My '73 850 rebuild..

Hobot · Apr 16, 2011

Wonderful slide show of black beauty to me Jordan. Black coater got carried away on Ms Peel and did the crank cases too, so was put off at first then began to grow on me. Shiny sexy shapes against black brawn is appealing and more unusual to glance at longer down a row of Cdo's. I've been looking at HD's with shiny fin edges, thinking to do that to head and maybe barrel to give back some better profile of the lump.

Black engine paint has worked just as well a epoxy JP1 stuff and cheaper easier to find and touch up. Power coating tend to insulate a good bit more than thinner black paint. Polished surfaces reflect the IR heat rays back as much as the visible light from the outside. Spring is here get er done, so I'm telling myself too.

Diablouph · Apr 16, 2011

I also realized that I may be a bit overwhelmed on the '70 Roadster (considering it needs torn COMPLETELY down and the motor has to be put back together from parts).. I'm thinking I may try to unload it on Craigslist for a profit, if I can. I won't take a loss (I'd rather just keep it), but if I can get out of it with extra money in-hand, maybe that's a better plan.. :/

-Jordan

Good grief! We had to listen to you for a week going on about "should I get it, maybe I shouldn't". Everyone, and I mean everyone on this forum jumped in to give you encouragement. Now you want to just make a fast buck on the bike.

I'll give you 1250 (nigerian check).

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 16, 2011

Diablouph said:
I also realized that I may be a bit overwhelmed on the '70 Roadster (considering it needs torn COMPLETELY down and the motor has to be put back together from parts).. I'm thinking I may try to unload it on Craigslist for a profit, if I can. I won't take a loss (I'd rather just keep it), but if I can get out of it with extra money in-hand, maybe that's a better plan.. :/

-Jordan

Click to expand...

Good grief! We had to listen to you for a week going on about "should I get it, maybe I shouldn't". Everyone, and I mean everyone on this forum jumped in to give you encouragement. Now you want to just make a fast buck on the bike.

I'll give you 1250 (nigerian check).

I know, I know. Listen, I don't want to sell it. I probably won't. But I'm beginning to realize how over my head rebuilding that motor from scrap is going to be, and I doubt I'll be able to afford to pay a shop $3500-$5000+ to do it for me. Ugh.

I almost wish it weren't numbers-matching so I could tear it apart with no guilt and use it as a parts bike. But it's not, so I can't.. I refuse to be *that* person.

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 16, 2011

hobot said:
Wonderful slide show of black beauty to me Jordan. Black coater got carried away on Ms Peel and did the crank cases too, so was put off at first then began to grow on me. Shiny sexy shapes against black brawn is appealing and more unusual to glance at longer down a row of Cdo's. I've been looking at HD's with shiny fin edges, thinking to do that to head and maybe barrel to give back some better profile of the lump.

Black engine paint has worked just as well a epoxy JP1 stuff and cheaper easier to find and touch up. Power coating tend to insulate a good bit more than thinner black paint. Polished surfaces reflect the IR heat rays back as much as the visible light from the outside. Spring is here get er done, so I'm telling myself too.

I really like the black vs. polished look. I'll probably end up using that same paint scheme on every Commando I end up owning..

britbike220 · Apr 16, 2011

Let the 70 sit, it's paid for, finish your first bike and ride it, work on it, get to know it. In a year decide what you want to do with the 70. Time only makes them more valuable. Quit buying bikes and quit worrying about profit and loss. Owning old bikes is a loss, but provides priceless fun. You are getting close to your first ride think about that instead of things that don't matter. Oh and it's looking good.

swooshdave · Apr 16, 2011

britbike220 said:
Let the 70 sit, it's paid for, finish your first bike and ride it, work on it, get to know it. In a year decide what you want to do with the 70. Time only makes them more valuable. Quit buying bikes and quit worrying about profit and loss. Owning old bikes is a loss, but provides priceless fun. You are getting close to your first ride think about that instead of things that don't matter. Oh and it's looking good.

I kept my bike for almost 20 yrs before rebuilding it. It never lost value, I can tell you that. If you have the space just stash it.

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 16, 2011

britbike220 said:
Let the 70 sit, it's paid for, finish your first bike and ride it, work on it, get to know it. In a year decide what you want to do with the 70. Time only makes them more valuable. Quit buying bikes and quit worrying about profit and loss. Owning old bikes is a loss, but provides priceless fun. You are getting close to your first ride think about that instead of things that don't matter. Oh and it's looking good.

That's the most likely course the '70 will take. I'm putting a flyer out there and if someone else wants it, I won't be heartbroken to see it go..but I'm not taking a loss if it's leaving my property!

And I have absolutely no notion of ever actually making any money on these bikes.. I'll have probably $8,000 in the 850. Will it be worth that to someone else? I sincerely doubt it, but that's OK. I'm looking forward to riding it. Hopefully within the next month or two..

-Jordan

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 16, 2011

swooshdave said:
britbike220 said:

Let the 70 sit, it's paid for, finish your first bike and ride it, work on it, get to know it. In a year decide what you want to do with the 70. Time only makes them more valuable. Quit buying bikes and quit worrying about profit and loss. Owning old bikes is a loss, but provides priceless fun. You are getting close to your first ride think about that instead of things that don't matter. Oh and it's looking good.

Click to expand...

I kept my bike for almost 20 yrs before rebuilding it. It never lost value, I can tell you that. If you have the space just stash it.

Heh, heh.. It's at mom and dad's. They have room, so as long as they don't get sick of looking at it, it's safe.

Diablouph · Apr 16, 2011

I really like the black vs. polished look. I'll probably end up using that same paint scheme on every Commando I end up owning..

I would wait and make sure it holds up on that HOT head. Someone said "Better to look good than to feel good".

So, should I send the check or not?

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 16, 2011

Diablouph said:
I really like the black vs. polished look. I'll probably end up using that same paint scheme on every Commando I end up owning..

Click to expand...

I would wait and make sure it holds up on that HOT head. Someone said "Better to look good than to feel good".

So, should I send the check or not?

Yeah, we'll see. We used high temp paint, so I don't see why heat would be a concern, but who knows.

Please send the check ASAP!!!

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 21, 2011

New shocks! Beeeeeautiful!

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 24, 2011

Progress has slowed a bit as I wait for another $200 in goodies from Commando Specialties, but we made a little bit of progress..

New shocks aren't on yet because I'm waiting for my new seat knobs to arrive.

-Jordan

britbike220 · Apr 24, 2011

It's good to finally see it this close.

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 24, 2011

britbike220 said:
It's good to finally see it this close.

It's getting there..little by little..

Hortons Norton · Apr 25, 2011

Looks as if you should have it ready in no time, Summer's just around the corner. Keep up the good work! :wink:

cjandme · Apr 25, 2011

looking good !! I'm jealous, keep the pictures comming. Cj

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 25, 2011

My CommandoSpecialties order came today so I should have some new pictures soon.

Thanks for the compliments. I'm very pleased with how it's coming along.

-Jordan

KSUWildcatFan · Apr 27, 2011

Working with the new taillight..

grandpaul · Apr 27, 2011

That's hands-down the most photographed tail light ever on this forum.

I like those best when the angle is right once the bike is sitting on it's tires. Some I've seen were "just" off...

Hobot · Apr 27, 2011

Gosh that was delicious to scroll through like most delicious single breast on this forum. Its exactly what I wanted before I went over board on one Combat and pure brainless factory parts on my other Combat. Really thank you for bringing the finished viewing to me, I know how it'd make me feel - keep the glow going.

My '73 850 rebuild..

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