Well, I'm just about to click over 10,000 miles since the resto was completed in March, 2016. A few observations so far.
Very few issues so far. A wonky back wheel which chopped out the wheel bearings before it was found that one of the spacers was short. How? Don't know, but bike has been handling beautifully since the fix.
I am going to stick my neck out (as usual. It's become a habit) and say that this is the finest handling Commando I have ever ridden, by far. The recipe goes like this,
Vernier isolastics from AN
Lansdowne conversion to front forks.
Basic Ikon shocks on the rear.
Jim Comstock/cNw head steady.
WM4 (2.5 inch) x 19 inch Morad alloy rims with Avon Roadrider 100/90 x 19 tyres.
I cannot get over how well this bike handles. It tracks absolutely true yet is so light in the steering. I have never heard the phrase "handles like it's on rails" applied to a Commando. I have now and not by me. I just returned from a 1500 km trip from my home in Perth, down to Margaret river in the South West of Western Australia and then across to Albany on the south coast and then back to Perth via Albany Highway. The roads across the bottom of the state are quite rough and ready, but are absolutely beautiful with almost no traffic. However I thought the bike was going to handle this trip,I was not prepared for the sure footedness and comfort over the rough stuff. Going binto the higher speed stuff at er...a little over the speed limit saw it handle the bumps beautifully, never moving off line and with the bike remaining absolutely stable, yet so light to the touch. I was amazed. The only casualty of the trip was a torn rubber manifold on the Mikuni which allowed a little lean running. So, I lifted the needle a notch until I could get home and fit a replacement.
The engine is an absolute delight. Pickup from highway speeds for overtaking is outstanding. Power everywhere that I want to take it which is almost never over 5000rpm because I've never needed to. The engine is basically standard with a PW3 cam, conical valve springs via Jim Comstock and various coatings applied internally. No power steps, with grunt from absolutely off idle. The engine builder, Ben from British Imports here in Perth has built and ridden plenty of Commando engines over the years with many fancied bits and pieces and this is his favourite.
It is the best and most satisfying motorcycle I have ever owned or ridden. That's the way I see it and I've owned and ridden a lot.
Very few issues so far. A wonky back wheel which chopped out the wheel bearings before it was found that one of the spacers was short. How? Don't know, but bike has been handling beautifully since the fix.
I am going to stick my neck out (as usual. It's become a habit) and say that this is the finest handling Commando I have ever ridden, by far. The recipe goes like this,
Vernier isolastics from AN
Lansdowne conversion to front forks.
Basic Ikon shocks on the rear.
Jim Comstock/cNw head steady.
WM4 (2.5 inch) x 19 inch Morad alloy rims with Avon Roadrider 100/90 x 19 tyres.
I cannot get over how well this bike handles. It tracks absolutely true yet is so light in the steering. I have never heard the phrase "handles like it's on rails" applied to a Commando. I have now and not by me. I just returned from a 1500 km trip from my home in Perth, down to Margaret river in the South West of Western Australia and then across to Albany on the south coast and then back to Perth via Albany Highway. The roads across the bottom of the state are quite rough and ready, but are absolutely beautiful with almost no traffic. However I thought the bike was going to handle this trip,I was not prepared for the sure footedness and comfort over the rough stuff. Going binto the higher speed stuff at er...a little over the speed limit saw it handle the bumps beautifully, never moving off line and with the bike remaining absolutely stable, yet so light to the touch. I was amazed. The only casualty of the trip was a torn rubber manifold on the Mikuni which allowed a little lean running. So, I lifted the needle a notch until I could get home and fit a replacement.
The engine is an absolute delight. Pickup from highway speeds for overtaking is outstanding. Power everywhere that I want to take it which is almost never over 5000rpm because I've never needed to. The engine is basically standard with a PW3 cam, conical valve springs via Jim Comstock and various coatings applied internally. No power steps, with grunt from absolutely off idle. The engine builder, Ben from British Imports here in Perth has built and ridden plenty of Commando engines over the years with many fancied bits and pieces and this is his favourite.
It is the best and most satisfying motorcycle I have ever owned or ridden. That's the way I see it and I've owned and ridden a lot.
