Mr Blisters
While I agree with most of Nortonfan's/ Ron's input/ comments, i.e. the battery requiring a good head of 'steam', the kill switch issue and the also the coments regarding Boyer wiring, I recently ~ well ~ six months back or so, went thru pergatory with ignition, running and starting problems.
I even went to a local "authourity" on classic bikes and he and his partner scoffed and paid out severely on Boyer and Commandos working in harmony.
They claimed, that I should ditch the Boyer as they just DID NOT work on Commandos and they were aware of a number of "local ' Commando owners that had spent heaps of $$ trying to get smooth running, good performing and starting Commandos with Boyers with little to no success.
To cut along story down, my advise is that one should work through all the above as it were.
Checking those terminal connection, particularly the two stator wires.. solder them ~
But I found through perseverance ~ that once I had soldered those two leads/ terminals, checked my kill switch condition, and (with good advise herein) replaced the carbon plug leads with copper leads.. (mine is a Mk I Boyer ), that my Commando was transformed !!!
Ease of starting, performed well etc.. I was one happy puppy!!!!