Another Salt Flats Build

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8qahjVX1hqjrLoVT7

Just bought a 750 Commando to race at Bonneville and the Texas Mile, maybe with ECTA too. It was previously owned by Don Angel the younger brother of Sonny Angel and pilot of Max Lambsky’s Vincent streamliner. The one log book page I have seen so far shows a run of 124 mph at El Mirage in June of 2009.

My initial plan is to overhaul the bike and run it as built to start with. I’ve only been to Bonneville once but I learned that there is a lot to learn to go fast there. The only big changes I am considering are getting a front wheel to match the rear one and maybe a more aerodynamic seat and front fender. Bike is supposed to be delivered on Friday, can’t wait.

The bike finally arrived yesterday, can't blame the driver for routing around my location in the Texas Hill Country till things quieted down. Haven't dug into the bike yet but have looked over the SCTA Log Books. This bike has a 2 into 1 exhaust and a conversion to a large single Mikuni, is lowered and had Yamaha 17 inch wheels fitted. Notes in the Log Books show he was working on jetting and had handling problems. I received the bike with a stock Commando wheel on the front and that may have been done to improve handling. He describes a Burt Munro weave at speed on one run. I'm going to make a guess that the Isolastics may be shot and that may be the source of the handling problems. I'm really interested to see what is in this engine at one point he changed to a new head. Wonder which one or worked over by who?

If it still has the stock head steady I'd go to a link rod type to address the weaving problem. This is after checking wheel alignment, tire pressures, iso clearances, and swingarm play, etc.
Russ

My plan is to concentrate on the chassis and the bike's handling first. New head steady, isolastics set up properly, forks rebuilt or replaced, tapered bearings and an extended swingarm. Only real change I am planning to the engine is a change from the single carb to dual carbs. The single carb manifold is just too restrictive. Other changes to the engine will be considered after I get into it and see what's there but changes will be conservative to begin with.