Before and after

Bought in late March this year:


All major work and paint done. Just have to adjust chains, valves, etc and and fluids:




JD

Wow. What a gorgeous bike.

Well done.

Looks real nice, I like that color too. Perfect bike for those Southern back road rides through the trees.

All I can say is WOW!!! Nice work.

Well done!

Nice mudflaps, too.

-simpson

Nice work, now go ride and get off the computer.

Dave
69S

Another great example of why these bikes are so worthy of our attentions. Great Job, JD.
How about some close ups of the oil cooler and routing.

I'll get some close ups when I get back from a trip to Chicago. I rolled it out into the sun for the first time and took some quick shots.
Mod list is long, but since I got the bike at way under market value, it was worth it to go all out and take care of the normal Commando inadeqecies and intrinsic problem areas, and still keeping it right at market.
Too easy to go upside down on projects. All the "creep" expenses were basically covered by the low starting price bike was found at.

JD

A double wow, one its as good looking as they get, two you sure whipped up on the speed to get to show boat rider state to stare at.

Very Nice!!!

Stunning, the competition for most improved will be ferocious :wink:

Jean

Dammit. Now I have to go out into the garage and do something!

Beautiful bike.

Just got my Akronts back from Buchanan's tonight. Although I can lace, I can't drill undrilled rims, so I fugured that let the experts do the complete wheel building for me.
I'll post picks next week when I get back with them installed along with some close up oil cooler pics.

Thanks for all the positive comments guys.

I think one reason why it came together quicly is that I didn't take any "during" or "in progress" pictures as it would have slowed the momentum and motivation to knock this one out. Completely rebuilt the tranny (just for insurance as I had no clue if the layshaft bearing had been dealt with), but the bike only had 7,000 miles on it and the engine was in very good shape and didn't need anything internal done. Also want to enjoy what's left of this ridng season shaking it down and actually getting some good rides in before the seasons change. It does get cold in Georgia and we have snow very occasionally, but usually this nasty stuff (that's worse then gravel) called "Black Ice".

JD

Jesus! That's freaking outstanding. Very much improved--and absolutely gorgeous.

Super job!
Great to see another non runner turned into a head turner.

Bob

Just WOW!! :shock:

If mine turns out half as good, I'd be a happy bunny . Great job!!

Awesome - she looks sexy!

Absolutely an excellent contender for the 2011 "Most Improved" contest.

To everyone else still in-work, you still have a couple of months!

NICE JOB, Did it have one of the unwanted layshaft bearings? Just wondering

Phil

The original owner had the tranny seize and layed the bike down. It took out the right side exhaust, right footpeg, bent the right side muffler hangers, front turn signals, and tach housing & trim. Chain snapped and took ot the inner chain primary case. The trans was beyond repair. He did replace the exhaust with Emgo bits and replaced the tranny with a used (but alas a non number matching unit) but good like year unit. The bike, while on it's side leaked gas and the gas had melted the wiring harness large rubber terminal junction under the tank and also the gas had gotten into and melted the front ISO rubbers . Seat cover was also torn. The owner did manage to piece it back together and keep it a running bike, but it was far from ideal as can be seen in the before pic. Bike had only 7000 original miles and really was'nt that far gone.
When I went thru the gearbox, the layshaft bearing was an English branded ball bearing. I used the perffered roller bearing, and replaced the other bearings and all the bushes with RGM supplied bits.
I subsequently replaced all the "wrong" and broken bits with OEM Andoverparts and uprated other parts (head steady, shocks primary drive, fork dampers, etc...) with "Forum Approved" aftermarket goodies.

JD

Norton-Villier said:

NICE JOB, Did it have one of the unwanted layshaft bearings? Just wondering

Phil

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