My Road bike (once) Soon to be again?

Chris · Feb 10, 2008

Mk111 Seeley Commando with Dellorto pumpers, Boyer black box & tiny battery to aid starting. Boyer ignition, balanced crank & rods, 4s cam, RGM belt drive. Far too much rubber. Good fun.
Unfortunately made of very light thin walled tube. The photos show the bike as I built it before adding the clamp on down tubes & at the advice of my informed friends the headsteady unit. I was running down into Dover and had topped 115. When I slowed down & sat up for the roundabout, it wiggled the handlebars.
Never happened before! So I rode home a tad slower.
Found two top rail to headstock tubes cracked through. Lucky the bike has four.

Currently residing in two different areas of the garage!

Intresting point, yes the frame cracked at the head steady!
Adding the headsteady made the bike feel harsher.
I have found a man to repair & remake
(near Mallory Park, helpfull as practise day is approaching)
Just need the funds!
Too many projects on the go! Need my special finished for spring for the road & the race bike is a long way off as well. Life in the garage. Love it!

all the best Chris

cash · Feb 11, 2008

Chris,
Try and find out exactly what tube the frame is made from, then check if it can be welded. Some steel tube shouldn't be welded but brazed.

Cash

Chris · Feb 11, 2008

Thanks

Thanks Cash
My friend Rob James used to own Pipecraft the exhaust maker.
He was going to make up inner & outer side cheeks but said they would show under the tank & would prefer me to have two new tubes done headstock to seat. I am not worried about the looks as you have to get down pretty low to see under the tank. However after talking to Roy I think altering the tubes to a heavier grade is the way to go.
all the best chris

pommie john · Feb 12, 2008

What size are the del orto carbs?

I have fitted a pair of 34s to my 750 and they have been a nightmare to set up.
If yours are 34mm I'd love to know what jets and needles you run.

JimC · Feb 12, 2008

Try and find out exactly what tube the frame is made from, then check if it can be welded. Some steel tube shouldn't be welded but brazed.

Cash,

What steel tubes shouldn't be welded? Why?

cash · Feb 13, 2008

JimC,
I've forgotten the technical terms and tube numbers. Reynolds race tubing was and still is brazed I believe. Welding upsets the grain structure resulting in fatigue and failure. I'm sure all Manx frames are brazed while the road Featherbeds are welded.

Cash

Chris · Feb 13, 2008

Frames

Hi
Cash is correct Road frames are mild steel & can be welded easily by someone who knows what they are doing.
Renoylds 531 or special tube like T41 is usually brazed.
My frame cracked where the weld work hardend the tube.
Chris

Chris · Feb 13, 2008

Carbs

Hi pommie John
My brother emigrated to Brisbane a year ago.

Carbs are PHF32 idle jet 60 main 125.
These were my starting point. Suggested by Dellorto themselves.
I think they based it on their classic list against a Guzzi of the same type of period & capacity.
I know I am still a long way out. ie still too rich but it starts ticks over & runs incredible well. Fuel consumption is poor but I have a RGM 34mm single Amal set up for my other bike. That runs fine but doesnt like to start. Still a long way of finishing that one so cant compare with stock carbs or any of the others I have. Mk1 30 & 32mm also twin 34 MK11 & a 34mm Dellorto standard ie not pumper to try. All a bit of a minefield but the Dellortos were miles cheaper than new Amal carbs.My original MK1 carbs ran fine but were so knackered they didnt like you to shut of quick.
If anyone is looking to work on their bike I still say the best bit of kit to buy is a set of new carbs.
all the best Chris

hursty · Feb 15, 2008

Hi Chris,
Fantastic bike.
If its any help, on my Metisse Commando I fitted a head steady and used a rubber exhaust mount in between it & the frame .
Incidentally the frame is manufactured from high tensile 4130 tube,bronze welded & nickel plated & oil bearing.
I hope you are on the road soon.

Chris · Feb 17, 2008

Mettise

Hi Hursty
Graham Buller races my Metisse Commando.
Someone had cut a Daytona frame in half to fit a BSA A65. The bottom engine mount goes through the bottom frame tube on a Rickman. The welding was so poor , fried egg, you could see daylight!
We fitted a Norvil headsteady to this. 850 engine. Very rough & ready. Still had steel wheels last season as it is just a back up for his twins ride.
I will be collecting it at Mallory to prep for my friend Alan to ride this season.
Post a photo?
all the best Chris

hursty · Feb 17, 2008

Hi Chris,
Show me yours & I will show you mine

Chris · Feb 17, 2008

Aah such joy

Cant help it but such offers still put a smile on my face. God how I wish we had had digital cameras in the old days!
all the best Chris

hursty · Feb 17, 2008

Hi Chris,
Probably not what you were expecting & its taken a while to work out how to post pics.

All the best Hursty.

Chris · Feb 17, 2008

Noc Chiddingly

Hi Hursty
Absolute beaut of a bike! I always thought Commandos look better than Triumph engines in Rickman frames. Did you bring this to Chidingly for the national rally? I seem to remember ogling it then. Your detailing is first class. My road project is going to be more flat track as I have too many with clip ons. Seem to remember your bike being a very tight fit in the frame & that Rickman did not list a Commando option? for the MK111.
Love to hear more.
Chris

hursty · Feb 17, 2008

Hi Chris,
Yes I was at the Chiddingly rally 1998 which was in a great location with good music & beer. This was the maiden voyage for the Metisse which I have since improved upon.
The frame was a one off made for me by MRD in Bristol with the original jigs & tooling from the Rickman factory.
The motor & box was all I managed to salvage from my old Fastback which was totaled by a van man. :evil:
I used the bike with the stock Commando motor for 6000miles & it did vibe a bit & most of my fillings fell out

Approx 2 years ago I tore the motor down & had the crank lightened & rebalanced to a 77% Balance Factor to smooth it out.
I also fitted Steve Maney barrels which have a great weight saving over the std cast iron items. It also has Boyer electrics with no battery fitted & lightened Conical Tri /Bsa wheels ,38mm Ceriani modified forks & yokes.
I have the weight now down to 317Lbs with 3/4 tank of fuel but I have added a few stones to myself

All the best Hursty.

79x100 · Feb 17, 2008

Chiddingly

Is it really 10 years since Chiddingly ?

The ex-Driscoll outfit firing up in the car park and disappearing down the lane remains in my memory

About time for a re-union isn't it Chris ? (hint, hint)

wrench · Feb 17, 2008

N I C E looking machines.

wrench

Chris · Feb 18, 2008

Stunner

Hi Wrench
That bike is a stunner. The more you look at it the more right it becomes.
I have to admit it has to be the way to go, my clip on days wont last for ever! Eventually I will end up with 2 bikes with straights or 'M' bars for road use.
all the best Chris

Chris · Feb 18, 2008

Chiddingly

Hi 79 X 100
Yes ten years gone. The Sussex branch of the Norton owners club had only (re)started the year before, so taking on the National rally was a big step. Ken has sold the Driscol record breaker & the new owner took it to Brooklands last year. He is still about & active with the vintage club. Paul still runs the pub so the field is still available. The cricket club have offered their toilets & showers for hire (£200) & we did speak to Keith about 4 years ago about a camping weekend with a couple of bands. So who knows? If it fits with the racing calender I may be able to arrange another one.
all the best Chris