What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

cliffa said:
Aha, I did wonder if that's what is was. What are you making it with - ally ?
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No I am going to use the original SS mudguard, and cut it down. Also going to lop 15mm off the mounting bracket to drop it down a bit for a snugger fit.
 
Bonzo said:
Fit a new pair of shocks..

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
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Niiice !!, do you mind me asking how much these cost? I know Norman offers very competitive prices. I bought a pair many moons ago for my Can-Am 250 and they were incredible value for money.
 
gortnipper said:
No I am going to use the original SS mudguard, and cut it down. Also going to lop 15mm off the mounting bracket to drop it down a bit for a snugger fit.
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Make a template of the guard stay turn it into stainless and tig weld the stay to the guard along with the rivet holes then linish up the repairs and polish...
 
cliffa said:
Niiice !!, do you mind me asking how much these cost? I know Norman offers very competitive prices. I bought a pair many moons ago for my Can-Am 250 and they were incredible value for money.
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I don't mind at all mate.

£79.17 + vat (20%).

If it turns out that they're awful, it won't ruin my life.
 
Fast Eddie said:
You NEED a lift.

It really does turn maintenance from a chore into a pleasure.

Just put mine on the lift for some checking and fettling post track use, and the missus wonders why I spend so much time (happily) in the shed!

An antidote to modern living IMHO and good for mental health…
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Hey, what do you guys think about using engine cranes to lift the bike off the ground and dangle it in the air to work on? I suppose in this position you could spin it some and get to place under the bike easier, but wonder about the practical use of a crane as opposed to the bike lift. They are generally half the price of a bike lift, and HF has a 1 tonne unit for $US200 that I was considering. A crane like this also has many other uses around the garage and house. I know another fell rigged a similar contraption to lift his bikes using the rafters in his garage and a winch type assemble to pull the bike up and hang it to work on.
I just wanted to get your guys thoughts on it.
 
Starvingphotog said:
Hey, what do you guys think about using engine cranes to lift the bike off the ground and dangle it in the air to work on? I suppose in this position you could spin it some and get to place under the bike easier, but wonder about the practical use of a crane as opposed to the bike lift. They are generally half the price of a bike lift, and HF has a 1 tonne unit for $US200 that I was considering. A crane like this also has many other uses around the garage and house. I know another fell rigged a similar contraption to lift his bikes using the rafters in his garage and a winch type assemble to pull the bike up and hang it to work on.
I just wanted to get your guys thoughts on it.
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I think a crane would be a PITA.

Firstly, the things floating around, so shifting tight fasteners etc will be difficult. It’ll be like working on a punchbag !

Secondly, you don’t have an actual bench, where are you gone put your tools, nuts & bolts, parts, oil catch tray, BEER GLASS, etc, etc ?
 
Fast Eddie said:
I think a crane would be a PITA.

Firstly, the things floating around, so shifting tight fasteners etc will be difficult. It’ll be like working on a punchbag !

Secondly, you don’t have an actual bench, where are you gone put your tools, nuts & bolts, parts, oil catch tray, BEER GLASS, etc, etc ?
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Fair enough. I suppose that I would tend to agree with you. Seeing that you guys have much more experience working on bikes, I would think that having an actual bench is handy, and torquing fasteners would be a problem stabilizing the bike at the same time. I'll look into a lift.
 
The best thing I ever spent on my workshop was a lift table for working on my bikes the second one was a motorcycle scissor jack for lifting the front or back wheel, both the lift table and scissor jack both work hand in hand together and its safer to have your bike on a purposed work table than just hanging in the air for something to happen, invest in your motorcycle and workshop if you intend to do any work on your bike whether for maintenance or just cleaning your bike, I wish I had my lift table and scissor jack 40 years ago.
Don't be cheap and spend the money on a lift table, + your back will love you, no more laying on a cold floor or sitting on your bum on a cold floor and working on your bike at the right level.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
The best thing I ever spent on my workshop was a lift table for working on my bikes the second one was a motorcycle scissor jack for lifting the front or back wheel, both the lift table and scissor jack both work hand in hand together and its safer to have your bike on a purposed work table than just hanging in the air for something to happen, invest in your motorcycle and workshop if you intend to do any work on your bike whether for maintenance or just cleaning your bike, I wish I had my lift table and scissor jack 40 years ago.
Don't be cheap and spend the money on a lift table, + your back will love you, no more laying on a cold floor or sitting on your bum on a cold floor and working on your bike at the right level.

Ashley
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I have the same items and also wish I'd had them 40 years ago
 
Starving,
I bought a Harbor Freight lift and put a Condor chock on it.Very basic lift table but works nicely.The chock lets you get off without any help. I wish I had put a lift in my garage along time ago! Like Ashley, I also use a scissors jack for different uses on the table
Mike
 
I managed to replace a bulb on the dash - the turn signal bulb on the dash stopped working - without removing the dash! I did have to remove the headlight.
I have temporarily given up on finding the oil leak. I plan to ride the bike for a mile or three, pull it into the driveway and look for the leak
 
I got a lift but at 71 I found it very difficult to wheel the bike up on to it and impossible to put on the center stand and after a near catastrophe whilst holding the handlebars and tightening the front wheel clamp I decided to set the lift into the floor. I cut the concrete and removed 200mm of soil , lined the hole with two layers of plastic sheeting and poured a new floor. Now I can ride straight in and onto the lift kick out the side stand and dismount without a care . To make it easy to get the bike on the center stand I drilled a 20mm hole just behind where it meets the floor and put a bolt up through the floor with a nut and around 30mm of three protruding this makes the lifting easier as was inclined to slide along the powder coated table . Once on the stand I place an LShaped plate ( 50x25x6mm angle iron) over the foot lever and another nut on top and now I rarely use the wheel clamp.I have sacrificed 200mm of lift which is a small price for safety and convenience. CHEERS ALL IAN
 
Cool thing happened today. I went on a 192 mile ride today and the bike ran great. That’s cool in itself but the really cool thing happened at a stop light. I was waiting for a green light when a car pulled up next to me and stopped. I look over and the dude driving the car looks my bike over and says, “Nice bike, man.” I said thanks, nice ride yourself. His ride? A freaking McLaren! I’m not into cars so much but this car was sweet.
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
I rode around about 33 miles today, first real ride since I took the bike down to replace the alternator and the headline wiring harness. Bike started right up, idled, pulled well, and the new alternator works. Only problem shift lever needed to be moved a little bit to accommodate a foot - took care of that when I got back. Also the leak stopped. Yes there is oil in primary case and oil tank
 
Drove to Belleville and around P.E.C. and back to T.O.
Wore out the back tire and position 3 of the ignition switch acted up with scary drop outs so switched to full lights position 4 and all went well and got us home. Great weather. Changing tire and switch tonight and tomorrow.
 
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