Winter Project Updates - I've been busy!

swooshdave · Mar 12, 2021

After a few months of upgrades it was time for a test ride. I was a little surprised when it started right up! Anti-wet sumping modification from AMR, belt drive courtesy of Steve Maney, oil pressure sensor from @madass140, warning light from ImprovingClassicMotorcycles.com and to top it off was a switch to negative ground. And lastly I stole the bar end mirrors from the other bike for that sporty look. Phew. I may have one or two more fixes before we get to the actual riding season around here. Today was just a fake spring day just to tease us. I was so eager to get out I forgot the side cover. I didn’t go far so it wasn’t a big deal.

Links to some of those projects and additional updates:

AMR Nortec Mod

I know this has been covered before in places like this. https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/is-this-part-of-the-amr-nortec-pressure-relief-valve-mod.24205/ http://www.amr-tucson.com/nortech.html This involves the installation of a check ball in the timing cover at the point at which...

www.accessnorton.com

New Old Belt Drive

So last summer some of you might recall my adventures messing with the clutch to get it better. In the end I had to settle and call it good enough. The plan was to replace it with a belt drive in the near future which would probably require more messing to get it sorted again. Well, the belt...

www.accessnorton.com

swooshdave · Mar 14, 2021

Much longer ride today. But this is why we test, right? Rode about an hour through the hills.

I have ordered a 20t sprocket. The 22t with the belt drive is like a 3 speed with an OD. At 60mph it's only turning 2800rpm.

When the sprocket gets switched out I'll also tighten the belt a little. But that should be it!

Supercat · Mar 19, 2021

She looks great!

Torontonian · Mar 19, 2021

Belt drive needs a 20 T.
Side cover falls off so keep riding.

Burgs · Mar 20, 2021

Looking good, but what is that white peaky thing in the last photo, don't have them here that's for sure

?

Burgs

grandpaul · Mar 20, 2021

Man, that's some nice scenery reaching for the clouds, Dave...

swooshdave · Mar 20, 2021

Torontonian said:
Belt drive needs a 20 T.
Side cover falls off so keep riding.

There’s a brand new 530 20T sprocket for sale...

swooshdave · Mar 20, 2021

Burgs said:
Looking good, but what is that white peaky thing in the last photo, don't have them here that's for sure ?

Burgs

Depends on what part of the country you are. Highest peak is AUS is about 7500ft. Mt. Hood is only a little taller at 10,000.

swooshdave · Mar 20, 2021

Torontonian said:
Belt drive needs a 20 T.
Side cover falls off so keep riding.

This side cover doesn’t come off that easily.

swooshdave · Mar 20, 2021

I took another ride this week as we've had a couple pre-Spring days around 60F. I know it looks like I'm just adding pictures from the previous spot but it's actually the same area on different day. The 22T sprocket really makes it a challenge in the hills. 3rd is now top and 4th is OD which is completely useless except at highway speeds (actually in excess of highway speeds).

With wet weather back in the area and a new sprocket on it's way from England I stripped the primary off. With a dry primary and rear sets I was down to the sprocket in 30 mins or so. And that's not trying to rush. O-ring chain master link was a pain until my brother told me to use two screwdrivers to pop the plate off. Then it just fell apart. I need to find my chain breaking tool and get the grinder ready as I'm sure the 20T sprocket will need a shorter chain.

gortnipper · Mar 20, 2021

20T/21T needs a half link.

swooshdave · Mar 20, 2021

gortnipper said:
20T/21T needs a half link.

So only half link removed to go down from 22 to 20?

gortnipper · Mar 20, 2021

Commando parts books state 98 links for 19T, 99 links for 20/21T and 100 links for 22T.

According to Chainman, if you fit a 1/2 [ crank ] link with 2 joining links, that is a weakness. If you fit the crank link part to the main chain, with a swaged link, then that is ok.

edit: IIRC,the correct orientation for the half link is fat end is leading.

swooshdave · Mar 21, 2021

Now I need to find a half link. Easy just went out the window.

gortnipper · Mar 21, 2021

swooshdave said:
Now I need to find a half link. Easy just went out the window.

https://the-chain-man.co.uk/links

swooshdave · Mar 21, 2021

gortnipper said:
https://the-chain-man.co.uk/links

Other side of the world. Options on eBay look poor. More digging required.

maylar · Mar 21, 2021

The chain dude sent me a 106 link chain by mistake (he knew it should be 99 with a half link). I just cut off links until it fit. I think it's at 98 and the axle is far back in the slot but I was able to get proper adjustment on it. Had to cut off quite a bit:

swooshdave · Mar 22, 2021

maylar said:
The chain dude sent me a 106 link chain by mistake (he knew it should be 99 with a half link). I just cut off links until it fit. I think it's at 98 and the axle is far back in the slot but I was able to get proper adjustment on it. Had to cut off quite a bit:

View attachment 78733

20T sprocket?

gortnipper · Mar 22, 2021

maylar said:
The chain dude sent me a 106 link chain by mistake (he knew it should be 99 with a half link). I just cut off links until it fit. I think it's at 98 and the axle is far back in the slot but I was able to get proper adjustment on it. Had to cut off quite a bit:

View attachment 78733

That is normal length, all of them go out like that and need to be broken for your sprocket.

I have that same breaker in my side cover spares.

RoadScholar · Mar 22, 2021

swooshdave said:
O-ring chain master link was a pain until my brother told me to use two screwdrivers to pop the plate off.

I suggest those who deal with sealed chains consider a kit like this:

I have one of these as well as an EK version.

I did the 520 X-ring chain conversion from parts I found available. I have a 20T counter and the usual 42T rear. I purchased a 100 link DID chain which I shortened to 99 links and would come into proper tension when the adjusters where out as far as I dared; threads inside the lugs. I then moved the axle as far forward as I could by hand; I think there may be a smidge more forward movement available, but figured a 1/2 link was the better solution. I went looking using a bunch of search strings, but no luck. I finally called DID, got a tech rep on the phone and was told that inquiry was one of many, that they were considering making one...

If you do find one of these (DID, anyway) please let us know. If you, or any others, have a X-ring chain that the manufacturer offers 1/2 links, please let me know; I'd rather that the adjusters be somewhere just short of mid and would be happy to buy another chain so that all parts were made to work together.