removing rear isolastic and swingarm

I wish I knew, Whoever owned this bike previously should never work on a bike ever. I just got this bike and am tearing it down . I figured u guys would see the cheese grater uggh. This guy was using crafty pipe cleaner to hold wires. mixture of bolt sizes on the head. Pistons looked good, turns over fine. I'm used to old harlies and jap bikes, this is my first teardown of a brit bike.
Welcome.Enjoy the journey!
There is a lot of good information here on this site with some smart fellows
Mike
 
Too much grease inside the manual? The factory shop manual is excellent : both procedures and drawings. They should be kept grease and oil free. A Commando Parts Catalogue to supplement the resources is useful

Thank you. It's kind of you to say -- we tried to make them accurate but it's easy to focus on the inevitable slipups.
 
Clean the grease off and start with the swing arm spindle, easier to deal with, with it still held in the frame. Use a length of 1/2 UNF stud bar, nuts, washers and suitable spacers to pull the spindle out of the arm/cradle. You may have to use a 1/2 UNF tap to clean the thread in the spindle to allow the stud bar to screw in.
Now to the iso stud, is the long iso stud removed? The photo just shows a tube? I would cut the rubber gaiters off and saw through the iso end caps, easiest done with a thin cut off wheel in a angle grinder. That gets the cradle out the frame without damaging them. The cost of replacing the iso rubber, end caps and spindle is nothing compared to repairing bent frame plates etc that can happen when hammering seized/rusted things trying to get them out. One thing that experience gives you is knowing when to sacrifice some bits to save other stuff.
You are going to have to get busy with a welder, looking at the photo again there are holes in the frame tubes putting a question mark over the frames integrity

I recently removed my swinging arm to install bearings. It hadn't been removed for quite a long time. What I had been taught was to use the front Isolastic bolt (1/2" UNF) assembled through the heaviest 1/2" drive socket I own as a slide hammer. As it was, I checked the swinging arm and it had no play in the cradle (central fixing screw in or out) or at the bushes. I put my improvised slide hammer together and screwed the Iso bolt into the spindle. Without hitting the bolt head with the socket, I gave it a tug and the spindle simply slid out, easily. (Im also in the fitting new rear damper/spring suspension assemblies and a Don Pender rear hub so the rear of the swinging arm was loose but I'd think that most people would disassemble the rear components before removing the spindle anyway.)
 
Welcome.Enjoy the journey!
There is a lot of good information here on this site with some smart fellows
Mike
Thanks Mike! I really like these bikes, I started and heard one when I was 18, I loved the soubd and look. I hope to revive this one holes or not lol I get to bring back my welding skills and use my mig/tig. I'm not sure if this was the raci g cradle or this guy drilled random holes lol
 
Hi, Mike. I'm also wondering if this Commando had "Z-plates" -- if so, I can't understand how they were attached.
it had z plates on it. This could be the lightweight cradle fir racing? anyone use those for vintage racing before? I plan to restore, plenty of good cradles on flebay I see for 100.00. I have a parts and fa tory manual but it just looks different and the instructions describe what isn't there lol. I got the holes edition commando. lol
 
it had z plates on it. This could be the lightweight cradle fir racing? anyone use those for vintage racing before? I plan to restore, plenty of good cradles on flebay I see for 100.00. I have a parts and fa tory manual but it just looks different and the instructions describe what isn't there lol. I got the holes edition commando. lol

Yeah, this mess is *really* modified from what came out of the factory. Often that's a good thing, in this case, I dunno ...
 
it had z plates on it. This could be the lightweight cradle fir racing? anyone use those for vintage racing before? I plan to restore, plenty of good cradles on flebay I see for 100.00. I have a parts and fa tory manual but it just looks different and the instructions describe what isn't there lol. I got the holes edition commando. lol
Fender,
I would also check with GrandPaul to see what he has and how much.At least you know the source which is a big plus.
Mike
 
I have a parts and fa tory manual but it just looks different and the instructions describe what isn't there lol.

It looks as if the person may have also end-drilled the Iso. stud? What does the other end look like? Or, does it/they have a thread cut inside?
 
It looks as if the person may have also end-drilled the Iso. stud? What does the other end look like? Or, does it/they have a thread cut inside?
here's the aftermath lol https://photos.app.goo.gl/JJ1ThngQ2BnMjDTZA
 

That's a mess. I suggest you fit the vernier kits (front and rear).

 
That's a mess. I suggest you fit the vernier kits (front and rear).

definately gonna get those 👍 ty
 
Never swore and cursed so much trying to get that swingarm spindle out though. used a 1/2 inch unf with sockets and it moved a little with a 5ft galvanized post as breaker bar, may have broke my socjet. i have a 12 ton press but getting it level i gotta get more pieces of wood or steel plates . will maybe have to find one on flea bay. the cradle may have bent but I'm replacing g it, I can see small.holes drilled where safety wire may have been installed.
 
I may have to cut it out, where do you guys cut from? I feel.like I'm.gonna need a full armor suit when I press it out things could go flying lol
 
I may have to cut it out, where do you guys cut from? I feel.like I'm.gonna need a full armor suit when I press it out things could go flying lol
The small locator screw is removed , right ? Spray penetrant into that hole and each end areas of the spindle , the end caps will be gone . You will only care about saving the swingarm itself , so put on the press a spindle end , toast it up hot with gas and have a go . Wear a heavy bib and goggles and gloves . The cradle is garbage along with the pin and bushes . Have fun , enjoy .
 
The small locator screw is removed , right ? Spray penetrant into that hole and each end areas of the spindle , the end caps will be gone . You will only care about saving the swingarm itself , so put on the press a spindle end , toast it up hot with gas and have a go . Wear a heavy bib and goggles and gloves . The cradle is garbage along with the pin and bushes . Have fun , enjoy .
Anyone seen a cradle after QPD worked his "magic" to fit his dubious e start ? So much metal carved of.
 
The small locator screw is removed , right ? Spray penetrant into that hole and each end areas of the spindle , the end caps will be gone . You will only care about saving the swingarm itself , so put on the press a spindle end , toast it up hot with gas and have a go . Wear a heavy bib and goggles and gloves . The cradle is garbage along with the pin and bushes . Have fun , enjoy .
Yes that small screw is removed, penetrated with oil, heated with propane. I'm gonna try that later today again. the cradle is no good anyways, it's already bent, plus it's got alot of holes in it from prev owners.
 
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