Reporting back...

A few or more months ago I had asked for help on a few problems with my 850 Mk2. First was an oil leak at the crank seal in the primary case. I tried a new seal, epoxied in. I tried another new seal epoxied in. Now Ive gone and put in one of the rubber seals and after about 200 miles not a leak (yet, touching as much wood as there is in a forest). Recent questions about end play make me remind you that excessive endplay can bring the crank keyway a bit close to the seal. When I shimmed mine I centered the crank in the cases and probably would have been better to push the crank to the drive side.

Second issue was very difficult starting. Ive had about a dozen brit bikes over the years and never had a hard starter. It ran fine and it
idled fine. It was so bad there were days when I pushed it back inside and took the Enfield.
I have a JS BSA street cam in it. Hardly a radical grind. But after a checking carefully I decided the cam was running too advanced. Rolled it
back and what a difference! The engine is fresh so it takes a firm and manly kick through or it will kick back. Pazon Altair installed which is supposed to solve this but I suspect a certain amount is finding the exact drill on a given day.
Must say I found it hard to believe that cam timing was the problem but I changed nothing else really.

Third thing was the BNR belt was rubbing its outer surface on the alternator towers. I was puzzled and still think it is the belt bulging up
on compression braking. Had at the towers with different grinding tools and finished with sandpaper. Don't like to see those thin fellows any thinner but no choice. Generous clearance now but part of this is because the belt has lost some of its rubber! No doubt there would be less of the belt bulging up if I tightened it up but that is pretty dangerous territory. Ill likely move it back in tiny increments.

So that is follow up hope it will help some other poor soul at least know where to look when their turn comes. Summer weather here in NYS and a pleasure to be out and about on a Commando.

Interesting your comment on the Pazon kicking back.
I went from stock points to a Pazon unit and experienced the occasional kick back on starting.
Then it dawned on me that the Pazon system is a wasted spark system in that the plug will fire on compression and exhaust stroke.
If the bike does not fire on the first kick (compression stroke) then on the exhaust stroke it will ignite (the wasted spark) the unburnt fuel and give you a gentle reminder through the kick starter.
Not the leg breaking reminder but a reminder just the same.

cheers
Peter R

bluemax said:

If the bike does not fire on the first kick (compression stroke) then on the exhaust stroke it will ignite (the wasted spark) the unburnt fuel and give you a gentle reminder through the kick starter.

Click to expand...

When the wasted spark ignition fires again near TDC (fully retarded) after one complete revolution of the crankshaft, the valves on that particular cylinder will be open, however, the other cylinder will then be on compression, so while you may hear a 'pop' if the mixture in the open cylinder ignited, I think any kickback you feel is more likely to be generated by the compressed cylinder.

Yes
You are probably right but it is just something I noticed since going to electronic ignition.
The kick back is no where as severe though just a gentle tap on the kick-starter and I assumed it was associated with unburnt fuel and the wasted spark.
When I was on the standard points it was rare for a kick back but when it did it nearly breaks you leg.
cheers
Peter R

For me it isnt gentle. It is a kickback. You have to really make sure you kick hard and follow through. Before I put the timing back it was vicious and frequent.
Well I certainly have good compression anyway!