Bad news for my Commando

I have a 71, got it from a friend last summer. It had been sitting for some 17 years. I managed to get it started but it was not running well. missing one cylinder. After trying everything I could think of, I finally decided to take it to the expert. My shop called me today and I went over to see what was up. They had it running on both cylinders after some work but it is making a not good noise from the right hand cylinder down low. My tech says its not good news. Now I have a decision to make. I cant afford at this time to have them pull and go through the engine. I have just enough knowledge and skill with engines to get myself in trouble. I have none of the special tools but I do have the manual. Is this something I really want to attempt? How difficult is it in the real world to split the cases and go through it? I know there is machine work that I cant do but thats a given. Is it really all that mysterious? I dont want to get into something that I cant finish.
Thoughts?
Advice?
Thanks in advance,
MikeM

Do not despair, You can get two very good instructional DVD's from the International Norton Owners Club by Mick Hemmings in the UK. These DVD's are excellent. One covers the Commando Engine, disassembly and reassembly and the other guides you through a transmission rebuild. I spent four years restoring a 71 Fastback, starting with a frame and a seized engine. Admittedly I am a experienced mechanic, but the videos can do the job for you if you are willing to take the time. You will have to aquire some tools to do the job but it can be done. You will also get to know your Commando alot better and ride it more confidently when you are done . This web site is great as you have on tap many experienced mechanics to help you.; I only found this site after my Commando was done but I have used it since and it has helped me also. Go for it, You can do it. Craig

Mike,
Is your expert named Marshall Hagy? If it is, he's to be avoided. See about hooking up with the INOA chapter in Chicago for hands on advice, online help is at the ready here if you need it. There are few things that are as gratifying as riding a machine that you've brought back to life, but if that's not you cup of tea then there are some people on this list that can be counted on to do a great job. Did I mention that you should stay away from Marshall Hagy?

Thanks for the heads up, but it is not him.
Its a well known professional shop.
Thanks MikeM

Hi Mike,

I faced your problem two years when my motor needed to be completely rebuilt.
I considered doing it myself as I am fairly competent mechanically.
BUT, I have never taken apart a Commando engine and put it back together perfectly before, just like you.

I made the decision to pay a really well known Norton specific expert a couple thousand dollars to do it.

I am very glad I did, my motor is perfect, and as he went along he would call me over and show me every single problem he encountered. Mike, there is no way I could have had the experience to deal with everything.

I know that others are enthusiastically encouraging you to do it yourself, and get the CDs.
If I were you, and based upon what you honestly said, I would call a couple people in the higher ranks of the Chicago area Norton club and get their advise. You may well get lucky and find someone in the group who has the time and desire to take on your project himself, and likely at a very reasonable fee, much less than say the professional shop you mentioned.

Good luck, and feel free to completely disregard my "advice", it is only what worked out for me.

champ7fc said:

Do not despair, You can get two very good instructional DVD's from the International Norton Owners Club by Mick Hemmings in the UK. These DVD's are excellent. One covers the Commando Engine, disassembly and reassembly and the other guides you through a transmission rebuild. I spent four years restoring a 71 Fastback, starting with a frame and a seized engine. Admittedly I am a experienced mechanic, but the videos can do the job for you if you are willing to take the time. You will have to aquire some tools to do the job but it can be done. You will also get to know your Commando alot better and ride it more confidently when you are done . This web site is great as you have on tap many experienced mechanics to help you.; I only found this site after my Commando was done but I have used it since and it has helped me also. Go for it, You can do it. Craig

Click to expand...

+1

Well! Do you love her? Do you need a hobby? Do you have a vision? If you said yes to any of these we can proceed.
What we have here is an assembly of assemblies. Front wheel, rear wheel, forks, iso system, gearbox, primary, on and on. Each separate, each integral. This aspect will help you to not get overwhelmed.

Here is what I think is the nitty gritty. These motors are simple. There you have the essence of the romance. How can something so simple be so marvelous to ride. The assemblies are in themselves simple. How they all go together can be the trick, but this is all laid out and when one gets to that point, all you will need is a nudge and some wisdom, or is it some wisdom and a nudge.

Your issue seem to be with the mysteries coming from within. The crankcase assembly may be the simplest of all. You spoke of the need for machining. There is only one thing I can think of that I have never done nor never will do and that is crank grinding. If you need of this service then be sure to practice due diligence and send it to the most reputable "Norton" person you can find. From the gist of your conversation, I feel this is your worry.
I am going to stop here and give you some time to let it soak in.

Do you love her? Do you need a hobby? Do you have a vision? If your answer is no, then maybe you need to let her go.
If yes, then find some time and money.
KISS Keep It Simple Stupid

I say go for it, what better way to learn about your Norton, I brought my Norton 36 years ago and the first few years took it to the so called experts to only be ripped off, I didn't know much about engine work before but I had no other means to pay someone to do the job, I rebuilt my Norton to Featherbed frame in 1980, every thing was done with my own hands except engine machining work which was sent out, but still a lot cheaper (crank ballancing, SS cam grind, rebore, etc) but all assemberly work was done by myself and a mate helped when needed, this bike is still on the road I have just finished a major rebuild 18 months ago and it has never let me down in the 32 years I have built it and all I ever used was a good manual.

You will always get good advice on this site and Norton motors aren't a hard motor to work on, just make sure you mark every thing that you pull apart and make sure they go back together the same way, I am doing up a Project bike now a 61 Manxman the motor was pulled apart from the P/O 16 years ago with out marking any parts, but have slowly worked out which parts went where.

So don't be affraid of your Norton and take your time with it, if you have problems there will always be someone that can help and after you have finished it and it starts on the first kick will be the best pleasure you will get, I have rebuilt my Norton 3 times now and it did start first kick every time and like I say its still going strong.

Ashley

Your life time to enjoy a Cdo is wasting away. Realize they always need mechanical attention, so owning one requires facing tools and measuring and solving stuck stuff. So if not well enough off to just buy a CNW ready to go, get rid up it now or expect a long expensive recovery. Cdo's are simply complex and complexly simple. I had a few years of online hand holding to do my first Cdo that had more major issues than most, but got er done in 5 yrs, ugh, so now know whats inside and a bit better respect for my own sense of self worth.

First off, I'm glad you're not involved with the MH guy.

Second, how much moolah do you have? If it's just the motor, you can get by with a couple grand if you do the work. If I can do it, you can do it unless you have 2 left feet and no thumbs. The Norton engine is an exercise in simplicity. The Hemmings DVD will give you confidence. You may have to take parts to a dependable shop for repair, but believe me, once all the parts are acceptably repaired, you can put the engine together on your own, you may need a few specialized tools and a torque wrench, but that's about it.

Just ask us.

Dave
69S

Well, Im all in. How this will end, with me doing the rebuild or someone else, I am not sure.
The bike is sort of in the family and the crazy part is I have not ridden it.
I want to keep it, I am going to keep it.
All in good time.

champ7fc said:

Do not despair, You can get two very good instructional DVD's from the International Norton Owners Club by Mick Hemmings in the UK. These DVD's are excellent. One covers the Commando Engine, disassembly and reassembly and the other guides you through a transmission rebuild. I spent four years restoring a 71 Fastback, starting with a frame and a seized engine. Admittedly I am a experienced mechanic, but the videos can do the job for you if you are willing to take the time. You will have to aquire some tools to do the job but it can be done. You will also get to know your Commando alot better and ride it more confidently when you are done . This web site is great as you have on tap many experienced mechanics to help you.; I only found this site after my Commando was done but I have used it since and it has helped me also. Go for it, You can do it. Craig

Click to expand...

I don't think DVD's or Manuals produce a good job, it's about that inbuilt feel that years of experiance and the desire to be the very best one can be.
No amount of books can show that "feel" You are either good at something or not, It's that connection between fingers and brain, it started when you where about 6-7 years old, and over time grew. We are born to dance..or sit in a corner!

Ha John

It all depends on the girl

Chris

Remember the immortal words of Tim Taylor. If you don't work on it yourself it is not really yours. There are many good mechanics out there but few are true enthusiasts. To some it is a job and they will only do what they have to to get the job done and get paid. The owner and or the enthusiast will go the extra mile to make it right even if you are not getting paid to do the extra step. It's your bike and your money if you tackle the job there are always people out there that can bail you out if you get in over your head.

Ya don't have to really be that much of a mechanic if ya just take apart the vitals and have the barrels gone over by a engine shop and the head gone though by a Norton or informed engine shop, then its just spend spend spend in time and money to go though the gear box and wheel bearings and ignitions and carb and old rust bucket insides of oil and gas tank, then brakes and cables and primary and nice toppings like paint and powder coat and seat and grips and and and and ...

You also must buy beg barrow a few permanent tools and some once in a life time tools, if first rebuild holds up as expected. The videos are wothwhile to orient you and me too on basic process to comfort one before getting in over ya head like I did and still feel that way too often, even after like 4-5 rebuilds on, ugh, just two Combats.

One can't overstate the benefits of joining the local Norton owners club. You won't need to buy the specialty tools, you won't be at a loss for advice, you won't be able to keep them away from your bike. I've heard the Chicago INOA chapter is one of the more active ones. Check out their site.

http://www.cnoc.org/

Thumbs up on the Mick Hemming DVD's. I keep a little portable player on the work bench. Play a section of the DVD, pause it, do what Mick did, go to the next section. I did the gear box this way and I'm now doing the engine. The only thing he doesn't get into is measuring and evaluating parts for machine work. The best thing to do is gather up all of the main bits once you get it stripped and take it to a competent machinist to measure and evaluate and make a recommendation as to what you can reuse and what needs replaced. I'm about half way through my first engine rebuild and I haven't ran into a problem yet that either the workshop manual, the dvd or this forum wasn't able to answer. Good Luck!

I just did gearbox, clutch, wiring harness and more with zero experience, but lots of determination! It shifts and rides flawlessly now. I can't wait to do a full resto!! I say go for it. Its a great experience. The info here is superb. cheers, rob