Side Covers 1975 MKIII

Been working on cleaning things up on my 1975 Commando MKIII

I painted and prepped the tank and side covers for clear coat today. Still waiting for tank decals but here is a picture of the side covers ready for clear coat.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22794316@N03/9763820594/

I also have all of my front fork parts and will start rebuilding and installing the Landsdowne Dampers soon

I will be adding billet triple trees and 1" diameter sport bars. I decided to make a change in the bar size in order to upgrade to new handlebar controls. There just isn't much out there in 7/8"

I know the purists might not agree with this, but I am building the bike to ride and it just made sense to me to have better choices.

There are not as many purists out there as one would think, but the ones that are are rather anal about it. That makes it seem like there's more than there are.

Nice paint! Can't wait to the the completed front end........and the rest of the bike.

Here's a picture of the bike when I brought it home a few months ago.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22794316@N03/8873116160/

I got it running a few weeks ago and now am starting on the mods and improvements along with cosmetics. Motor and tranny are sound and were rebuilt a few 1000 miles ago.

I struggle with the purists because I have done pure restorations on motorcycles and classic cars so I sort of lean both ways :shock:

The difference is I want a bike I can ride and there just is so much better systems and parts out there than back in the day, that a Commando can be not only a beautiful piece of machinery, but up to date, reliable and an even better ride.

I personally think that it's amazing to be able to bring a 40 year old motorcyle into the 21st century.

Sidecovers look great.
What would the puritans find to dislike about those ??
Nice find of the bike too, BTW.

pete.v said:

There are not as many purists out there as one would think,

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Most of those 'purists' just get riled up about silly comments about stuff for sale being 'original',
when clearly it isn't.
This is more about seller-speak and sales-spiels..... ?

Rohan said:

Sidecovers look great.
What would the puritans find to dislike about those ??
Nice find of the bike too, BTW.

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I think the concern was not about the covers but the general nature of the rebuild. (after market 1"bars and switch gear, etc.)

I kinda understand the apprehension, dennisgb, so many get chastised just for being open and/or honest. Freedom, freespeech and freedom of choice, all can be a little pricey.

pete.v said:

Rohan said:

I think the concern was not about the covers but the general nature of the rebuild. (after market 1"bars and switch gear, etc.)

I kinda understand the apprehension, dennisgb, so many get chastised just for being open and/or honest. Just like freedom, freespeech and freedom of choice, all can be a little pricey.

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Hey Rohan,

That's an interesting way to put it..."all can be a little pricey".

I'm not really afraid to talk about the things I am doing to the bike, because they all make sense to me. Changing to 2013 switch gear makes total sense...I looked at the Lucas (style) replacements and they just don't make sense to me. If I need to change the master cylinder why not pick one that is up to date and part of the switch gear like the original? I'm doing the forks so the bike will ride better and the brakes so I can stop I put a Mikuni flat slide on there so it would run better and be more reliable. I have electronic ignition for the same reason. Wiring the system to negative ground with a proper terminal strip allows for up to date lighting and less load on the battery. Installing a 4 pole starter and heavier wiring so it actually can be used to start the bike. There is a reason the upgrades are out there. Why not take advantage of that and have an awesome bike in the end. It costs some money, and I thought about just buying a 2013 Triumph Bonniville T100 and be money ahead, but even tho I love the Triumphs there is just something about the Commando that those bikes don't have. It's just a awesome classic design.

Ya, ya, ya, upgrade, smuckgrade. It says "electric start" on the side cover, what more do you want? You actually want it to start on the button? You wussy. In my day a real rider kicked, and kicked, and kicked that sucker untill it started or he ran out of cigarettes. And if every stinken little part doesn't say "Made in England", well... It just ain't right! Good luck with your 'modern' Commando. :wink:

Biscuit said:

Ya, ya, ya, upgrade, smuckgrade. It says "electric start" on the side cover, what more do you want? You actually want it to start on the button? You wussy. In my day a real rider kicked, and kicked, and kicked that sucker untill it started or he ran out of cigarettes. And if every stinken little part doesn't say "Made in England", well... It just ain't right! Good luck with your 'modern' Commando. :wink:

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I kicked a lot of bikes and smoked a lot of cigarettes. That's why I can't do it anymore

The 441 Victor sent me over the handlebars in 67 when I miss timed the compression release.

We had dial phones with party lines. Black and White TV with ghosts and only 3 channels. No microwave ovens and beer you needed a key to get open.

Yes those were simpler times.

But not sure what the point is now...age does that to you to :shock:

And reguarding the b&w tv I miss the test pattern that came on at 11pm....both channels! :roll:

By 11pm we were so high that the test pattern looked pretty groovy.