What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Damn! That's a full day GTA man! The way you do your roadside servicing of your bike simply amazes me:)

I'm building up the courage to embark on a winter project to install Matt's electric start kit, and also his isolastics both front and back. Never done something this complicated before, and plan to take my sweet @ss time in the garage over the winter with it. I haven't received the parts just yet, so when they arrive I'll start getting my workspace arranged.
 
Damn! That's a full day GTA man! The way you do your roadside servicing of your bike simply amazes me:)

I'm building up the courage to embark on a winter project to install Matt's electric start kit, and also his isolastics both front and back. Never done something this complicated before, and plan to take my sweet @ss time in the garage over the winter with it. I haven't received the parts just yet, so when they arrive I'll start getting my workspace arranged.
Rob,
When you go to replacing the rear iso,give me a call as I have instructions on how to do it without tearing half the bike apart.
Mike
 
Ha Ha! Thanks fellas! I'm hopeful I will get to do this work this winter. No idea when Matt will get my e-start kit. I am on the list however. The isolastic kit should come soon though since that he does have them in stock. So, planning to take off the primary and strut my way through the process and then prep the other parts of the bike for the electric start, which hopefully will arrive just in time for Christmas, or better yet, as my birthday present in November!

Mike, yes, I'll give you a bell in a bit to check in and see about those instructions. Tom. Yes, I know who to call if I need a little more encouragement:) Folks on this forum ROCK!
 
Used my drill on 2 thingys . Drilled out the MK111 gearbox outer cable entry point to CNW hydraulic clutch specs . Then drilled out the MK 111 neutral button , then peened in the new button into the cam plate . Tomorrow's another day . Enjoyable .
 
Fork oil change using my method of a pipe into the top fork nut (Landsdowne dampers) but for the first time fed with a measured amount in a bottle hooked up to the ceiling rather than the funnel I'd employed before.
I discovered by squeezing the bottle with my finger tip on the top vent hole it can be encouraged to feed quicker than just letting it drain in.
The plus points of this for me is not having to undo the top fork nuts View attachment 110574View attachment 110575View attachment 110576
Paging Dr. Savage, report to the ER please!
 
Fork oil change using my method of a pipe into the top fork nut (Landsdowne dampers) but for the first time fed with a measured amount in a bottle hooked up to the ceiling rather than the funnel I'd employed before.
I discovered by squeezing the bottle with my finger tip on the top vent hole it can be encouraged to feed quicker than just letting it drain in.
The plus points of this for me is not having to undo the top fork nuts View attachment 110574View attachment 110575View attachment 110576
Thought that norton was on life support for a minute 🥺 .
 
yesterday at Kempton bike jumble near London, I struck lucky as an ex-Norton owner was selling surplus stuff: set of vernier Isos , set of pushrods, and set of Stainless engine mounting bolts, all new! Also a complete clutch lever assy. in vg condition.
Also bought some big plastic mesh polishing wheels and a few other parts for the two Commandos I am rebuilding.
 
yesterday at Kempton bike jumble near London, I struck lucky as an ex-Norton owner was selling surplus stuff: set of vernier Isos , set of pushrods, and set of Stainless engine mounting bolts, all new! Also a complete clutch lever assy. in vg condition.
Also bought some big plastic mesh polishing wheels and a few other parts for the two Commandos I am rebuilding.
Cheaper than a fantasy project from Canada eh ?!?
 
a bit, but I did drive to northern Italy for a car full of parts!!!
Back in 2000 - 2004, we used to drive non-stop from Copenhagen to the huge swap meet at Iola in north Italy. About 17 hours each way with a couple of hours dozing in a service on the way. It was worth while 'cos at that time, there was heaps of rare bits for sale for very reasonable prices. The track at Imola is 5.5km, stalls on both sides all the way round and then more in the paddock area, we used to recon on about 15km of boxes and tables and bikes to look at. Lots of stuff that had seemed to find it own way out of the factory gates - one bloke had 50+ NOS petrol tanks for sale, another had complete fork assemblies, with triple clamps, and brake systems stacked in heaps.
Wonderful days then, but after it became well known in Germany, the prices went up. By a lot!!
 
Fork oil change using my method of a pipe into the top fork nut (Landsdowne dampers) but for the first time fed with a measured amount in a bottle hooked up to the ceiling rather than the funnel I'd employed before.
I discovered by squeezing the bottle with my finger tip on the top vent hole it can be encouraged to feed quicker than just letting it drain in.
The plus points of this for me is not having to undo the top fork nuts and have the clocks flop around.View attachment 110574View attachment 110575View attachment 110576
This is good info. for me as I recently installed Landsdowne dampers and thought the only way to add oil was to remove the front wheel, then turn the top nut out with the slider assembly rotating so as to not disturb the settings. Also, I thought the part you removed for access was for adjustment. I have yet to put my bike into service with them installed, so just learning about them. Thanks.
 
I installed my single Mikuni 36mm on Saturday and today I finished making up the fuel lines, resetting the timing and running it up the black and back a few time. My initial reaction is 1) it seems cold natured 2) once warm it settles down into a nice tick over and 3) seem to run a tad rich but I haven't ridden it far enough to get the initial start up cob webs blown out.
 
Started up the Norty in plus 7 C. today to go downtown to a club for Brownman . Bought 2 CD's . Drom Taberna . Pulled the plugs getting home at midnight . A tad rich so backed out the screws a bit to achieve leaner . Can see my breath so season closing soon .
 
Took the 850 for a spin, 1KC time again (= 1000km cruise).
Including a side trip we totalled 1070km for the day, 14hr 35min total time, 12hr 36min riding time.
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Backed off the neutral switch today in an effort to find neutral easier . This worked quite well , on a test ride . I know there is a deep wear slot in the MK 111 neutral indicator button . This is the problem , as everything else in the gearbox is tip top . Total gearbox strip down to access this is in order , but it's getting real cold now . Great test ride today , the Norty runs great in the cold air . Anyone have garage space for it in Toronto ?
 
Backed off the neutral switch today in an effort to find neutral easier . This worked quite well , on a test ride . I know there is a deep wear slot in the MK 111 neutral indicator button . This is the problem , as everything else in the gearbox is tip top . Total gearbox strip down to access this is in order , but it's getting real cold now . Great test ride today , the Norty runs great in the cold air . Anyone have garage space for it in Toronto ?
Try a U-haul garage. They have some of them heated now.
 
Rob,
When you go to replacing the rear iso,give me a call as I have instructions on how to do it without tearing half the bike apart.
Mike
Dang. This job is on my to-do list - but not soon. Any chance you have your method written down, or would consider doing so? Thanks either way - BrianK
 
Went out on the ultimate shakedown ride, lots of downhill switchbacks, so thankful for a continually improving front brake and also for much improved fork action. Many upgrades show their worth in terms of cost and time spent on installation, thankfully. Looking forward to the next ride.
 
Went out on the ultimate shakedown ride, lots of downhill switchbacks, so thankful for a continually improving front brake and also for much improved fork action. Many upgrades show their worth in terms of cost and time spent on installation, thankfully. Looking forward to the next ride.
Yes , $pend that money . Enjoy .
 
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