Commando Noob

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72Combat

72Combat

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Jan 4, 2011
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Hi Guys, my names John and I am from New Zealand. After 20 years of lusting after a Black and Gold 750 Commando I have finally got one. Broke all the rules on this....didn't see it in the metal, didn't ride it....only saw photos and a talked to the owner. He is selling it as he is retiring and some of his collection has to go.
Its a 72 Combat. Its had a lot of practical mods done to it and the owner says it will sit on 70 all day every day.
I had a 71 BSA Lightning for a couple of years when I lived in Ireland in the early 00's and I miss that style of bike.
Currently I have a Ducati Darmah and a 900ssie....and two Triumph projects....
Going to fly down and pick it up, then a 3 hour ferry crossing and 400 miles home.....should be a good spin...... :roll:
 
Welcome to the forum! I bet you're looking forward to seeing it for the first time and then riding it back. I did the same as you a few years ago: bought it and rode it back from Bedfordshire to Dublin.

Why not post some photos of your first road trip on the bike?

You've probably thought of this, but bring a decent tool kit, just in case. There's a thread on this if you enter it into the Search function.
 
Check the oil level and after starting remove the oil cap, look in and make sure oil is returning to the tank. If it runs OK, have a great ride back home. The first Commando should be a black and gold '72 combat.....mine was.
 
Yes, a good tool kit is probably a good idea. My two classic bike mates have told me " get it over to the North Island and we'll have the trailers on standby" :roll:
I'm planning on taking lots of pictures, and having a good chat to the owner. The former owner who rebuilt it wanted it back but he had just bought a house so.....
 
hi john,good choice,ive got a mk2 850 but allways lusted after a 72 combat,i really should have got one when guys couldnt give them away,if the motor was built properly with upgrades like main bearings i cant see you having any probs,it probably will cruise at 70 all day but once you feel the torqe and acceleration i cant see that lasting long lol,prove your mates wrong ,include a tow rope in your tool kit just incase your mates with the trailer break down
 
welcome aboard mate. don't forget to take some photos of your ride, and best of 2011 to you.
cheers,
Don
 
Greetings from myself peter and Crazy, my black and gold 72 combat. My father Jack lives out canadian winters on Hamilton rd. Cambridge N.Z. What is the mileage on your new aquisition ? Call up the seller perhaps asking about main bearing status and roller layshaft conversion status ,these are real imprtant to your well being. Enjoy.
 
Congrates on a new love affair.

Check tire air for 2-3 less in front than back. Do not go accelerating into long sweeper or may suddenly discover hinged handling made worse but aged and worn dodads. Even worn out Combat are a treat and handle good, but only up to a point. Combats don't really feel their oats till almost red line and don't fall off in power to warn ya to up shift. No rev limiter of course. Sorted Combat is the cream of the crop and most numerous made and blown up.

Check brake fluid level each gas stop 1000 mile as can pump down w/o knowing it to completely disappear one squeeze to the next.

Carry electrical test and repair kit. Tape and zie ties and wire, in case a muffler on coil fails off. A drift or big channel lock pliers in case the muffler ring nuts back off. Best check them first off.

Commando's are not ordinary motorcycles, they are mutant breed with special needs for their special pleasures. Start reading the Tech Note section at top of forum and collect the few manuals and tech notes needed.

A half crescent moon curved 1/4 whitworth box end wrench-spanner may be your most used tool and strain saver.

Learn which vital nuts are LH/reverse threaded and expect a cable or clock drives to go bad if not already. Some stuff is easier too just upgrade to new age versions, others worthwhile to make right.

Consider swing arm spindle collars to stabilize that for peace of handling.
 
Welcome from south Texas, John.

Jump right in, you'lll find everything you need here as relates to Commandos (and other bikes as well).
 
Cheers Guys, some good tips,I'm not collecting until the 28th..... I'd say the tricky part will be the RH change, I've used the Triumph/BSA one but this will be different. Mind you , I was lent a Guzzi California ( or as the owner calls it " The Californicator") for a few days and got used to the toe n heel change,car like foot brake and Harley bars.....I was not unhappy to give it back though.
Its mid summer here so its nice warm riding...but I'll pack the wet weather gear in case, as you never know here... :roll:
 
wet weather gear a must if ya commin as far down as dunedin :D good luck with the trip back
 
I'd have the opposite problem if I got on a modern bike. All I've ever ridden for more than a few blocks have been RH-shift, up-for-down, except for a friend's old Velocette LE, which was a hand shifter on the RH side of the spine. That was a car-type crash box too, no synchronisers.

Even the traditional up-for-up Triumphs would give me some pause for thought!
 
Welcome from California, USA. Congrads & enjoy your ride. Sounds like a nice adventure for your first ride. You'll be quite used to the shifting by the time you get home. I forget once in a while going from my BSA to the Norton but mostly I'm so aware that I'm on a differant bike it becomes natural. Again, like they said if it's been sitting it wet sumped so check the oil, let it run for a while to get the oil back out of the sump & into the tank. Then check it again. Don't just add oil if it's low when you get there. It may all be in the sump. Enjoy!!
 
Heres a pic of new purchase, only 12 more sleeps ( as we used to say coming up to Chrissy).
Owner says its got the wrong headers and seat. During the auction the original NZ owner said that he had them but had just sold them....bugger. :eek:
Its now been fitted with indicators as it was de registered and had to be re tested and complied.
Its got an oil pressure guage, progressive springs, boyer ign, new tyres, chain, brake pads.
Tank is Glass but we don't have corn fuel here yet.... but at $1.56 US a litre that can't be far away....

Commando Noob
 
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