first legal ride

alan hodge · Oct 4, 2018

well as I said in another post..i finally got a tag/title for my 72 commando with 73 engine project took an early break from office today and rushed home and jumped on bike and went about 20 miles....everything went perfectly (knock wood) bike ran smooth and strong brakes with 13mm magura MC and braided SS hose were strong and progressive...gearbox smooth and positive as can be...I gave it a few squirts up to 55mph but it only seemed to say 'that all the throttle you got?' I was grinning from ear to ear a year and a half of hard work and many many $$ now I have bike I always dreamed of...enough crowing only issue is when I took one hand off handlebar to give signal slowing down was slight wiggle in front wheel...thanks to all of ya'll for advice ...will take longer ride this weekend

ILLF8ED · Oct 4, 2018

bring your tools or at least a cell phone

baz · Oct 4, 2018

Well done mate it's a brilliant feeling when you first get out on a re built bike
What speed was you doing when you felt the wiggle?
Some commandos I have ridden do that at about 30mph from memory??

ashman · Oct 4, 2018

No need to worry about it just hop on and ride it, I carried tools with me for 43 years and have never needed to use them at all while out on the bike, just take your time to get use to riding her and say thank you bike for the ride when you get home.
Now just enjoy al your hard work.

Ashley

alan hodge · Oct 4, 2018

wiggle......was slowing down and doing about 20mph one hand on bars...need steering damper? yes for cell and tools with my other bikes and a 1968 MGB I know the drill...back in the old days we always carried phone booth change...time flies...

Dutch · Oct 4, 2018

"need steering damper?"
Check tire pressure, steering neck bearings, wheel alignment, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings before thinking damper.

batrider · Oct 4, 2018

Welcome. Add to the above list -- check head steady. The stock one in '72 would crack right through. The later boxed one held up but still uses the rubber lord mounts which could have separated. There are some great solutions nowadays such as using a link rod. But ride and enjoy it. Winter is later. Carry tools.

MexicoMike · Oct 5, 2018

In my experience, the Commando does not need a steering damper if the related components - front/rear/suspension, isolastics, swingarm bushings, etc are in good shape/properly adjusted. On an old, newly-acquired bike, theres a fair to good chance that ALL of those items need attention. OTOH, a steering damper is helpful on any bike to reduce rider fatigue on long, interstate-type riding. But, they can have the opposite effect on rough roads like cobblestone/pot-holed/rutted asphalt, making riding MORE difficult and less controlled than a bike without a steering damper.

But if you decide to buy a Kawasaki Mach III, DEFINITELY install a steering damper!

eskasteve · Oct 5, 2018

Dutch said:
"need steering damper?"
Check tire pressure, steering neck bearings, wheel alignment, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings before thinking damper.

Another thing to check is spoke tension and wheel trueness. I tightened and trued my front wheel and an annoying little wobble disappeared. Just a thought

alan hodge · Oct 5, 2018

well...I went to the temple...I mean garage today and checked tire pressure on the Avon Roadriders I installed several months ago as the build progressed...12psi front and 14psi rear..duh! so I inflated to 28psi front and 30psi rear I weigh 170lbs...we will see how that works...also several nuts and bolts had 'bedded in' and needed tightening as well...so I went over every single bolt and screw and nut on the bike checking tightness...remember I am still in shakedown cruise mode...will try to ride 40 miles sunday morning and report back I also need to balance the front wheel....ya'll have a great weekend....

ashman · Oct 5, 2018

Wheels and tyres play a big part on bikes and having the right tyre pressure is most important, todays moden tyre run a little bit more pressure in them from the old tyres we use to use so have a bit of play with the pressure till you get it right, 28 and 30 is a good start but don't let them go any lower, use the same pressure gauge and check the pressure when the tyre is cold, hot tyres will give a higher pressure reading, chech your tyre pressure regularly I do mine before a big ride or when things feel different when riding.

Ashley

alan hodge · Oct 7, 2018

took bike on 50 mile final shakedown ride early this morning it was foggy and cool and bike ran wonderfully...front wheel wiggle cured by proper tire inflation...only issues are gas tank (yes, THAT gas tank that's going to repair shop this week for seam fix) vibration as rpms fall through 2500 on deceleration and a strange, quiet, little sound from time to time that goes click click click mainly on left side I thought it was a pebble in tire tread that'd what it sounds like but no stone to be seen...sound is not very loud and not all the time and does not seem engine rpm related occurs about every half second when it does goes click click etc. what could it be?

Stpdwthflrgn · Oct 7, 2018

Its your key fob… click, click, click

alan hodge · Oct 7, 2018

I just spun rear wheel when bike on center stand chainguard made a rubbing noise now and then

batrider · Oct 7, 2018

Sometimes the master link in the rear chain needs to be inserted from the opposite side. The spring clip will then be on the inside.

peter12 · Oct 8, 2018

Rear wheel rubbing noise, brake shoes? Spin wheel again, slight pressure on brake lever, does the noise change as shoes come in contact with drum?
I believe Avon recommend slightly higher pressures for the Road riders. Believe it's well docunedocuon this forum.
Most of all, enjoy!

Fast Eddie · Oct 8, 2018

Split link is a good call.

Also, incorrectly assembled brake shoes causing the springs to catch inside the drum is another (less likely) issue.

Re the vibration when decelerating through 2,500 rpm, mine did this. It was absolutely factory stock at the time in terms of engine spec, crank not been re balanced etc. So I would suggest it’s kind of ‘normal’.

But since rebuilding mine and having the crank dynamically balanced (plus a whol lot of other non stock stuff) it no longer does it.

So, my summary would be that it is kinda normal... but not right. Its nothing to lose sleep over, focus your worry energy on other areas of the bike!

first legal ride

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