Seeking advice

Nah, they just crank over....just a little faster than normal, and sounding smoother when cranking too.
I saved that gasket to highlight the importance of the retorque.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Nah, they just crank over....just a little faster than normal, and sounding smoother when cranking too.
I saved that gasket to highlight the importance of the retorque.
Click to expand...
We had that bike with the rings lined up, and it was blown in the center as well. The bike started, but it moaned a lot!!
 
The bike that the pictured failed gasket came from gradually got harder and harder to start and then wouldn't start at all.
 
A blown composite head gasket can blow on a standard Commando as well not just a modern.
I always use solid type on mine. Weeps maybe blown out would be rare.
 
Can fail on a newer 961 as well, but from memory it's always been the earlier bikes that have not had the retorque done at 1st service.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Can fail on a newer 961 as well, but from memory it's always been the earlier bikes that have not had the retorque done at 1st service.
Click to expand...
I think you're right.
When I brought my CR in for a leaking rocker cover gasket, the mechanic told me that the head needed retorgue too.
Didn't realize at the time, but I was riding a time bomb with around 1100 miles on the clock.
My CR was one of the early US 961s that needed the "repair kit" to replace incorrect supplier parts used in the engine back in 2014.
I assumed that in the following service, that the head had been re-torqued.
Apparently, this was missed, and the leaking cover gasket was my savior.
 
I have the CNW manual that explains how to get to the bolts, but it mentions the regular manual for the torque procedure. I assume I simply disassemble the head...but not remove it, and then re-torque?
 
Only need to remove the rocker cover to expose the under cover head bolts.
You'll need to check the tappet clearances after re-torquing.
Stu can explain the process.

Seeking advice
 
Yeh that's what I saw so all good. Just wanted to make sure I was in the right place! Thank you
 
kev said:
Yeh that's what I saw so all good. Just wanted to make sure I was in the right place! Thank you
Click to expand...
Kev, apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but be sure to back each nut or bolt off 1/4 turn or so before re-torquing. (One at a time).
 
cliffa said:
Kev, apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs, but be sure to back each nut or bolt off 1/4 turn or so before re-torquing. (One at a time).
Click to expand...
^^^^^^ this, and when you put the cover back on, make sure to evenly tighten the bolts. Also a good time to polish cover if that's your thing and check the wiring and everything else.
 
Oh, and it’s also a good time to get a superior gasket from Stu. ( The Norton ones tend to blow out on the front corners).
 
Dang I need to do this.
Whats is the "Extreme pressure lube" from the manual?
What brand do you recommend ?
 
 
Last edited:

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