So You Just Bought a Near Mint Condition Commando?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ok, what's the downside on for going the gasket and using 518?
The box is shifting perfect BTW.
Can't think of any downside as long as the box is working correctly
I'm wondering if your kickstart quadrant is a pattern one?
As said if it's working well it's all good
Cy
 
Did any preCommando Nortons that shared the same gearbox suffer the same type of bearing failure?
 
Ok, what's the downside on for going the gasket and using 518?
The box is shifting perfect BTW.
I never use any gasket sealer with quality gaskets and smooth surfaces. The gasket sets from AN contain quality gaskets. I've never had the inner or outer gasket leak on a Norton gearbox with AN gaskets dry.
 
I never use any gasket sealer with quality gaskets and smooth surfaces. The gasket sets from AN contain quality gaskets. I've never had the inner or outer gasket leak on a Norton gearbox with AN gaskets dry.
No I believe he is saying he has (removed the gasket) to maintain end float and allow maximum splines for the Kickstart
 
What is it about the roller bearing that necessitates shims?
 
What is it about the roller bearing that necessitates shims?
With a ball race it's one piece it's an interference fit to the case and the layshaft
Hence it holds the shaft in position
The roller bearing has two parts this allows the shaft to float
 
Then is Jim C's video assuming (incorrectly) the ball bearing one can float?
 
Then is Jim C's video assuming (incorrectly) the ball bearing one can float?
In Jim C's video, the ball bearing is moving with the layshaft as it's only resting on the cut-down gearbox shell. Under normal circumstances the ball bearing would be tight in the shell so it wouldn't (shouldn't?) slide back and forth like that.
 
I built a box in the '70s using an old shell....to get the layshaft bearing out I went to the local blacksmith, he struck an arc on the outer race with his big welder, and it popped right out!
Funny! Nothing to do with Norton but I was working on a piece of farm equipment and the bearing race was in a cap with no relief to pull it out. I welded a couple of nuts to the race to enable pulling it and left it outside the shop, face down to cool. Retrieved it and the race had fallen out! Turns out this is common knowledge just no one ever told me!
 
Did any preCommando Nortons that shared the same gearbox suffer the same type of bearing failure?
Yes, its mentioned in Radco's book on Vintage bike restoration which while published in Commando times was based on a collection of mag articles from further back. It includes the roller bearing number, which is where I got my info from for my repair, and says the layshaft ball bearing is a weak point in all AMC-Norton gearbox applications.
 
Last edited:
To clarify, should that read " Layshaft ball bearing is a weak point"?

Glen
 
Funny! Nothing to do with Norton but I was working on a piece of farm equipment and the bearing race was in a cap with no relief to pull it out. I welded a couple of nuts to the race to enable pulling it and left it outside the shop, face down to cool. Retrieved it and the race had fallen out! Turns out this is common knowledge just no one ever told me!
Works a treat on center retained axle type (automotive) wheel bearings.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top