1972 Combat Commando.

Status
Not open for further replies.

bwolfie

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
3,289
Country flag
Well it's happened. This morning I got a call from a guy that saw my ad on craigslist of parts I was selling. He is the original owner of a 72 combat. it's been sitting for 20 years, inside. He wanted to know if I was interested. Needless to say shortly after fathersday I will be picking it up. I havent seen it yet. It has a ceranni front end and a ugh 16" rear wheel. But he has a spare 18" boriani for it. The guy used to hang out and ride with T.C. Christinsen. The storys the bike could tell. I couldnt pass it up for the price. Luckily I sold my tank and sidecovers today. I'm crazy, right?
 
Yeah man, a Combat, some crazies seek no cure, just another fix.
Next dilemma is do ya just get it road worthy and see what happens or do ya go through it soup to nuts and know? Then how much of the 20 yr original stuff can you live with or not. Its a good kind of stress though.
 
I don't know the plan yet. And the wife dosn't know yet. I'm thinking of first getting it running. I only have 100 miles on a commando, so a runer for now.
 
Couple of decades in fine storage would leave me pensive but shoot what the heck she how she goes but don't expect it to be an example of what a fully fettered Cdo can be. Did you get a story why a buddy of TC would put it away like that?
 
No story yet, but I expect he grew up and had a family and the bike was parked. And soon forgotten.
 
I am going to call him today and try to pick the bike up. Wish me luck. If it all goes goos I will post some pictures tonight.
 
I don’t want to make grown men cry, but it's better than I hoped. I have all the original parts, has compression and spark, and I stole it. Pictures to follow later tonight.
 
Well it was the story I expected. He did the family thing and parked it in 83. Years later got into dirt biles and stuff. Has had several offers on the commando, but no one came thru. Lucky for me he saw how much I knew and loved it. I am going to get it running first, gather the few missing bits and ride it some. Then this winter, pull it apart and clean/paint it. Try to keep it original, with a few addons. I think i'm goung to bolt on my dunstall tank seat and fairing. I need to find a 18" flanged aluminum rim. The glass tank it came with is pristine, he ran avgas in it, and it was put away empty. He drained the oil out for me so I could put it in the back of my truck, it came out nice and clean. I'm still grinning. I have a few spare item to sell that came with it. Here are some pictures.

Oh and the coolest part of it was that the motor was worked over by T.C. Christianson of Sunset Motors back in the 70's. The guy I bought it from ran with T.C. on the street, racing.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.

1972 Combat Commando.
 
I think you got burned, but I'll take it off your hands.

That rear tyre has to go.

Dave
69S
 
I think they are Ceranni. The cap sucks, but I need it for the dogs. I'm on the hunt for a 18" rim. I think people would cry if they knew how little I paid.
 
bwolfie said:
I think they are Ceranni. The cap sucks, but I need it for the dogs. I'm on the hunt for a 18" rim. I think people would cry if they knew how little I paid.
Click to expand...

You could have popped the cap off so you didn't have to shove the bike in there. :mrgreen:

And yes, we figured you didn't pay much. It happens.
 
Actually, no shoving was involved, it rolled right in. It liked the nap on the cushy carpet I have in the back!
 
bwolfie said:
I think they are Ceranni. The cap sucks, but I need it for the dogs. I'm on the hunt for a 18" rim. I think people would cry if they knew how little I paid.
Click to expand...

I don't think Ceriani, but you can confirm by looking at the triple clamps. Note any markings or names.

I was going to say Betor.
 
I kinda figured it was you bwolfie....... The same guy contacted our club looking to sell the bike. I told him I would be interested if i could come by and see it. My father-in-law lives close by and I was going to be in town for a visit. It was a good price.

Tim_S
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top