Interesting Commando for sale in NZ

That blower is only supported by the manifold bolts - don't really like that! Some kind of strut from the rear timing chest is needed methinks - if it's to run!
Don't know what downward force would be exerted by the belt, but it wouldn't be insignificant.
 
It says "show bike" and he's not answering queries apparently.
intersting & nice looking but maybe it doesn't run?
Thanks & Cheers
In my experience with trademe you get a lot of professional question askers on your listings, but they generally never bid or buy.
I find that anybody that is really interested will pick up the phone and call.
 
In a couple of photos it has a licence plate so it has possibly been registered for the road. So perhaps a runner.

But yes I agree more of a show bike. $30 k is a lot for NZ now. Our prices are coming down like everywhere.
 
Ray is a very skilled engineer and has built several other "specials" one a Norton Engine and gearbox in a Triumph oil in the frame he calls the Norumph!
 
A large ornament, It won't work. The blower is arranged to run at almost half engine speed. Where is the oil feed to the rockers? Reminds me of an Ariel square four that was doing the rounds on the show circuit over here years ago. Really nice looking bike, won awards, then a show organiser saw the owner putting it back in the van he used to transport it around, commenting that he made that look easy. Turned out it had no engine internals at all, no wonder it was easy to move! It was never seen after that, I think the owner was told not to show it anymore, or at least prove it runs.....
 
The rocker feed is there (earlier top feed head?) as is the drive to the blower.

As mentioned though, I did wonder if it would spin fast enough to blow enough. Looks like a fairly big unit though, and if it’s only feeding a 750, maybe it’s good?
 
I've seen him riding it in Christchurch a few years ago. He said he got the supercharger from a Japanese car as small and light (and cheap).
 
The rocker feed is there (earlier top feed head?) as is the drive to the blower.

As mentioned though, I did wonder if it would spin fast enough to blow enough. Looks like a fairly big unit though, and if it’s only feeding a 750, maybe it’s good?
Also the toothed belt that 'drives' the blower is tiny. Or maybe i should say the 'toothed belt that is fastened to the blower'
 
For a Rootes type blower of that size to deliver pressure-ised air to the engine it would have to be revolving a lot more than half crankshaft speed. All the blower is doing now is acting like a moving choke slide. Also what is going on with the gearbox? It is mounted between the engine plates at the top and a frame mounting at the bottom.
 
I've seen him riding it in Christchurch a few years ago. He said he got the supercharger from a Japanese car as small and light (and cheap).
For something like this, probably taken ages to build and If it did run, there would be a video of it running. I know when i get something running it is soon filmed in action. What people say, and what actually is, are two very different things
 
For something like this, probably taken ages to build and If it did run, there would be a video of it running. I know when i get something running it is soon filmed in action. What people say, and what actually is, are two very different things
I don't know about that, i built my hot 850 Commando/Featherbed back in the early 80s, the combination works so well, the bike is lighter, handles like its on rails and is pretty smooth to ride with what i have done to the motor, what i tell everyone that its so good to ride and it is, i have never filmed it, i very rarely take pics of it, but then its no show pony, and to be honest i have nothing to prove to no one, its built by my hands for me only, so filming a bike means nothing to prove it works, but then i ride my bike and have done so since i built it, thats the only proof i need to show its works so well as most of its life it was a everyday rider and has clocked up over 145k miles since i built it, its showing its age now but that is all the proof i need that its a true rider and not a show pony.

Ash
 
Back
Top