Mar 1969 fireflake red 750 S rebuild

Re your comment on std red colour I owned a '71 red [non metallic original paint] drum brake Commando in the mid '70s
 
illf8ed said:
Mufflers were in the package from Andover. Tried them to see the fit after getting the head re-assembled. Other than having to chase the mounting threads with a tap they fit great.

View attachment 15274
Click to expand...
Be sure to have a stress-free fit of the exhaust system. I already used up three left hand pipes on my 1970 S-Type in a short time.
The mufflers also tend to eat into the side cover. The dogleg is not very sturdy and bends inward towards the wheel if the pipes do not have
the correct curvatures.
And secure the small screw for the heat shields with Loctite!
We recently rebuilt a 1971 Commando SS to original specs. The new pipes also had to be bend to fit. We did that in situ- one person holding the bike while
the other one bent the pipes with the help of a long rod inserted into the end. No brute force, just bit by bit.
 
rivera said:
Be sure to have a stress-free fit of the exhaust system. I already used up three left hand pipes on my 1970 S-Type in a short time.
The mufflers also tend to eat into the side cover. The dogleg is not very sturdy and bends inward towards the wheel if the pipes do not have
the correct curvatures.
And secure the small screw for the heat shields with Loctite!
We recently rebuilt a 1971 Commando SS to original specs. The new pipes also had to be bend to fit. We did that in situ- one person holding the bike while
the other one bent the pipes with the help of a long rod inserted into the end. No brute force, just bit by bit.
Click to expand...
Yes absolutely agree with you on stress free exhaust. Fortunately the pipes are factory original so I don’t have to worry about after market errors. The hockey stick mount has addition weld and bracing on the one I’m using.
 
Andover 750S exhaust fitted with heat shields.
Mar 1969 fireflake red 750 S rebuild
Kudos to Andover. The fit is perfect using original head pipes. Just finished the left side cover paint, pending clear coat. Paint is coming out very well considering I’m not using modern colored flakes.
 
Looking Good Dave.
Bringing me back to my teen years and the inside cover if the mags.
Looking forward to the completion.
 
Those high pipes are beautiful. Troublesome, expensive, prone to breakage and sometimes burn your leg – a lot like a girl I used to know.
 
I believe that's the first time I've heard of only opening the drive side case half so as not to disturb the timing; not a bad idea if it's THAT clean (looks quite fresh indeed).
 
It’s been two weeks since I posted last. AN sent an email that the clutch lever for ‘68 to ‘70 was again available so ordered it. It shipped on Apr 9, so far has not arrived...Covid is slowing customs in the US. I did borrow spark plug wires and a battery from my ‘72 to see if the electrical has any problems. Amazing the plugs sparks on original points and condensers. Brake light, pilot light and flasher on the Triconsul didn’t work, but all else including the ammeter work as they should. Probably contact issue, so using my Deoxit on the button contacts. Now that I’m getting closer to starting the engine I’m going to need a steel roadster tank. Checking sources for a used original. Failing that I may consider an Emgo copy.
 
depending on how original you want your restoration I would warn that the Andover levers are not a close copy of the factory lever, which I made them aware of [to no avail] I managed to find a set on Ebay.
 
possm said:
depending on how original you want your restoration I would warn that the Andover levers are not a close copy of the factory lever, which I made them aware of [to no avail] I managed to find a set on Ebay.
Click to expand...

The clutch lever that came looks very close to the original right side brake/choke lever. The only difference I see is an additional cast web that has a hole for a mirror stem.
 
Kinda went for it this afternoon. I put the steel tank with gas from the ‘72 on the ‘69. Added oil then pushed it around for a while in 4th gear to get the oil pumping through. I managed to get the points timing set then kicked it over. Always a surprise when they light up....had not run since 1976. Needs some carb adjustment, but not too bad. Best news was seeing the oil returning to the tank.
 
‘69 750 S progress: Keith in the club gave me a steel roadster tank that got singed a bit in a fire. I’ve got the dents smoothed out and getting ready to try gas in it while only primered. Waiting for mounting hardware from Andover, then will do the ignition fine tuning.
 
Progress on the steel gas tank. I mixed .004” silver flake with clear and shot a few coats to get a density similar to how the fiberglass gel coat. Have been shooting many coats of just clear to bury the glitter before a final sand before red clear top coat to be followed with more clear. I see why painters take much time.

Mar 1969 fireflake red 750 S rebuild
 
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