- Joined
- Oct 5, 2022
- Messages
- 22
Just wanted to thank everyone for being a great resource. I've been lurking here for 6 months and found just about everything I needed without having to post - so I thought I'd drop in and say "Thank you" for the great info and show what you've all assisted with. First the "back story".
My stepdad had a pride 71 Commando that he bought in the early 70'd and rode it everywhere. I remember riding with him on it once, pure terror (and now own "far too many bikes" according to the wife). Somewhere around 1975 I remember it got parked in the kitchen of our apartment. There it sat, decoration. We moved across 10 years later and I didn't see it again until we headed to the Midwest. Luckily it went with us and lived in the unheated garage with a blanket over it.
In 2010 he passed away and I came into possession of it. Rented a truck and dragged it up to my place and put it in our shed with full intent of restoration. I got it home and drained the fluids, refilled it and turned the engine a few times after soaking the cylinders with penetraing oil. It turned over easily so I did a compression test, that looked really good. Sprayed some gas in the carbs and hit it a few more times. It sputtered and didnt sound bad so it was worth keeping. ...but there it sat for 10 years in the garden shed, with a sheet over it, naturally. Squirrels got to a lot of things in there, but mercifully only a few mice took up residence in the battery box.
Well this summer I got some space in the shop and decided it was time. Dragged it into the shop and went through the basic mechanicals. It was in amazingly good shape. Even the carbs had been drained so they were clean. Cleaned the tank out, changed the oil again, plugs, etc.. and kicked it over a few times and it started. WOW! It ran like crap but then I checked the points and tried again... She idled and ran.
So I got it road worthy and took a few large 10 mile loops this summer. Waited until it was too cold to ride and got to work. From October to December I stripped it down, put a lot of elbow grease and effort into it as well as about $1500 in parts (mostly cosmetic) and declared it was done. Its a 5 footer - which was my intent because I want to ride it, not admire it. Here is the before and after.
My stepdad had a pride 71 Commando that he bought in the early 70'd and rode it everywhere. I remember riding with him on it once, pure terror (and now own "far too many bikes" according to the wife). Somewhere around 1975 I remember it got parked in the kitchen of our apartment. There it sat, decoration. We moved across 10 years later and I didn't see it again until we headed to the Midwest. Luckily it went with us and lived in the unheated garage with a blanket over it.
In 2010 he passed away and I came into possession of it. Rented a truck and dragged it up to my place and put it in our shed with full intent of restoration. I got it home and drained the fluids, refilled it and turned the engine a few times after soaking the cylinders with penetraing oil. It turned over easily so I did a compression test, that looked really good. Sprayed some gas in the carbs and hit it a few more times. It sputtered and didnt sound bad so it was worth keeping. ...but there it sat for 10 years in the garden shed, with a sheet over it, naturally. Squirrels got to a lot of things in there, but mercifully only a few mice took up residence in the battery box.
Well this summer I got some space in the shop and decided it was time. Dragged it into the shop and went through the basic mechanicals. It was in amazingly good shape. Even the carbs had been drained so they were clean. Cleaned the tank out, changed the oil again, plugs, etc.. and kicked it over a few times and it started. WOW! It ran like crap but then I checked the points and tried again... She idled and ran.
So I got it road worthy and took a few large 10 mile loops this summer. Waited until it was too cold to ride and got to work. From October to December I stripped it down, put a lot of elbow grease and effort into it as well as about $1500 in parts (mostly cosmetic) and declared it was done. Its a 5 footer - which was my intent because I want to ride it, not admire it. Here is the before and after.
