'Metalflake Florida Orange" vs "Fireflake Royal Blue"

nortriubuell · May 28, 2020

Switched the "Orange" out for the "Blue" one on it now. (yes in some pics the Orange "looks" faded Red; but it is Metalflake Orange --- closest I could find after searching for years for a real "Fireflake Golden Bronze". Having only 175 miles on the full rebuild, actually started on second kick yesterday ... instead of a dozen or more it had been taking.
Even changed to low bars from the Hi-Rider "ape hangars" ... and will maybe change the rear wheel to the stock 19". Thoughts on the Blue vs Orange and rear wheel change?

'Metalflake Florida Orange" vs "Fireflake Royal Blue"

trident sam · May 28, 2020

For me :- orange bike with low bars and fat back wheel, ie your blue one ----- only orange .

joe czech · May 28, 2020

i'm thinking orange and low bars. personally, on the fence with the rear wheel/tire assembly. BTW, what's the sizing on the rear wheel/tire?

Scout63 · May 28, 2020

I like orange and low bars. I think that the 18” wheel complements the Corbin seat well, but prefer 19” wheels front and rear with stock roadster seat.

bill · May 28, 2020

get rid of that awfull 16 inch wheel and keep the low bars. color is your choice.

maylar · May 28, 2020

Just goes to show how lucky we are. A Commando can be many things just by dressing her differently. Like a pretty woman.

olympus · May 28, 2020

For me Orange with low bars.... and as said above jury's out on the rear tyre

nortriubuell · May 28, 2020

joe czech said:
i'm thinking orange and low bars. personally, on the fence with the rear wheel/tire assembly. BTW, what's the sizing on the rear wheel/tire?

bill said:
get rid of that awfull 16 inch wheel and keep the low bars. color is your choice.

The current rear wheel is a 16", with a Harley Davidson Dunlop mounted.

(I like the "meaty" look of the 16" rear wheel) but if bill recommends to get rid of the 16 inch wheel; think I will temp switch to the stock 19" rear. Since my forks have the "Greg Fauth fork mod" ... they look about 2" longer than stock, but they are not. Perhaps with the stock 19" rear wheel it will look more ... "normal?"

joe czech · May 28, 2020

nortriubuell said:
The current rear wheel is a 16", with a Harley Davidson Dunlop mounted. (I like the "meaty" look of the 16" rear wheel) but if bill recommends to get rid of the 16 inch wheel; think I will temp switch to the stock 19" rear. Since my forks have the "Greg Fauth fork mod" ... they look about 2" longer than stock, but they are not. Perhaps with the stock 19" rear wheel it will look more ... "normal?"

this is just my opinion -- from strictly an aesthetics standpoint, the 16" wheel/tire assembly makes the bike look too heavy in the rear - doesn't look balanced. that fork mod you mentioned, probably doesn't help the overall balance look either. my 2-cents - probably wouldn't go much beyond an 18 incher in the rear. BTW, FWIW, i'm one of those guys that thinks a factory stock commando is a work of art -

alan hodge · May 28, 2020

16" rear looks like big arse Kardashian wummon (IMHO) rest of bike is super sweet I love orange metalflake have a helmet that color

Torontonian · May 28, 2020

Post that rear wheel on the internet and accept the first offer.

cliffa · May 28, 2020

I'm with Joe, I think it's because the rim shape is so high, the distance to the hub is what 3" ? the really short spokes make it look unbalanced. And of course the as the rims are completely different shape it stands out. I reckon if you could get a matching rim, it would look a lot better. On a purely personal note, although you have lost one of the Commando's unique style icons, I could live with the BSA / Triumph clocks, but the headlight ears need to be shorter by maybe an inch? and lowered.

I love both of the colours, and would keep both sets. (or is it one set and you've sprayed each side different colours ? )

The orange really pops, and the blue looks great with the matching downpipes

That's my tuppence worth.

Cheers,

cliffa.

freddie1105 · May 29, 2020

love either colour. but that back wheel? reminds me of the xs1.1

Onder · May 29, 2020

I remember a comment on this list in the past about a fellow using the 16 inch Harley wheel because it was the only tyre that could last any serious touring miles.
One does wonder how those shocks control all that mass. They have enough trouble with the stock rear.
Appearance wise Ill go with a stock 19" rim and tyre.

nortriubuell · May 30, 2020

Changed the rear to the stock one, and I have to agree with the comments that it does look more balanced. I had the 16" on for a couple years ... and just got used to it. I now even prefer stock 19" myself at the rear now, although if money were no object I would try an 18". That's probably $500 to $600 though ... at least. Plus, I would want the "madass140" cush drive rear wheel too. This 850

is a money pit for sure. Might trim back the headlight mounts too now ... as some posters noted, it does stick out a bit too far; and now I see it too.

maylar · May 30, 2020

That's pretty.

alan hodge · May 30, 2020

looks much better I still like that orange too

joe czech · May 30, 2020

nortriubuell said:
Changed the rear to the stock one, and I have to agree with the comments that it does look more balanced. I had the 16" on for a couple years ... and just got used to it. I now even prefer stock 19" myself at the rear now, although if money were no object I would try an 18". That's probably $500 to $600 though ... at least. Plus, I would want the "madass140" cush drive rear wheel too. This 850 View attachment 16570is a money pit for sure. Might trim back the headlight mounts too now ... as some posters noted, it does stick out a bit too far; and now I see it too.

PERFECT!!! (not seeing the issue with the headlight mount - ???)

cliffa · May 30, 2020

Bloody gorgeous !!