Can the Commando do rolling wheelies?

nidyanazo · Mar 9, 2009

Well? Can it?
I'm trying to judge the power level I should be at, My uncle used to tell me storied of how "it pulls the wheel up in 4th!" but It sure doesn't do it for me!
Wondering if you all can shed some light on the subject.
Sorry if it's off topic. I've been waiting all day for the machine shop to open tomorrow to take the cyl head in.

Aydin :lol:

Philthy · Mar 9, 2009

If you watch this clip there is a "snippet" of a race between a Commando and a Z9 fron the Aussie Bike film "Stone".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lloTd45PFPg

(Moderately NSFW)

The Commando was pulling power wheelies all over the shop in the actual movie. Unfortunately, he sold out and bought a jappa . . . . .

batrider · Mar 9, 2009

I've never had it come up (that I knew of) but the front end does get very light and barely touches the road when accelerating hard in 2nd gear. This is on my '72 combat with the stock 19T gearing. Fourth gear roll-on wheelies no way.

Russ

Captain B · Mar 9, 2009

My Dad says his 75 would do them in second only. I'm not so bold to try it.

grandpaul · Mar 9, 2009

For a Commando to do roll-on 4th gear wheelies, it would need to be geared VERY low, and the engine would need to be pretty highly modified.

2nd gear roll-on wheelies are much more likely, but the above mentioned gearing and tuning are also somewhat likley to affect the possibility. Even a Combat in stock trim would need to be in excellent tune, possibly can be done with stock gearing.

fastback · Mar 9, 2009

There's always this video, kept me motivated over many cold snowy winters with a bike in bits and parts in the mail.

Don't dare try it on my Fastback though! :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-NFkWZ3PCk

.

Hortons Norton · Mar 9, 2009

I have a 98 S1 Buell that has 90+ H.P. and it weighs less than a Norton and it won't do 4th gear roll on's, I would love to see one that would. Unless you were coming out of a dip or had really low gearing I think this would be almost impossible. So I guess we have are homework guys, Let me know if you guys can do it, I know mine won't. Chuck. :roll:

grandpaul · Mar 9, 2009

fastback - that's a Dreer 880 that has the cost of a fully restored Commando in the engine alone. Also, that wasn't 4th gear.

Did you notice the tach needle in the first few seconds of the clip?

Cookie · Mar 9, 2009

I used to have to pull mine up in second, I never had a Combat though.

Now that I'm older and saner i'd prefer to avoid wheelies. I also credit doing stuff like that with the primary chain I broke.

Jeandr · Mar 9, 2009

nidyanazo said:
Well? Can it?
I'm trying to judge the power level I should be at, My uncle used to tell me storied of how "it pulls the wheel up in 4th!" but It sure doesn't do it for me!
Wondering if you all can shed some light on the subject.
Sorry if it's off topic. I've been waiting all day for the machine shop to open tomorrow to take the cyl head in.

Aydin :lol:

Some fishermen also ride bikes. You will never find a British bike strong enough to pull 4th gear wheelies unless there was a really fat passenger on the back seat and going uphill.

Jean

Hortons Norton · Mar 9, 2009

That was GREAT!!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

ILLF8ED · Mar 9, 2009

Commando wheelies

In the 80s riding a '73 hi compression 750 (220627 - not a combat), we were late getting to the club ride start in Sausilito. Getting frustrated hitting every light in San Francisco, I gave it a lot of throttle letting the clutch out shifting into second gear. The front end came up and I rode it for two blocks. Witnessed by Phil Radford..."can't believe you did that." Barnett clutch with 21 tooth counter sprocket and in roadster trim. Don't make a habit of abusing the gearbox. These were fine on an ES2 in 1957, but the Commando produces about three times the power and the AMC box is a weak link.

David

BillT · Mar 9, 2009

I don't doubt a Commando in 'good nick' can pull up in 2nd or even 3rd gear, but at 35+ years old, why do it?

I've got a modern bike that will power up in the first three gears, and clutch up in 5th, but no need to do it more than once.

Can the Commando do rolling wheelies?

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