Fastback hits the road again.

usefulidiot · Sep 17, 2012

Yesterday the fastback was out and about for the first time in who knows how many years. I got it non-running a while back and this was my first real ride other than around the block. She rode great! Once warm the Amals perform flawlessly. Small complaints: front wheel needs to be trued, wobbles a little too much. Rear iso and possibly swingarm need to be addressed: rear feels a little loose.

Just wanted to share this because i know a lot of people here have experienced that same satisfaction of taking something neglected and turning it into useful (and gorgeous and fun!) transportation again.

rvich · Sep 17, 2012

Congrats. Regarding that swingarm. When you grab the rear wheel and push it right and then to the left can you see the chain get tight and go slack? If so, this is from some slop in the swingarm pivot. Get in touch with Windy and buy some clamps!

Russ

drones76 · Sep 17, 2012

usefulidiot said:
Yesterday the fastback was out and about for the first time in who knows how many years. I got it non-running a while back and this was my first real ride other than around the block. She rode great! Once warm the Amals perform flawlessly. Small complaints: front wheel needs to be trued, wobbles a little too much. Rear iso and possibly swingarm need to be addressed: rear feels a little loose.

Just wanted to share this because i know a lot of people here have experienced that same satisfaction of taking something neglected and turning it into useful (and gorgeous and fun!) transportation again.

Amen to that. Good work. And yes it is a great feeling of satisfaction. Mine was two decades in a shed. A few minor bumps recently. The head is on it's way back from Colorado with new exhaust port inserts and a new exhaust system is waiting in boxes to be installed. Should have her back up and running for some nice fall weather.

Good luck. Get her running solid and safe then get her pretty.

grandpaul · Sep 17, 2012

The Fastback, it seems to me, is an "acquired taste". Something about the paint scheme and patina on this one helps in the acquisition!

Hobot · Sep 17, 2012

When checking rear wheel play don't just look at swing arm spindle area which is famous for this and collars developed to stabilize, also eye ball front iso side play. Its a great high to bring life back to a long term keeper but you've married a gal with some history to over come.

usefulidiot · Sep 17, 2012

When I wiggle the rear wheel the most movement appears to be in the gearbox. Where the swingarm attaches it doesn't seem to move. I assume that means rear iso. I can't detect much movement in the front at all. The paint job is actually least favorite part of the bike. I know it's a rare scheme, so I won't change it, but I'll probably eventually get a spare set of bodywork and do the green. Next on te list: lower bars, figure out mirrors and front fender. (after this ISO stuff)

usefulidiot · Sep 17, 2012

Also what's the consensus inthe best place to buy the vernier conversions? I was gonna go with waldridge, they have been good to me so far

rvich · Sep 17, 2012

Did you watch the drive chain while wiggling the rear wheel? If you can see the gear box moving back and forth I would say the rear iso needs some attention. If it hasn't been looked at in years it is likely that the teflon washers are gone and there is about an 1/8" of play there.

DogT · Sep 17, 2012

Nice FB. How much of it is the original parts if you don't mind my asking?

If your iso rubber parts are good, the easiest way is to get Hemmings adjusters, £60 plus delivery. It replaces one collar on each iso, doesn't require any machining or replacement of parts unless, of course, the parts are worn beyond useful life. Some people seem to think the grub screw is too small, but I haven't found any issues with it. There are about 3 solutions out there though as far as verniers, I think, Hemmings, Norvil, and the MK3. But beware, with the 850 the rubber parts got stiffer. I think the replacements I got for my 750 as original parts are too stiff, I'd drill some holes in them to make them softer if I wanted a project.

Dave
69S

usefulidiot · Sep 17, 2012

Thx for the info Dave. It is about 90% original. I'm missing a front fender and mainstand. I put new fork tubes, headlight ears and gaiters(had generic brackets), new brackets for the left side cover. Still missing the 1/4 turn assembly for the side cover as well.(apparently they're unobtainium) Got something rigged up with a wingnut and lock washer at the moment. It has a Boyer on it that came with it. As far as I can tell everything else is original.

usefulidiot · Sep 17, 2012

Also the chain moved a little with te wiggling but not very much and I couldn't detect te swingarm moving

DogT · Sep 17, 2012

The Dzus fastener 061341 (1/4 turn) is available. Item 5 and 6 here http://www.oldbritts.com/1971_g10.html they're not cheap. I bet they could be found at a specialty supplier. I used to see smaller screw driver versions used on Collins or CEI radio equipment to keep top and bottom panels on, smaller version of course. The front fender is available at Andover 060584, be aware they take their own stays too, Andover has them also, but shipping will be outrageous if you're in the US. I doubt if you will find the front guard in the US unless you find someone parting out a very early original Commando, and even then most got rid of the front guard for the larger than 3.00 tyres.

Dave
69S

sole survivor · Sep 17, 2012

grandpaul said:
The Fastback, it seems to me, is an "acquired taste". Something about the paint scheme and patina on this one helps in the acquisition!

I agree. The Fastback is an acquired taste. That's why I own one and gathers a crowd where ever I go. And why you don't see many of them. The first time I saw it I knew it was going to be mine.
Funny about the Commando(or any early bike). Just when you repair/update one part and ride it with a smile another issue crops up. I notice my right front fork seal is leaking.
You have a great Fastback. Keep the patina and work on the mechanics.

DogT · Sep 17, 2012

I don't look at the FB as an acquired taste, more like the original Commando. And a good one at that. But I do like the second version with the peashooters more to my taste.

Dave
69S

Snorton74 · Sep 17, 2012

One of the cooler fastbacks I've seen. First one I've really liked the paint on.

usefulidiot · Sep 18, 2012

DogT said:
The Dzus fastener 061341 (1/4 turn) is available. Item 5 and 6 here http://www.oldbritts.com/1971_g10.html they're not cheap. I bet they could be found at a specialty supplier. I used to see smaller screw driver versions used on Collins or CEI radio equipment to keep top and bottom panels on, smaller version of course. The front fender is available at Andover 060584, be aware they take their own stays too, Andover has them also, but shipping will be outrageous if you're in the US. I doubt if you will find the front guard in the US unless you find someone parting out a very early original Commando, and even then most got rid of the front guard for the larger than 3.00 tyres.

Dave
69S

It's actually a different 1/4 turn on the early FB's. They don't make them anymore and Andover doesn't have any. I dont have the p/n handy but basically it's a plastic 1/4 turn with a slotted head with a plastic receptacle that attaches to the battery box at the bottom. Plastic= won't find any used ones. There may be some in someone's old parts bin somewhere, but I have been unable to locate one.

drones76 · Sep 18, 2012

http://kurveygirl.com/shop/index.php?cPath=104

Check here for a Dzus that may fit the bill.

speirmoor · Sep 18, 2012

Thats a beautiful Fastback. Love the patina, wont see one of those everyday.

Ron L · Sep 18, 2012

It's actually a different 1/4 turn on the early FB's. They don't make them anymore and Andover doesn't have any. I dont have the p/n handy but basically it's a plastic 1/4 turn with a slotted head with a plastic receptacle that attaches to the battery box at the bottom. Plastic= won't find any used ones. There may be some in someone's old parts bin somewhere, but I have been unable to locate one.

Norvil claims to have them (they are called Rotoloks). It is the same type as that used to mount the zener diode heat sink bracket only one is white and the other black. (P/N 060847-white and 060848 - black). If you don't have the mating parts they are 060849 and 060852. They're not cheap and dealing with Les Emery can be "interesting".

Fastback hits the road again.

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