Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

bwolfie · Sep 7, 2011

I am starting a new thread on the build of my recent aqusition. Here is the begining of the saga.
1974-850-commando-here-t10745.html
This bike will be a collection of my original 850's serilized parts and all of the Dunstall bits I have collected.
As it sits now I have about 90% of what I need to finish. Major items still needed are Aluminum rims, SS spokes and rearsets.
So now it's sitting in pieces, most of them in the basment workshop. Now on to finish striping and start the cleanup, repair and painting.
Here are copious amounts of photos for those who enjoy such things.

The reason I found a new inner primary and stator.

Frame repair to worry about another build.

grandpaul · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

I see Speed Racer was fiddling with that lower lump.

Could be yummy, or could be trouble!

pelican · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

why do some people paint the inside of the cases like that? I see it in harley motors all the time

bwolfie · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

It's glyptol, it seal the pores and it's acid proof. I got some a while back and thought i'd give it a go. so far I like it.

pete.v · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

bwolfie said:

I can not believe you left that electronic dartboard in your photo. You've lost the respect of many o Brits and self respecting darters everywhere.

Go Lenny's Lancers! "Ton80" bitch

bwolfie · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

That was christmas present from my brother in law about 10 years ago. I hung it up and it hads been sitting there since. I don't eaven see it anymore.

pete.v · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

bwolfie said:
That was christmas present from my brother in law about 10 years ago. I hung it up and it hads been sitting there since. I don't eaven see it anymore.

Oh really, then let's see a youtube with you throwing some lighter fluid on it and lighting it off.........that is if you really really care.

If you don't we'll know the truth about you.

bwolfie · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

You got me, I use it every day. It is my most prized posession.

Wow out of all the things for people to pick up on.

Actually as a kid my grandparents had a 40's era dart baseball set. it was a 5 foot by 5 foot dart board of a baseball field with players. And a cofee can full of real darts. Now that was cool.

pete.v · Sep 7, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

bwolfie said:
You got me, I use it every day. It is my most prized posession.

Wow out of all the things for people to pick up on.

Actually as a kid my grandparents had a 40's era dart baseball set. it was a 5 foot by 5 foot dart board of a baseball field with players. And a cofee can full of real darts. Now that was cool.

I knew a guy in Boulder that could throw those old wooden jobs as well as anyone with the finest tunsten. You're OK Bwolfie, but you know that.

nortriubuell · Sep 8, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

bwolfie wrote : Here are copious amounts of photos for those who enjoy such things.

I DO enjoy such things.

Thanks for posting Brent !!!

bwolfie · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Round 2 of pictures. I have most of the disasembly done, and a good start on cleaning and polishing.

Journals look good, al ittle staining.

Bores look good, still running STD pistons at 17K

What looks like Moss growing

The PO's present for me, more to fix, luckily i'm not using these cases for this build. I can fix this later.

Exploded engine

Transmission all cleaned readt to reassemble

Second transmission ready to assemble, at a later date

cjandme · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Ditto - thanks for the posts! Do I sense another vocation forming? WNW maybe?? LOL. I'm just jealous. Cj

bwolfie · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

The more time I spend on them the more I think it would be nice to make a living at it. But it is unrealistic right now. I do have a broad range of services offered at WW LLC. So far it has gotten me a 79 corvette to fidddle with, so we'll see if any bikes pan out. I've bid on a few restorations, but nothing stuck. For now i'm content working on my 3. I just need to get rid of this growing pile of spares so I can continue on.

bwolfie · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

And some more, it will slow down this afternoon until tuesday.
What's wrong with this picture?

Yes, from the factory on both sides no bent tabs. One less thing to buy.

No sludge after 17K, gotta love the filter and people who change oil.

Shiny parts

And nice threads

And not so nice threads. Looks like I will need to find a place to repair it.

john robert bould · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Brent,
did you scrap the frame .or replace the tubes?

bwolfie · Sep 9, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

I am going to put it up in the barn along with the trans case and engine cases to be repaired at a later date. I will cut out the damaged tubes and sleeve in some new ones. It seems the most common place for damage.

bwolfie · Sep 11, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Just placed an order with OldBritts. Should be enough parts to get hardware out to the platers, and get the bike built into a roller. Mostly missing big rubber parts, oil lines and cables. I will persue a set of shiny wheels once everything else is complete. I have most everything disassembled, and have started cleaning and polishing. Once I get my hardware plated, I can make quick work of assembly. Should have them off to the platers by the end of the week. I found a place between my house and shop, so hopefully they will work out.

bwolfie · Sep 13, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Platers were a bust, it took 5 phone calls before I found one that would do the work, at $500, ouch. I'm waiting on a second quote, the lady seemed very knowlegable on the phone and they specilize in cycle parts. I might end up getting a Caswell kit and doing it myself. Finished up my polishing for now. Removed the green stuff from the rods. Now just waiting for parts to trickle in, and get busy with powdercoating everything. I just have to figure out the frame paint, I don't have an oven yet that will fit it. So I might get around to building it now.

bwolfie · Sep 14, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

Both platers came back at $500. I can do a lot myself for that. Going to invest in some stainless pieces, I allready have a bunch collected over the years. I just can't justify spending that much money on old hardware. I'm going to pick up a caswell home kit for the stuff I want to reuse. I got the crank and rods all buttined up yesterday and the bearings out of both sets of cases. Now to strip the paint off of the set I.m using and make up a cam bearing kit and get it installed, then be the guinie pig for my LH cam needle bearing. once those are in I can close up the bottom end and really start throwing parts at the engine.

and my pared down pile of hardware

Any my Gardner setup, I'm thinking of selling them, too many other side ideas right now.

britbikemike · Sep 14, 2011

Re: 1974 Commando 850 Dunstall build.

What is this set up? I have never heard of one or seen it.