Norton Villiers Commando 1968 Re commissioning an adventures at 30

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Cheers lad's do appreciate the advice :) From memory I think the right angled one helped with clearance on the top coil. I'll go have a peak at the bike in a moment.

Haha yeah I'm guessing a fellow dyslexic did that page
 
Cheers guys ordered, thanks for the advice again, ordered some spare iw22 plugs as well :) time to wait for them to show up by snail mail now haha! Yep needed the angled ones at the coil end on the 68' Clearance wise.
 
So... Your plugs still look rich?? The early commandos had 12 volt coils that were wired in parallel. When you switch to electronic ignition the wiring goes to series wiring, the condensers are removed, and most people switch to a pair of 6 volt coils. The lower coil resistance gives a hotter spark. Certainly a weak spark shows up on your spark plugs looking similar to a rich fuel condition.

What voltage are your coils? I use a single 3 ohm dyna coil with dual outputs. It's going on 30 years of service with no issues. The lower resistance gives the hottest spark. You need to check and see what your electronic ignition manufacturer suggests for minimum coil resistance before you chose a coil... but if you still have a pair of 12 volt coils, you might want to change them out to lower resistance coils.
 
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Hi mate thanks for the reply.

Got pvl 6v coils fitted on the recommendation of Andover when I got the Tri Spark from them.

Wired in as per the Tri Spark instructions.

Hoping I may have found the problem with the needle jet just about to go fit the new ones then gotta wait for the latest order to show up from Andover with all the other bits :)

Looks like it was in the 2 stroke configuration that the early 68's had so bought the 4 stroke versions of the jetting.
 
It's Live!! Progress from today on my NV 68' Commando crammed in stacks of work. Every day is a learning day :) can't get enough of British bikes an Norton's.
Sorry if I say anything incorrect haha still getting used to filming myself.
Tried to film at different moments along thed day an at different points as I came across things or fitted stuff.

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far.
 
I suggest you scrape that uneven paint off the rim of the tank filler opening as petrol could seep past it and also indent the new seal rubber.

There's no "oil way" behind the breather elbow. The oil is just 'splash' from the crankcase.
 
Turn the petcocks with the levers facing outside, easier to open and close.
I put the reserve petcock on the left hand side, so I can stay on the gas when opening the reserve tap.
And pull those fork rubber down, mate!;)
 
Okay. Where are you? This has replaced reading the newspaper for me, and I like the updates. I was about five years younger than you when I got mine, and by viewing your restoration I get to relive a bit of my youth vicariously. Besides I enjoy the vids also, though it takes me a sec to grasp your English because we're separated by a common language.
I had to sacrifice a duck, two chickens, and a goose to convince mine to smooth out this morning. Had a bit of a blubber.
 
Thanks for the comments again :D always appreciate them an the advice.

I was gonna do that but had a look in my ultimate performance commando portfolio book an most seemed like that

Please tell me finally got those fork gaiters right haha were a insert swearword to get to move.

Cheers Jbruney!!! :)

Actually had thunderstorms all day which sucks mean't to be a heatwave this week though!

Glad you are enjoying the videos no work on the NV the past few days as my Yamaha 250 Elsie just sold so been dealing with the sale of that so she's off to her new home tomorrow hopefully it'l give the new owner just as much fun as I've had with her.

Good thing is on Sunday it's forecast brilliant weather I'm most likely going to fit the new oil pipe junction block assy on the Commando wasn't to happy about something with it but most likely going to use it driving me nuts not riding the Commando especially after all this work.

Was waiting to hear back from my friendly parts supplier after talking to them about it but itching to try the bike to check a few other issues out so just gonna use it now an deal with the finish at a later day especially with this amazing weather forecast.

In other news my dads bro with the Kettle gave me a full whit worth socket set he used when he had a Bonnie back in the day! That'l be ace using the tools he used.

Haha yeah they do need some convincing sometimes!

Now the Elsie is on her way an my funds are topped up hoping to get my 650SS out and fixed as well got a really bad gearbox leak on the outer cover so need to replace that gasket, an start to look at the clutch which was screwed, I'll update the build thread on that with a video when shes freed from storage.

Considering letting some of my other treasured two strokes an Japanese classics go as well for another Norton or British bike just not sure what yet, would have to be something to compliment the 68' an the 650SS, exciting stuff.

Oh yep Northern accent's can be a bit tricky to catch I guess :)
 
norton_rider said:
I was gonna do that but had a look in my ultimate performance commando portfolio book an most seemed like that
Click to expand...

Assuming you mean the lever position of the fuel taps, then the original type is no longer available. This had no upper locknut so altering the position involved adjusting the thickness (or stack) of the sealing washer(s).

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/fuel-taps-petcocks-again.8848/
Norton Villiers Commando 1968 Re commissioning an adventures at 30
 
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Cheers lab nope was going on, about the direction of the fuel tap where I've got it pointing back in the video.

Well the RD250LC went today so good news is if after tomorrow's test ride rears anything I can sort her out parts wise now also means the 650SS can come out to play an I can start to look at the clutch on that.
 
Houston we have a problem.. head is coming off this week just editing the video that'l show / explain it alot better than I can with words.

Everything's a learning curve including being to trusting of previous owners.

I'll post the link when it's edited / uploaded :)

Learnt another trick as well for looking at future Norton's take the exhausts off.

Good thing is my rd250lc got sold yesterday so got enough money now to sort this out :) always look on the bright side
 
Looks like the valve guides have gone to me it looks like a huge chunk is missing an looking at the carbon buildup in both sides don't think the heads ever had any work done mate bit of a gutter but an opportunity to learn some new stuff :)

Be interesting to see what you guys think when the footage is up managed to film inside the ports
 
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Honestly it’s not that big of a deal. Sure not what you expected but not hard to fix. If I can do it anyone can. Not sure what it will cost you there but $500-600 will get you new valves, springs and guides.
 
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