Updating a Combat Commando

grandpaul

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
13,209
Country flag
Back story:

I picked this bike up from a friend some years ago, in all I bought a Triumph, BSA and 2 Norton big twins from him. This '72 Combat came to me in the form of a not-quite rolling (no axles, just long bolts) chassis, with a fresh Leo Goff built engine (Memphis Motor Werks). Apart from that, it had a Norvil 13" fully floating front disc brake, and an ARD micro magneto new in the box. I liked the look of the Corbin seat, but it was WAY too hard for my taste. Bodywork was nice "10 foot" stuff, lots of debris in the fresh paint.

Updating a Combat Commando


I picked up this Dunstall bodywork some time later and tried it on for size (along with new Thomaseilli adjustable clip-ons, clubman rearsets, and a set of peashooter mufflers)...

Updating a Combat Commando


I wasn't too sure I had fully acquired the taste for this look
 
I tried the Corbin seat with a High Rider tank and liked the look (a LOT), but that seat was just too hard...

Updating a Combat Commando
 
So, it ended up with the LR tank & dualseat. I acquired the taste.

Updating a Combat Commando


I've ridden it some, but with so many bikes, it ended up being neglected. With no emotional attachment, it went up for sale last year and sold to a guy from California. The new owner wanted the bike to look the same, or very similar, but in polished alloy, including new shouldered wheels.

So, I sold off the bodywork on e-bay, set up an order with Evan Wilcox (6 month waiting list), unlaced the wheels and sent the hubs and spokes to Buchanan's (spokes were already Buchanan's best).

Updating a Combat Commando


Wheels got back about a month later, meanwhile a set of new Avon Roadriders and new tubes and rim strips arrived; all of that got done quickly.

Updating a Combat Commando
 
Last edited:
Evan sent me this photo the day he finished the seat; then I told him to go ahead and make me a set of sidecovers (e-bay Indian burn).

Updating a Combat Commando


Almost to the day, (6 months), the bodywork started arriving. First thing I test-fit was the fairing; turned out the steering arc aperture was too small, could hardly swing thru half the normal arc...

Updating a Combat Commando
 
So, trimming time...

Updating a Combat Commando


Much better! Full range of steering travel, just need to adjust the control lever and bar angle for full operational clearance (this ought to be fun)

Updating a Combat Commando


I hound a matching pair of thin, flat, chrome brackets that I easily bent into perfect Z-patterns and mounted the lower/rears in conjunction with the front gas tank mounting studs. Piece of cake, all rubber isolated, as are the adjustable front mounts, and as will be the seat & sidecovers. Tank has proper front and rear thin and thick foam pads, plus all the rubber washers up front and rubber bands at the rear.

Installed a new wiring harness (I never rode it at night, so never needed a wiring harness with the magneto). Almost half the wires go unused with a magneto and modern regulator/rectifier.

Had to fabricate a bracket for the left sidecover, but I had a spare cover on hand, so making the pattern was easy.

Updating a Combat Commando


Just waiting on the seat to arrive from Wilcox to finish everything up, will have to take the removable seat pan to my upholsterer and have him do a leather number on it, still need decals Might have some on the shelf), idiot lights (might also have some on the shelf), fuel taps & gaskets, and fuel line (sold that stuff with the old tank). Then, an oil and plug change (carbs are already clean and ready to go, along with a new battery). I think the bloody final nail will be the screw-in microswitch for the front brake light, it has to get here from France.
 
Last edited:
Looks good.

Apart from the toast rack on the tank. What’s that all about ?!
 
I liked it a lot better before you updated it.
Hey, whatever the buyer wants...

I think when it's all done and I get some beauty shots, it'll look much nicer than dim garage off-angle shots.
 
Right Sidecover fitted up (still needs the rubber buffers)

Updating a Combat Commando


Left sidecover fitted up nicely...

Updating a Combat Commando


Petcocks and & bits for fitting up-

Updating a Combat Commando
 
Seat arrived last Tuesday (12/4) , I took the upholstery pan to the guy that's going to fix it up, and set to mounting the tail/base. I need to fabricate a nice solid bracket spacer, it needs to come up about 1/2". Maybe I'll use 1/2" box aluminum tube... Rear fender has to go (or maybe I'll chop it off just ahead of the top of the tail section, so it can keep sling off everything.

Updating a Combat Commando


Client has specified black leather sides, gray leather top, pleated as the original Dunstall was pleated, and with white piping cord between top and sides.

"Whatever the paying client wants"
 
Back story:

I picked this bike up from a friend some years ago, in all I bought a Triumph, BSA and 2 Norton big twins from him. This '72 Combat came to me in the form of a not-quite rolling (no axles, just long bolts) chassis, with a fresh Leo Goff built engine (Memphis Motor Werks). Apart from that, it had a Norvil 13" fully floating front disc brake, and an ARD micro magneto new in the box.
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/ard-magneto-for-commando.13611/

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/ard-magneto.16114/
 
Last edited:
... Rear fender has to go (or maybe I'll chop it off just ahead of the top of the tail section, so it can keep sling off everything.
"Whatever the paying client wants"

cut the fender just below the rear tube, then use one of the rear grabrail clamps, and drill one hole in the center of the fender to hold it up
Updating a Combat Commando
 
cut the fender just below the rear tube, then use one of the rear grabrail clamps, and drill one hole in the center of the fender to hold it up
Updating a Combat Commando
Way ahead of you, that's why I mentioned where I'd cut it. The fender acts as structural support for the seat base, so it needs to keep the 2-bolt clamp.
 
hey GrandPaul; where did you get the windscreen? i assume the alu pattern fairing is a duplicate of the original dunstall, i may be looking to source a dunstall windscreen to fit a fairing...
 
Someone used to show up at the vintage bike corral at the Springfield Mile with an all-alloy Fastback and half-fairing. It looked great in person, but pictures kinda blinded out with all that shiny stuff.
 
Yep, it's blingy alright.

Upholsterer is having a dickens of a time getting a piece of gray leather in the right shade (for the top), and proper foam without having to buy an entire roll...
 
Upholstery was done on 1/12, exactly as specified by the client - Black lower, white piping, gray top, rolled stitch . Nice padding for two, without the typical Dunstall "hump" for the fender clearance, resulting in almost full-thickness foam at the top.

Updating a Combat Commando


Marked rear fender for trimming, just below the frame clamp.

Updating a Combat Commando


Installed a temporary gas tank & seat to test ride it on 1/17. Took a few kicks and it sputtered a bit, but ran great and idled (a tad high) after a couple of minutes of setting the mixture. Pulls like a freight train!

Updating a Combat Commando
 
Bodywork mostly installed, time for some quick photos and a better test ride with my "tester" plate installed.

Updating a Combat Commando


Very nice look altogether, just need the front fender. 1/18

Updating a Combat Commando


Front view

Updating a Combat Commando
 
Back
Top