Introduction

Hello all, My name is Allan from central Massachusetts. Great site here with friendly responders. I picked up a 1973 Commando that I am restoring. Got it apart most of the way but I am stuck trying to remove the rear isolastic bolt thru engine cradel. I have tryed to drift it out from right to left and it has'nt budged one bit. What am I missing?
Thanks,
Allan

Welcome! Not sure if it would help, but have you tried any penetrating oil or maybe using some heat?

bassa99 said:

I have tryed to drift it out from right to left and it has'nt budged one bit. What am I missing?

Click to expand...

The pivots do seize, so as already mentioned use plenty of penetrating oil and a big hammer!

If it still won't move, I think members have previously said they've sprung the frame lugs apart enough to be able to hacksaw through the stud between the cradle and the frame on both sides.

I find a hammer has little effect as the rubber bushes absorb most of the shock.

Use spacers, (pieces of pipe, steel tube, old sockets, etc.), and try to draw the stud out of the cradle with a nut on the stud threads. Add longer spacers as you (hopefully) progress. Using penetrating oil and heat can help also. The rubbers may pull out of the cradle with the stud or rip the bonded rubber from the steel sleeve.

In extreme cases I have known people to simply burn out the old rubber bushes. Of course this requires the cradle be out of the bike and will need a re-paint, rubbers, and probably a stud. However, from the problems you are having it sounds as if these will need to be replaced anyway.

Ron I used your method with the spacers, that worked great thanks.
And a big thanks to all that replied. I have been trying to get my hands on this bike for the last 8 years and finally convinced the previous owner that it was better off in my garage and being put back on the road than rotting away in his shed. I still remember the first time I saw it in 1975 and the owner crashing low speed into the building I worked at. He has put less than 1000 miles on it to this day.