Jerry's Norton Commando Rebuild - Slide Show

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Jerry Doe

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I have put a slide show together for anyone interested in the rebuild I just finished. I will add more details about my rebuild to this site later.

The bike is running great. I had a problem with the oil tank. It was leaking so Matt has it. I can't wait to get it back and go for another ride.
I have to say the Pazon was a good move. I changed many things during this rebuild and will list them later.

here is the slide show: http://norton-commando.com it is here too: http://jerrydoe.com
 
VERY nice. I'd be interested to know why you consider the Pazon a good move.... I'm getting to the point where I need to decide.

w/
 
Pazon

I like the Pazon because the bike idles much better. I cant give you too many details yet as I have only done about 50 miles on it. I will update you later.

Cheers
 
Yes very nice job, it looks beautiful.

Jerry, I noticed in one of your captions that you have reverted back to the four speed box from the Quaife five speed. I have been wondering about possibly putting a five speed box into my Commando at a later date, and so wondered if you have any particular reason for doing this?
 
Back to 4 speed

Hi Reggie,

That 5 speed was great on the mountain roads here. I have ridden my first modern bike only 2 years ago, sprint ST and now Rocket 3. After many years of riding the Commando's like a nut I have realized how fast and well the modern Triumphs perform.

The Commando still great, but decided to just blat about slowly [80MPH] instead of the way i used to ride it. I had to put higher bars on it and back to 4 speed or I cannot control myself!

That is the only reason,

It is hard to explain, but I go nuts on my Rocket 3 now [it does not handle as well as Commando]. I will let you know how it goes with the commando once it is run in. I will probably still ride like a lunatic!

The 4 speed 1st comes on about the same as does 4th. The only difference is having and extra gear between 3rd and 4th on original. Hope that makes sense, as I have had a few beers!

All for now,

Jerry
 
I think you mean that the 1st and 4th gear ratios are about the same on both boxes, but the Quiafe 5 speed has a ratio that sits between 3rd and 4th on the 4 speed box :?:

If you're a fast rider I think that you'll find it hard to ride the Norton slow (less than 80mph). I know I do!
 
I wondered about the Quaife too. With a torquey bike like the Norton, does it really make that much difference to have one more gear, or is it just one more gear to shift?

My friend has a much modified Vincent with a 5 speed Quaife. On a long drag up a steep mountain pass both two up with full gear I went by him with my less modified Vincent. It seemed like his 4th was a bit too high, his 3rd too low whereas the only choice I had, 3rd, was just right for that particular grade.
Vincents make even more torque down low than the 850 Commandos do, so it seems like the five speed is more or less a gimmick for a Vincent.

BTW Jerry, I have the same common Commando exhaust port ailment that brought about your rebuild.

Since I just got the bike completely free of oil leaks and running perfectly, I am really very reluctant to mess with it. I am ashamed to admit that this morning I put the exhaust nut back in with JB weld. Riding season is here and I just hate to take it all apart for fear I might start down the same road Jerry did, especially after seeing how great his bike looks.
Hope the JB weld holds.
 
That's a nice job Jerry and a helpful aid for those embarking on a first rebuild. Thank you for this and for your continuing service to the Norton community at large.

I will be bringing a cylinder head all the way from Hong Kong to the USA this summer for Rabers to fix the exhaust port threads for me.

Regarding gearboxes, I am considering getting a close ratio 4-speed cluster from RGM motors. The price is a fraction of the cost of a complete Quaife or other 5-speed box and as others have pointed out it is really just the gaps between a couple of gears that could do with being tightened up a bit. I have an old gearbox that needs quite a few new internals anyway, so the cost over and above the price of standard parts is almost incidental.
 
dave M said:
That's a nice job Jerry and a helpful aid for those embarking on a first rebuild. Thank you for this and for your continuing service to the Norton community at large.

Regarding gearboxes, I am considering getting a close ratio 4-speed cluster from RGM motors. The price is a fraction of the cost of a complete Quaife or other 5-speed box and as others have pointed out it is really just the gaps between a couple of gears that could do with being tightened up a bit. I have an old gearbox that needs quite a few new internals anyway, so the cost over and above the price of standard parts is almost incidental.

Dave, complete agreement with your compliments to Jerry.

On the gearbox thing, my brother in law has an RGM close 4-speed. Really nicely machined and cut gears. Visual quality is far better than the "chiselled from cold" standard stuff. Next time one of mine needs parts, that's what'll go in
 
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