1972 Combat Commando.

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No problems so far in 10 plus years. Most of the stuff is light and in clear bins for access.


Well i tore the top end off, easy since it's a 750, only 15 minutes.

The good, it runs really good considering it was only using 1 cylinder.

What I found. Both top rings aligned perfectly somehow. They were 180 apart when I assembled it.

So now for some cleaning, new base gasket and a ring end gap check and hopefully I can re assemble and it works.

I am running out of nice weather here, need to wrap this up soon.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
So I tore it all down, rechecked the rings, checked the head gasket. Flattened the top of the barrel, horrible machining job, nothing a half an hour with some careful mill files didn't fix.
Re assembled and now the right side occasionally pops.

I think I need to get it good and hot, the rings looked like they barely started to break in. So on to beating on it. Probably tomorrow.

Before:
1972 Combat Commando.


After:
1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.


1972 Combat Commando.
 
Beautiful job on the bike. I just bought a 72 Combat Commando. It is scheduled to arrive at my house tomorrow morning. I have only seen a few pictures of it and got some info over the phone from the PO. According to him the bike is "running well". I will be getting of night shift tomorrow morning and don' t think there will be much sleeping. I am a new Norton owner very thankful for this site and everyone's contributions.
 
Good looking bike!

Did you check the valve guides and seals on the latest inspection or were you sure the oil burning was due to the piston rings?

I hope it runs perfectly now.
 
No, it was so oiled, the plug fowled out. I ran it a bunch today and it started to run on both sides now. I think it is going to take a while to get the rings good and seated. I had it running in the driveway for a half an hour today, mostlly 2k and 3k pulls. after about 10 minutes the dead cylinder started popping and coming to life. By the end it was running fairly steady. I'll probably do this again after I get some new plugs.
 
Well we are deep into winter here in the Midwest. But for most of us any light at the end of the tunnel and we take it.
It rained buckets last night, and now it's 54 degrees and soggy out. Perfect weather to awaken the Combat and have a little spin.
So after draining one helacious wet sump, 3 kicks later and it lives. I let it warm up and then did a mile around the neighborhood.

Here is a picture after the ride and one of the current weather conditions.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
Warmed up to 50 today. Pulled the bike out, drained the sump, nothing 8)
Last time I ran it was the end of January, had 2 quarts in it then.
Finished installing my US spec bars, the Euro ones were a little too uncomfortable.

Took a bit of convincing to get it started, but it did. Went for a quick jaunt around the block.
The US bars with the Corbin seat are a great fit for me.

Now for some rain and continued temps.

I looked it all over, my spray bomb paint job isn't holding up well.
The sidecover that faces the window has crazing in the clear coat.
I'll have to break down at some point and use some real paint.
 
Found a little time this weekend to do a few odd jobs. Replaced the oil pump with one I reconditioned. Did an oil change,

Reset the timing, I think I got it spot on this time.

A few laps around the block, all is well. Starts 1st or 2nd kick, idles a little inconsistent thou.

My new Amal Premire carbs showed up today, Thanks Jerry, next on the list to install, should smooth out my idle problem.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
Should put the icing on a very beautiful ride. I got mine on this last weekend, what an incredible difference!
 
bwolfie said:
Found a little time this weekend to do a few odd jobs. Replaced the oil pump with one I reconditioned. Did an oil change,

Reset the timing, I think I got it spot on this time.

A few laps around the block, all is well. Starts 1st or 2nd kick, idles a little inconsistent thou.

My new Amal Premire carbs showed up today, Thanks Jerry, next on the list to install, should smooth out my idle problem.

1972 Combat Commando.
Click to expand...

Hi wolfie
check the float levels (the top of the float level or just above the float chamber wall) check the needle groove setting and what slides are fitted and both the same. :?
Save the head scratching later!
I speak from experience. :shock:
But once these are correct you will smile for miles!
Hold onto those bars boy you're in for a ride! :D
JohnT
 
THat's the plan. that way I know exactly whats there.

I was going to live with my original carbs, they work fine, not 100% but close enough.

I had an unexpected parts sale last week and decided the time was right. I think I made a good choice.

I want to keep this bike as close to stock as possible. I have made a few exceptions to this for comfort, mainly the Corbin seat.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
Woooooowwwwwwwssssaaaaahhhhhh............

Why didn't I put new carbs on sooner?

Don't think about it, just do it.

Went thru the new carbs and checked floats and needles, installed them, tickled them.......


Got on the kickstarter, it was running by mid stroke.....

Unbelievable!!!!

I'm going out for a few laps around the block.....
 
Time for an update. I have not had a chance to take it out and put some miles on it. Life is just too hectic.

I have taken it around the neighborhood more. All is working well, with the exception of my electrical unit.

I wired it up using an all in one unit from Ultima, big mistake. Anything marketed for Harleys is just useless junk.

2 days ago I ripped all the wiring out and started over. I used the Motogadget M-unit from my alloy project.

I should have done this in the first place. Wow what a difference. Easy to install, very functional and easy to program, lots of options.

I now have running lights in the indicators, a functional tail light ( the Ultima had no provision for this) It dosn't care if the bulbs are LED's or not.

It just works. I will be buying more in the future. Them Germans know their engineering that's for sure.

Here are a few pics.

the M-unit
1972 Combat Commando.

powered up
1972 Combat Commando.

tail lights
1972 Combat Commando.

my little voltage indicator multi color led unit.
1972 Combat Commando.
 
Beautiful, that does it, I'm rewiring my MKIII this fall!
Looks great bwolfie!
 
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