"Big Red" and "The Blues" project

So I had been advised that the projects should have there own threads since they are in fact 2 separate projects (ie; MKII and MKIII). As titled, I have dubbed the bikes as to their colors and will reference them accordingly throughout the project. On a recap, I have acquired 3 complete bikes and a frame/complete parts for a 4th bike with the agreement that I will combine the best parts of the bikes to make a running/road worthy bike for the owner and in return I will then assemble a second bike for myself as payment for my labor. He wants his bike stripped (to frame) and have frame/tank/covers painted fresh and reassembled into a running bike. Matching numbers on all bikes, but he only has title for 2 of the complete bikes and the frame/motor. There is not currently a title for "The Blues", hence the name.

"Big Red" VIN: 3059*6, I have been advised is a MKII 850.




"The Blues" VIN: 301*60, also a MKII 850.


I have found a rather weird and frankly bizarre rod coming from the rocker shaft are, where the rocker cover should be. The post (on both sides) are threaded into the upper head and are simply unexplainable to me at this point. I plan on doing some serious photo shooting this weekend and diving straight in.


Any insight into these post/rods from the rocker covers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to any/all advise and help with this project. Frankly I am uber excited to be doing this project and can't wait to get on to mine, knowing that day is way down the road.

You are talking about the rocker spindles, right?
Good luck with your restore project. Looking forward to the pictures and questions.
I love these kind of rebuilds.

I'm not sure what you want to call it, but I circled it to try and define. I have not seen it before in any pics/posts/internet searches. The rod/spindle is on both sides and is identical to one another.

Previous owner has pulled the exhaust rocker spindles out to remove the rocker arms.
The rust on the spindle machined surface may be an issue.

That's the rocker spindle. Someone has pulled it mostly out. item 27 here http://www.oldbritts.com/1971_g2.html

Do you have the workshop manual? If not you better get one, I think they are all available on line somewhere.

Rocker spindle. There are 4. Proper installed, the releaved portion with the oil hole will face out from the center of the head. Intake facing back and exhaust facing forward respectively.

I am a little concerned that if you are so unfamilure, this is going to be a long long thread/build. Although you may or may not be over your head, you need to honest with yourself and your customer, although the enticement of the endevour is totally understandable to me.

We'll be here for ya.

Yes, get a workshop manual or download one from the tech section here. Get a parts manual or become real acquainted with Old Brits web site. Or all of the above. One of the biggest challenges while working on these old bikes is how to get stuff apart without causing more damage. You will have plenty of experience in this by the time you are done. Patience is a must.

Do these engines turn over? I would be tempted to dump the whole thing into a tub full of ATF or something and let it soak for awhile before I even tried to take it apart. Buy a good quality heat gun and use it often!

You can start by downloading this manual or at least save the link:

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repai ... mmando.pdf

Russ

I do have that manual, thanks for the link. I thought that they may be the spindle, but wanted to make sure it wasn't something that I hadn't seen before. This weekend will be the first time I will have to spend some time with them and getting familiar/acquainted. I know the project is going to be a bit to handle at times, but I am looking forward to the challenge of learning about the bikes, the heritage and he over-all experience of the project.

Use lots of penetrating fluids and a heat gun and patience. The less damage done, particularly to the head, cylinders and cases the better off you will be. We have seen threads here where people used hammers to get stuff apart. A hammer is useful but only with finesse!

Russ

Bottom line to me looks like a few years of labor to end up with a pile of parts that will take another 6-8 grand to get nice and roadworthy, while your associate rides around beaming and keeps bringing it back to you for all the little to big shake down over sights that Commandos are famous for even with the most elite builders. The manuals have errors in them you need to learn about or find out the hard way yourself. Then all the upgrades that help make em more livable. Selling off your parts and the other leftovers might be the best head start to shop for your actual Commando. But a good hot torch and spare tanks then a few speical pullers and tools.

Camp6 said:

"Big Red" VIN: 3059*6, I have been advised is a MKII 850.

"The Blues" VIN: 301*60, also a MKII 850.

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They are both MkI models, not MkII (MkII/IIA from 307311).

Those look like some fun projects! They look in better shape than mine was when i got it last September. After a solid winter of work (and some cubic dollars) mine is on the road now, and I'm loving it! This site is a fantastic resource, I couldn't have done it without the advice I got here!

This thread has serious potential to be truly great. I'm excited to see how this progresses.

benz said:

This thread has serious potential to be truly great. I'm excited to see how this progresses.

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Yes it does
Can I suggest a better digital camera though which are cheap these days. (near all have a macro function)
You can't go back in time but you can capture it in clear photo's. :wink:

Its not the pics which are a bit fuzzy. ?
Its the parts !!

This is going to be a big project.
Or 3. Or is that 4...

Rohan said:

Its not the pics which are a bit fuzzy. ?
Its the parts !!

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So, check the parts over and get them vapour blasted if they are good,if they are not cracked,gouged or some other calamity they can be returned to reliable service obviously.
The reality is in this day and age with the likes of Andover Norton near any part is available if you have the inclination to buy them,that in itself can save a lot of work.
These bikes posted are just a few of the 1000's of Commando's left to rot by previous owners,its nothing new and is worldwide.
Like any motorcycle resurrection be it restored to as it was new or to good mechanical running condition only,it is as expected methodical and based on think twice before acting.
What these bikes will consume is money,that's the bottom line,the first step is to evaluate what really is there (or not) and its condition on top of comparing what you have by what you read and see in the workshop manual.
Step one, evaluation and gain visual familiarity for clarity of task.


It should be a good thread,get a decent (cheap) camera all the same.

Camp6 said:

I'm not sure what you want to call it, but I circled it to try and define. I have not seen it before in any pics/posts/internet searches. The rod/spindle is on both sides and is identical to one another.

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If I'd seen this on a less respectable forum, I'd have thought the author was trolling :shock:, this being a customers(paying) rebuild and all...................

I'm not sure what is meant by "trolling" but I have been able to determine the rod as a "rocker spindle". I have been able to remove the tank, giving me better access to the "spine" of the bike and get a sence of the wiring harness' condition on "Big-Red" . It appears to be a bit stressed, but the harness on "The Blues" seems to be in much better shape.
With that being said, it appears that the majority of the parts from "BR" are in worse condition than "TB". The tail-frame on "BR" is also bent down approximately 1-2 inches. Not sure if the last owner to a "biggin" for a ride or of something fell on the bike (ie; tree). I have begun sifting through the boxes as well and began using some liquid wrench on some of the parts to get some motion back into them. I have also started to arrange the boxes into parts specific bins (motor, covers, front end/shocks, etc.)

You better order a 5 gallon drum of Evaporust!

Guido said:

You are talking about the rocker spindles, right?
Good luck with your restore project. Looking forward to the pictures and questions.
I love these kind of rebuilds.

Click to expand...

+1 with GPZ These threads are most interesting, good luck as ya got yer work cut out for ya yesirree ! When yer done it is a great feeling of accomplishment and an overall very rewarding experience !