What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Grand Paul,
Is your PitBull lift comfortable to use for a one person operation.Does the arm go to the back or toward you to get the bike up? I have always liked the way they work.
Thanks,Mike
With the arm pointing up, you roll it in place with the "hooks" under the swingarm pins/bolts. Pull back/down with right hand to lift the bike whilst holding it steady with the left hand, till you set the handle on the deck. Opposite to release the bike then do whatever kickstand operation or start and ride.
 
If that fixes it then great, but…

You’ve just had the front end out…

I’d be checking for disturbed connectors in the areas related to front end work.
You nailed it . Connectors at the MK 111 nacelle . I turned on ignition and wiggled a wire or 2 at it and had power again , but will replace those connectors tomorrow . It was hanging by weight / gravity , and those ones are original 52 yr. old items .
 
You nailed it . Connectors at the MK 111 nacelle . I turned on ignition and wiggled a wire or 2 at it and had power again , but will replace those connectors tomorrow . It was hanging by weight / gravity , and those ones are original 52 yr. old items .
Found the real issue this aft . The Lucas Ign. Switch Part no 30552 ( replaced as new for this 2 yrs. back ) had come loose , as the phenolic base plate that holds all the internals in place had popped out on one of the 3 crimping points . And what lousy effort peenings points they are . Whoever peened the plate into place decided less is better , no . Peened into place better today , all goodly . All wires and connectors good .
 
Found the real issue this aft . The Lucas Ign. Switch Part no 30552 ( replaced as new for this 2 yrs. back ) had come loose , as the phenolic base plate that holds all the internals in place had popped out on one of the 3 crimping points . And what lousy effort peenings points they are . Whoever peened the plate into place decided less is better , no . Peened into place better today , all goodly . All wires and connectors good .

That does not surprise me. I elected to replace an original Moto Guzzi Magneti Marelli ignition switch with a genuine (modern) Lucas switch @ $75. The first one had to be replaced due to the hole for the security pin not lining up with the pin so the internals would come out with the key.
The action and quality overall on the replacement is far different to an original Lucas switch, which is why I refurbished the original on my 850.

The Commando boot worked well straight out of the bag at least.

sw10.jpg
 
Riding season here ends soon so it's time to run fuel stabilizer, ride without earplugs and listen for any concerns before she is wheeled into the shop for a winter of admiration and beer drinking
 
I went for a ride along the Delaware. Peak leaf color this weekend and temps 60+F. (This is a rare thing for me anymore.) The exhaust sound echoing off the cliffs was heaven! There is a little bar-restaurant with outdoor seating right next to the road where a long straightaway meets some twisties. Got 'em coming and going! It's a good place for cops to hide too, but not today.
Russ
 
Took my just finished Commando to local show in San Luis Obispo, Ca. It’s been a long road (over 5 years) from red light runner victim to my custom beauty. Learned a lot along the way, did it my way.
 

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Saw an old bud at a weekend B-Day party and he offered me his neglected old 72 Combat for $ 2 K . In the back of his woodshop coated in sawdust . Nicknamed " Nancy " . Sulfated battery , all rubber needs replacing , etc . Fiberglass tank . He lost his Driver's License years back because he never paid a couple of fines . He's been bicycling about ever since . He has a new pin in his left hip socket area after being clipped by a car about 2 months ago . Hit and run . I'll likely buy it if I can leave it where it sits until deciding what to do with it . I only have the street .
 
Got up early to drive her to a CVMG storage locker . Freezing cold 1 hr. drive to find the bikes I was interested in up and into trailers , pre-sold 1 hr. before the 10 A.M. open the locker up date . No Norton stuff . 2 big Ducatis , an early Triumph 750 , a Sebring Ducati 350 , all on trailers pre sold . Lots of scrappy Triumph and BSA stuff but mostly Honda 750 race bikes in various states of disrepair . No one was buying those . About 30 older guys rummaging through the scraps . Put on the electric vest and headed home on the 401 to meet a traffic jam backup .
 
A fun100-mile round trip to Goodwood Aerodrome for a coffee n bun with old friends and eclectic mix of bikes: Goldwing, 6 cyl BMW, x2 Speed Trips, big Honda, Fantic 500 n my Commando…great Autumn weather, couple of Spitfires to eyeball ….not a whiff of Chanel 5 , hot blonde or Aston Martin in sight 🥲
 
I talked to a mechanic about picking up my bike. After over a year of flawless operation Houston we have a problem. I was checking the head bolts for this weekend's ride and found one of them had stripped. Grr. All parts have been ordered.
 
3 C. last night as a low . Went out at noon , key on , pressed the starter button 5X , to hear displeasure / protest sounds . Took off helmet and swapped over to the bicycle . Season closing .
 
3 C. last night as a low . Went out at noon , key on , pressed the starter button 5X , to hear displeasure / protest sounds . Took off helmet and swapped over to the bicycle . Season closing .
If hydro is handy, half an hour with a microheater(cautiously) loosens the engine for easy starts
 
Got up early to drive her to a CVMG storage locker . Freezing cold 1 hr. drive to find the bikes I was interested in up and into trailers , pre-sold 1 hr. before the 10 A.M. open the locker up date . No Norton stuff . 2 big Ducatis , an early Triumph 750 , a Sebring Ducati 350 , all on trailers pre sold . Lots of scrappy Triumph and BSA stuff but mostly Honda 750 race bikes in various states of disrepair . No one was buying those . About 30 older guys rummaging through the scraps . Put on the electric vest and headed home on the 401 to meet a traffic jam backup .
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
The early bird.........
 
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