Dear Norton types,
I have renewed my membership to the SITE. Lost my password some time ago and was to lazy to set up again, but finally all legal again! Just give everyone an update on my Commando status. I have a 1974 Mk11 850. A mate and I purchased two bikes at a local Australian auction, way back in late 2005 from memory. He fell in love with a MkV 750, black & gold, and I was happy enough with a nasty looking Hi Rider, in some sort of red offering, brushed on I think. So both bikes needed restoring , or at the very least sorting out. Best of all they were very original low milage bikes, 8500 miles on the 750 and 14000 miles on mine. We both got them runing within hours of getting them off the trailer at home, and through 2006 they were both stripped and systematically rebuilt. I did a lot od the donky work and my mate helped by paying for some items, to balance out the job. All the nuts & bolts were replated and even the spokes & nipples were re used after nickle plating. Apart from some bodgy exhaust work on the head threads, mine was pretty good, most of the chrome had survived. We did most of the recomended updates, fork modifications, swing arm pivot upgrade, gearbox layshaft, and clutch stack height etc. They were both treated to new rings and bigend shells, after stripping the engine and cleaning the sludge trap etc. Fast forward to now, and mine has now got 23000 miles on the clock. Only real mechanical items that have required fixing are a leaky exhaust valve, oh there have been other parts, like new carb bodies etc as it took me a while to diagnose the exhaust valve as the poor idling culprit. But overall mine has been great, and my mates has not had that many miles added, maybe only 2000 or so?
Well now she is leaking on another exhaust valve, upon inspection there was a bit of stem and guide interaction, and exhaust seats are rough. Bear in mind the first valve job was 4 new valves and guides, with re cut seats etc. So this time I am looking at black diamond brand/style with the tough coating. And have conceded a bore clean up is in order, the bore is still std. But has a lot of vertical score lines. I would like to conitnue putting the bike to use for club runs etc, I have a Shovelhead Harley aswell, that damn thing has been hogging the bike lift for too long, now it is time for the Nort to get a look in! So plan os to fit some of the US sourced JS eng light pistons and rods set up. I like the idea of reducing stress on the old girl, even though I do not really hammer her. Also the lure is a smoother engine, I find my 850 lumpy at the of idle to around 2000 rpm, really shakes with clutch lever going nuts and mirrors etc wanting to join the space shuttle etc. The mates 750 is not nearly as shaky at this rpm range. So lets hope the 1/3 less reciprocating mass equals more smoothness.
Well sorry for the long script, but that is were I am at now.
Could any of you guys give me any updates on fitting the JS package. I have ordered 77.5mm 9:1 comp pistons and rods of course to suit. Also I have opted for the gapless Total seal second ring pack also.
So any experiences would be gratefull to here?
Cheers Richard
I have renewed my membership to the SITE. Lost my password some time ago and was to lazy to set up again, but finally all legal again! Just give everyone an update on my Commando status. I have a 1974 Mk11 850. A mate and I purchased two bikes at a local Australian auction, way back in late 2005 from memory. He fell in love with a MkV 750, black & gold, and I was happy enough with a nasty looking Hi Rider, in some sort of red offering, brushed on I think. So both bikes needed restoring , or at the very least sorting out. Best of all they were very original low milage bikes, 8500 miles on the 750 and 14000 miles on mine. We both got them runing within hours of getting them off the trailer at home, and through 2006 they were both stripped and systematically rebuilt. I did a lot od the donky work and my mate helped by paying for some items, to balance out the job. All the nuts & bolts were replated and even the spokes & nipples were re used after nickle plating. Apart from some bodgy exhaust work on the head threads, mine was pretty good, most of the chrome had survived. We did most of the recomended updates, fork modifications, swing arm pivot upgrade, gearbox layshaft, and clutch stack height etc. They were both treated to new rings and bigend shells, after stripping the engine and cleaning the sludge trap etc. Fast forward to now, and mine has now got 23000 miles on the clock. Only real mechanical items that have required fixing are a leaky exhaust valve, oh there have been other parts, like new carb bodies etc as it took me a while to diagnose the exhaust valve as the poor idling culprit. But overall mine has been great, and my mates has not had that many miles added, maybe only 2000 or so?
Well now she is leaking on another exhaust valve, upon inspection there was a bit of stem and guide interaction, and exhaust seats are rough. Bear in mind the first valve job was 4 new valves and guides, with re cut seats etc. So this time I am looking at black diamond brand/style with the tough coating. And have conceded a bore clean up is in order, the bore is still std. But has a lot of vertical score lines. I would like to conitnue putting the bike to use for club runs etc, I have a Shovelhead Harley aswell, that damn thing has been hogging the bike lift for too long, now it is time for the Nort to get a look in! So plan os to fit some of the US sourced JS eng light pistons and rods set up. I like the idea of reducing stress on the old girl, even though I do not really hammer her. Also the lure is a smoother engine, I find my 850 lumpy at the of idle to around 2000 rpm, really shakes with clutch lever going nuts and mirrors etc wanting to join the space shuttle etc. The mates 750 is not nearly as shaky at this rpm range. So lets hope the 1/3 less reciprocating mass equals more smoothness.
Well sorry for the long script, but that is were I am at now.
Could any of you guys give me any updates on fitting the JS package. I have ordered 77.5mm 9:1 comp pistons and rods of course to suit. Also I have opted for the gapless Total seal second ring pack also.
So any experiences would be gratefull to here?
Cheers Richard
