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Sometime around 1972 I acquired a bent Commando, maybe a 1969 or '70, along with a 1964 or maybe '65 Atlas with a blown engine. With no knowledge or expertise of any kind, armed with nothing but basic tools I did the obvious. I simply bolted the Commando engine into the Atlas. I can't remember what I did about the top head steady, but for the rest I just used the Atlas engine plates so my engine was vertical. I had no idea or concerns about oil pickup. The first iteration I used the Atlas primary components, but the clutch slipped quite regularly. I then took the Commando primary and drilled three new holes to suit the vertical engine. I epoxied the originals and went on with further hacking. I created quite the buzzing anvil with no rebalancing of any kind. Since Ashman built a smoother runner, I have to suggest you follow his lead. My contraption had a 19 tooth sprocket and accelerated really well. However, I recall burning out lights constantly, and at some speeds it was very difficult to keep your feet on the footpegs. At least once I suffered a broken bracket that was holding a muffler on. It was at least 1/8" thick. It was all I had for transportation for a time. Unfortunately I let the oil get low and broke a connecting rod and put a hole in the cases. I still own the frame and much of the engine, including the cases with the hole welded up. If I ever finish my long suffering and neglected '72 Commando project I plan to lay out all my remaining parts and see if I can build another viable bike. Best of luck with the project!!
Sometime around 1972 I acquired a bent Commando, maybe a 1969 or '70, along with a 1964 or maybe '65 Atlas with a blown engine. With no knowledge or expertise of any kind, armed with nothing but basic tools I did the obvious. I simply bolted the Commando engine into the Atlas. I can't remember what I did about the top head steady, but for the rest I just used the Atlas engine plates so my engine was vertical. I had no idea or concerns about oil pickup. The first iteration I used the Atlas primary components, but the clutch slipped quite regularly. I then took the Commando primary and drilled three new holes to suit the vertical engine. I epoxied the originals and went on with further hacking. I created quite the buzzing anvil with no rebalancing of any kind.
Since Ashman built a smoother runner, I have to suggest you follow his lead. My contraption had a 19 tooth sprocket and accelerated really well. However, I recall burning out lights constantly, and at some speeds it was very difficult to keep your feet on the footpegs. At least once I suffered a broken bracket that was holding a muffler on. It was at least 1/8" thick. It was all I had for transportation for a time. Unfortunately I let the oil get low and broke a connecting rod and put a hole in the cases. I still own the frame and much of the engine, including the cases with the hole welded up.
If I ever finish my long suffering and neglected '72 Commando project I plan to lay out all my remaining parts and see if I can build another viable bike. Best of luck with the project!!
