‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA

A new mount was welded onto my frame way back when, but an adequate spring system didn't seem to be part of the plan at the time... So I'm currently using the old mount with a bolt as the pivot. Works for now
 
Here is a bad example of someone trying to 'fix' the side stand issue.
It's on my rolling cannibal parts bike.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
 
L.A.B. said:
Here's the later coil mounting bracket.
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/15885/coil-mounting-bracket-06-2231-06-2490-

When bolted to the tank brackets they can't sag (and then break) although a piece of sheet steel or alloy achieves the same.




The swingarm spindle can become loose inside the cradle tube (as it is held in place by one small central bolt) which can result in swingarm play that affects handling. The Kegler mod. clamps the spindle tight within the tube.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the clarification. That helps.

I think I’ll post a list of what I’m still needing to order after I thought I was ahead of the game.
 
NPeteN said:
A new mount was welded onto my frame way back when, but an adequate spring system didn't seem to be part of the plan at the time... So I'm currently using the old mount with a bolt as the pivot. Works for now
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete. I think I see the pitfalls and will try to mitigate on my stand.
 
Right, that's a bad side stand fix, but it's not a fix to a '70 frame, which is what you have. That's a later model frame. Your frame has it's cross member in a different location

Busdriver, as long as the plate for the bolt on sidestand is solidly welded to the frame then your side stand will work fine. As I said, you just have to be concious of the bike's lean angle when you use the sidestand. The stock side stand is short and it's kind of verticle so it doesn't give as stable of a third point of support for the bike than the later model stands. I think my '70 side stand works OK... Oldbritts is a good place to order parts from and has incredible information on their site like the sidestand modification which has been mentioned but it's also intended for the later frame because it uses the frame crossmember that our frames have in a different position.... Here's their link:

https://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Your yokes look correct. If you replace the lower one, make sure it matchs your existing yoke because you can't mix up the different types of yokes for commandos.
 
BobZ, Pete
This is my existing welded side mount. I see how the circlip setup can erode after repeated hard use.

I will measure and see if I can come up with a modern bolt nut from existing bike stands. If I can find the right size, eBay sellers are glad to get rid of deleted race bike side stands.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
 
o0norton0o said:
Right, that's a bad side stand fix, but it's not a fix to a '70 frame, which is what you have. That's a later model frame. Your frame has it's cross member in a different location

Busdriver, as long as the plate for the bolt on sidestand is solidly welded to the frame then your side stand will work fine. As I said, you just have to be concious of the bike's lean angle when you use the sidestand. The stock side stand is short and it's kind of verticle so it doesn't give as stable of a third point of support for the bike than the later model stands. I think my '70 side stand works OK... Oldbritts is a good place to order parts from and has incredible information on their site like the sidestand modification which has been mentioned but it's also intended for the later frame because it uses the frame crossmember that our frames have in a different position.... Here's their link:

https://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Your yokes look correct. If you replace the lower one, make sure it matchs your existing yoke because you can't mix up the different types of yokes for commandos.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that helps
 
I’m impressed with the quality of the chrome. I knew the polishing and rust abatement was going to be a chore, but the results are very nice.

I’m guessing the pea shooters I have are not oem, but even they are looking nice.

Every piece has surface pitting and rust, especially wheels.

Front fender on left is polished, right is the rear, it’s cleaned but waiting treatment.
‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA


Front:
‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA


Rear:
‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
 
I welcome feedback. Feel free to add or correct my list.
Necessary mods:

1. Head steady. (May go with AndoverN race if it fits.
2. Front brake mod. -(Andover, I’m a NUT about front brakes)
3. Swingarm clamps. Would like to study and ‘diy’, but may go with NYCNorton Kit.
4. Oil vent(Gbox side). -done
5. Head bearings/shields. -done
6. Dual Amal and airbox upgrades? -my Amals are cleaned/rebuilt. (I know there is a float upgrade. I like airflow, proper, efficient airflow. Don’t know if there is any upgrade except for velos or socks.)
7. Fuel line filter? I have the screens in the Amal bowls and the petcock screens, modern filtering useful? Is everyone finding proper fuel that doesn’t eat the system?
9. Side stand pivot ‘bolt’(back in play)
10. Pazon ignition. -done
11. Twist on oil filter mod? (I’ll probably find something with a forum search)
12. Electrical wiring mods? Turn signals, flashers?
13. Isolastic upgrade. -done
14. Stator upgrade
 
Last edited:
Replace all the original Lucar connectors. The metal cores on the originals are of a really crappy manufacture and disintegrate within the black rubber sheaths. These are the root causes of the poor reputation Lucas electrics carry.
 
Forgot about Isolastic upgrade. Intimidating at first, but got the hang of it after diving in. (One armed paper hanger came to mind on the engine install)

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA


‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
 
Danno said:
Replace all the original Lucar connectors. The metal cores on the originals are of a really crappy manufacture and disintegrate within the black rubber sheaths. These are the root causes of the poor reputation Lucas electrics carry.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I am using the harness that came with the purchase, actually looks good and all connectors checked out ok on the meter.

I did check pricing on a new harness, but the original was in pretty good shape. I will recheck for deterioration. Does reinforcing with shrink tubing sound like a decent preventive measure?
 
You will move along quickly, and seem to be already, with the bike dismantled like that. If you are going to go for the Kegler clamps plan on rebuilding the complete swingarm, bushings.,etc spindles etc... and drilling the holes with a drill press if available.
Always nice when chrome comes up. I had a really great time putting everything back together mine. You will too.

Got any pics of your harness? I usually replace as many electrical components as I can on my bikes, it can be maddening searching for that one tiny failure somewhere.....
 
BusDriver330 said:
Thanks. I am using the harness that came with the purchase, actually looks good and all connectors checked out ok on the meter.

I did check pricing on a new harness, but the original was in pretty good shape. I will recheck for deterioration. Does reinforcing with shrink tubing sound like a decent preventive measure?
Click to expand...
Normally the wiring itself or even the male ends are not a problem, but when the metal sleeves that actually make the connections turn to shards, you can chase gremlins forever. Shrink tube will make little difference, IMO.
 
BusDriver330 said:
Forgot about Isolastic upgrade. Intimidating at first, but got the hang of it after diving in. (One armed paper hanger came to mind on the engine install)



‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
Click to expand...


The end of the Iso. tube shouldn't be sticking out of the adjuster like that.
I'm not sure but it looks as if the Iso. tube could be fitted the wrong way?
 
L.A.B. said:
The end of the Iso. tube shouldn't be sticking out of the adjuster like that.
I'm not sure but it looks as if the Iso. tube could be fitted the wrong way?
Click to expand...

Good catch! Luckily I scoured the housing tube clean before the first fitting. A generous amount of spray lube made it easy to reverse.
 
the side stand looks good to me. Use it. The part that wears out of spec is the hole in the lug, not the pin, so unless you're going to drill the whole thing out to a slightly larger size and get an oversized pin/bolt. I wouldn't worry much about it. If the lug wears out, you buy a new one to bolt up to the plate... that's what I did, after 40 years of use.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA


If you look at your cradle/swingarm assembly, you see the swingarm tube has a single bolt. That was the deficiency that the kegler clamps correct by eliminating slop between the tube and the swingarm axl. I know that I changed perfectly good swingarm bushings because I thought that they were the problem, when it was the single bolt swingarm tube design which was the cause. I would bet you that your swingarm bushings are fine. I would inspect them and only replace them if they are sloppy.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
 
o0norton0o said:
the side stand looks good to me. Use it. The part that wears out of spec is the hole in the lug, not the pin, so unless you're going to drill the whole thing out to a slightly larger size and get an oversized pin/bolt. I wouldn't worry much about it. If the lug wears out, you buy a new one to bolt up to the plate... that's what I did, after 40 years of use.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA


If you look at your cradle/swingarm assembly, you see the swingarm tube has a single bolt. That was the deficiency that the kegler clamps correct by eliminating slop between the tube and the swingarm axl. I know that I changed perfectly good swingarm bushings because I thought that they were the problem, when it was the single bolt swingarm tube design which was the cause. I would bet you that your swingarm bushings are fine. I would inspect them and only replace them if they are sloppy.

‘70 Commando Roadster rebuild in GA
Click to expand...

My side stand is like new. I think your explanation puts that one to rest for now.

Thanks for the follow up on the swingarm mod. I get it now.
 
NPeteN said:
You will move along quickly, and seem to be already, with the bike dismantled like that. If you are going to go for the Kegler clamps plan on rebuilding the complete swingarm, bushings.,etc spindles etc... and drilling the holes with a drill press if available.
Always nice when chrome comes up. I had a really great time putting everything back together mine. You will too.

Got any pics of your harness? I usually replace as many electrical components as I can on my bikes, it can be maddening searching for that one tiny failure somewhere.....
Click to expand...

I’m moving along a bit too fast I think. If this were my only concern during the day, I could devote a bit more brain cells while wrenching.

I hear ya, that’s why I took the time to test, but danno is not giving me any ‘warm and fuzzies’ irt ‘Lucas’. I’ll inspect the harness tomorrow and post.

How’s your project comin along Pete? I’m not all that confident diving into my carbs/Pazon.
 
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