It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the road

I have several bikes and rotate through them every week on my vintage rides. Consequently it can be 3 months between rides on any one bike. Some might consider that horrible, but I assure you they all get ridden.

The good though about that is it always seems like riding the bike for the first time. Got the Commando out yesterday morning, air up the tires, drained the sump and put the black gold back in the oil tank, turned on the fuel (I always drain the carbs after a ride and keep a special fuel mix in the tank to the top during hibernation), tickle until the gas just drips from the float bowl, 3/4 choke, pistons at TDC, turn switch on, BAM, first kick and it's running.

So let is sit a bit for a warm up then off to meet the rest of the guys for our normal Sunday vintage ride to breakfast. About 35 miles to the 'Patch'. That damned old Commando just goes down the road so nicely. And it's still original. Original Amals, still running points and advancer, still ALL original electrics.

So stand around and BS at the 'Patch' for about 1/2 hr and the group is ready to headout to the VFW for breakfast. Again, first kick and it's running with just a very slight tickle. Same when I went to leave after breakfast.

About 80 miles round trip and doesn't miss a beat at any time. So drain the carbies, top off the gas, plug in the tender and cover her up until our next 'date'. Next week will be the 1976 Honda 750. That too will be like a new experience. Although I do have to install some new plug caps first as it's been fouling #1 plug lately, damned POS.

Anyhow, nothing particular, just so pleasing as to how competent these old Commandos are and at least in my mind, how utterly reliable mine has been since I pulled it out of a barn 6 years ago and got it back on the road.

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

I know that if I charge the battery and fill the tank, my Interstate will take me 600 miles from dawn to dusk with no hiccups at all, 80MPH sustained, and fun in the twisty bits.

I have the same issue of too many bikes to ride any one bike regularly. I have been narrowing down the fleet over the last 4 years, now down to 2 dozen riders...

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

grandpaul said:

I know that if I charge the battery and fill the tank, my Interstate will take me 600 miles from dawn to dusk with no hiccups at all, 80MPH sustained, and fun in the twisty bits.

Click to expand...

Mikuni carb and Podtronics VR; other than that, she's stock. Saddle up and ride anytime, anywhere. I love it!

Nathan

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

gp,what size tank you got on there,600 miles bullshit,are we talking commando or fighter plane

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

That damned old Commando just goes down the road so nicely. And it's still original. Original Amals, still running points and advancer, still ALL original electrics.

Click to expand...

Huh maybe i just imagined 600 m range too butt the rest is just like my plain Jane '72 Trixie, just works so sweet and long legged light delight smoother more thoughtless than the modern appliances. More like a wooden sail boat though for need of non ridding intimate attention. Grease the AAU now to extend the sparking pleasantness.

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

Same reason I love my 71 Commando. She responds to exactly the same routines as you use when cold, warm, and hot. I rode her only once in 2014 back in May. When I lit her off again just the other day she fired on the 2nd kick. That is after 7 or so months of sitting idle. I do have a Boyer on there but that is the only modification to the bike. Quite frankly I am a bit baffled by all the modifications forum members untertake under the guise of safety and or reliability. But, that is what makes the world go round and as long as we all enjoy and use our bikes, carry on.

Re: It just amazes me how nice the Commando goes down the ro

It's not 600 miles on one tank.

I was simply describing the longest day I've had on my interstate.

Next year, I'm going for an Iron Butt attempt on the same bike.

Amal carbs and all.