Build thread 1976 850 Commando

[stevenfoxall]

Hey guys hope you’re well.

After clocking some kms now on my new (to be) mk3 the list of maintenance items and then modification items has started to grow a little. So I thought instead of multiple threads I’d just make a so called ‘build thread’ (something I used to do with modified cars when I was a little younger) to help document my journey with the bike.

First step after getting it home to Norway was to go through the import procedure and approval with the Norwegian roads administration ‘statens vegvensen’

A relative simple process as long as you jump through the right hoops.




A very strange and rare 10c day in late January enabled a little blast around the city. Here it’s pictured in front of the Oslo opera house.



Then came some easy fix maintenance items. New rubbers and a new Venhill clutch cable. The previous cable was so bad and riding it back from England almost gave me carpel tunnel sounds glad to have those sorted.





But as you can see here, the harness is in massive need of replacement. I fixed a few little things and tuned the carbs up to get it in an okay state until the new harness arrive.

 

[concours]

ALL the harnesses look like that, except the home made ones. Sorry.
Be careful getting a new one, lots of quality concerns have been discussed here.

 

[stevenfoxall]

ALL the harnesses look like that, except the home made ones. Sorry.
Be careful getting a new one, lots of quality concerns have been discussed here.

ha british quality right? Yeah a replacement lucas harness wasnt so expensive, but i'll go over it before installation and make sure its alright/change out anything thats needed.

Also brings me on to some questions of modification.

- id love an 18" rear wheel WM4 i believe? Wheres the best place to get hold of one to suit my bike? I dont have any experience with lacing up wheels so ideally i would like to buy a complete one if possible.

- i would also like to instal clips ons to replace the current bars. Any recommendation on which brand, and does anyone know the diameter needed?

- the current seat is very old and gross. Its the interstate type with two hooks either side. Any recommendations for a lower profile seat still with capacity for a pillion?

thanks

 

[L.A.B.]

the current seat is very old and gross. Its the interstate type with two hooks either side.

The original Mk3 seat would have had a hinge (on the left) and a catch and seat lock on the right.

Yeah a replacement lucas harness wasnt so expensive, but i'll go over it before installation and make sure its alright/change out anything thats needed.

Presumably, you bought both the main and headlamp (and other sub-harness sections although the ignition sub-harness isn't required with electronic ignition)?

The finned exhaust clamps look like Triumph (71-0216)* items below...

*(or 70-6743) although both are larger diameter than the Commando exhaust.
...so the exhaust can't be secured to the head in the normal way without the standard threaded exhaust lockrings?

 

[L.A.B.]

As the bike no longer has its original black plastic airbox and therefore probably no oil separator 34, then 'breather pipe' 39 should've been blanked off?
Or, both it and T piece '40' and two hose sections can be replaced with a single tube.


Edit:

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

 

[Schwany]

I would stick with the 19-inch rims and tires myself. In my experience a motorcycle can feel as though it handles better on the street with skinny tires. It makes the bike feel lighter flicking it back and forth through turns. If you want to make a wheel change, take a look at https://www.central-wheel.co.uk/. Great selection, good pricing, and they have wheel building services.

Clips-ons are not that comfortable with standard pegs. Your knees may end up in your chest. Rear sets make them tolerable on a street bike if young enough. I don't agree with a lot of people about anything, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Alan L]

Hey guys hope you’re well.

After clocking some kms now on my new (to be) mk3 the list of maintenance items and then modification items has started to grow a little. So I thought instead of multiple threads I’d just make a so called ‘build thread’ (something I used to do with modified cars when I was a little younger) to help document my journey with the bike.

First step after getting it home to Norway was to go through the import procedure and approval with the Norwegian roads administration ‘statens vegvensen’

A relative simple process as long as you jump through the right hoops.


View attachment 85508

A very strange and rare 10c day in late January enabled a little blast around the city. Here it’s pictured in front of the Oslo opera house.

View attachment 85509

Then came some easy fix maintenance items. New rubbers and a new Venhill clutch cable. The previous cable was so bad and riding it back from England almost gave me carpel tunnel sounds glad to have those sorted.



View attachment 85510View attachment 85511

But as you can see here, the harness is in massive need of replacement. I fixed a few little things and tuned the carbs up to get it in an okay state until the new harness arrive.
View attachment 85512

Hi,
Great photos. I’m mightily impressed with your posts. The commando looks likes it compliments the Porsche in your garage very nicely.
What is going on with the cylinder head support? I presume it is an aftermarket improvement.
Good luck with the bike
Regards from Oz
Alan

 

[Fast Eddie]

If you fit clip ons you really need to be looking at rear-sets too as it’ll be like riding whilst touching your toes otherwise !
And, you’ll need new headlamp brackets etc.
And so it begins …

 

[alan hodge]

if'n you desire clip ons (why?) corn-sider low euro bars i have them on my bike they give lower forward position/look without neck/back/wrist strain IMHO

 

[Time Warp]

What is going on with the cylinder head support? I presume it is an aftermarket improvement.

It looks like a Jim Comstock / USA version (ball joints) perhaps via Holland Norton Works.
There are a few aftermarket parts on the bike.

 

[L.A.B.]

exclusive Commando parts | Holland Norton Works

www.hollandnortonworks.eu

 

[stevenfoxall]

The original Mk3 seat would have had a hinge (on the left) and a catch and seat lock on the right.



Presumably, you bought both the main and headlamp (and other sub-harness sections although the ignition sub-harness isn't required with electronic ignition)?

The finned exhaust clamps look like Triumph (71-0216)* items below...

*(or 70-6743) although both are larger diameter than the Commando exhaust.
...so the exhaust can't be secured to the head in the normal way without the standard threaded exhaust lockrings?

Hey not sure what you’re asking re the exhaust ?

 

[stevenfoxall]

Thanks for the kind words and comments re clip ons and wheels. As for why, with the 18” wheel and clip on it’s totally for looks. The rear tyre simply must be wider, does not look great from behind.

I’m quite tall (196cm) so rear sets make sense. But then I suppose that removes my possibility to carry a pillion?

 

[L.A.B.]

Hey not sure what you’re asking re the exhaust ?

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

It should have threaded exhaust lockrings like this...

...retaining the (flared Mk3) end of each pipe to the head by collets (often broken into two pieces)...

...with a spherical seating between each pipe and exhaust port.

 

[stevenfoxall]

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

It should have threaded exhaust lockrings like this...

Alright, but you’re saying it doesn’t. Is that a problem ?

 

[Time Warp]

Alright, but you’re saying it doesn’t. Is that a problem ?

I think the curiosity is, what is under those finned covers being far from stock.
Maybe there is still some form of threaded insert based on the headers looking stock unless there is a Triumph push in type spigot set up. (or something else unknown)
The bike looks to have had some thought and money put into it (long term previous owner perhaps) but just needs a birthday.

 

[L.A.B.]

Alright, but you’re saying it doesn’t. Is that a problem ?

Well, the exhaust hasn't fallen off...so far.
I don't know what's been done so I can't say as all I can see is what appears to be a Triumph/BSA split clamp exhaust ring.

 

[Schwany]

This Commando could have threaded screw in spigots for aftermarket 1.5" exhaust headers. My 750 has screw in spigots for 1.5" headers and I use the Triumph style clamp. I don't have an OEM style exhaust. The spigots were made by a previous owner. Looks like he started with the standard exhaust ring nut machined or ground off the fins and welded a spigot on.

WM4 rims are 2.5" wide. Not real wide, but you probably will have a larger selection of wider tires to choose from with the 18" rim.

 

[Fast Eddie]

if'n you desire clip ons (why?) corn-sider low euro bars i have them on my bike they give lower forward position/look without neck/back/wrist strain IMHO

Dudes 29 years old.

He doesn’t yet suffer ‘old man syndrome’…

Well thought out clip ons - rearsets - seat can give good ergonomics (to those below a certain age / level of decay). Ludwig tours Europe on his Commando thus equipped.

 

[Schwany]

Dudes 29 years old.

He doesn’t yet suffer ‘old man syndrome’…

Well thought out clip ons - rearsets - seat can give good ergonomics (to those below a certain age / level of decay). Ludwig tours Europe on his Commando thus equipped.

If I were 29 years old, yeah, I'd make it look sporty.