another Commando back from the Dead

bucksfizz · May 29, 2017

chaztuna said:
bucksfizz said:

grandpaul said:

Very nice job, but isn't it a '74? (no e-start or rear disc brake)

Click to expand...

Thanks. Unfortunately, it's a non-matching numbers bike.
The head steady, engine, gearbox, swinging arm, and rear wheel are '74 Mk2A.
The front fork, frame, and isolastics are '75 Mk3, and the frame number is consistent with being a Mk3.
It must have been heavily crashed, and re-framed at some point.
As the title says 2/75, I'll have to register it as a '75.
It suits me down to ground, as I prefer right foot shift, but do like the Mk3 console that fits onto the Mk3 top yoke.

Click to expand...

While it has the Mk III console, it has a 1974 front fork assembly. The Mk III has the brake rotor on the left, not the right. More likely, it's a 1974 Mk IIA that was crashed. Probably repaced the damaged frame with a 1975 Mk III unit. If so, it has a seat with a hinge on the left side. Does your seat mount with a hinge on the left? Is there provision for a seat hinge on the left? If not, that's not a Mk III frame. Many earlier bikes have been upgraded with Mk III parts, like the head steady & adjustable isolastics.

Those electrical connectors are definitely GM "weather pack" connectors. They are an improvement over the original Lucas stuff. Nice job on the wiring. Did you use PVC insulated wire, or did you upgrade to aircraft quality Tefzel wire? For those unfamiliar with Tefzel wire, you have it on the oxygen sensors of your 1996 or newer cars. Notice how much more abrasion resistant the insulation on the oxygen sensor wires is.
For those who want the ultimate in wire technology, Tefzel [Mil Spec 2275916] is the bomb! see

http://jaguarind.com/mil-w-2275916-tefz ... ated-wire/

It definitely has the Mk3 fork, as the top yoke has the abutments and drilling/tapping for the console, which the earlier yoke didn't have.
Also, it has the Neimann steering lock, which the earlier bikes didn't have.
As L.A.B. says, the sliders were configured as Mk2A.
I didn't know about Tefzel wire - I used regular automotive thin-wall cable, which is thinner than PVC wire and can carry a higher current.

L.A.B. · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
It definitely has the Mk3 fork, as the top yoke has the abutments and drilling/tapping for the console, which the earlier yoke didn't have.
Also, it has the Neimann steering lock, which the earlier bikes didn't have.

But that doesn't actually identify the fork assembly as Mk3, only the upper yoke itself.

bucksfizz · May 29, 2017

L.A.B. said:
bucksfizz said:

It definitely has the Mk3 fork, as the top yoke has the abutments and drilling/tapping for the console, which the earlier yoke didn't have.
Also, it has the Neimann steering lock, which the earlier bikes didn't have.

Click to expand...

But that doesn't actually identify the fork assembly as Mk3, only the upper yoke itself.

Understood, but it also has the Mk3 lower yoke too, as the drilling for the DS hydraulic routing is present:

Given that the frame is Mk3 and that the yokes are too, I'm guessing that the whole front end was replaced - just a theory.

L.A.B. · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
Understood, but it also has the Mk3 lower yoke too, as the drilling for the DS hydraulic routing is present:

Given that the frame is Mk3 and that the yokes are too, I'm guessing that the whole front end was replaced - just a theory.

Yes, the lower yoke is also Mk3 so all you can say for sure is that the yokes are Mk3.

Whilst the fork leg assemblies may have been replaced it can't be categorically stated that the fork legs are actual Mk3 parts because there are no fork legs specific to the Mk3 as all pairs of disc fork legs are identical and the front hub (or complete wheel), brake line and mudguard (unless modified to take the additional front stay) are not Mk3 parts, so the 'front end' isn't all Mk3.

mdt-son · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
L.A.B. said:

bucksfizz said:

It definitely has the Mk3 fork, as the top yoke has the abutments and drilling/tapping for the console, which the earlier yoke didn't have.
Also, it has the Neimann steering lock, which the earlier bikes didn't have.

Click to expand...

But that doesn't actually identify the fork assembly as Mk3, only the upper yoke itself.

Click to expand...

Understood, but it also has the Mk3 lower yoke too, as the drilling for the DS hydraulic routing is present:

Given that the frame is Mk3 and that the yokes are too, I'm guessing that the whole front end was replaced - just a theory.

No need for guessing. The Mk3 had a special front hub. If yours complies with the Mk3 spec, then it's a matter of the PO fitting the brake on the far side, possibly due to the brake line available to him, or as a matter of taste. Yes, the front end could indeed have been replaced entirely. Those yokes look like brand new to me!

Cheers,

Knut Sonsteby

L.A.B. · May 29, 2017

mdt-son said:
No need for guessing. The Mk3 had a special front hub. If yours complies with the Mk3 spec, then it's a matter of the PO fitting the brake on the far side, possibly due to the brake line available to him, or as a matter of taste. Yes, the front end could indeed have been replaced entirely.

It looks like the (threaded bearing retainer) pre-Mk3 hub to me.
The spoke lacing in both the before and after photos is to the pre-Mk3 pattern which also suggests (to me, at least) that it's probably not a reversed Mk3 wheel assembly.

jaydee75 · May 29, 2017

That pipe clip on the rocker feed line is just a bracket to mount the AN hose.
Great job, best wiring I have seen.
Jaydee

auldblue · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
She's running nicely too, and I just need to get her registered for the road.
Looking forward to many miles of riding in 2017.

I recently regestered a US cycle and found the DVLA quick and hassle free. Best of fortune with your Bike you have done a great job on her.

Jg

bucksfizz · May 29, 2017

mdt-son said:
Those yokes look like brand new to me!

There are many new parts, but the yokes are definitely refurbished - here's what I had to deal with:

bucksfizz · May 29, 2017

L.A.B. said:
mdt-son said:

No need for guessing. The Mk3 had a special front hub. If yours complies with the Mk3 spec, then it's a matter of the PO fitting the brake on the far side, possibly due to the brake line available to him, or as a matter of taste. Yes, the front end could indeed have been replaced entirely.

Click to expand...

It looks like the (threaded bearing retainer) pre-Mk3 hub to me.
The spoke lacing in both the before and after photos is to the pre-Mk3 pattern which also suggests (to me, at least) that it's probably not a reversed Mk3 wheel assembly.

It would be handy to know what I've got - does this help?

I'm afraid that I will have to bow to the greater knowledge of the forum on this aspect.

L.A.B. · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
It would be handy to know what I've got - does this help?

Only if you can either show us or tell us what's immediately behind the chromed dust cover/spacer on that side (a threaded lockring or a circlip?) but it does look like a pre-Mk3 hub/wheel to me, not only because of the spoke pattern but also because the hub lacks the groove (arrowed) that a Mk3 hub would normally have.

Pre-Mk3 hub lockring
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-de ... -lock-ring

Mk3
Circlip
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-de ... 63/circlip

bucksfizz · May 29, 2017

Here's a better picture:

Mk3?

L.A.B. · May 29, 2017

bucksfizz said:
Mk3?

No, as it has the threaded lockring. :wink:

Another Commando back from the Dead

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