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Greetings, new owner of 72 Commando 750
- Thread starter vespam5
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Blown away by the response, thanks so much for all the advise already fellas!
I have the bike largely apart already since like I mentioned before I am very eager to get it sorted.
Task one is to rebuild the forks, Steadfast was out of the lower fork bushings and were only able to provide the upper brass bushing an seals. I got the forks off the bike today and apart for an inspection. I found that the bushings themselves were in decent shape with not a lot of play. I also upon advice here decided to go with the JS "Slipery Turcite" bushings and their "Hydraulic bump stop" kit (aluminum sleeves). They seem like good upgrades to do while I am there. I also really want to go with the Lansdowne damper cartridges but the website indicates that they are not taking orders due to illness. If anyone can help me locate a pair it'd be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few pictures of today's progress. I found some corrosion on inserts which I am concerned about and I found some wear on the fork tubes which I am also concerned about, though it seems to be fairly minor and not very deep according to my finger nail test. I am finding the Haynes manual which I have to be terribly lacking as far as helping me.
I also will need to replace the nuts on the insert since they really fought me coming out. The other thing I will need is new sealing washers which go on fork bottoms, I wish I had known this when I was at Steadfast, without them I'll obviously have big leaks. I purchased some 10WT fork fluid but it sounds like 20WT is the way to go. Also, should I spend the money on "progressive springs" for the front?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
I have the bike largely apart already since like I mentioned before I am very eager to get it sorted.
Task one is to rebuild the forks, Steadfast was out of the lower fork bushings and were only able to provide the upper brass bushing an seals. I got the forks off the bike today and apart for an inspection. I found that the bushings themselves were in decent shape with not a lot of play. I also upon advice here decided to go with the JS "Slipery Turcite" bushings and their "Hydraulic bump stop" kit (aluminum sleeves). They seem like good upgrades to do while I am there. I also really want to go with the Lansdowne damper cartridges but the website indicates that they are not taking orders due to illness. If anyone can help me locate a pair it'd be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few pictures of today's progress. I found some corrosion on inserts which I am concerned about and I found some wear on the fork tubes which I am also concerned about, though it seems to be fairly minor and not very deep according to my finger nail test. I am finding the Haynes manual which I have to be terribly lacking as far as helping me.
I also will need to replace the nuts on the insert since they really fought me coming out. The other thing I will need is new sealing washers which go on fork bottoms, I wish I had known this when I was at Steadfast, without them I'll obviously have big leaks. I purchased some 10WT fork fluid but it sounds like 20WT is the way to go. Also, should I spend the money on "progressive springs" for the front?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
I had some similar corrosion so I lightly bead blasted it. Looking it over afterwards with a 10X glass revealed that it really was only cosmetic and very little real pitting had occurred.
It made me wonder how water managed to get in there. Perhaps a few molecules at a time past the seals.
It made me wonder how water managed to get in there. Perhaps a few molecules at a time past the seals.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
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- 195
There is also Consentino Engineering in New Jersey that produce an upgrade kit. I'm not sure about spending on the springs , but it might be worth while to put it back together with what you have already and ride it with the 20 wt. To see how that works for you. Just a thought. Thanks for posting on your progress, I wish I had the time to dig into my Mk3 , but I'm spread too thin at the moment. Cjvespam5 said:
Nater_Potater
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vespam5 said:
I started with 20W but found it a bit harsh for routine riding. Going to 10W definitely helps with the choppy vibrations induced by the poor quality of roads we have around here. As for handling, it doesn't seem to have reduced its ability to keep the front end planted. The only thing I notice is the front end's propensity to bottom as I pull into my driveway across the "safety" curb. Please keep us posted about the Lansdowne situation.
Nathan
Thanks Peter, I have a set on order and should have them today.
Two Questions:
1) Progressive springs, which way to I mount them? Dense coil top or bottom?
2) I am having a hard time finding the little stepped clear plastic washer that sits in the fork slider. It sits in the fork slider lower bolt opposite of the damper fiber washer and seems to be a sealing washer (number 12 in the picture below). I pulled the remnants of this washer out of one of my fork legs, and my second fork leg had it missing, probably a contributing reason for my leaks. Any leads to find this washer would be appreciated.
[ATTACH=full]62717[/ATTACH]
Thanks
Two Questions:
1) Progressive springs, which way to I mount them? Dense coil top or bottom?
2) I am having a hard time finding the little stepped clear plastic washer that sits in the fork slider. It sits in the fork slider lower bolt opposite of the damper fiber washer and seems to be a sealing washer (number 12 in the picture below). I pulled the remnants of this washer out of one of my fork legs, and my second fork leg had it missing, probably a contributing reason for my leaks. Any leads to find this washer would be appreciated.
Thanks
Attachments
I guess whoever rebuilt my forks last chose to go with this plastic lower washer and then back it with the standard flat washer. The diameter of the hole (fork slider) is quite a bit bigger than the bolt that anchors it all so it left me thinking I needed a special stepped sealing washer.
Indeed it did LAB. The last builder of my forks used a bunch of home depot parts and the disassembly had me confused. Thanks for the picture, helped a lot.
Forks are now done! I went with the JS Turcite bushings, new progressive springs, and all new seals and hardware. End result is much better than before but I was hoping for a bit nicer damping overall. I used 150cc per leg of 15wt oil.
Next up on my to do list is the rear shocks which are very tired, rear swing arm bushings, and isolastics. Then I'll be able to pass judgement on how this baby handles!
Forks are now done! I went with the JS Turcite bushings, new progressive springs, and all new seals and hardware. End result is much better than before but I was hoping for a bit nicer damping overall. I used 150cc per leg of 15wt oil.
Next up on my to do list is the rear shocks which are very tired, rear swing arm bushings, and isolastics. Then I'll be able to pass judgement on how this baby handles!
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- Nov 20, 2004
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vespam5 said:
I suggest you try 20wt. That's what it says in the manual ("150cc of SAE 20", Sec. G8,10.) but don't expect miracles.
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repai ... mmando.pdf
I'll give some 20wt a shot.
In the meantime I started on the the swing arm bushing replacement, going smoothly but I am finding that even with brand new bushings and pivot pin, I am getting about 1/8 or so of side to side play, this is telling me I have wear in the frame..........
In the meantime I started on the the swing arm bushing replacement, going smoothly but I am finding that even with brand new bushings and pivot pin, I am getting about 1/8 or so of side to side play, this is telling me I have wear in the frame..........
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