What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Wheeled her out of the garage, quick oil check, fitted the knock-off AirHawk, met up with the crew, and rode the north shore of Lake Erie. Clocked 215 miles. Didn't miss a beat. Logged 57 mpg.
 
Wow! That sounds like an awesome day mate. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario, 36 when I left to the USA. I'm now 50. In my minds eye I can see how beautiful a ride that was. I used to go up to Tobermory to camp and explore, and the shores of Pinery Provincial Park. I would love to take my Nortons on those rides some time. Here in Michigan, as I was reading your post, I was wondering if there's backroads that I could take from my house to Lake Michigan and ride along the Eastern shore. I'm sure there are, and I just need to map them out.
 
Took the 850 out for a ride with a buddy Monday. Got 30 miles when the Norton crapped out and died. No idea what's up. Required a $375 tow home. Will start a new thread on this.
 
L.A.B. said:
With the pushrod screw adjuster removed, the clutch operating lever the cable attaches to (item 33) can drop out of position (although it won't fall out) especially if the clutch lever is pulled. If it does then you will have a very stiff clutch so that is something you need to watch out for and reset it if it drops, the pic below shows the correct position.

Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts -

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk


What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
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Well LAB, I got around to taking the clutch apart this morning and found that the pressure plate was rusted on the outside facing me, and the 7 pieces of metal and friction plates were fused together and came out as one unit of 7 pieces. After sitting for a little while they started to separate from each other. Appears they were caked in oil and that's what caused them to appear fused together. This explains why my clutch lever didn't disengage the engine. Common occurrence? I'm not sure if I clean up the 7 plates if they will be reusable. I will wire brush the thicker steel pressure plate, and was thinking of doing the same for the 7 alternating plates. Good idea? Or should I just get a new kit for the Combat?
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 

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trident sam said:
Just fitted a new rear guard , 400/18 Roadrider, new Ikons and early Triumph OIF tail light with Lucas indicators back on after years of small ones. Going out now, looking for some old ladies to frighten :)
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Sam, is the Triumph light an easy fit ? I have one and have been pondering whether it's worth the faff of fitting it as mine is sprayed silver anyway.
 
Starvingphotog said:
Common occurrence?
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I'd say it's not all that uncommon.;)

Starvingphotog said:
I'm not sure if I clean up the 7 plates if they will be reusable. I will wire brush the thicker steel pressure plate, and was thinking of doing the same for the 7 alternating plates.
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They don't look too bad (from what I can see) in the pics so no harm in having a go at cleaning them although I wouldn't recommend wire brushing the friction plates.
I suggest you measure the stack height.
 
Why are those two bikes in the Norton Commando (Classic) forum? They've got indicators, disc brakes, electric starts, they might even have pneumatic tyres!

Perhaps, because they leak oil?
 
Let see... Only things on my Norton that are Commando are the pistons, 2S cam, and timing cover. Yesterday I took my Commando timing cover for 130 mile ride. About 12 miles of it was in the mostly blind corner twisties behind a GT3 spec Porsche. I haven't had that much fun since I was in my 40's. I did not try to pass the Porsche, because that thing could accelerate a buttload faster than my Norton and the driver had enough chops to keep up in the corners. Woman driver. I probably would have killed myself trying all things considered.

Later in the ride I had to make a decreasing radius downhill right hander exit from one country road HWY to another. Only a 55 mph turn entrance. However, that turn reminded me of how crappy 7" drum brakes are. Ran out of slow down right about the apex and ended up crossing the double yellow by about 10 inches. Fortunately, nobody was approaching.

No breakdown story, but my catch can was over full of froth by the time I got home. It was hissing like a snake. Looking into that, moving some wires around, and after 10,000 miles with the spin-on filter on the feed side of the oil pump, gonna see if it makes a farts worth of a difference swapping the lines so the filter is on the return side of the plumbing. I've always had good oil pressure with it on the feed side regardless of what has been said by anyone anywhere. I'm actually doing it to see if it reduces the frothy goop. I'm doing it even if that doesn't make any sense at all. That is how I roll.

Stay frosty
 
cliffa said:
Sam, is the Triumph light an easy fit ? I have one and have been pondering whether it's worth the faff of fitting it as mine is sprayed silver anyway.
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Hi Cliff. It was straight forward but a faff to do. The light is the steel type on a Triumph Hurricane, but instead of side reflectors I fitted short stem indicators. First I had it painted black. As you are no doubt aware the mudguard/frame clip would foul the u bracket that mounts the light. I ground out the u bracket so it sits over the clip and on the guard above the frame rail. I then tapped the u bracket , and fitted that screw plus the original holding screws either side through the underneath of the guard with a bit of loctite. Had previously sorted the wiring out and kept it under the guard using them self adhesive alloy wiring clips. It's all turned out good, but I take my time these days and just try to do a job once. It certainly looks better to me with the bulk of the tail light above the frame rail. The top end of it just fits under the Corbin seat. I will get my mate to take some photos when I can. cheers
 
L.A.B. said:
I'd say it's not all that uncommon.;)



They don't look too bad (from what I can see) in the pics so no harm in having a go at cleaning them although I wouldn't recommend wire brushing the friction plates.
I suggest you measure the stack height.
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Well, I gave them a cleanup and they don't look too bad. I wonder, are these friction pads ruined when they are soaked in oil, similar to brake shoes on your car? They feel a little smooth and greasy to the touch even after cleaning with degreaser and brake cleaner.
 

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Fast Eddie said:
Before you make too big a deal of not having a Commando… you know this is the Commando forum right??;)
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Norton Commando Motorcycles (Classic) forum.

I had a Black single Amal carbureted 750 Commando mid 80's. It ran and I rode it for a couple of months before selling it. Not much of a qualifier for posting in this forum, but I'm using it as one. ;)

Motor is still Norton and similar to what went into a Combat Commando. Brakes are a little small.
 
Starvingphotog said:
Wow! That sounds like an awesome day mate. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario, 36 when I left to the USA. I'm now 50. In my minds eye I can see how beautiful a ride that was. I used to go up to Tobermory to camp and explore, and the shores of Pinery Provincial Park. I would love to take my Nortons on those rides some time. Here in Michigan, as I was reading your post, I was wondering if there's backroads that I could take from my house to Lake Michigan and ride along the Eastern shore. I'm sure there are, and I just need to map them out.
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It was a great day. The route along Lake Erie is marked with signs, so the province has done the hard work for you. Rode from my home north of London, to our meeting point west of Woodstock at my buddy's farm. From there we cut through tobacco and vegetable country to Port Dover. Quick coffee, snack and pee, then picked up the Lakeshore Trail and took it over to Port Stanley for an early afternoon lunch. From there, up to Fingal, Shedden, Delaware, and Komoka, around the top end of London - back to my shop for an adult beverage.

Done Tobermory a great number of times - lovely ride. I am sure there has to be laid out routes along Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron for that matter too. The Lake Huron route on our side is pretty much a main artery. It is okay to ride, but Erie is a bit more grass roots and off the beaten path.

Cheers!!
 

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