starting a commando for the first time

my '72 is scheduled for lift off this friday. i've never started a commando or a kickstart motorcycle ever. i've done research and asked questions and know i'm in for a lot of fun friday. get it up on the centerstand in neutral, tickle the carbs,turn on the ignition, and kick it, right? make sure oil is flowing back to the tank and anti wet sump valve is working. take him for a spin, get him good and warm, shutdown and tighten the exhaust pipe nuts. am i missing anything? this board has been an invaluable resource for a rookie like me. come on friday!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did this 10 days ago with a '75 Mk III, here is what the good folks at CNW advised me to do (what they do).

1) Put 2 quarts of non-detergent 20 or 30 weight in the tank, tickle up the carbs, do a trounce on the kicker with the switch off (not on the center stand, please) to make sure there are no metalic clanks.

2) Switch on, kick away, if you've done your homewework it will fire right up (I put a large fan in front of mine). Run the engine with out moving the bike (keep it in neutral) for 8-10 minutes, until the oil is warm/hot. You can use this time to verify the timing.

3) Shut down and drain the oil, replace the filter, if you have one, clean the gauz filter in the bottom of the crankcase.

4) When the engine is completly cool go over the valve aqjustments and the torques of the major engine fasteners.

5) Add three quarts of non-detergent 20 or 30 weight oil, a new filter and go for a 50 mile ride.

6) Bring your pride and joy home and repeat steps 3 & 4.

7) Now add 3 quarts of what ever you plan to run in your bike, I don't want to start an oil war here!! and go for the 500 mile mark.

----When you hit 500 miles repeat steps 3 & 4, plus change out the tranny fluid and the primary fluid.


You may want to check your carb sync, there are some excellent proceedures on this forum, at some point alomng the way.

Best wishes!!! A proud moment awaits you!!!!

RS

Bill, glad to hear your Snorter is up and running! Will look forward to running into you at MotoMarket, Britbike shows, or elsewhere. And if it doesn't happen by accident, we should give fate a little push or something.

BrianK

I have been pushing fate far too long, luck too

I fully plan on making an exhibit at the next Norton ralley in New England.

All the best,

RS (Bill)

That's good Bill, SECOND place in the Norton category should be available :twisted: ....if I can ever get there early enough to register (hasn't happened yet).

Still think you should plan on joining us in loverly Needham for a burger and a drink or two before then (September's next one I know).

Just started mine for the first time today, The builder of the motor told me to use delo 15-40 Started on the 4th or 5th kick held the rpm at about 2,000 and gave it a couple of blips to 3,000 for about 2 minutes. Shut it down let it cool for a bit and started it again same rpm let it get warmed up and shut it off, Let it totally cool and then re torqued all head bolts. Then took it out for a 5 mile ride and then shut it down, Changed the oil and filter. Tomorrow I will check the valve adjustments and take it for a little longer ride. What surprised me about it is that it never smoked even a little, The only smoke I saw was from the exhaust system. Must have been some oil on them from my hands. I did notice that it stumbles a little at low rpm but when it gets to about 3,000 it takes off. I will put the timing light on it and see if it is off, It has the tri-spark ignition on it so it should be close. Maybe carb it has a 34 Mikuni on it, I was told it should be good to go right outta the box. Don't know about that though? It was fun to hear it come to life after a year and a half of work.

Starting a Commando for the first time.....not only for the bike but for you!!! This thread could contain some interesting disagreements.
This is what I would do....
Fill the oil tanl with whatever oil you choose to use.....I use Castrol green mineral 20/50, many folk use straight 40 or 50 weight.....but don't be tempted to use a sythetic oil to run in....
Do put the bike on the centre stand....in fact always start the bike on the centre stand, despite it sitting on the isolastic rubbers....this is much more prefferable to straining the side stand or getting a kick back off the old bugger.
Take the plags out and kick the bike over about 50 times to try and 'prime the engine and crank with oil. Put the plugs back in.
Prime the carbs till you get a drip off each carb, set the choke slides down, switch the ign on, and push the kickstart down untill it goes 'hard'. Then nudge the kickstart down gently until you feel the pistons get right on or JUST past top dead centre.
Just take up the slack in the throttle cable and launch yourself at the kickstart, (it may be prudent to have a few test goes at this before carb priming and ign on). You need to get right through to the bottom...a rebuilt motor can be pretty tight). Oh, by the way, wear some good boots...
I am not putting you off here, am I? I only weigh 10 stone so I need to be fully committed to my 850...
That is how I start mine up....
Once started pull choke back a fraction (amals?) till the engine runs 'smooth' and hold at say 2000 rpm.
Whip the seat off and check oil is returning to tank....if no action there in 30-40 seconds then turn off and investigate.
Follow the manual about retorquing sequence....Syncronise carbs etc...
Good luck. It feels great to start a motor you have put together for the first time.
Stu.

BrianK said:

That's good Bill, SECOND place in the Norton category should be available :twisted: ....if I can ever get there early enough to register (hasn't happened yet).

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You mean THIRD place ... :lol:

Next BI meet in New England will be the Ct BI Brit Jam Aug 16th. I'll be there with my purty red 850.

I went through the stratup routine with a fresh engine build a month ago. That first minute of watching for oil to return to the tank is scary. I waited for the 200 mile mark before retorquing the head and that was way too long - the fasteners were pretty loose. Just did it again at 800 miles and they only moved a little. I think it's al good now (if I can get it to idle without misfire).

I am not big or heavy enough to start a Commando on its wheels unless it is on its sidestand.
I have heard, and have had myself, sidestand failure due to starting on the sidestand.
I do know from painfull experience what it feels like to have one kick back due to not getting the jugs up to TDC and getting a good kick on the bike. Put mine away for several months whilst my ankle recoved.
Stu

I don't start or run mine on the side stand, as this allows oil to pool up around the left exhaust valve stem.

Now that mine is thoroughly broken in, I usually start it on its wheels, only occasionally on the centerstand.

+1 on a good pair of boots, unless you're fond of limping!

I don't have a center stand. :cry: But as I kick it the weight is on the wheels.

I don't have a centre stand either. I always start it on the side stand and don't have any problems.
When its parked up in the shed I put a block under the sidestand to push the bike more upright, seems to work OK.

didn't mean to confuse anybody but this isn't a new motor that needs break in. it's my 1st norton, actually my 1st motorcycle. it came to me last winter and needed rewiring, complete front brake overhaul, new battery, new pipes, new tires, tank sealing and painting, plus about 50 hours of bead blasting, and 20 hours of kerosine and steel wool work. so far i've done it all myself and learned a good deal about the norton. i get the tank back tommorrow and assuming no leaks i'll be good to go friday. wifey refuses to watch as she thinke a 63 year old man should not take up motorcycling. have imbecile neighbors on both sides who probably hope i break my leg or worse on the maiden voyage. my son and daughter are the only supporters i have at the moment. they merely think of me as zany. i'll do a full report friday assuming i'm not in the hospital. old guys rule!!!!

You have my support as well, I'm 60, but I have been riding since 1965 and have owned 2 Nortons when they were production items.

I would suggest that you fuel it and oil it, having done all the adjustments and ride it for 20-50 miles, then go through all the adjustments and refresh the fluids and filter.

Given your attention to detail I assume that you have seen it spark and that the timing is on or close, that the carbs have been cleaned and mechanically synced; they may still have worn slides but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying your ride, just won't idle well.

Anyway: Clear the clutch--switch off, pull in the clutch and kick until the engine doesn't turn and you are sure the clutch is completely disengaging. Tickel the carbs until you see fuel drip, bring the engine to just over TDC, switch on--bike on two wheels, jump into the air and, when gravity grabs you, bring all your weight down on the kicker with the though of sending it to China. The Norton will be so freaked out with your determination it will fire right up and wait for your next control input.

My wife signed a pre-nup that stated she could bitch at me for anything except my motorcycle habit...My kids all ride!!

RS

First bike and its a Commando! I am seriously impressed.

As far as starting goes, if the timing and carbs are set up right then starting is a one kick affair and doesn't have to be a death or glory lunge, more of a push through.
Everyone develops their own technique that works for them and their bike.

For me its
1. Pull the clutch in and kick through to break out the clutch plates
2. tickle the carbs until they just flood
3. Push through the first compression and stop at the second and bring the kickstart lever back to about 45degrees
4. Open throttle about 1/8 to start and kick through, as the kickstart lever moves through open the throttle gradually at the same time.
and with any luck you've got a running bike

This should all be quite calm and controlled .

The bad news is there's usually a bit of a learning curve to get to the calm and controlled method which may involve a bit of swearing and sweating.

Take care on that first ride.

The MOSt intriguing ' run in ' I have heard of ~ of recent was to oil up .. then disconnect the return oil line and divert into a container ~ THEn tow the bike around the block ~ in gear ~

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

This apparently removes the potential of any initial bed in materials from being recirculated and promptly removed......

Now I am some what dubious about this ~ after all both the Commando have a paper type filter ~ So I will run with the engine builders recommendations when I strike up the Trident ~ very shortly ~
His recommendation is to lube up with Penrite base oil and run for short duration of equal to 50 miles and then drop and change filter ~ plus this combined factor of running instantly to 5K ~ for five/ 5 !

This allows the rings to bed in before the oil is allowed to splash into the cylinders ~ so obviously a minimum of oil should be used to lube up the oil and bores on reassembly ~

But when my 850 was rebuilt it was road run for some 50-100 miles ~ the oil changed along with the filter ~

Then with two up taken for a brisk run which included an over taking move up to 85 MPH ~ ( Another 60 mile run ! )

The bike HAS NOT 'used' oil !! ~ ever since that rebuild ~

I think a Commando should allways be started on its wheels . unless you want to stobe it .

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I see yourself and another suggesting starting on the wheels and not the center stand. I've always started mine on the center stand, so I'm wondering why you and the others are recommending not doing this.


Also, "stobe" is not a word or slang I'm familiar with; please explain.




And can someone let me know what's the trick to getting quoting to work on this board?

Postby Robert_Norton

Also, "stobe" is not a word or slang I'm familiar with; please explain.

Me thinks he meant Strobe as in timing light . !

Interesting the side stand or centre stand preference when starting.....as I have said I use the centre stand....although I do accept this 'strains' the isolastic rubbers on the later bikes on which the stand is connected to the cradle, not the frame.
I also start my bike on the side stand, when I am out and about, due to convenience.
But the comment from Ludwig about starting the bike on the centre stand if you want to strobe it reminds me of my first experience of strobing my Commando with a Boyer.
Me and a mate fired up the bike on the centrestand in the garage, I got round one side with the strobe light and my mate was sat on the bike. On my instructions he revved the bike to 5000rpm as per the boyer instructions. The bike set off in a diagonal direction, backwards, out of the garage, due to the vibration, still on the stand, with my mate hanging on for grim death and me following with the strobe still wired up to the bike in hot persuit.
We found we had more success strobing with the bike on its wheels and both brakes applied! Anybody else tried this?
Stu

Well now that you have admitted it, Yes and the best part is that it was my wife that was helping. She thought I was crazy as to why I wanted her to rev it to 5,000 sitting still. I still think the way the electronic ignitions are timed is crazy! :roll: