What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Hey Toronto guy, I'm wondering. Can't you bring that bike in and park it in the back yard or on the front porch or something to get it off the street. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario and worked in Toronto so know the downtown and outskirts somewhat. Depending on where you live there space could definitely be tight. But I can't imagine your bike sitting on the road all winter, getting plowed in and subject to all that damp wet variable temp weather that plagues the SWO and GTA areas.

I was just wondering.
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Call me a miserable SOB (you won't be the first.... or last, probably) but these and their ilk put me in mind of a small book I have covering the 'Flying Car' phenomenon...
Conclusion to most was they were compromised as an aeroplane by trying to be a car, and were compromised as a car by trying to be an aeroplane.
'Electric' bicycle!! Why???
(Just an excuse to get the lycra out, perhaps?)
Click to expand...
Ummm I really like Lycra, particularly on athletic women. That said, there are those who should not wear it.
 
Starvingphotog said:
Hey Toronto guy, I'm wondering. Can't you bring that bike in and park it in the back yard or on the front porch or something to get it off the street. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario and worked in Toronto so know the downtown and outskirts somewhat. Depending on where you live there space could definitely be tight. But I can't imagine your bike sitting on the road all winter, getting plowed in and subject to all that damp wet variable temp weather that plagues the SWO and GTA areas.

I was just wondering.
Click to expand...
Thanks for caring .
I live in an Artscape art studio complex that is LEED Certified , which means no motor vehicles allowed on the property. Heck I even have to hide my solvents and sprays for the Norton in a sealed tub so they don't see them during the annual inspection. They gave one of my neighbours grief for painting in oil paints vs. acrylics , so she moved out . I use acrylics .
Walridge motors here in London , Ont. has just sold me something called " The Bike Bag " to help. It's not a cover but an actual thick big plastic clear bag. I will have to shuffle the bike somehow into it , bungee cord up the opening as per instructions , then fit a final bike cover on top of it . The one I like is XYZCTM , available from Amazon , comes in black top and orange sides. Previously I had used pure black covers and the bike was knocked over twice at night in dark winter because of this. I now use 2 cone bottomed base poles ( filled with cement for stability ) painted day glow fluorescent (acrylic of course ) paint , on each end . The city leaves me alone and no more clowns making 3 point turns have hit it in years now.
That's my strategy for this winter , I'll pull the tank and seat and battery first , likely tomorrow.
 
Torontonian said:
Thanks for caring .
I live in an Artscape art studio complex that is LEED Certified , which means no motor vehicles allowed on the property. Heck I even have to hide my solvents and sprays for the Norton in a sealed tub so they don't see them during the annual inspection. They gave one of my neighbours grief for painting in oil paints vs. acrylics , so she moved out . I use acrylics .
Walridge motors here in London , Ont. has just sold me something called " The Bike Bag " to help. It's not a cover but an actual thick big plastic clear bag. I will have to shuffle the bike somehow into it , bungee cord up the opening as per instructions , then fit a final bike cover on top of it . The one I like is XYZCTM , available from Amazon , comes in black top and orange sides. Previously I had used pure black covers and the bike was knocked over twice at night in dark winter because of this. I now use 2 cone bottomed base poles ( filled with cement for stability ) painted day glow fluorescent (acrylic of course ) paint , on each end . The city leaves me alone and no more clowns making 3 point turns have hit it in years now.
That's my strategy for this winter , I'll pull the tank and seat and battery first , likely tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Makes me glad to have a parking spot in an underground parkade, shared between two bikes and a classic mini.
 
Torontonian said:
Thanks for caring .
I live in an Artscape art studio complex that is LEED Certified , which means no motor vehicles allowed on the property. Heck I even have to hide my solvents and sprays for the Norton in a sealed tub so they don't see them during the annual inspection. They gave one of my neighbours grief for painting in oil paints vs. acrylics , so she moved out . I use acrylics .
Walridge motors here in London , Ont. has just sold me something called " The Bike Bag " to help. It's not a cover but an actual thick big plastic clear bag. I will have to shuffle the bike somehow into it , bungee cord up the opening as per instructions , then fit a final bike cover on top of it . The one I like is XYZCTM , available from Amazon , comes in black top and orange sides. Previously I had used pure black covers and the bike was knocked over twice at night in dark winter because of this. I now use 2 cone bottomed base poles ( filled with cement for stability ) painted day glow fluorescent (acrylic of course ) paint , on each end . The city leaves me alone and no more clowns making 3 point turns have hit it in years now.
That's my strategy for this winter , I'll pull the tank and seat and battery first , likely tomorrow.
Click to expand...
I did something similar when I put my Norton into storage in the corner of my garage in 1990. I also sprayed everything chrome and alloy with WD40, and placed 4kg of silica gel bags around the bike. I took the bag off the bike earlier this year, and it is in amazing condition, but that WD40 took days to remove, it had turned to a hard lacquer that took days to shift. But for overwinter storage it would have been OK, it was the other 31 years that hardened it. Large silica gel bags are available on Amazon, just heat it in an electric oven to dry it out fully, then distribute the bags between the spokes, under the carbs, behind the seat, and it should soak up any moisture that gets in.
 
A great ride.
Hi all, last Tuesday we at last finished shearing. Shearing has been a major problem this year with very wet weather in Eastern Australia combined with a shortage of shed staff.
On Wednesday I jumped on my Commando and rode it across the Snowy Mountains from Delegate to Corryong with a mate where we stayed the night. He was riding a 2014 retro Bonneville. As he rode a little slower than my normal pace I had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the ride through the beautiful forests of the Alpine Way. It was perfect riding weather.
The only downside was the appalling state of the roads due to the recent torrential rain and getting tangled up with a heap of Lotus Super Seven drivers, some who being pretty silly on the narrow road.
We had a big night at the hotel, with much drinking and bon homie with the friendly locals. As is the case with our advancing age, this led to less than a perfect night‘s sleep and numerous trips to the loo.
Thursday morning, after a hearty breakfast I rode back alone, again a great ride enjoying the bike’s relaxed torquey performance and good handling. As a bonus I was able to do a flying job in Jindabyne, checking a pilot out in an ex-RAF aircraft. In view of the heavy drinking the night before I politely declined the aerobatic sequence, finding slightly more gentle ways to conduct the test😉 Flying over Lake Jindabyne with the mountains as a backdrop was the perfect compliment to the ride. Like our Commandos, the little CT4 could be thrown about with beautiful sharp handling.
All in all the bike went very well but I was a bit surprised by it’s fuel consumption, no better than 45mpg in relatively gentle riding. I think I might try dropping the needles one notch.
Even with a reduced master cylinder I really consider the brakes sub standard, I wonder if I’m losing strength in my wrist and that is exacerbating the problem?
The bike is sufficiently oil tight not to drop oil but it does have a leak around the head gasket (or possibly the head itself ) which leaves an annoying mist over the LH side and primary cover.
Anyway, it was a great couple of days on a great bike.
Alan
 
Alan L said:
The bike is sufficiently oil tight not to drop oil but it does have a leak around the head gasket (or possibly the head itself ) which leaves an annoying mist over the LH side and primary cover.
Anyway, it was a great couple of days on a great bike.
Alan
Click to expand...
I had similar oiling LH side. Found it abated with high temp silicone sealant under the forward/top side two stud nuts. There is a common leak that happens from stud holes protruding through into pushrod tunnels. Hard to see with head off unless using light into holes and observing in tunnels. Next time head if off will use locktite on those studs to seal.
 
Alan L said:
A great ride.
Hi all, last Tuesday we at last finished shearing. Shearing has been a major problem this year with very wet weather in Eastern Australia combined with a shortage of shed staff.
On Wednesday I jumped on my Commando and rode it across the Snowy Mountains from Delegate to Corryong with a mate where we stayed the night. He was riding a 2014 retro Bonneville. As he rode a little slower than my normal pace I had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the ride through the beautiful forests of the Alpine Way. It was perfect riding weather.
The only downside was the appalling state of the roads due to the recent torrential rain and getting tangled up with a heap of Lotus Super Seven drivers, some who being pretty silly on the narrow road.
We had a big night at the hotel, with much drinking and bon homie with the friendly locals. As is the case with our advancing age, this led to less than a perfect night‘s sleep and numerous trips to the loo.
Thursday morning, after a hearty breakfast I rode back alone, again a great ride enjoying the bike’s relaxed torquey performance and good handling. As a bonus I was able to do a flying job in Jindabyne, checking a pilot out in an ex-RAF aircraft. In view of the heavy drinking the night before I politely declined the aerobatic sequence, finding slightly more gentle ways to conduct the test😉 Flying over Lake Jindabyne with the mountains as a backdrop was the perfect compliment to the ride. Like our Commandos, the little CT4 could be thrown about with beautiful sharp handling.
All in all the bike went very well but I was a bit surprised by it’s fuel consumption, no better than 45mpg in relatively gentle riding. I think I might try dropping the needles one notch.
Even with a reduced master cylinder I really consider the brakes sub standard, I wonder if I’m losing strength in my wrist and that is exacerbating the problem?
The bike is sufficiently oil tight not to drop oil but it does have a leak around the head gasket (or possibly the head itself ) which leaves an annoying mist over the LH side and primary cover.
Anyway, it was a great couple of days on a great bike.
Alan
Click to expand...
Love it.
Fired up the Snorty today as the temps went way up . Only for a few hours , will drive again tomorrow morning , then it crashes into serious winter. + 6 C. and + 9 tomorrow before the big winter crash.
Tickle , ( hold down tickles , no ticklings ) until fuel burps up both sides . Full choke , no throttle. Pull in clutch. Hit magic starter button. Fire up and run , get off the choke immediately. Warm up and ready to rock n' roll . Winter coat and gloves. Enjoy.
 
Had a v pleasant run out to the local post office early this week, big C running and sounding great with temps still on the mild side. Quite a bit cooler yesterday for a run on the F*R but I wrapped up well and thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant sunshine and blue skies. Truly riding country here.
 
Torontonian said:
Love it.
Fired up the Snorty today as the temps went way up . Only for a few hours , will drive again tomorrow morning , then it crashes into serious winter. + 6 C. and + 9 tomorrow before the big winter crash.
Tickle , ( hold down tickles , no ticklings ) until fuel burps up both sides . Full choke , no throttle. Pull in clutch. Hit magic starter button. Fire up and run , get off the choke immediately. Warm up and ready to rock n' roll . Winter coat and gloves. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Inspirational.
 
I keep going out every day to see what my breaking point is (temperature). I bought a set of 7V heated gloves which help but no comparison to heated grips. I am all set up to use a heated vest or jacket liner but don’t want to do any damage to my charging system.3phase with LI battery and Estart.Have anyone gone this route?As I get older my tolerance for cold gets weaker.
Yesterday was 53 degrees and I enjoyed myself but knew that was about it.
Mike
 
YING said:
I keep going out every day to see what my breaking point is (temperature). I bought a set of 7V heated gloves which help but no comparison to heated grips. I am all set up to use a heated vest or jacket liner but don’t want to do any damage to my charging system.3phase with LI battery and Estart.Have anyone gone this route?As I get older my tolerance for cold gets weaker.
Yesterday was 53 degrees and I enjoyed myself but knew that was about it.
Mike
Click to expand...
Yes Mike , I wire up a lead from the battery terminals for my electric vest. It's not polarity conscious so not a concern with the positive ground. What is important is the plug in lead that the vest directly plugs into , it's 2 wires obviously , one shielded and the other open . The plastic shielded will be your hot ( neg. ) and the other exposed metal next to it will be the ground ( Pos. ) .
Love my vest and regret not buying one years ago . Extends the riding season or makes you feel snug as a bug in a rug on the cool days.
New Age Motorcycle Accessories sold me their make and then I bought one for the wife , made by Gears . It's better quality with an inline roller temp adjuster .
I use a 3 phase with Podtronics on the MK 111 .
Don't know what the draw is but you could look it up or ask the salesperson.
In a previous older thread I expressed concern that it was draining my battery but that turned out erroneous as the battery itself was the culprit , a dying internal cel. The new battery handles it fine .
Enjoy.
 
Torontonian said:
Yes Mike , I wire up a lead from the battery terminals for my electric vest. It's not polarity conscious so not a concern with the positive ground. What is important is the plug in lead that the vest directly plugs into , it's 2 wires obviously , one shielded and the other open . The plastic shielded will be your hot ( neg. ) and the other exposed metal next to it will be the ground ( Pos. ) .
Love my vest and regret not buying one years ago . Extends the riding season or makes you feel snug as a bug in a rug on the cool days.
New Age Motorcycle Accessories sold me their make and then I bought one for the wife , made by Gears . It's better quality with an inline roller temp adjuster .
I use a 3 phase with Podtronics on the MK 111 .
Don't know what the draw is but you could look it up or ask the salesperson.
In a previous older thread I expressed concern that it was draining my battery but that turned out erroneous as the battery itself was the culprit , a dying internal cel. The new battery handles it fine .
Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply,
I have wired a direct line to the handlebars straight to battery with negative ground so I can use the heat through a Gerbing controller and am going to give it a go today
So should I just check the standing voltage after I get home?It usually reads 14.1-14.3 volts after a ride
Mike
I have the specs.for what the draw is but I would think that they are all at max draw which I don’t use
 
YING said:
Thanks for the reply,
I have wired a direct line to the handlebars straight to battery with negative ground so I can use the heat through a Gerbing controller and am going to give it a go today
So should I just check the standing voltage after I get home?It usually reads 14.1-14.3 volts after a ride
Mike
I have the specs.for what the draw is but I would think that they are all at max draw which I don’t use
Click to expand...
I have been running a Powerlet liner on my MKII with 3 phase Lucas alt., LA battery. Works a treat. Have a SparkBright voltage monitor and although it starts to give discharge level volt warning below 1.5-2k rpm with liner on medium to high heating, I can quickly turn down the heat setting while at those rpm around town etc. At full heat, higher rpm, charge warning goes away.
Don't forget, the more power draw, the less strain on the alt and Reg as there is less need to short excess power to Earth, which heats up these components.
 
Tornado said:
I have been running a Powerlet liner on my MKII with 3 phase Lucas alt., LA battery. Works a treat. Have a SparkBright voltage monitor and although it starts to give discharge level volt warning below 1.5-2k rpm with liner on medium to high heating, I can quickly turn down the heat setting while at those rpm around town etc. At full heat, higher rpm, charge warning goes away.
Don't forget, the more power draw, the less strain on the alt and Reg as there is less need to short excess power to Earth, which heats up these components.
Click to expand...
So it looks like the draw for heating might just be a good thing. That and using the inline dial to lower the draw in stop n' go traffic . I'll try to find a small dial type switch to wire into my vest feed , the wife's better made Gears vest came with one .
 
Torontonian said:
So it looks like the draw for heating might just be a good thing. That and using the inline dial to lower the draw in stop n' go traffic . I'll try to find a small dial type switch to wire into my vest feed , the wife's better made Gears vest came with one .
Click to expand...
My Powerlet vest came as a kit with a wireless two channel controller. Controller mounts wherever it can be easily reached while riding (on the upper fork yolk in front of handlebars seems good on my bike).
This kit was from the Canadian powerlett website, close out special at $99 cdn total for the XXL size. I took the liner to local tailor to have it reduced in size for my medium size, ran my another $40 I think.
 
In about 1988 I took a road trip from Seattle to New Orleans to move there. I had just sold my Mk3 and drove to LA where I met my mate who had an 82 750F. We swapped car/bike to NOLA. it was lovely across AZ and NM, 75 degrees.

Overnighted in Fort Stockton TX and woke up to 19F. I had an electric snowmobile suit that had heated chest/thighs/upper arms and got quite warm. So, we used that on and off all day and into the evening.

Going thru Houston on the freeway in the dark, the bike just quit. We had flattened the battery with the draw from the suit. Pulled over, chained the bike to a sign, and pulled the battery. Found a hotel.

At the time the only credit card I had was Sears. So the next day we went and bought a top of the line quick charger there and went to their coffee shop where we got a dozen doughnuts and bottomless coffee and found a booth with an outlet under the table and read while the battery charged.

Returned the charger for full refund and collected the bike and continued on to Mardi Gras.
 
Met in Drury for a ride out Clevedon way to Kaiaua Pub for lunch with half dozen Norton Owners. A couple hundred k's all up today.

I'm sure shane-o will find something to troll about this too.
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 

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