Starting cafe racer restoration Commando 850 MK3 from Spain

javifoto70 · Jan 9, 2023

Hello,

This is going to be my third restoration-cafe racer-project and my first British classic bike so I am probably need your help!
Due to work and family reasons I use to spend one to two years to finish my projects but I will certainly finish and the result with this great motorbike will certainly pay off.
I bought the bike from a guys than document me he order in 2006 the following professional work from an experienced mechanic in Granada (South Spain) made in 2006: polished rims, hubs, fork, triple trees, polished and painted frame, rectified and reapair heads and cylinders,.

Since then the bike has being stored and the engine has not run so supposedly it should have 0 kms.
Find here some picture of how the bike is

Starting cafe racer restoration Commando 850 MK3 from Spain

mean gene · Jan 9, 2023

Bike looks great!
You will get a lot of opinions and advice on this forum all good!
This what I do when a I buy a Norton, Drain all oil. Oil absorbs moisture over time, sulfur and water create sulfuric acid, not good! Remove sump screen and clean, this will tell if it has been run. l check at least the exhaust valves have proper clearance. While the exhaust covers are off, after reinstalling sump screen, dump 2/3 ounces of new oil in head, this will drain down and lube lifters and hopefully the cam. Remove oil suction screen from oil tank, it should be clean, reinstall and fill with oil. Remove spark plugs. Kick the engine over until you see oil return to the oil tank. If you look in filler cap there is a return tube that will pulse oil. It may take 20-25 kicks till you see oil return but at least it's there before the engine starts. Have Fun!

grandpaul · Jan 10, 2023

Welcome! Very nice cafe racer, @javifoto70 I'm sure it will be fun to ride.

javifoto70 · Jan 10, 2023

mean gene said:
Bike looks great!
You will get a lot of opinions and advice on this forum all good!
This what I do when a I buy a Norton, Drain all oil. Oil absorbs moisture over time, sulfur and water create sulfuric acid, not good! Remove sump screen and clean, this will tell if it has been run. l check at least the exhaust valves have proper clearance. While the exhaust covers are off, after reinstalling sump screen, dump 2/3 ounces of new oil in head, this will drain down and lube lifters and hopefully the cam. Remove oil suction screen from oil tank, it should be clean, reinstall and fill with oil. Remove spark plugs. Kick the engine over until you see oil return to the oil tank. If you look in filler cap there is a return tube that will pulse oil. It may take 20-25 kicks till you see oil return but at least it's there before the engine starts. Have Fun!

Follow your suggestion I drained the oil and it is very clean, it seems the seller was right and in bike and engine did not run, most probably the engine has only been tested. I am waiting for a kit of Imperial tools and there is not much I can do with usual metric tools. The sump screen will have to wait.

I removed mufflers, exhaust pipes (the exhaust valves are totally clean and look quite new) and rearsets. The left side foot peg and gear lever was not properly mounted for it was set higher than the right side one. I will clean and check every part and screw and I will mount them properly.

javifoto70 · Jan 10, 2023

javifoto70 · Jan 10, 2023

Regarding the front master brake cylinder I read on the forum that the Andover original one extended to 13m bore it is advisable because improves the braking power.

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

Unfortunately this will not suit my Commando because I am not going to combine it with the OEM switch but with an older version to get a cafe racer style.
Alternatively I also found this from Brembo.

exclusive Commando parts | Holland Norton Works

www.hollandnortonworks.eu

I would like to use a more classic one with round reservoir built in like the Andover one. Can anybody tell me which compatible models should I look for? I was thinking about some Honda 13mm ones, will they be compatible?

Lineslinger · Jan 10, 2023

Please keep posting photos of your work and progress.
It is always interesting and fun to see how each motorcycle is approached.
Appears to be a solid choice for restoring...make sure you have fun!

jan nelder · Jan 10, 2023

javifoto70 said:
Regarding the front master brake cylinder I read on the forum that the Andover original one extended to 13m bore it is advisable because improves the braking power.

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

Unfortunately this will not suit my Commando because I am not going to combine it with the OEM switch but with an older version to get a cafe racer style.
Alternatively I also found this from Brembo.
View attachment 102729

exclusive Commando parts | Holland Norton Works

www.hollandnortonworks.eu

I would like to use a more classic one with round reservoir built in like the Andover one. Can anybody tell me which compatible models should I look for? I was thinking about some Honda 13mm ones, will they be compatible?

This Brembo one can use the original switches ( with adaptor plate) , in case you change your mind! Can be bought from other suppliers in Europe, of course.

jan nelder · Jan 10, 2023

the modern starter motor from Norvil is very good, and bolts straight in, and runs with positive or negative earth.

gortnipper · Jan 11, 2023

Where is the battery on this bike?

The oil tank on yours is not stock, and the battery tray usually sits under the stock tank and above the isolastics.

Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts -

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

You would do well to go to uprated starter cables.

javifoto70 · Jan 11, 2023

The bikes has not any battery now, my plan is to build my own seat+cowl and hide on the cowl a Lithium battery to get a cafe racer style Commando.
It also lacks ignition system and wiring and my plan is to make a new wiring with negative ground, a fully electronic system, electronic ignition/rectifier and new alternator. I want to be totally safe and problem free about electric system.

acotrel · Jan 11, 2023

It is a very nice bike and has lots of potential. I would rubber mount the carbs. A small enough 12 volt lithium battery can be difficult to find. I don't like using ballast resistors.

Lineslinger · Jan 11, 2023

Did you build the BMW café racer in the icon photo above your name?

gortnipper · Jan 11, 2023

javifoto70 said:
The bikes has not any battery now, my plan is to build my own seat+cowl and hide on the cowl a Lithium battery to get a cafe racer style Commando.
It also lacks ignition system and wiring and my plan is to make a new wiring with negative ground, a fully electronic system, electronic ignition/rectifier and new alternator. I want to be totally safe and problem free about electric system.

Check out Grant's page, a wealth of electronic info

Grant Tiller

granttiller.com

javifoto70 · Jan 11, 2023

acotrel said:
It is a very nice bike and has lots of potential. I would rubber mount the carbs. A small enough 12 volt lithium battery can be difficult to find. I don't like using ballast resistors.

My plan is to use the same Lithium battery I used on two of my 1000cc Ducatis it is quite small and produce CCA 300A, Capacity 5Ah. I hope it will be powerful enough to feed the starter motor.

javifoto70 · Jan 11, 2023

Lineslinger said:
Did you build the BMW café racer in the icon photo above your name?

Oh yes! It is also a 1975 model I restored myself and transformed into a bobber style. It is a R90/6 model. You can find some pictures on this post

New member with Commando 850 MK3 from Spain

Hello, I am new at the forum and new on British motorcycles restoration. I just bought a Commando 850 MK3 Electric start that needs a good batch of hours to make it run. I am 52 years old and after owning many bikes along the years I started four years ago to make my own cafe racer from a...

www.accessnorton.com

javifoto70 · Jan 11, 2023

I have another technical question:

Due to the bike condition I cannot test run the bike but sitting over the bike seems to me that the shocks that come with the bike are not in their best condition. They seem to lack rebound retention. I would like to securely and comfortably ride my bike, can you suggest me which good rear shocks should I install? I would like to keep the classic look but with good suspension quality.

Fast Eddie · Jan 12, 2023

javifoto70 said:
I have another technical question:

Due to the bike condition I cannot test run the bike but sitting over the bike seems to me that the shocks that come with the bike are not in their best condition. They seem to lack rebound retention. I would like to securely and comfortably ride my bike, can you suggest me which good rear shocks should I install? I would like to keep the classic look but with good suspension quality.

You need to decide how good is good vs how much classic look you want vs cost.

In Europe at least, probably the best suspension is from Maxton in U.K. they custom build to your weight etc and can custom build the length. Lots of racer boys use them, so, looks wise they look right on a ‘serious’ cafe racer.

Again, depending on your definition of good and cost, Maxton also do custom set up modern fork cartridge internals.

K-Tech make a great ’classic’ shock but I’m not aware of an off the shelf Commando offering yet.

Also custom built, and very good, are Falcon Shocks.

Hagon do an off the shelf ‘performance’ shock.

Ikon shocks are good (hNw sell Ikons for Commando).

Maxton shocks on a Commando:

gortnipper · Jan 12, 2023

javifoto70 said:
My plan is to use the same Lithium battery I used on two of my 1000cc Ducatis it is quite small and produce CCA 300A, Capacity 5Ah. I hope it will be powerful enough to feed the starter motor.

I have been running a Shorai LFX18L1-BS12 for the last six years or so and it turns my starter with ease. 270 CCA and 18Ah.

I would be concerned with a 5Ah battery for e-start.

javifoto70 · Jan 12, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
You need to decide how good is good vs how much classic look you want vs cost.

In Europe at least, probably the best suspension is from Maxton in U.K. they custom build to your weight etc and can custom build the length. Lots of racer boys use them, so, looks wise they look right on a ‘serious’ cafe racer.

Again, depending on your definition of good and cost, Maxton also do custom set up modern fork cartridge internals.

K-Tech make a great ’classic’ shock but I’m not aware of an off the shelf Commando offering yet.

Also custom built, and very good, are Falcon Shocks.

Hagon do an off the shelf ‘performance’ shock.

Ikon shocks are good (hNw sell Ikons for Commando).

Maxton shocks on a Commando:

View attachment 102767

Hi Eddie,

I will study your interesting and complete report, since keeping the classic look is capital to me I will probably study the Hagon to see if they have adjustable ones (at least preload and hydraulic rebound).
Your Commando looks impressive and such deep upgrade must be a rocket to ride!
For my MKIII I will try to make a cafe racer that a guy from the seventies would have done with a look closer to a Triton and within these limits I will try to get good suspension, brakes and handling.