What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Took her deep into grizzly country....


What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Started giving my 850 its annual clean and noticed a slight wetness under the right exhaust rocker shaft cover and a bit of gasket sticking out so removed it. Then noticed the shaft had move inwards and rotated slightly clockwise so removed the tappet cover, made sure there was valve clearance then removed the shaft, put in a short compression spring and refitted the shaft. Made new gaskets and bolted it up again. Ten years ago , I found the left hand exhaust rocker shaft had done the some thing, so had fitted a short spring way back then.
I am planning a ride to the South Island next month as far as Nelson, so thought it best to check a few things. Adjusted the rear chain 1/2 turn each side and checked all oil levels. Not much goes wrong with this bike now days but it can get a wee bit grimy. Its doesn't usually leak oil, apart from the swing arm as a result of the gravity fed oil reservoir fitted, and of course, chain lube and grease from the speedo drive.

I do need to ride it more but have been spending the last 2 1/2 years restoring my 100 year old backup truck.
 
Took the cover off and hand rolled her over to a safer parking spot . Very dusty and dirty but tomorrow is another day . 2:30 A.M. after 15 days in British Columbia , flew in to T.O. with 10 Lbs. of frozen pinks on carry on .
In a few hours after a little sleep I will clean her up and drive to 375 Mount Pleasant cemetery to pay my respects to Doug Macrae .
 
Took the cover off and hand rolled her over to a safer parking spot . Very dusty and dirty but tomorrow is another day . 2:30 A.M. after 15 days in British Columbia , flew in to T.O. with 10 Lbs. of frozen pinks on carry on .
In a few hours after a little sleep I will clean her up and drive to 375 Mount Pleasant cemetery to pay my respects to Doug Macrae .
Drove eastwards with the Toronto group after the ceremony and visitations . Toasted up to Doug's memory .
 
Changed g box oil for first time since taking ownership. Looked little dark and on examining and stirring in drain pan it looked a bit like a tin of paint does when it needs stirring to mix everything up. No pieces of anything big enough to see detected though.
Already forgotten what‘s in it now but it’s one of the recommended brews discussed here.
 
Wow! If I didn’t know better, I would say I musta been there too sometime as looking at your pic and apart from the brake disc, our bikes look identical even as as far as color and decals are concerned. Is it an 850 and do I see an 850 decal on the oil tank cover?

Great looking bike btw. ;) Steve
 
Wow! If I didn’t know better, I would say I musta been there too sometime as looking at your pic and apart from the brake disc, our bikes look identical even as as far as color and decals are concerned. Is it an 850 and do I see an 850 decal on the oil tank cover?

Great looking bike btw. ;) Steve
Hi Stevo , it's , a 73 750 , it's not a great photo , think I'm due for a new phone . Cheers
 
Could say the same Steve. My 71 750 is orange just like in the picture above but with the drum brakes. Haven't seen that one on any of our rallies in NZ, but mine has only been to the small one we had at Tutukaka many year ago. I mostly ride my dark purple 850.
 
Changed g box oil for first time since taking ownership. Looked little dark and on examining and stirring in drain pan it looked a bit like a tin of paint does when it needs stirring to mix everything up. No pieces of anything big enough to see detected though.
Already forgotten what‘s in it now but it’s one of the recommended brews discussed here.

I refilled with Valvoline 80W-90 GL4, bottle says ‘for non-sync manual transmission‘.

It’s definitely a lot thinner than what drained out, that was really thick, and dark.
 
I refilled with Valvoline 80W-90 GL4, bottle says ‘for non-sync manual transmission‘.

It’s definitely a lot thinner than what drained out, that was really thick, and dark.
I tried some penrite mild EP it definately yellow metal friendly, and they quote can be used where 90 was recommended by the manufacturer, but I think it's 110 viscosity , went for a ride , can't notice any difference, all good , maybe it's because the gearbox looks much the same as the matchless cp gearbox half of them run semifluid grease 🤣🤣
 
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