Progress update, 750 Combat

MLW · Dec 6, 2022

Hi folks,
I finally got around to upgrading my membership and decided it's time to start posting progress updates on my '72 Combat project.
I started work on it about 3 years ago and progress has been painfully slow. With some life stuff sorted out I am able to dedicate at least a little more time than before. Today I'll post a pic of the bike on the stand before disassembly and one of the first issues tackled, the bent rear frame loop. I took the frame to a local fab shop and they replaced the rear loop section as they said there would be some waves in the tube if they tried to straighten it.
The welded a sleeve tube inside at the joint along with a longer gusset as per my instructions to hopefully prevent a recurrence. If I seem to get positive feedback, I can post lots of pics and detail comments in the future!

baz · Dec 6, 2022

MLW said:
Hi folks,
I finally got around to upgrading my membership and decided it's time to start posting progress updates on my '72 Combat project.
I started work on it about 3 years ago and progress has been painfully slow. With some life stuff sorted out I am able to dedicate at least a little more time than before. Today I'll post a pic of the bike on the stand before disassembly and one of the first issues tackled, the bent rear frame loop. I took the frame to a local fab shop and they replaced the rear loop section as they said there would be some waves in the tube if they tried to straighten it.
The welded a sleeve tube inside at the joint along with a longer gusset as per my instructions to hopefully prevent a recurrence. If I seem to get positive feedback, I can post lots of pics and detail comments in the future!

It's well worth extending those inner shock mounts
Looks like a good job

milfordite · Dec 6, 2022

That shop did a great job repairing the loop. Off to a good start!

L.A.B. · Dec 6, 2022

As this is probably going to be a (reasonably) regular progress report then I will move this thread to the Rebuilds section where you can update it in one place.
The thread title can be changed if you wish.

MLW · Dec 7, 2022

In rebuilding the forks I had 2 objectives, improve them as much as possible while retaining the stock appearance with no external visual cues. That leaves out the Lansdown dampers. Here's a list of the goodies that went into them:
JS Turcite bushings and anti top out sleeves
RGM alloy damper body & spec A valve and top hat upper spring spacer
Progressive Suspension springs
CNW fork seal retainer, very nice pieces and super light
Andover Norton Stainless top forks bolts
Precision damper caps from Triton Racing (I think)

I also performed the fork mods recommended by JS indicated on his web site.

Here are some pics...

Don Tovey · Apr 3, 2023

I find my forks really hard unlike my other bikes. The progressive springs in my Commando have really close windings and I'm sure they would be a lot softer with loosely wound springs. I keep meaning to go to a bike breakers to find some softer springs of the same length and diameter and try them.

gortnipper · Apr 5, 2023

Don Tovey said:
I find my forks really hard unlike my other bikes. The progressive springs in my Commando have really close windings and I'm sure they would be a lot softer with loosely wound springs. I keep meaning to go to a bike breakers to find some softer springs of the same length and diameter and try them.

First try a lower viscosity fork oil.

Don Tovey · Apr 5, 2023

gortnipper said:
First try a lower viscosity fork oil.

I'm using 5 grade fork oil which is the thinnest you can get. I've also got the Lansdowne dampers on the softest setting.

gortnipper · Apr 5, 2023

Don Tovey said:
I'm using 5 grade fork oil which is the thinnest you can get. I've also got the Lansdowne dampers on the softest setting.

Ahh. Use normal springs. Progressive springs don’t work with the Lansdowne dampers. Many have tried…none have succeeded.

Progress update, 750 Combat

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