Chucks 72 Combat Project

They are Bridgestone Battlax tires. Dual compound. They say they are really good tires, Although I have never used them the people in the know swear by them. Chuck.

Spent a little more time on the bike, Put the chain guard, fender and front tire on also getting started on the primary. I think I should have put the gearbox sprocket on before I put it in the cradle. This should be fun .

DANG! That is looking sharp.

Are you going to use the "M*A*S*H" style lettering on the tank?

Any other military throwback touches?

Maybe a "black-out" headlight cover for show; you know, with a slot in it...

What is that some sort of black spacer you are using at the top of the headlight ears? Was that necessary because of the Timken roller bearings?

Hello Paul, Hope all is well. I do plan on changing things a bit from the stock look but I don't want to change it so much that it won't say Commando, Combat that is. LOL. But I do need to keep it street legal so some of the things people have suggested won't work with the DMV!!! What would be the best and safest way to get the sprocket nut tight? Would completing the brake and using that be good? I hope all of you guys out there have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year, Chuck.

What would be the best and safest way to get the sprocket nut tight?

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Adding the chain and applying the brake is the workshop method, but another thought is to take a length of bar stock and drill two holes in the end that would line up with the spaces between two rollers in a length of old drive chain (530). Wrap the chain around the sprocket and slip the bar between the ends of the chain close to the sprocket and drop two bolts through the top row of chain, the holes in the bar and through the bottom row of chain. Add washers and nuts and presto, a chain wrench to hold the sprocket. If the bar is long enough it could even rest against the floor while you use both hands to set the recommended 80 fl-lb of torque. Remember it is a left hand thread. Don't forget a dab of loc-tite on the screw that holds the locking tab. :wink:

Yes that is a spacer, The reason for it is not the roller bearings they fit great. But the headlight brackets came from e-bay and were modified by someone and they didn't know or just didn't tell me. So after powdercoating and having it all ready I found out. So its just another story about how you need to watch out on e-bay. Ron thanks for the idea on the home made tool, That sounds like it will work great. And I just love custom made stuff like that, Thanks again, Chuck.

Time for an update, I used a piece of old chain bolted to the lift to get the sprocket nut tight. Thanks Ron it was your idea that got me thinking I could use the stand as the bar. Finished the belt drive and installed the charging system, Now onto the coils and other goodies. I need to finish this thing before too long or my wife is going to kill me, as I am using an extra bedroom and have spent more than the federal government in that time, LOL LOL But it has been so much fun and I am a little bummed out that it will soon be done. Does that sound CRAZY? Well I guess I still have a ways to go. I have been watching the threads on wiring and will soon be asking a few more questions of my own and that will keep me busy for awhile. Thanks for all of your help guys. Looks like a nice day and the wife wants to go for a ride so gotta go guys, Take care and ride safe, Chuck.

Forget the bike, I want that TUNA!

That must have been FUN to catch...

spent a little more time on the bike this weekend and finished the coil bracket and mounted the horn under it. Was able to fit the headlight bucket and also put the head steady on. Question; What order do the warning lights appear in the bucket? And I guess one of the lights won't be used if the bike didn't have turn signals? Any help or advice would help here. I will soon be onto the wiring and am thinking about relays for it and would like pros and cons of that. I will be fitting the Tri-Spark system and have the 3 phase alt. fitted. A few more pictures, Have a great day, Chuck.

Great idea on the horn mount.

World's stupidest location to mount a horn? OEM MarkIII location, underneath battery tray area, completely inaccessible.

Thanks ntst8, That helps. GP when I placed it I wanted to have it as close to the front as possible and with all the electronics gone it fit very well there. Close but it fits and doesn't touch anywhere, Now just need to take time to get more going on it. Take care, Chuck.

Finally got to spend a bit of time on the Combat, Put the battery tray in and the z-plates. Also added the oil tank. If you wonder why the Z-plate is inside out it was because one had some damage to one side and I didn't want to purchase another one. Maybe I will just put a bolt in it. The rear sets should be bolted close to it and only a Norton guy would know anyway. I really need to pick up the pace on this bike or it may take forever, LOL. What kind of hose would look good guys? I have a bunch of braided line but I was thinking of something a bit more military looking, What do you think? Thanks for looking and have a great day, Chuck.

I decided to just go with black hose for the oil tank and breather line, Also bolted on the carb and bars with controls. The bars will need to be removed in order to get the bike out of the house and into the garage. I think I will now start to plan the wiring and what relays to run on the lights and horn and ignition and so on.

Military

Your Bike is looking fantastic.
But are you sure you want the military look? Did Commando's ever see military service?
I painted mine black with Gold lettering but if I were to have another go I would go with Colorado Norton Works two tone schemes.
Stu.

This bike won't be about something that was made before, I am making it to reflect my heartfelt thanks to those that served in the military past and present. There won't be a lot that will even look stock, And I understand some may feel this is not what should be done with a Commando, But if you think that this was a Commando Combat then why not make it look military? When they came out they looked like every other Commando. I also have a 75 and even have the bean can exhaust which some say I should change? Here in Southern California people seem to do things a little different and like things to look their own, Sorry to those that wonder why but that's just the way it is, Chuck.

Good for you, originality (as in original ideas and design) is a good thing.

I'm thinking of putting my good bean cans on my 75, the peashooters are now surface rusting in patches, and the acid stains are just plain ugly.

Hello Paul, Are you going to Bonneville this year? My brother just went back to work after 4 1/2 months of therapy on his arm and hand. He had a total of 4 separate surgeries that totaled about 16 hours. Really wonder if he will go back and give it another go. The builder of the bike is going to retire that bike and just run the other two. Hope to see you at the Colorado Rally, I need to get this bike finished so I can bring it too. Take care, Oh Bigstu I do have a lot of parts that are made by Matt at Colorado Norton Works and I really like their bikes too, They really make some GREAT stuff and he is such a helpful guy. With as much work as he has he seems to find time to help with any questions you may have, Great guy. Take care guys and have a great day and ride safe, Chuck.

[quote=", And I understand some may feel this is not what should be done with a Commando, Chuck.[/quote]

An Owner with his own mind!!!!, Thank goodness for that!!!!! It is YOUR bike, you have it looking as you want, with upgraded bits and whatever!
I like Commandos in all shapes, at least on here there are people with open views, some like standard , some like changes whether it be upgraded parts or custom looks.
I have a '65 BSA A65 Lightning Clubman, it is nearly standard but with a few changes 'cos I like it that way!, however I was out on a run last year and stopped for a pint,
( orange officer honest!!!!), and was approached by a couple of gents who commented on the "'nice bike' but shouldn't it have etc. etc?".... no it shouldn't !!!!! I like it the way it is, and it is MINE! and I'll fit what I wish... not only that, but you could specify non cafe' racer parts for the L/C that would be fitted from factory. They wouldn't have that! When asked what they rode and where were their bikes?, it was the old " might rain and too cold" answer, well as I said , "sorry gents I'm riding mine, and if it gets wet it gets wet, and thanks to changes I made I am comfortable on it and I can ride it in the wet". If it was left the way it left the factory I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be running half as well , if at all! There are too many of these individuals who are quick to tell you your paint is the wrong shade of turkish pink, rivet counters by another name! Keeping your bike bog standard? not a problem, changing it about a bit?, not a problem. Bikes are an individual choice, that is why we ride! Good on you!, more power to your spanner arm and artistic imagination.