Engine oil again and fork trouble.

jorgenbg · May 7, 2007

Hi all,

I'm about to change the oils on my Commando engine. What is the optimal choice of engine and gearbox oil? I ride only during the summer and the temp varies from 5degrees C to about 25 here in Norway. Last year I used Castrol 20w50, but this year I'm thinking about going syntetic.

I also have this problem with my forks. When I go across something bumpy, they often give this very nasty sound. Like metal hitting each other. Any idea how to locate the problem without dismantle the whole thing?

Here is how the bike lookes like..

ntst8 · May 7, 2007

jorgenbg

My preference is for synthetic in the engine and the gearbox but i wouldn't argue against any name brand (synthetic or dinosaur) - changed often is the number 1 rule.
A down side of synthetic is that it is harder to keep the engine oil tight.
There are a few threads on this and the only definite conclusion is that opinions vary.

L.A.B. · May 7, 2007

jorgenbg said:
What is the optimal choice of engine and gearbox oil? I ride only during the summer and the temp varies from 5degrees C to about 25 here in Norway. Last year I used Castrol 20w50, but this year I'm thinking about going syntetic.

A number of Commando owners use Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil, and I have also used it before. I also use synthetic gear oil but do not really have any specific recommendation for that.

jorgenbg said:
I also have this problem with my forks. When I go across something bumpy, they often give this very nasty sound. Like metal hitting each other. Any idea how to locate the problem without dismantle the whole thing?

Does this noise happen as the forks compress (bottom out) or when they extend after compressing (top out)?

Can you hear the same noise if you sit on the bike, apply the front brake and pump the forks up and down hard? At what point during fork movement does the noise occur? If it happens when the forks are at full extension then the damper caps (and damper rods) are probably worn and need to be replaced? The forks are not difficult to rebuild.
Also check you have at least 150cc/ml of fork oil in each leg, the original fork oil grade recommendation was SAE20.

jorgenbg · May 7, 2007

Thanks for quick reply. I guess the brand and type of oil are subject to individual preference. That's why it's so difficult for a newbie to make up his mind.

I think the fork-noise comes when they are fully extended. When I get home today, I will try to push and pull and see when the noise appears. Thanks for the advice. Have to go through my Haynes manual to see how the fork-oil is replaced :shock:

Jørgen

jorgenbg · May 7, 2007

The forks seems OK with respect to the "down movement", but on the way up they do not stop before metal does the job.

Do you guys know any other good repair manuals other than Haynes? I get really confused reading it. I have absolutely no clue about parts to order. The forks contain so many :roll:

Is it possible to buy a complete rebuild kit? Do I need any special tools? I have a lot of tools in metric size, and almost none in inches.

thanks

Jørgen

wrench · May 7, 2007

jorgenbg said:
The forks seems OK with respect to the "down movement", but on the way up they do not stop before metal does the job.

Do you guys know any other good repair manuals other than Haynes? I get really confused reading it. I have absolutely no clue about parts to order. The forks contain so many :roll:

Is it possible to buy a complete rebuild kit? Do I need any special tools? I have a lot of tools in metric size, and almost none in inches.

thanks

Jørgen

Jørgen--

Nice lookin' bike, by the way. Nifty.

I'm going to be re-doing my forks relatively soon. I've read it's not completely difficult. A very good source of instruction is the Workshop Manual for Norton Commando. Amazingly, it's available online (came across it several months ago by accident). The fork section is available here:

http://tinyurl.com/393gl8

Just hit the lower < or > signs to move from one page to another. Might be of help. I haven't read it completely, so am unsure if it will help or not.

I recently ordered a fork rebuild kit, so yes, they are available. Here's one place to get them (and offers a picture and description of what you get):

http://tinyurl.com/246g5r

I actually purchased my kit from www.britishonly.com It was about $12 cheaper there, if I remember correctly (but you have to spend a minimum of $150 in parts to get that price). As you are from Norway, I'm not sure what's available out your way.

If you think this is something you want and it's not available to you in your country, I think they'd ship overseas. If not, just let me know. I can order it here and mail it to you if need be. Also check http://www.rgmmotors.co.uk/ as they are adept at shipping anywhere in the world. I'm not sure if they offer this product or not. Good luck!

Cheers--

wrench

jorgenbg · May 8, 2007

Very good information. Thanks a lot!

Here in Norway I only know about one shop which specialize in old brits. But I prefer buying my parts directly from the UK, I'm a poor student

I contact you if I run into shipping-problems from the US. Tanks again!

Jørgen

Coco · May 8, 2007

[quote="wrench

I'm going to be re-doing my forks relatively soon. I've read it's not completely difficult. A very good source of instruction is the Workshop Manual for Norton Commando. Amazingly, it's available online (came across it several months ago by accident). The fork section is available here:

http://tinyurl.com/393gl8

Just hit the lower < or > signs to move from one page to another. Might be of help. I haven't read it completely, so am unsure if it will help or not.

I recently ordered a fork rebuild kit, so yes, they are available. Here's one place to get them (and offers a picture and description of what you get):

http://tinyurl.com/246g5r

I actually purchased my kit from www.britishonly.com It was about $12 cheaper there, if I remember correctly (but you have to spend a minimum of $150 in parts to get that price). As you are from Norway, I'm not sure what's available out your way.

If you think this is something you want and it's not available to you in your country, I think they'd ship overseas. If not, just let me know. I can order it here and mail it to you if need be. Also check http://www.rgmmotors.co.uk/ as they are adept at shipping anywhere in the world. I'm not sure if they offer this product or not. Good luck!

Cheers--

wrench[/quote]

Wrench, do you have a link for the whole on-line manual? One for a MKIII would be great.

The photo copied one seems better suited than getting my factory manual all greasy.

wrench · May 8, 2007

Coco said:
Wrench, do you have a link for the whole on-line manual? One for a MKIII would be great.

The photo copied one seems better suited than getting my factory manual all greasy.

I do have the link. Here it is:

http://rocbo.lautre.net/technique/norton_workshop/

You just click on the first few pages to get to the < > signs. Don't know who did this but they did do us a service. I have my manual at the shop, but I can tap into this one if need be here at home.

Cheers--

wrench

Coco · May 8, 2007

wrench said:
Coco said:

Wrench, do you have a link for the whole on-line manual? One for a MKIII would be great.

The photo copied one seems better suited than getting my factory manual all greasy.

Click to expand...

I do have the link. Here it is:

http://rocbo.lautre.net/technique/norton_workshop/

You just click on the first few pages to get to the < > signs. Don't know who did this but they did do us a service. I have my manual at the shop, but I can tap into this one if need be here at home.

Cheers--

Thanks Wrench. It's still not for the MKIII, but a lot of it transfers over so I can get my greasy paws all over it and not care. I just printed most of it off.

Thanks.

wrench

L.A.B. · May 8, 2007

jorgenbg said:
The forks seems OK with respect to the "down movement", but on the way up they do not stop before metal does the job.

Then it is most likely that the damper caps are worn.

jorgenbg said:
I have absolutely no clue about parts to order. The forks contain so many

The Commando parts books are on line at BSA Regal:

Here are the early Commando drum brake fork parts: http://www.bsa-regal.co.uk/norton/parts ... &Plate=011
And the parts you will *probably* need to rebuild each fork leg will be items: [27,28,29,16,18,19,10,26,23,9,22] click on the drawing numbers for the part numbers.

Your forks could possibly be from a Dominator model (as you have a featherbed frame) so the stanchions/fork tubes are a different length to Commando, and the internal parts may be slightly different, so you will need to check what type you have after stripping them if you do not know which type they are?

jorgenbg said:
Do I need any special tools? I have a lot of tools in metric size, and almost none in inches.

You will need an Imperial Allen/hex key to undo the damper retaining screws [15] at the bottom of the fork, and a few spanners/wrenches, and you may need a strap wrench to undo the collar [8].

mike mcmanus · May 8, 2007

That's a nice looking bike Jorgen, is that some sort of Norwegian cat pissing on a wheel in the background :evil:

I'm pleased to see that it not just confined to Australian cats :wink:

Mike.

Engine oil again and fork trouble.

jorgenbg

ntst8

L.A.B.

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jorgenbg

jorgenbg

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jorgenbg

Coco

wrench

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