Out of mothballs

Hi,

Newbie here, at least to this list. I've had my 74 850 Commando since 81 or 82. For the last 18 years it has been ridden very occasionally, like only once every 5 years in the last 10 at best. I have decided to get it back on the road in proper fashion and am looking for a list of must dos and then upgrades. I rebuilt the engine many years ago and I think it is solid, assuming lack of use has not caused problems. The isolastics are not original either, I put new ones in, but I think at this point there "new" ones are older now than the old ones were when I changed them.

I rebuilt the single Mikuni VM34 the other day and it fired right up. New battery is waiting to be installed. New tires once I register it. What next?

Speaking of tires, I live two miles up a steep dirt road. I'm planning on putting some dual sport tires on it. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Chris

Flush out the front brake master cylinder and caliper and add new brake fluid.

Assuming you have original 19'' rims front and back, your choices are limited. I'd stick with original design K81's in 410/19 size front and rear. A bit more aggressive in the tread department than the Avon Road Riders which are the other popular fitment.

Biscuit said:

...stick with original design K81's in 410/19 size front and rear. A bit more aggressive in the tread department than the Avon Road Riders

Click to expand...

Running Avons on mine, and, with some dirt roads under my belt, I would default to Biscuit's suggestion. I love the Road Riders since we have a lot of grooved roadways around here. The K81's would be better for your steep dirt road.

Nathan

ugh obviously if you have to ask implies not very handy familiar in awe horrified like hobot who has developed very strong biased off pavement tire opinions and know dirt mean too many things to folks for tire texture selection. Also How you intend to ride it, with some sane sense of survival or with spirited slipping purpose. My world is sharpy divided , THE Gravel/Pavement and everything else, ie: dense dark soft soil-dirt, flat track fingernail rock chps with clay, sandy loose base with marble/golf ball rocks, grass wet-dry, leaves wet-dry on level or steep, snow dry or wet. For pavement & THE Gravel, only thing that matters is inflation pressure and softest compound slick as a new born bottom AS can Not dig in only grip surface of tarmac or surface stones in place so not to roll on their tops like balls. On everything else but deep sand and snow dual purpose notches helps to dig in and throw back for some thrust. If just need some security to get to pavement and not THE Gravel then 80 on/20 off road ratio works a treat. My favorite tires are no long available so if ya find something ya like better get spares. If ya get too knobbie type they can squirm and induce Commando isolastic Hingingn rather sooner and delay recovery time/distance. Mud, water and air are all the same to me, Instant crisis only luck with enoug pure ballistic momentum to get past upright.


The Wrong Dangerous texture to avoid on pavement, my SuVee now only get pure non DOT race compound slicks so soft pebbles loudly scratch though plastic mudgard but do not get much rubbed off till i return then heated so soft its silent return but the pebbles under are hugged fixed in place to act like claws to push off till thrown back adding some thrust vectoring


Too tractor cleat knobs for THE Gravel and tarmac but good for Mt side climbs and creek bed runing and climb out on steep banks and not very mileage or smooth cruise friendly.



This is the right stuff texture for me on and off pavement spanking sports bikes and quads and out zig zaging accelerating freaked out deer clusters in pastures of ocean swells of grass, till they leap a tree fall or fence and I really get to appreciate the texture engagement.



What I fitted on my big block blown special because spanking fatso tire corner cripples is too secure predicable low effort boring, but soon as off firm surface life gets thrilling knee tremble adenalized for me just commuting beaten paths so hope these allow me to jump tracks into raw stuff at any angle.

Hi, welcome. The wheel bearings need service. They are non sealed type (if original), need disassembly, washing, greasing and reassembly.
Layshaft bearing been done? search and read here...
All your female bullet connectors should be replaced, they have all failed. (not really a lot of work)
Inspect the clutch for gear oil contamination... does it release COMPLETELY? Grab? Slip?
Inspect/upgrade Swing arm bush/spindle search Kegler mod
Internal 2-1 intake manifold bolts are LOCTITED?
Cables lubed? Throttle tube lubed?
Exhaust nuts TIGHT?
Fork oil changed?
Drive chain replaced? $30 for a new one VS very expensive sprockets
LOK FOR TROUBLE.... before it leaves you walking/swearing :mrgreen: