Fire in the hole

One more back in running order!
This is what I started with 3 and 1/2 years ago.

Here's what it look's like now. Did all the work myself except for paint/powdercoat, machine work and wheel lacing.


Decided this morning was the day to fire it up. Started on the third kick. Here she is clicking away at about 2500 rpm.

Everything looks good, no unusual noises, no leaks, good oil return, little bit of blue smoke at first but then it cleared up. Let it run for about ten minutes. Shut it down and then fired it up again and got the timing set. Retorque the head bolts, check the valve adjustment and sort out a binding throttle cable and first ride coming up.
Here's the build thread.
mitch-basket-case-t4616.html

Very Good . You deserve a Beer . Only one , we wouldnt like things to get out of hand . Whats that over in the back of the garage .
NO , Dont sit Down . Theres another one to do . Back to work .

Yes well . Actually . its looking darn good . The old running in is important for top performance . We'd like to know wotll she Do , at 2.000 miles and 4.000 .

In fact I think the 4.000 is the mark for opening it up indiscrimanently , for maximum longivity and Performance . Its not a race .Whenll that other one be done

:wink:

In fact I think you could sit down and admire it for a day or two .To destress and prepare for the pleasure of youre just Rewards . Mind Change gear etc .

She's a beaut!, real inspiration...
Could express a little more confidence in your handi-work though, - dosen`t "F-in-the-H " refer to something `bout to blow-up?

Good spot, Matt. That's a 71 roadster over in the corner. It's several years down the road though.

Way to go, Mitch. I believe that one will be in serious contention at New Ulm in May!

Certainly a great candidate for the "Most Improved" contest here...

You started out with a pile of parts and all you got out of it was a lousy Commando?

OK, just kidding around. Don't have my flame suit handy, so lets be clear. That was a joke!
Good job.

Russ

Another Norton on the road You have ta love it

Phil

Yes, keep them coming.

I'm still waiting to see one on the road, but I don't get around much.

Dave
69S

Gees Dave . was wandering along the street the other day before annoying people here on the Library Computor in ' Another ' part of the planet .
Asked the Honda Store if All the Velo's were concretted up in the Basement , as he was at the Door " Wots a Velo " needless to say , a Velo lecture ensued .

Next store Espied a 2LS Brake plate in Window ( Soda Blasting Eye Catcher ) Needless to say , entering He wasnt impressed with My Twenty Dollars for that there mista , preamble .
Unit right foot Tri on Bench , 750 Slimline Atlas in bits in corner . At Mention of Norton , was emboldened to ' Speak of the Devil " as a COMMANDO rolled down the road past the store frontage .
While we dont see a Commando Every Day , they do come out in the SUNSHINE . Even chased and caught one in the Falcon . Needless to say ; he didnt have the throttle ON .
That was a $22/000 Mk III , He had done 20.000 miles in 10 Years . No Bothers . Built by that Queensland Mob . ( Plug seeing its never played up ( bar the Starter . :lol: ) ) .

Therefore youre Feng Shoe needs ordering . Programe conciousness ' I will See Commandos ' ( obviously Norton , not Grim faced marauders ) whilst sitting cross legged in the Sun .
Ask your mind to bring Commandos to your attention , while out and about , follow urge to take that way around the block . And They Will Appear To You . :mrgreen: 8) :wink:

Or if the ountain wont come to Mohammed , Mohammed must go to the Mountain . There were 20 Plus at the Hunter Norton thing lats 11th . Three dollar camera is not digital .
This explains a ommision or two in that respect . :cry:

Fairly close to my house there is a large hotrod cruise in on Sat nites over the summer. We have a little subgroup of vintage bike guys that meet up at a coffee shop next door. Have had a Commando, a Rocket III, several vintage Triumphs and BMWs and a number of sixties and seventies Japanese bikes. I've ridden my Bonneville and Thunderbolt. Next year I'm looking forward to riding the Norton. What's funny is there is a group that also hangs out there with decked out HD baggers and neon lit Goldwings. There is always a crowd around the vintage bikes taking pictures and asking questions and nobody gives the high dollar new bikes a second glance.

Too cold to ride in Tx now?[& thanks for the barrel finish response].

Actually in this part of Texas this is the best time of year to ride. I'm able to ride almost all year except in July and Aug I usually have to limit it to early morning because of the heat and there are a few days in Jan and Feb that are too cold but not many.

htown16 said:

Actually in this part of Texas this is the best time of year to ride. I'm able to ride almost all year except in July and Aug I usually have to limit it to early morning because of the heat and there are a few days in Jan and Feb that are too cold but not many.

Click to expand...

Best time down here, too. Never too cold to ride, but brutally hot - and humid - June through September. Favorite time of year is March-May. Dry and cool. Rainy season usually starts between the end of April and the end of May, and once it settles in, rains daily around 3PM for a half hour or so. It'll hit 95 some days, but goes down to 80-85 at night. Humidity during rainy season ranges from 70-100%.

It's 75 degrees outside right now and not a cloud in the sky 8)