Build thread 1976 850 Commando

Food for thought should you decide to travel this forlorn path…

Build thread 1976 850 CommandoBuild thread 1976 850 Commando
 
Thanks for the kind words and comments re clip ons and wheels. As for why, with the 18” wheel and clip on it’s totally for looks. The rear tyre simply must be wider, does not look great from behind.

I’m quite tall (196cm) so rear sets make sense. But then I suppose that removes my possibility to carry a pillion?
I am slightly shorter than you at 186cm, but have longer inseam and arms than normal for my height. I have had rearsets on my Commando for 30 years.

You can still ride a pillion with many rear sets, but not really the NY Norton ones that are the basis of what FE posted. I bought a pair and could never find a comfortable position with them, as they are more designed for racing and for me the foot position is too high for the long days/weekends on the bike I occasionally do. They also require a different kick start that comprises toe clearance a bit, which is what forces them rearward too far for me.

The best position for me seems to be one that the footpeg bolts straight thru ther rear footrest mount hole, and I have found the best set for me so far is Don Pender's Dunstall reproduction. They have the best angle on the brake lever and give the strongest rear braking acrion i have had on the five different rear sets i have tried. Youcan ride a pillion with these, the just need to keep more on the balls/toes of their feet.


Go for an 18" you won't regret it. I dont. The Avon AM26 4.00 18 or the Bridgestone BT46 120-18 are great tires and all the width you need on a Commando rear.

Think twice about clip ons, they make long runs like you have done a bit hard. A drag bar is super comfy for me for long rides and plenty aggressive and cool looking. 18 degree bend, 4″ pull back, 9″ straight center section and 31″ wide

SRC65004091.gif


With the NYN rear sets

IMG_20200522_144419.jpg


With the Don Pender (madass140 on the forum) Dunstall repops

IMG_20200521_092028.jpg
 
I am slightly shorter than you at 186cm, but have longer inseam and arms than normal for my height. I have had rearsets on my Commando for 30 years.

You can still ride a pillion with many rear sets, but not really the NY Norton ones that are the basis of what FE posted. I bought a pair and could never find a comfortable position with them, as they are more designed for racing and for me the foot position is too high for the long days/weekends on the bike I occasionally do. They also require a different kick start that comprises toe clearance a bit, which is what forces them rearward too far for me.

The best position for me seems to be one that the footpeg bolts straight thru ther rear footrest mount hole, and I have found the best set for me so far is Don Pender's Dunstall reproduction. They have the best angle on the brake lever and give the strongest rear braking acrion i have had on the five different rear sets i have tried. Youcan ride a pillion with these, the just need to keep more on the balls/toes of their feet.


Go for an 18" you won't regret it. I dont. The Avon AM26 4.00 18 or the Bridgestone BT46 120-18 are great tires and all the width you need on a Commando rear.

Think twice about clip ons, they make long runs like you have done a bit hard. A drag bar is super comfy for me for long rides and plenty aggressive and cool looking. 18 degree bend, 4″ pull back, 9″ straight center section and 31″ wide

SRC65004091.gif


With the NYN rear sets

View attachment 85597

With the Don Pender (madass140 on the forum) Dunstall repops

View attachment 85599

thanks for the nice response. any info on where i can pick up a set of these Don Pender's Dunstall rear sets?

Also same with the 18" rear? Ive spent some time googling, but my knowledge is pretty low on how to make sure it matches up with my current rear hub etc.

Do you have any more pictures of that drag bar fitted? For example from behind the bike looking at the riders perspective? Thanks
 
Also same with the 18" rear? Ive spent some time googling, but my knowledge is pretty low on how to make sure it matches up with my current rear hub etc.

As with most spoked wheels the (40 spoke) rim dimple holes for the Mk3 rear spoke nipples need to be punched/drilled specifically to suit that application so just any old pre-punched/drilled 40 spoke rim won't do.

The original Mk3 Dunlop rear rim had a 3x1 dimple pattern (3x LH in a row then 1RH), however, it appears possible to fit a 1x1 dimple pattern rim if the RH spoke/nipple holes are repositioned slightly.
 
thanks for the nice response. any info on where i can pick up a set of these Don Pender's Dunstall rear sets?

Also same with the 18" rear? Ive spent some time googling, but my knowledge is pretty low on how to make sure it matches up with my current rear hub etc.

Do you have any more pictures of that drag bar fitted? For example from behind the bike looking at the riders perspective? Thanks
Member on the forum @madass140 is the vendor.

There are plenty of vendors in the UK where you could get a rim and spokes.

If you want a EU vendor, you might ask Constant @ https://www.hollandnortonworks.eu/ - they resell a fair bit of CNW stuff, which is the cream.


I looked thru my pics, and this is the only cockpit pick I have of the drag bars, in more than a thousand images since my rebuild.

Ignore the goofy grinning mutt, Lucy,

Build thread 1976 850 Commando
 



If I was still in the US, or any other oddball place I couldnt find someone who knew how to build a Commando rim - http://www.buchananspokes.com/categories/excel.asp

Search for more...
 
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Also same with the 18" rear? Ive spent some time googling, but my knowledge is pretty low on how to make sure it matches up with my current rear hub etc.
Greetings. I had an 18" s/s rim laced to the Mk3 hub by a german company, F. Menze in the city of Hagen. The 3x1 punched undrilled s/s rim, spokes and nipples were provided by Devon Rim Co.
Menze did an outstanding job, though the turn-around time can be long. Best to get started before the driving season begins, or source a second hub.

- Knut
 
I would stick with the 19-inch rims and tires myself. In my experience a motorcycle can feel as though it handles better on the street with skinny tires. It makes the bike feel lighter flicking it back and forth through turns. If you want to make a wheel change, take a look at https://www.central-wheel.co.uk/. Great selection, good pricing, and they have wheel building services.

Clips-ons are not that comfortable with standard pegs. Your knees may end up in your chest. Rear sets make them tolerable on a street bike if young enough. I don't agree with a lot of people about anything, so take that with a grain of salt. ;)

Be very wary of having Central Wheel Co building a wheel for you, they ruined a bearing housing for a mate's wheel and then had the nerve to charge him for repairing it, as well as assembling the rear hub incorrectly on a T140 rear hub. I'd never use them for anything.
 
Where's the kickstart? Oh - that's right - saw that video!;)
Don’t need no stinkin’ kick start !

However… I confess… I am currently contemplating a (temporary) switch back to kicks start only and remove the e-start. Need to refit the kickstart first though to see if it’s gotten any easier now it’s been used…
 
Don’t need no stinkin’ kick start !

However… I confess… I am currently contemplating a (temporary) switch back to kicks start only and remove the e-start. Need to refit the kickstart first though to see if it’s gotten any easier now it’s been used…
Mine's not 920 - but gapless rings.
It is very slightly easier now - after 7500 miles and 2 years. Still embarrasses me sometimes.
I'm the fool (80kg) on top of the immovable (RGM) kickstarter.
Ha!!
 
Be very wary of having Central Wheel Co building a wheel for you, they ruined a bearing housing for a mate's wheel and then had the nerve to charge him for repairing it, as well as assembling the rear hub incorrectly on a T140 rear hub. I'd never use them for anything.
Yikes!! Crooks and hacks are everywhere. I'm avoiding machine shops for fear of that type of service.

If I used Central Wheel I would only buy a rim and spokes from them and lace my wheel up. However, given your report maybe try another vendor.
 
Be very wary of having Central Wheel Co building a wheel for you, they ruined a bearing housing for a mate's wheel and then had the nerve to charge him for repairing it, as well as assembling the rear hub incorrectly on a T140 rear hub. I'd never use them for anything.
Same here.
They stripped my hubs when I told them not too, then re assembled them incorrectly.
Wheel offset was wrong.
Inner tubes were made out of breathable rubber… lost all air in a week.
And I had to really insist to get the rim widths I wanted (as specified by Avon) cos they knew better than Avon.
All in all, a horrible experience.
 
Some little updates for you guys.

Finally got the tank and side panels off for debt removal and paint. A little harder work than anticipated but will be glad when it’s done. Should be done next week.

Build thread 1976 850 CommandoBuild thread 1976 850 Commando

Also trying to make a new seat, didn’t like any of the replacement ones so will have a go at making my own. Bit of a lower profile, sleeker. Something like this height wise

Build thread 1976 850 Commando

Still having some harness supply issues, so will run the original harness as the sun is coming now and I’m desperate to ride. spent a little time just cleaning and polishing. It’ll be all go next week as a big box from andover norton turns up so I’ll have lots to do !

Build thread 1976 850 Commando
 
At some point in time, you should decide whether you are building a road bike or a racer. The two are not the same. In the old days, we used to build Tritons with the mindset that a good motor in a good frame gives a good bike. No Triton is ever as good as a Manx, but a Manx on public roads can be pretty bad.
If I was building a Commando for road use, it would look very original. I would not do anything to it which might give the game away. When you look at a motorcycle, you cannot see the cam profile or what is inside the gear box. You also cannot see what is inside the carburetors. Those three things can help a motorcycle to be very fast.
I underestimated the 850 motor, when it is near-standard, itis excellent. With a standard gearbox, it is hopeless.
Bruce Verdon can supply a TTI 6 speed box with kick start for $5000. You can easily waste that much money when hotting-up a motor.
 
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