First Commando - My New Winter Project

Probably a couple of winters, actually. Here's my first Commando. A '69 with the VIN130832. Plate is stamped February, 1969. Lovely, isn't she? Sooo much potential! Since it is my first Commando I am open to all advice and comment. If one of the comments is "do you know how much work this will take?". The answer is yes, so we've gotten that out of the way. Engine is free and rotates. No rear fender. No gauges, very nice tank, but not sure if it correct for this first generation Commando. Here's a couple of pics.

Nice project!

Not sure about the tank, but for sure the seat is not correct. Fork yubes are extended also. Headlight and bracket are not correct.

Looks like an old school "chopper" of sorts. We used to do the extended fork tubes and king and queen seats back in the early 70's

Tank looks like a roadster tank but side covers look to be fastback...I'm sure someone with better knowledge can clarify that for you.

Dennis

Based on what we see here you have what is left of a 1969 Fastback. The oil tank, battery tray and tach drive in the side cover are clues. The fiberglass Roadster tank was not likely original to this bike. Unless it was the extremely rare "R" model. There are no other indicators of this, however.

You have a long road to make this close to original, but I have started with less. The good things about Commandos is you can easily mix and match parts to build a motorcycle to suit yourself, or you can painstakingly collect all the original parts for a restoration.

Ah ha another choperish Commando form the day. Could you read off the size of the rear 16" tire and rim width that's fitted. Also maybe too late but sure would like an idea of the chain clearance from the tire.

No Problem. I've only had it for 2 days and have done nothing except take some pics. Tire to chain clearance is 0.25". Tire designation is 5.10 X 16. Wheel looks to be about 3.5" wide

Thank you Mrchips, i want to ride on the darkside with my special so now got some data points to go on. Hope you know what you've taken on - sure caught me out a bunch of times with things so worn distorted or rusted manual process did not apply. Wonder how the big ole rear feels like as sure a bunch of done in past and TC of Hog Slayer fame rides on 16" on his wide traveled 850. Main thing would be tire mileage. Enjoy the process and successes restoring another Commando to the world again.

It's going to be an adventure for sure. I did this with a Triumph a few years ago and it was in nearly the same condition as this Commando. But I'm wondering about the technical resources available for me. There are several very good books out about Triumph restoration, and a couple of reasonably good workshop manuals too. I haven't had the time to see what's available for the early Commando. Any recommendations?

Pics of the Triumph project:

Excellent chopper rescue on the TR6; you'll do fine with the Commando, I'm sure.

Welcome.

Theres oddles of knoodles available fore Comandos : Heres ar ' R ' .



Bit of research and undo the nut up the back under the head , 5 / 16 W.

That tank F'Glass or steel ? possable to shorten those legs if theyre quality & the Chromes HARD ? ( test up somewhere unusable . )

Id prefer to be a bit awkward & do a coustom ' S S ' . ( or S S S ) though Not a $ $ $ $ :x . . .

There is no set of manuals that really covers all the issues involved with Commandos and most the factory and Clymer type manuals have errors to avoid or better ways to go. Minimal get the factory manual and the factory parts book and the Norton Tech Notes of NOC or INOA issue. Old Brits online and direct pow pows with Phil or other major vendors can set ya straight on Norton oversights and work arounds or mods. Can ask forum for advice too but use google to search better than the forum to find stuff. Note its way too easy to over tighten cold primary chain and only takes one over tight heated event to screw the shafts and bushes of tranny. Many torque values are under listed and some way over listed and a couple of reverse threads to know about. Get the crooked 1/4W wrench as may be most used one on engine.

Matt Spencer said:

Bit of research and undo the nut up the back under the head , 5 / 16 W.

That tank F'Glass or steel ? possable to shorten those legs if theyre quality & the Chromes HARD ? ( test up somewhere unusable . )

Click to expand...

+1.
Any good turner on a lathe could shorten the stantions and recut the internal threads.
Did you Yanks really go buying those choppers back in the day :?: :shock:

Chopper rescue can be fun...

Bernhard said:

Did you Yanks really go buying those choppers back in the day :?: :shock:

Click to expand...

OMG! We did some really terrible things to our bikes back in the day. We didn't understand how much we messed the handling and ride back then...we thought it looked cool. I remember using extensions to increase the fork length...these were soft steel pipes that screwed into the stock tubes to make them longer...on the cheap. Really Mickey Mouse and wonder how they never broke. Made one of my BSA 650's into a "chopper" and even added a hard tail to it...can still remember how sore my ass was riding that thing...and I wonder why my back is so screwed up now...dummy

Your winter project kind of looks like mine.

I feel your joy and pain

You have a very nice starter project. Much better than I started with five years ago. Be prepared to spend some serious dollars. The website here will offer you all the information you can use. There are many really great people on this site and excellent information available. If you are planning on an engine rebuild and transmission overhaul I highly recommend the DVD's by Mick Hemmings, really quality instructions. Although I have yet to completely decipher Hobots written word, He has some very insightful words to the wise and he is entertaing too. Jim Comstock is a wealth of information as are many you will meet here. Good luck ,I'm glad to see another Norton that has found a savior. Craig

Any good turner on a lathe could shorten the stantions and recut the internal threads.

Click to expand...

I prefer to cut the lower end and turn down the bottom of the tube for the steel sleeve, cut a new snap ring groove and cross drill the holes. Much easier.

Bit of research and undo the nut up the back under the head , 5 / 16 W.

That tank F'Glass or steel ?

Click to expand...

Matt: What are you telling me about the 5/16 nut? What significance is that? Tank is steel.

Hi Mrchips, I also have a Feb 69 Fastback s/n 130823, maybe in the same batch?
Al

For the Odd ' if all else fails , Read the manual ' type :shock: , the use of gelignite , tyre irons , crowbars & the like still wont get the head off in a hurry . As theres a Rear Head Stud , with a NUT hidden up in the rear of the Barrel .



( flogged Me Edgefinder's picture here ) < he is on about clearing flash from the through flow centreline holes between the fins , for correct cooling . ANYWAY , the solid bit between the top three fins at the center is the LUg for the Head Stud ,
the hidden nut being up in under there , the 5/16 W Nut ( about 13 mm ( biggern 1/2 ) ) normally needs a ' customiseation ' of a spanner , kinked at the RING END , to get full purchase on the little critter . Special Tool neumero uno . :wink:

Now , were were we . Steel Tank . GOOD . That solves That One . Thats all taken care of . We dont have to do a thing there then . It wont melt in a hurry . :? like a fibreglass one in aromatic fuel .

Is the odd Steel Long Range Fastback tank come up ( they were all steel ) NOT that you need one , unless youve got Fastbacks on the Brain . :? I would be thinking Id be checking if it were in the correct Numbers sequence for the ' R ' type ,
as its pretty much one now , as it were - or is . :wink:

Often best to get to the heart of the equation , than do a frankenstien / Robinsons 58 . Bias toward how it originally emerged rather than turning it into something completely differant .

Matt,

Not sure if this is good or bad, but your starting to sound like Hobot