What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

SteveA said:
That BSA motor is pretty trick with a twin plugged head and an aftermarket side cover, but with an 84mm stroke, as marked on the label for noise testing it isn't an A50.

A65 and A50 stroke is common at 74mm, capacity difference is by bore only. But an A10 has an 84mm stroke. A trick back in the day with A65s was to use a Devimead 750 conversion and an A10 crank to give 840cc.

Great sidecar engine. Used in a couple of solos that went pretty well too.

Today SRM will satisfy a need for these parts.
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I hadn't even noticed the 84 mm stroke sticker !
A mate of mine was talking to the owner who apparently told him it was an A50
Cheers
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Just a quick zoom out to clear the cobwebs (mine and the bike's!) Was having trouble starting when hot, extra choke and handfuls of throttle suggested a fuelling issue...
Pulled the float chamber from the carb (SU), all looked okay.... BUT, on reinstalling the float pivot pin (screws in on these carbs) found the thread was knackered, so much so that it was allowing a petrol weep.
Temporary bodge was to discard the washer it uses to access a small amount of intact thread, flood liberally with loctite and leave for a fortnight...
(If you've never tried putting the float and needle back in an SU in situ: It's fun... NOT!! Definite 'bench' job.
So... New plugs this morning and all appears to be well. Confident enough to stop for petrol, repaid by instant fire up, and each subsequent stop showed a dry carb and no starting issues.
Obviously I will have to do a permanent fix, but given the shallow depth of thread and the need to be leakproof, I expect 'new metal' then tap as opposed to helicoil?? Any suggestions welcomed, thank you.
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Try a twin carb set up, so you're always carrying a spare :cool:
 
It's getting chilly here. My lower limit is about 60F. Waiting for the (slim) chance of another warm weekend. Meanwhile, I fired it up yesterday to circulate the oil and charge the battery and listen to those lovely Wassell pipes. Tickle, choke, push the button :)
 
maylar said:
It's getting chilly here. My lower limit is about 60F. Waiting for the (slim) chance of another warm weekend. Meanwhile, I fired it up yesterday to circulate the oil and charge the battery and listen to those lovely Wassell pipes. Tickle, choke, push the button :)
Click to expand...
61 here today (allegedly). I find the sun too low this time of year (another excuse for the: 'I didn't see you over my phone/coffee cup' brigade) and so any sheltered back roads stay wetter longer..
Spoken like a true OLD man :-) (Who has a burning desire to get a lot older!)
 
But the sun's out! So, another fabulous 60 miles, + a cuppa for £1 at the local Ducati dealer. They only seem to selll tea every time I've ever been there.
 
Out for a ride on a lovely Fall afternoon. Stopped at a traffic light when a young guy (young to me, probably early 30’s) pulled up along side on a beautiful late model Triumph T120. Chatted a wee bit before light changed. He raved about my old Commando. Said he’d be interested if I wanted to sell. There’s hope for the younger generation yet.
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Just a quick zoom out to clear the cobwebs (mine and the bike's!) Was having trouble starting when hot, extra choke and handfuls of throttle suggested a fuelling issue...
Pulled the float chamber from the carb (SU), all looked okay.... BUT, on reinstalling the float pivot pin (screws in on these carbs) found the thread was knackered, so much so that it was allowing a petrol weep.
Temporary bodge was to discard the washer it uses to access a small amount of intact thread, flood liberally with loctite and leave for a fortnight...
(If you've never tried putting the float and needle back in an SU in situ: It's fun... NOT!! Definite 'bench' job.
So... New plugs this morning and all appears to be well. Confident enough to stop for petrol, repaid by instant fire up, and each subsequent stop showed a dry carb and no starting issues.
Obviously I will have to do a permanent fix, but given the shallow depth of thread and the need to be leakproof, I expect 'new metal' then tap as opposed to helicoil?? Any suggestions welcomed, thank you.
Click to expand...
The O-ring (or rings on later carbs) on the choke spindle can suddenly start to pass neat fuel. I had it happen on mine. Quite easy to check and replace. Burlen didn't have them when I asked so I bought some Viton ones. Size reference BS013.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?



Cheers,

cliffa.
 
cliffa said:
The O-ring (or rings on later carbs) on the choke spindle can suddenly start to pass neat fuel. I had it happen on mine. Quite easy to check and replace. Burlen didn't have them when I asked so I bought some Viton ones. Size reference BS013.

View attachment 82404


Cheers,

cliffa.
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Thanks Cliffa, but as noted, I'm now no longer incontinent in that area so am assuming it was the float spindle causing the problems. Runs fine now too..
 
Went for a 3 KM. ride with the choke fully on. Ran rough so I was wondering a lot. Pulled both plugs to see powder black , then realized and moved the chokes back up. Good thing I always carry new plugs in the tool roll. Duh.
 
Answering the thread question - today I walked out to garage, admired it for a few seconds, looked at the detroit rain in the window, and walked back in the house hoping for one more opportuninty to ride 'uncle bob' one more time in 2021.
 
Torontonian said:
Went for a 3 KM. ride with the choke fully on. Ran rough so I was wondering a lot. Pulled both plugs to see powder black , then realized and moved the chokes back up. Good thing I always carry new plugs in the tool roll. Duh.
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Went out one day on my only Amal carbed bike, tried to turn the choke off, but every time I did it started running rough (very rich!)

Turned around and limped home, It was only when I stopped and looked into the carb inlet and saw the bottom of the throttle slide that I realised my mistake.

I have a Mikuni on order for this bike!
 
Hey, I installed a new horn just for fun! Almost a perfect paint match. Almost. I ordered these as upgrades for my MG and might just leave this one on the Combat. I feel that the original location under the saddle is somewhat misguided. Up front where it can be the most heard pointing into traffic is somewhat better I think.
 

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Starvingphotog said:
Hey, I installed a new horn just for fun! Almost a perfect paint match. Almost. I ordered these as upgrades for my MG and might just leave this one on the Combat. I feel that the original location under the saddle is somewhat misguided. Up front where it can be the most heard pointing into traffic is somewhat better I think.
Click to expand...
Good placement for that horn thingy. I'm still scratching the head as to where to fit my Stiebel Nautilus air horn.
 
gortnipper said:
I think the only place these can go is in the stock horn spot...
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Yes I agree. It's a big unit. So this winter I'll try my best to fit it there. Love the way it blasts cel phone drifty lane drivers outta their seats. May have to cut the fender front bottom to gain room. At present it sits Right side upper shock mount but that has to change. Great ride today to bank and boozy store in 9 degrees C. Loves the cooler air into the carbs mix. Pulled plugs to see perfection burnings . Light brown/grey. 2 compliments from local Italians . Said thank you.
 

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