1972 Combat Commando.

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Fortunatly the ignition and carburation are just right. I havent tried it from cold.

As for the head steady, yes this bike and my Dunstall will get one as soon as I can find time to make them.
They will also be getting quick change cam bearings and a host of other ideas I have.
 
There are people I will NOT shake hands with and you are one of them, you would rip my arm off :wink:

Jean
 
Very cool, that's makes 3 fellas documented hand starting these pussy cat Combats to purr. Now if they'd just always do that when out and about in traffic with onlookers electric starters would of never caught on. Keep eye front brake fluid till ya know its not blowing out riding. Are ya keeping the dinged patina or covering it over? C'do's look so long in tooth when dirty and un-shiny.
 
Combats are especially easy to hand start due to high overlap cam.
In 1971 I could hand start my new 1970 roadster.
5-6 years ago at the NENO christmas party on the cape in Falmouth MA, just to show some doubters I hand started my friends MKIII while on a bike lift.
Probably easiest if warm and recently run...and have been serviced by a semi competent norton mechanic.
 
I was so intrigued by this I had to try it tonight. Started it up with my crocks on, warmed up for about 3 minutes, turned off, started with my crocks again, real easy, kind of like pushing over a 250. Turned off again, and tried by hand, no luck, tried about 5 times and just could not get it over enough to start, but did get some poots. Started again with leg, just like pushing a 250. Tried again by hand, but shoulder was starting to hurt, so I quit. I guess it's for the young guys. It seems like I should be able to do it, maybe later, but then I've never had a whole bunch of upper body strength.

Dave
69S
 
"A man's got to know his limitations"
-Clint Eastwood as 'Dirty' Harry Callaghan

You know, I can start my blue monoshocker with ONE FINGER.

PUNK.
 
Dynodave, bWolfe and me have hand cranked a Combat so not that big a deal if bike in good 2S tune. A few times this last decade I couldn't put a shirt on or even help my arm to top of steering wheel, but stretching the old neck longer and curved fixed all that till next slam bam to recover from. I'm putting in most over lapped cam I can find in Ms Peel 920 for a chance to karate kick her off, I hope, as I only weight ~155 lb now. See ya around you weakening aged farts
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmM5emTXK-g[/video]
 
I am not sure what the big deal of this hand/arm starting is. Any properly tuned unit will start simply by taking it over the top from time to time. I do not know how many time I was suprized by starting just by turning it over to find the compression point. I have also done this with an old Sporster.
Sorry to burst any kind of bubble or excitement you may be feeling but it's really no big deal.

That being said, when in public I still need to give it big ol kick just because it's so damned awesome.
I bet there are many with functional electric starters that do the same thing.
 
pvisseriii said:
I am not sure what the big deal of this hand/arm starting is. Any properly tuned unit will start simply by taking it over the top from time to time. I do not know how many time I was suprized by starting just by turning it over to find the compression point. I have also done this with an old Sporster.
Click to expand...

Well, my hat's off to you. When I first got my 20 year project 750 ready to run a few weeks ago it was all I could do to kick start it. After a few sessions with sore muscles my leg remembered the knack and I do it pretty easily now. Just the same, a weak kick will not do. It wants a good long stroke active kick which rewards the effort with an almost certain start hot or cold.

Vintage Paul
 
I tried again tonight and the same thing, easy with the right leg, as easy as it ever has been, but I just can't push it through enough with the arm. Maybe if I keep trying it'll build up, you never know, I might surprise y'all one of these days. I can remember when I could pick up and carry two sheets of 12' sheet rock too. I'm thinking it's just practice at this point.

Dave
69S
 
It's been a while so a quick update. The Wisconsin DMV is being a pedantic PITA. So the title is still up in the air. On the plus side I just aquired a frame with papers, so one way or another it will be liscensed this year. I have all the missing pieces piled up for it. I only need gaskets, seals and bearings. Then a complete strip down, clean paint and polish and reassemble. Will be a breeze compared to my alloy bike.
 
I repaired my newly aquired frame. It was from a 1970 and had 3 styles of sidestand atachment and a welded on sissy bar. I replaced the missing rear hoop and sidestand lug with parts from a scrap 74 frame I have laying around. Now it's ready for paint.
Before: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290695224120?_t ... 500wt_1413

After with the donor
1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
Would you be willing to sell the two coil pac/gas tank mounting brackets ? I would use on my brothers 70 commando .

Phil
 
Good day today. Went to the DMV this morning with the paperwork for my spare frame. 10 minutes later and $73 I have a title!!!! Now to send it in for another set of collector plates.

1972 Combat Commando.



Now it's on like Donkey KOng! I an going to get the bike into the shop to strip it down for paint, polish and new gaskets. Here we go again..
 
Bike is in the shop, and mostly apart, copious amounts of parts from several sources are descending on my house, and the basement workshop has been cleared out (the alloy bike has been moved into the house garage for the final phase). I will put the finished parts in the workshop and start assembly as they are ready. This should go fairly smooth as it was a running bike and in good condition. Plus I know it's complete history. So it's just a matter of dis assembly, cleaning, painting, polishing and reassembly. I'm not going for 100% perfect, just nice looking with sensible upgrades for a nice rider. I have a later style swing arm, double gearbox adjuster, PR head steady, cradle clamps and a few other items to incorporate. Should be nice and reliable when it's finished.

Before
1972 Combat Commando.

As of yesterday
1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
Brent,
Is putting the double gearbox adjuster on an involved project other than removing the primary chaincases?
Thanks,
Mike
 
Nope, just have to drill 1 hole to mount it on the LH side forward of the gearbox bolt. It's possible to do it without too much dis assembly with the right drill.
 
So I started tearing into the engine. Found some good, some bad and some downright puzzling.
A bit of history, I got it from the original owner, parked since 83, 9000 miles. Superblends and all work done by T.C. of sunset motors.

The good,
Polished rockers, superblends, rods have been cleaned up and there are special crank fixing bolts.

The bad,
Slotted pistons, nuff said....

The puzzling,
the pistons are .040 over.

And the parts to sell
1972 Combat Commando.


So now to order pistons and rings. And complete disasembly and cleaning.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
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