Hello from a new member

[Dellis]

Hello to one and all, my name is Dave and I'm from Crewe in the UK. I've always had old and new bikes and the old bikes have been Triumphs. I currently own a '69 Bonnie and a '72 Rickman with a 650 Bonnie motor, the '69 is a minter and the Rickman is in need of a rebuild. My modern bikes are both KTMs, a 1290 Superduke and an 1190 Adventure.

Anyway back to the Norton theme, I've wanted a Commando for a few years and started seriously looking around 18 moths ago having decided on a mk2a. I looked at a few bikes and generally being disappointed I found a decent example, parted with my cash and brought it home, that was in May and since then I've covered around 1,000 miles and I have to say I'm liking it a lot. Yesterday I did a couple of hundred miles around Wales and suffered my first breakdown, nothing major just a sticking carb float which was soon rectified and normal service resumed.

When I test rode the bike the clutch was fierce, more like a switch than a clutch, the front brake was next to useless even though it had and RGM floating disc conversion with a Grimeca caliper and I really wasn't sure about the handling... On the plus side it's tidy and has had a rewire, fully documented engine & gearbox rebuild all done by Norman White and only 2,500 miles before I bought the bike. I called Norman to ask about the rebuild, he remembered the bike and filled me in on what he'd done which matched the paperwork I had so all was good there. Norman had also replaced the noise control airbox with a mk1 version.

I've sorted the woes above with a 13 mm master cylinder which has transformed the brakes, a replacement clutch centre which had notching and I've replaced the top isolastic mount with a Dave Taylor head steady, I now have a bike that goes well, stops and the handling is much improved.

The rear shocks are getting a bit tired so they're on the list. I'm not sure about the riding position in Interstate trim so I'm pretty sure it's going to get the Roadster treatment as I'm almost certain it would be more natural with the saddle a few inches forward.

So that's me and my Commando, any views on the riding position and rear shock options are very welcome. Shocks wise my plan it to fit a pair on Hagons.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Fast Eddie]

That looks nice Dave!

You might wanna check what pads you’ve got too. The Grimecas came with fairly rubbish pads as I recall. I fitted Lockheed racing pads and it transformed mine.

The riding position largely depends on your size. If you’re tall, your hands, feet and arse will be where they will be, and moving the seat forward will simply create a few inches of unused seat in front of your groin !

Plus, if you do a lot of two up work, and if you’re tall, the Interstate position is far better.

It’s horses for courses really.

Personally, when using the stock footrests, my preference is US bars.

 

[concours]

Ikon.

Buy once, cry once.

 

[Dellis]

That looks nice Dave!

You might wanna check what pads you’ve got too. The Grimecas came with fairly rubbish pads as I recall. I fitted Lockheed racing pads and it transformed mine.

The riding position largely depends on your size. If you’re tall, your hands, feet and arse will be where they will be, and moving the seat forward will simply create a few inches of unused seat in front of your groin !

Plus, if you do a lot of two up work, and if you’re tall, the Interstate position is far better.

It’s horses for courses really.

Personally, when using the stock footrests, my preference is US bars.

Thanks for the feedback, I've swapped the pads to EBC HH which work well. I'm not tall at 5' 9" and I've tried sliding along the seat so I'm partially on the tank to get an idea of the position and everything feels better placed but sitting partially on the tank isn't really a practical proposition It came with US bars which I've changed to UK bars and I find that has been an improvement for me, I do prefer a slight lean forwards and have UK bars on my Bonnie too.

One of my pals has a Roadster and I was planning on having a ride on that prior to making any changes.

Dave

 

[kommando]

Just be aware the Roadster tank could you range anxiety depending on the distance between petrol stations, try seating on the seat in the normal Interstate position but with the feet where rearsets would be, that could be a good alternative. I use the Interpol tank which is midway between the Interstate and the Roadster in terms of capacity and seating position, works best for me but rearsets will be next.

 

[Onder]

Your 2A Inter looks fine. Rear sets work really well for me and Im your height. However Im in Roadster trim right now.
Bars are Triumph T140 UK havent yet tried Inter bars I will at some point.
Roadster tank is too small as there seem to be fewer petrol places as time goes on. As for rear shocks I have the Girling
clones and they are on the soft side. Ikons are a good but you might have to take out a loan against your house.

 

[Schilling]

Hello to one and all, my name is Dave and I'm from Crewe in the UK. I've always had old and new bikes and the old bikes have been Triumphs. I currently own a '69 Bonnie and a '72 Rickman with a 650 Bonnie motor, the '69 is a minter and the Rickman is in need of a rebuild. My modern bikes are both KTMs, a 1290 Superduke and an 1190 Adventure.

Anyway back to the Norton theme, I've wanted a Commando for a few years and started seriously looking around 18 moths ago having decided on a mk2a. I looked at a few bikes and generally being disappointed I found a decent example, parted with my cash and brought it home, that was in May and since then I've covered around 1,000 miles and I have to say I'm liking it a lot. Yesterday I did a couple of hundred miles around Wales and suffered my first breakdown, nothing major just a sticking carb float which was soon rectified and normal service resumed.

When I test rode the bike the clutch was fierce, more like a switch than a clutch, the front brake was next to useless even though it had and RGM floating disc conversion with a Grimeca caliper and I really wasn't sure about the handling... On the plus side it's tidy and has had a rewire, fully documented engine & gearbox rebuild all done by Norman White and only 2,500 miles before I bought the bike. I called Norman to ask about the rebuild, he remembered the bike and filled me in on what he'd done which matched the paperwork I had so all was good there. Norman had also replaced the noise control airbox with a mk1 version.

I've sorted the woes above with a 13 mm master cylinder which has transformed the brakes, a replacement clutch centre which had notching and I've replaced the top isolastic mount with a Dave Taylor head steady, I now have a bike that goes well, stops and the handling is much improved.

The rear shocks are getting a bit tired so they're on the list. I'm not sure about the riding position in Interstate trim so I'm pretty sure it's going to get the Roadster treatment as I'm almost certain it would be more natural with the saddle a few inches forward.

So that's me and my Commando, any views on the riding position and rear shock options are very welcome. Shocks wise my plan it to fit a pair on Hagons.

Cheers
Dave

Beautiful !!

 

[Jerry Doe]

I put IKON shocks on my 750. Have HAGONS on my 850. IKONS are the way to go if you don't mind paying extra.

 

[worntorn]

Very nice machine Dave.

Ive got an Interstate MK3 which Ive found to be reasonably comfortable, good for 300 -350 miles per day.
A 5'9" friend rode it last year and hated the riding position. He complained that it was a big stretch to reach the bars but he really disliked how far forward the footpegs are.

I guess I can see his point. The interstate tank pushes you back but the feet stay forward.
Another friend , who is a couple of inches longer , rode it some time ago and complained bitterly about the wide US spec bars.
In fact he still complains whenever he sees the bike!
I learned not to let anyone else ride your bike, at least not if you are hoping they will like it.
I have a few different bikes here, all with differing riding/bar positions, so its easier to change my body to suit the bikes than change every bike to the same ergos .

But I can see that the Interstate tank and stock footrests are not a great combo for a 5'9" person.

Glen

 

[Dellis]

Thanks again for the replies, as it happens I was about to press the search button for rearsets as that had crossed my mind.

Dave

 

[Craig]

Welcome Dellis .... nice bike ! ... I just an inch taller than you and roadster with euro-bars and Corbin seat fit me fine ....
Craig

 

[mdt-son]

I put IKON shocks on my 750. Have HAGONS on my 850. IKONS are the way to go if you don't mind paying extra.

The bearded UK man (you know whom) persistently claimed Ikon shocks were crap because of a smaller piston rod diameter than the Hagon units, leading to premature rod fatigue and breakages.
He claimed there have been several instances of this. He also claimed Hagon shocks have been taylored to the Commando requirements.

False statement perhaps in order to promote one brand? Has anyone detected a difference in rod diameter?

-Knut

 

[kommando]

False statement perhaps in order to promote one brand? Has anyone detected a difference in rod diameter?

11.76mm Koni 7610 series vs 11.98mm Hagon. Typical Les BS.

I rebuild 7610 Koni's and never seen a broken rod, only one slightly bent one which I replaced. The rods can bend more frequently on the 76 series but the rod is the same diameter, but the issue is not the rod but the fibre anti top out bush which dissolves in oil and then the oil/fibre sludge blocks the oil transfer holes and locks the shock. Replace the washer with a nylon copy and clear out the transfer ports and the 76 series has slightly better damping than a 7610 dial a ride but damping adjustment is a spring off affair.

 

[freefly103]

Falcons are also worth a look:
https://www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk

 

[manx850]

Ikons are great, transformed my bike........as far as the old Roadster versus Interstate tank BS goes....even if you had either tank your hands and feet are in the same place....and your ass will be also...you are not going to pull yourself forward just because you have a smaller tank there!...try it!.....when riding a roadster observe how much space is left between you and the tank, those 5-9 and above....the space where an IS tank would be....I have had both, the IS looks more like the real thing IMHO....

 

[cliffa]

Welcome Dave !

Very nice bike. One observation if I may - The front brake hose, which from the looks of it is braided stainless is now too long, and when the brake is applied it becomes more rigid and will saw into your front mudguard ( don't ask me how I know). I've wrapped mine with a plastic spiral.

A couple of suggestions of things to check for peace of mind:

1) Make sure the rear brake lever is fitted with a return spring. It should be but if not put toward the top of your "to do" list. Without the return spring if the brake cable snaps the lever will fall to the ground and launch you into a Low Earth Orbit.

2) Check what ignition you have and if it happens to be a Boyer of any kind search this forum for Boyer stator wire fixes.

Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs


Cheers,

cliffa.

 

[Dellis]

Welcome Dave !

Very nice bike. One observation if I may - The front brake hose, which from the looks of it is braided stainless is now too long, and when the brake is applied it becomes more rigid and will saw into your front mudguard ( don't ask me how I know). I've wrapped mine with a plastic spiral.

A couple of suggestions of things to check for peace of mind:

1) Make sure the rear brake lever is fitted with a return spring. It should be but if not put toward the top of your "to do" list. Without the return spring if the brake cable snaps the lever will fall to the ground and launch you into a Low Earth Orbit.

2) Check what ignition you have and if it happens to be a Boyer of any kind search this forum for Boyer stator wire fixes.

Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs


Cheers,

cliffa.

Hi Cliffa,

Thanks for taking the time and in response to your points:

1) not even thought of that and yes I’ll check

2) It’s a Boyer which I also have on my Triumphs and will search and read as recommended

The brake hose was rubbing on the mudguard and I did fit a plastic spiral but when I fitted the 13 mm master cylinder I purposely refitted the hose so it moves away from the wheel as the forks compress. I agree it’s too long and a better fix will be to replace it.

Cheers

 

[Dellis]

Ikons are great, transformed my bike........as far as the old Roadster versus Interstate tank BS goes....even if you had either tank your hands and feet are in the same place....and your ass will be also...you are not going to pull yourself forward just because you have a smaller tank there!...try it!.....when riding a roadster observe how much space is left between you and the tank, those 5-9 and above....the space where an IS tank would be....I have had both, the IS looks more like the real thing IMHO....

I’ve been round to my pals house tonight, had a look at his Roadster and come up with the same conclusion. I then went for a spin on mine and I think I’m going to leave it as it is for now rather than do anything too drastic.

Cheers
Dave

 

[gortnipper]

Rear sets are the way to go. Changed everything for me.

 

[CanukNortonNut]

Ikon.

Buy once, cry once.

Aye