Another very nice bike, however, I must admit I'd like to have the electric start and the left side shift. Every bike I've had has had the left side shift and the one time I rode a friends bike with the ride side shift it seemed totally foreign to me and the first time I used it I locked up the rear brake. Thank God I didn't dump it.
Well, if you are starting with a '73, you'll need about $3,000 to budget for an e-start. Then, you'll need an inner & outer cover from a '75 transmission, plus the crossover shaft bits, and you'll need to have your primary cases properly holed for the shaft, including a shoulder weld build-up on the outer case to support shifter pressures. With the e-start, you won't need to worry about oil seals as the kits include dry belt setup (2 of the 3 available kits do, anyway - not Alton)
No, later ones were metal, just like Roadster tanks changed to metal.
If you want left hand shift and electric start… BY FAR the most cost effective approach would be to sell your bike and buy a MK3…
Actually, a well sorted drum works quite well! You do have to get the adjustments exactly right. If not right the dual leading shoes become basically a single leading shoe with around 1/2 of the stopping power.
Hadn't heard they were outlawed. What was the reasoning back then?
As I said in my post, I'd "like" to have electric start and left side shift. I didn't intend to actually swap it over to those set-ups, and after you've just explained the cost, work, and trouble to do so, I'm sure I won't be making those changes. Thanks for the info.
At this point, even disregarding the cost you quoted, I'll keep the kickstart only, right shift, left brake, just because of it's being unusual compared to later standardized control placing and e-starting. I tend to be drawn to the unusual and have a couple of "oddball bikes".
When I put that motor together it was tighter than a bull's ass. KibbleWhite, Beryillium seats, Tri Spark, Podtronics, Premeirs, etc..Started first kick. I just reached the point where the push button was more appealing, so I installed an Alton. Much happier now. Kaching, Kaching, $$, but it saves wear and tear on the old bones.
I failed to mention that the MkIII engine I got for a grand was in perfect condition. It needed nothing. You'll easily spend that much on a proper Commando engine overhaul, no matter the year (they are so very similar).
There have been references made about MkIII, MkIV, etc. What would my 1973 750 Hi-Rider be considered?
MkIV is 1972, MkV is 1973 but it's serial number based not title year based.
In context, MkIII typically refers to an 850 MkIII with left shift, e-start etc.
To my knowledge, there was never a regulation in the USA about prohibiting fiberglass fuel tanks. There was regulation about rear brake and transmission shifter placement and shift pattern beginning in 1975. Even HD sportsters had to swap sides for brake & shifter.
Flat or reversed ' ace ' bars .
