What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Again. Technically it was yesterday. But I rode my Norton today
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Started my combat and readied it for the fall riding season. Rolled out new 850mk 2 that I recently bought and plan to get running. It last ran more than ten years ago but has reasonably good candy apple red with silver pinstripe original paint. My first 850.
 
Not today but last week - time to play the “ Who’s the Jackass ? “ game .
( hint - he is typing this )
Took the Commando out to meet a buddy for a lunch ride . I left early for fuel and a stop at a local business. I live on a barrier island and as I was starting over the bridge the engine stumbled a few times . Hmm - better turn around and go home . As I was going through the u turn ramp I noticed the choke lever had vibrated towards the on position - opened up the choke and all cleared. Part of my pre start routine is snugging up the screw at the choke lever and this time I didn’t. All well so I took the next u turn exit to head west again - this ramp ducks under the bridge and has a blind single lane and traffic light to control the ramp . While waiting for the green light traffic built up behind me and of course I stalled the bike when the light turned green. Push to the side and wave the others through . Restart and wait for the next cycle. On my way again and all good so made my stop at the business. After conducting what I had to do I set off again and as I arrive at the biggest span of the series of bridges the engine stumbled again - choke lever fine , but someone forgot to turn the fuel back on . Hmm … who could that be. Must be getting senile.
 
Richard Tool said:
Not today but last week - time to play the “ Who’s the Jackass ? “ game .
( hint - he is typing this )
Took the Commando out to meet a buddy for a lunch ride . I left early for fuel and a stop at a local business. I live on a barrier island and as I was starting over the bridge the engine stumbled a few times . Hmm - better turn around and go home . As I was going through the u turn ramp I noticed the choke lever had vibrated towards the on position - opened up the choke and all cleared. Part of my pre start routine is snugging up the screw at the choke lever and this time I didn’t. All well so I took the next u turn exit to head west again - this ramp ducks under the bridge and has a blind single lane and traffic light to control the ramp . While waiting for the green light traffic built up behind me and of course I stalled the bike when the light turned green. Push to the side and wave the others through . Restart and wait for the next cycle. On my way again and all good so made my stop at the business. After conducting what I had to do I set off again and as I arrive at the biggest span of the series of bridges the engine stumbled again - choke lever fine , but someone forgot to turn the fuel back on . Hmm … who could that be. Must be getting senile.
Click to expand...
Richard,
Don’t feel alone on this.More than once I have forgotten to connect the straps that hold my helmet on.
Mike
 
Well, I had a lovely day of mixed riding today. 25 miles to our usual coffee haunt (great coffee and a beautiful view of Gladstone harbour & marina) followed by 45 miles of taking some back-roads home.
I believe you Poms call it green-laning, but there's not too much green here!
My idea of a good ride is where I can do my own thing (nothing too fast) without tin boxes getting in my way.

I've realised I am over highway riding now - what with bad potholes, myriad of speed cameras, wall to wall caravans and trucks (B-double semis) driven by suicidal [removed by the moderator] visa temporary drivers!

Anyway - a great day with no reasons to display what a cranky old bastard I've become.
Cheers
Rob
 
Last edited by a moderator:
'Quick' 1.5 hr check of the tappet clearances. No adjustments required. Cleaned cover mating surfaces, new gaskets, thorough polishing of the covers. And nuts. Very therapeutic.
 
Installed turn signals (1970, came without them), did the wiring, ripped some old DIY wiring from the previous owner, found out the horn works - was just wired wrong, new LH switch, drilled and installed tiny LED warning lights for new turn indicators, new chain, new speedo drive, checked tappets, installed Corbin seat.
 

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dimchick said:
Installed turn signals (1970, came without them), did the wiring, ripped some old DIY wiring from the previous owner, found out the horn works - was just wired wrong, new LH switch, drilled and installed tiny LED warning lights for new turn indicators, new chain, new speedo drive, checked tappets, installed Corbin seat.
Click to expand...
Where did you find those tiny indicators? They look very nice. What's your plan for the old seat?
 
Spent a couple of hours or so with my Isolastics this time more methodical and taking notes. Armed with guidance from Matt that the front generally effects the 3-6k rpm range and the rear below 3k rpm I made numerous changes to both front and rear individually and test rode after each.

I started by repeating the settings I used last year when I was unaware of not using the centre stand when doing this and indeed they (2.5 front and rear) produced a familiar result.

I reset back to Matt’s ‘factory’ setting front and back (1.5 front and rear) whilst the bike was free standing but supported to prevent toppling over which turned out pretty terrible tbh with significant vibration throughout the rev range and for the first time through the saddle not just bars and pegs.

My final adjustment after 5 rides was 2.5 front and 2 rear. A good compromise I think and the significant improvement felt on engine breaking 3k and below which was previously annoying. Now I have very little to complain about throughout the range even between 2.5-3k which previously felt quite lumpy. Haven’t had the chance to test on motorways so may need a final tweak for that later on. Interesting how they interact with each other beyond Matt’s advise so I think I now have a pretty decent understanding how they work.
 
Café au Lait said:
Spent a couple of hours or so with my Isolastics this time more methodical and taking notes. Armed with guidance from Matt that the front generally effects the 3-6k rpm range and the rear below 3k rpm I made numerous changes to both front and rear individually and test rode after each.

I started by repeating the settings I used last year when I was unaware of not using the centre stand when doing this and indeed they (2.5 front and rear) produced a familiar result.

I reset back to Matt’s ‘factory’ setting front and back (1.5 front and rear) whilst the bike was free standing but supported to prevent toppling over which turned out pretty terrible tbh with significant vibration throughout the rev range and for the first time through the saddle not just bars and pegs.

My final adjustment after 5 rides was 2.5 front and 2 rear. A good compromise I think and the significant improvement felt on engine breaking 3k and below which was previously annoying. Now I have very little to complain about throughout the range even between 2.5-3k which previously felt quite lumpy. Haven’t had the chance to test on motorways so may need a final tweak for that later on. Interesting how they interact with each other beyond Matt’s advise so I think I now have a pretty decent understanding how they work.
Click to expand...
thousandths of an inch?
 

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