Last minute BIG change to the Commando before race day

Having a busier ski season teaching this year than expected the Stealth Canyon Racer :shock: project got put on hold and now getting
the Commando for it's first race of the season-the Corsa Motoclassica at Willow Springs. I've done what I can to make this a fairly competitive and reliable bike. There is not much more I think I can do it-frame has been reinforced, have the weight down to 327 lbs and 63 horsepower to the rear wheel. Where I have always lost time on the track were issues with the gearbox-stock ratios are
too far apart and nothing can get your attention quicker than hitting a false neutral downshifting into a corner. So after having one of these on my wish list all year, I consulting with Kenny on ratios and ordered a 6 speed close ratio gearbox from TT Industries n New Zealand. But.... even though Bruce got it shipped in record time despite my own procrastination in ordering it- somehow it dissapeared for several days in a UPS/customs facility in Australia. It was scheduled to be delivered last Thursday which would have allowed ample time to get it installed but according to UPS it was still in Australia on Saturday. So good news-it is supposed to be on the truck for delivery today so that gives me two days before we leave to pull the old gearbox, make any modifications to the gearbox cradle, install the new one and make any changes to the linkages before we leave for Willow. I didn't want to pull the old gearbox until I actually had the new one on the bench so hopefully it gets here soon. Stay tuned....

Tom Kullen
AHRMA 44X
Formula 750/BEARS

Alrighty Tom, that is exciting to read your potent Commando and neck and neck time factor to get it together. The pressure is on and we bench racers are on edge of seat to hear how it works out. What I had to do to take on the moderns on mere Combat was up the counter sprocket so 2nd gear was good to 90 mph but then 3rd was too low a ratio to keep the pull up so got out of 3rd fast as I could at about 110 mph then 4th was pretty good against the moderns which were also in upper gears and screaming rpm by then. BTW there's a weakness in Commando cam-oil pump drive with the pinon idler gear, replace with thicker Atlas version. Ask Kenny as likely he's a spare on hand after tearing this item up prior.

Hope you get it & will be racing Sunday. I will be there & it's allways nice to have Nortons to watch upholding the fine tradition of being flogged around a race track. Saddly I won't make it Saturday as that is the day of my long time friend and British bike parts dealer Kieth Moore's funeral. Good luck with your gearbox & I will try to stop by & say hi Sunday. Glenn.

Hobot,

May have to check the pinion gear-thanks for the info but nothing else gets touched on the bike until the gearbox. Checked the frame over last night for any stress cracks, adjusted the valves, re-torque everything, check the safety wire and Bob is your Uncle's
Brother. Only thing left is the tranny. Willow is the second fastest track on the AHRMA circuit next to Daytona-so may have to bring
my quiver of rear sprockets after running in the new gearbox to see how everything feels.

Tom Kullen
AHRMA 44x
Formula 750/BEARS

Oh if I'd only known about Commando racing when I had a real job. I would like to know more about the frame beefing up you mentioned. Savor the suspense and go out and surprise us all in a good way.

gtsun said:

Hope you get it & will be racing Sunday. I will be there & it's allways nice to have Nortons to watch upholding the fine tradition of being flogged around a race track. Saddly I won't make it Saturday as that is the day of my long time friend and British bike parts dealer Kieth Moore's funeral. Good luck with your gearbox & I will try to stop by & say hi Sunday. Glenn.

Click to expand...

Glenn,

So sorry to hear about Kieth's passing. Send our regards to the family on behalf of the whole AHRMA "family".

Peter Wright-(fastback owner) but racing a CB160 and I will share a garage with Scott Jennings and Dave Roper-not sure what number yet though. So look for us in one of the garages. There is another younger guy from northern Utah that is racing a Commando also. Will be interesting to see if he has done anything to it since Miller.

After 11:30 am here and no gearbox yet...supposed to be here by 12:00..... AAARRRRHHHH!!!

Tom Kullen
AHRMA 44x
Formula 750/BEARS

I know all about UPS and customs! ..infact i have a wig on order :lol:

Yipppeee Gearbox got here 5 minutes ago! Will try to post some pictures later. Have lots of work to do!!! :mrgreen:

Tom Kullen
AHRMA 44x
Formula 750/BEARS

Forget the pictures and get a move on with that gear box. Good luck, Cj

You will find you need a longer clutch pushrod. Use 6 mm (240 thou) not 1/4 inch.