Last summer I picked up a bit of a project. It's a '75 850 Commando MK III that has been modified along the lines of a cafe racer. It had a lot of really nice stuff on it, but unfortunately engine troubles as well.
The Good:
It came with hand made aluminum tank, seat, oil tank and a side cover from the Tank Shoppe in Scotland. Aluminum rims, Norman Hyde rear sets and M bars, Mikuni carbs, a modified high torque starter, rebuilt trans, an interesting custom oil cooler and a oil pressure gauge built into the steering head.
The Bad:
It had an RGM 920 kit that was poorly done, the cylinders were bored to accomodate the 920 liners but the oil passage was cut into, and the liners were not pressed flush with the cylinder deck so oil entered the combustion chamber. I rebuilt the top end as an 850 (.040 over) and am getting it back together now.
Exhaust question:
The bike came with a two into one exhaust system that scrapes badly even in mild right turns, and sounds crappy as well. I would like to put "pea shooters" on but realize this may not be as easy as it sounds as MKIII's have larger primary cases and had their own unique "balanced" exhaust system with crossover pipes that are no longer manufactured by anybody. I am fine with seperate pipes, matter of fact I think I prefer the sound. but am not sure if a 750 Andover system will fit up. Secondly, there are the standard 1 3/8" systems as well as 1 1/2" systems available. I have heard mixed stories on the 1 1/2" systems. Some say theyt are fine and make more top end power, others say they result in reduced low end torque and driveability. I am also not sure if the 1 1/2" system might not cause even greater fitment issues with the primary cases. Any advice from those who have been down this road with a MKIII before is greatly appreciated
Best regards,
John Burke
The Good:
It came with hand made aluminum tank, seat, oil tank and a side cover from the Tank Shoppe in Scotland. Aluminum rims, Norman Hyde rear sets and M bars, Mikuni carbs, a modified high torque starter, rebuilt trans, an interesting custom oil cooler and a oil pressure gauge built into the steering head.
The Bad:
It had an RGM 920 kit that was poorly done, the cylinders were bored to accomodate the 920 liners but the oil passage was cut into, and the liners were not pressed flush with the cylinder deck so oil entered the combustion chamber. I rebuilt the top end as an 850 (.040 over) and am getting it back together now.
Exhaust question:
The bike came with a two into one exhaust system that scrapes badly even in mild right turns, and sounds crappy as well. I would like to put "pea shooters" on but realize this may not be as easy as it sounds as MKIII's have larger primary cases and had their own unique "balanced" exhaust system with crossover pipes that are no longer manufactured by anybody. I am fine with seperate pipes, matter of fact I think I prefer the sound. but am not sure if a 750 Andover system will fit up. Secondly, there are the standard 1 3/8" systems as well as 1 1/2" systems available. I have heard mixed stories on the 1 1/2" systems. Some say theyt are fine and make more top end power, others say they result in reduced low end torque and driveability. I am also not sure if the 1 1/2" system might not cause even greater fitment issues with the primary cases. Any advice from those who have been down this road with a MKIII before is greatly appreciated
Best regards,
John Burke
