What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Here's a couple of pics my daughter sent to me today (Dad's day)
457562798_10160403467227129_1033497468407676541_n.jpg
457259760_10160403467407129_8273435457480481040_n.jpg

BTW, the T-shirt says "Sons with arthritis - Ibuprofen Chapter"
Gave me a laugh.
Thanks @Dellis - your great tinware! 👍
 
Last edited:
I have been riding my, new to me, Honda 2006 ST1300 almost exclusively in a series of short rides as I ironed out some issues. Yesterday I thought that I might better have a turn on the Norton just to keep the oil in the tank and out of the sump. Oh Boy was that a shock. I have been thoroughly acclimated to the Norton, its riding position and its shifting but it was all the more surprising to me why, after such a short time on the ST1300, why I felt so foreign on the Norton. It felt all wrong, strange and above all small. It's also possibly the difference in three decades of motorcycle advancement and design.
 
Had a magnificent day ride in he Cotswolds (nearly scuppered by doomsday weathermen). First long ride on cNw#101 and he behaved impeccably bar conking out twice; reserve tank fixed that😁

First port of call was The Classic Car Hub just outside of Bibury for the twice yearly ride in. Lots of Triumphs and Harleys and 2 magnificent Egli Vincents among the 100s of bikes and some awesome cars with price tags to match.





What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

After that, 2 circuits of the Chalbury TT (favourite of Harry’s Garage) before a picturesque ride homeward stopping off for a most welcome pint at the Bell at Aldworth. 🍺
 
Last edited:
robs ss said:
The forks are Showa - not much tavel but capable , even on our sometimes shitty roads.
Click to expand...
I assume they are 20mm showa damper cartridges. I modified a pair of showa 20mm damper cartridges to fit my commando forks. What viscosity oil do you use and what are your damper settings?

I'm using 5wt silkolene RSF in mine with the compression open 1.5 turns and the rebound open .5 turns from closed. I'm thinking of going back to 7.5 with larger openings
 
o0norton0o said:
I assume they are 20mm showa damper cartridges. I modified a pair of showa 20mm damper cartridges to fit my commando forks. What viscosity oil do you use and what are your damper settings?

I'm using 5wt silkolene RSF in mine with the compression open 1.5 turns and the rebound open .5 turns from closed. I'm thinking of going back to 7.5 with larger openings
Click to expand...
Mine don't have any adjustment that I can see.
The stanchions are 39mm diameter. Photo of top nut off below.
I put 7.5wt in last change.
Cheers
5D540AF5-F0A0-4CA5-84C0-F6C0BAE8E4D8.JPG
 
Nice, thank you for responding. Your fork leg tubes are a bit wider than commando fork tubes so you may have a larger diameter damper tube than 20mm. I'm always comparing data (in my head) for similar modifications to my own. It's hard to learn stuff on your own without comparing with people doing similar things. Two heads are better than one... thanks rob
 
Mart UK said:
How do you keep it so clean? I try, quite hard, but yours puts me to shame. Good looking bike 👍.
Click to expand...
Hmmm?
I keep it in a covered garage but no bike cover. Thinking about it - three things:
1. Clean a little bit often (15 min per day)
2. White Diamond metal polish is soo good - has a protectant in it, so lasts months & doesn't dry out while polishing.
3. Give microfibre a big miss - I buy several metres of thin cotton material from a craft/sewing shop. It holds the polish much better and is also much better at bringing a shine. The "old" pieces with White Diamond in it make ideal polishing cloths for the next couple of months.
Being an anal-retentive curmudgeon helps too!
Cheers
 
robs ss said:
Mine don't have any adjustment that I can see.
The stanchions are 39mm diameter. Photo of top nut off below.
I put 7.5wt in last change.
Cheers
View attachment 116114
Click to expand...
Hey Rob, love the black clocks and dash. They are from Matt I presume? Didn’t know he did a black option, paint or anodised? So you have two of the most beautiful bikes ever to Don a Norton badge, in the two most classic colours, congrats mate👍🏻

Edit: I can also attest to the merits of White Diamond. My ali bits were just a tad duller after 4 weeks and buffed up all of them in less than 30 mins. Also, the Gunfighter saddle is supremely comfortable; it’s bloody firm but keeps its shape and supports brilliantly with my arse pushed right back under hand acceleration, no chafing or pressure points so no need to move around to find a more comfortable position and it looks the bollox too.😂
 
Last edited:
Café au Lait said:
Hey Rob, love the black clocks and dash. They are from Matt I presume? Didn’t know he did a black option, paint or anodised? So you have two of the most beautiful bikes ever to Don a Norton badge, in the two most classic colours, congrats mate👍🏻
Click to expand...
Yeah - I overdid the bling in my cNw build - talking to Matt he was offering CNC speedo/tacho mounts. I bought them (plus binnacle) anodised black and I painted them satin pressure pack 2k over the top. That way if there's a stone chip the "worms" won't start. Matt's idea, and a good one!
They're great units - suited to the electronics instruments (read - they have bottoms to them)
Cheers
 
Big_Jim59 said:
I have been riding my, new to me, Honda 2006 ST1300 almost exclusively in a series of short rides as I ironed out some issues. Yesterday I thought that I might better have a turn on the Norton just to keep the oil in the tank and out of the sump. Oh Boy was that a shock. I have been thoroughly acclimated to the Norton, its riding position and its shifting but it was all the more surprising to me why, after such a short time on the ST1300, why I felt so foreign on the Norton. It felt all wrong, strange and above all small. It's also possibly the difference in three decades of motorcycle advancement and design.
Click to expand...
Jim, I’ve owned a 2007 Yamaha FJR 1300 for twelve years now and can certainly appreciate feeling the differences between the bikes as you notice, when switching between that and the Commando. The different riding experiences are the things that I enjoy about having different bikes.
Would you agree?
 
Drove her to the Lakeshore West Legion , to watch the 75 th Royal Canadian Air Show . Place of Honour front and central for the Norton . British air team first , Avro Lancasters ( 2 ) , Water bomber , F 22 and F 18 ( with after burners on ) , Snow Birds Final . Drank some Steam Whistle beer , the Police wove me straight through the clogged exit traffic . Loved it all .
 
Lay on my back with my head under the bike while I tried to count gearbox sprocket teeth.
Had to clean one tooth and paint it white to be able to count properly and establish that it was 21.

New chain now ordered.
 

Similar threads

Schwany
What did you do with your P11 today. he he
2 3
Replies
45
Views
1,512
Schwany
Schwany
Shelby-Right
What did you do with your Triumph today .
Replies
10
Views
673
Matt Spencer
M
CanukNortonNut
  • Locked
Ok what are you getting for mileage with your commando.
2 3 4 5
Replies
93
Views
9,079
CanukNortonNut
CanukNortonNut
V
What did you do to your Norton today?
2 3 4
Replies
67
Views
5,667
Richard Tool
Richard Tool
Back
Top