What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

gpzkat said:

Ouch, that stinks. The beams in my garage are strong enough suspend the bike with a 1T chain hoist, no need for a platform. I never trusted the small ones, which never fit the undersides of any bikes I've owned. And the big ones make it too hard to get up close.

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Curious,where do you rig the sling(s)?

Torontonian said:

I'm pulling out the bottom end now ,on the street .
Is there a ratchet strap I can buy , to the main upper frame to wrap around the stripped down engine , to raise and lower it ?
Or wood blocks to support up .. then the down again .

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I bought a frame stand a few years ago that I used to restore my Norton and MG Lemans. I eventually coupled it with a HF electric winch that I use to lift / drop the motor into the frame. This rig works well to precisely lift heavy objects, coupled with my lift table adds even more flexibility.

BERT said:

Curious,where do you rig the sling(s)?

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Under the frame's headstock for the front, sometimes through the yoke to bring the strap away from the tank, if mounted. Looped through frame rails in the seat/battery, or near the shock mounts for the rear, not the rear fender loop. If lifting the whole bike, use both and join together at the hook. I don't need or want anything under the bike. For my sidestand-only bikes, it is used for chain lube and adjustment. Also very handy for lowering/raising frames on/off engines. I use a dirt bike levering stand for the KTM as it mates up perfectly to the skid plate and travels well.

Torontonian said:

I'm pulling out the bottom end now ,on the street .
Is there a ratchet strap I can buy , to the main upper frame to wrap around the stripped down engine , to raise and lower it ?
Or wood blocks to support up .. then the down again .

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That's a tricky one, such a tight space. You can use a normal ratcheting strap to lower, but it is a bit fiddly, one click at a time, very carefully. I have some are easier than others, still don't think I'd chance it. Once when I was garage-challenged, I used a neighbor's kids' swingset and the hoist, bike on its side. Maybe there's a playground nearby?

Torontonian said:

I'm pulling out the bottom end now ,on the street .
Is there a ratchet strap I can buy , to the main upper frame to wrap around the stripped down engine , to raise and lower it ?
Or wood blocks to support up .. then the down again .

Click to expand...

I've done this:

1) On center stand
2) Primary off
3) Head off
4) Cylinders off (optional depending on how strong you are)
5) Ratchet strap around the cradle and frame bottom so when the bottom end is unbolted, the cradle does not move. Must be tight!
6) Thin board between engine and frame (optional but let's you rest before the next steps if needed)
7) Pull the engine to cradle studs/bolts.
8) Pull iso to frame bolt from front iso
9) Lift until front iso clears frame tabs.
10) Slide forward to free from the cradle and lift out from the timing side.

Reverse to put it back in. Use long screwdrivers in the front iso and cradle to engine to quickly get it approximately in place then put in the correct studs/bolts.

marshg246 said:

Oops!

View attachment 122249

It's not the getting old that's a problem - it's the getting weak. I used to be very strong - apparently, I can't remember that I'm not now!

Fortunately, that's my rider, not a customer bike.

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Ouch ! I know what you are going through - did the same with my ST 1300 a few years back - over 700 lbs . Fortunately the only casualty was the mirror. Luckily the chair was there or it would have been on top of me .

Greg, glad to hear you escaped serious injury. These things happen so quickly but almost seem to happen in slow motion at the same time. My Commando actually blew over this year! Had it on the side stand on a patch of lawn. Had the side stand on a piece of wood so it wouldn’t sink into the grass. Of course, this meant that the bike was more upright than it would normally be. Had a nylon weather proof cover on the bike overnight as wind/rain was forecast. Woke up the next morning to find the bike over on the timing side! I think the cover must have caused a sail effect resulting in the bike blowing over. The wind part of the forecast had been underestimated! Apart from my pride, only casualties were a broken bar end mirror and timing side driver’s foot peg which both snapped off cleanly. I suspect that the handlebars might be bent but if so not enough to notice. Amazingly, no fluids, oil or gas, had leaked. I had seen a video somewhere where a guy showed his method of uprighting a fallen bike. I backed into the timing side of the bike, reached back and grabbed under the tank with my left hand and under the rear frame rail with my right, and then lifted by straightening my legs. I was pretty surprised when the method actually worked. Bike was upright on first try. Backup plan would have been a phone call to my free muscle, ie. my son.

marshg246 said:

It's not a copy. The side shelves are off in the picture but they are about useless. The are only about 2' x 18" and clip onto the sides under the engine.

I do all my real work on 2' x 6' tables I build. The lift is only for quick things or things where I needed to get things where I can work - I have one destroyed shoulder and one bad shoulder and I can no longer get on my knees, so this was good for some things. Since I can no longer safely put bikes on an off it, it's got to go.

Here's what I use for almost everything and there no chance of me getting hurt or dropping a bike: https://gregmarsh.com/MC/MMCT.aspx

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Hey Greg good to hear that you're pretty much all right. My buddy used to have one of them kendon's in his showroom so he could work on bikes while attending to the after market parts business. I never liked the looks of them. I guess they're okay if you're strong but I'm in the same boat as you. The older you get you just have to be more careful. I know you were having some type of pacemaker problems. I got four stents end to end in February of 2023. I've been on blood thinners since. If you look at me wrong I could probably bleed or bruise. Crazy s***. Luckily I have a younger buddy who lives around the corner and he helps with any maneuvering. Keep on keeping on. I got these this year, wonderful.

NORTSTER1974 said:

Hey Greg good to hear that you're pretty much all right. My buddy used to have one of them kendon's in his showroom so he could work on bikes while attending to the after market parts business. I never liked the looks of them. I guess they're okay if you're strong but I'm in the same boat as you. The older you get you just have to be more careful. I know you were having some type of pacemaker problems. I got four stents end to end in February of 2023. I've been on blood thinners since. If you look at me wrong I could probably bleed or bruise. Crazy s***. Luckily I have a younger buddy who lives around the corner and he helps with any maneuvering. Keep on keeping on. I got these this year, wonderful.

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That bleeding was only because of a scrape on my arm when I fell. I went to the ER because I thought I needed stitches. After I got there I didn't need them it was all because of the blood thinner that I'm on. WTF. Be careful

The thing with the black and blue eye was because I tripped on something and smashed my face into the hardwood floor. It wasn't a bar room brawl. Too old for fights now s&w is my best friend.

NORTSTER1974 said:

Hey Greg good to hear that you're pretty much all right. My buddy used to have one of them kendon's in his showroom so he could work on bikes while attending to the after market parts business. I never liked the looks of them. I guess they're okay if you're strong but I'm in the same boat as you. The older you get you just have to be more careful. I know you were having some type of pacemaker problems. I got four stents end to end in February of 2023. I've been on blood thinners since. If you look at me wrong I could probably bleed or bruise. Crazy s***. Luckily I have a younger buddy who lives around the corner and he helps with any maneuvering. Keep on keeping on. I got these this year, wonderful.

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I'm having a left heart cath Friday. I don't believe they will find anything due to many other tests I've had, but I hope they find something to fix and actually fix it! I wish I did not get the pacemaker. My heart is getting worse at pumping since I've had it and I'm tired and sleepy way too much.

marshg246 said:

I'm having a left heart cath Friday. I don't believe they will find anything due to many other tests I've had, but I hope they find something to fix and actually fix it! I wish I did not get the pacemaker. My heart is getting worse at pumping since I've had it and I'm tired and sleepy way too much.

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I hope they get it right I had four stents put in February of 2022 they were all in the same artery 4 inches in length. If that didn't work the next step would have been open heart surgery. I've been on a blood thinner since plavix if you look at me funny I'll either bleed or bruise. Be careful my friend. I hope the best for you!

marshg246 said:

I'm having a left heart cath Friday. I don't believe they will find anything due to many other tests I've had, but I hope they find something to fix and actually fix it! I wish I did not get the pacemaker. My heart is getting worse at pumping since I've had it and I'm tired and sleepy way too much.

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I don't understand the left heart cath thing. When I failed a stress test that's when they had to do the heart catheterization. Old school they used to go up through your groin now they go up through your right wrist. They proved all the arteries to the heart. They said going up through the right arm was the most direct route. Through the groin was secondary. My cardiologist is ass kicking. If you ever need a better medical system let me know. I deal with the Cooper University medicine. Even though we are 3 hours apart I might even be able to provide you with a place to stay.

NORTSTER1974 said:

I hope they get it right I had four stents put in February of 2022 they were all in the same artery 4 inches in length. If that didn't work the next step would have been open heart surgery. I've been on a blood thinner since plavix if you look at me funny I'll either bleed or bruise. Be careful my friend. I hope the best for you!

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I take Xarelto (blood thinner too) since I've had several joints replaced so I'm dripping blood without noticing it often.

Here's a funny one. A friend call a few minutes ago and asked who picked the bike up for me or if he should come do it. Of course I said, who do you think picked it up! I suppose that's why my back, neck, and butt are hurting today! I guess being pissed give me strength!

NORTSTER1974 said:

I don't understand the left heart cath thing. When I failed a stress test that's when they had to do the heart catheterization. Old school they used to go up through your groin now they go up through your right wrist. They proved all the arteries to the heart. They said going up through the right arm was the most direct route. Through the groin was secondary. My cardiologist is ass kicking. If you ever need a better medical system let me know. I deal with the Cooper University medicine. Even though we are 3 hours apart I might even be able to provide you with a place to stay.

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My girlfriend has two properties which sometimes are available and sometimes they're not
She could always write it off.

marshg246 said:

I take Xarelto (blood thinner too) since I've had several joints replaced so I'm dripping blood without noticing it often.

Here's a funny one. A friend call a few minutes ago and asked who picked the bike up for me or if he should come do it. Of course I said, who do you think picked it up! I suppose that's why my back, neck, and butt are hurting today! I guess being pissed give me strength!

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Well just trying to help out. Them blood thinners are something else like I said you could look at me too long and you'll probably make me bleed or bruise. Unbelievable

marshg246 said:

I take Xarelto (blood thinner too) since I've had several joints replaced so I'm dripping blood without noticing it often.

Here's a funny one. A friend call a few minutes ago and asked who picked the bike up for me or if he should come do it. Of course I said, who do you think picked it up! I suppose that's why my back, neck, and butt are hurting today! I guess being pissed give me strength!

Click to expand...

Yeah I'm on plavix same dog different leash. Whatever Mr Greg I hope all works out for you.

marshg246 said:

I've done this:

1) On center stand
2) Primary off
3) Head off
4) Cylinders off (optional depending on how strong you are)
5) Ratchet strap around the cradle and frame bottom so when the bottom end is unbolted, the cradle does not move. Must be tight!
6) Thin board between engine and frame (optional but let's you rest before the next steps if needed)
7) Pull the engine to cradle studs/bolts.
8) Pull iso to frame bolt from front iso
9) Lift until front iso clears frame tabs.
10) Slide forward to free from the cradle and lift out from the timing side.

Reverse to put it back in. Use long screwdrivers in the front iso and cradle to engine to quickly get it approximately in place then put in the correct studs/bolts.

Click to expand...

Thank you Greg .
At present , on the street , Mk 111 , Had not thought about re- installing center stand . Will do .
Head and cylinders off .
Will try to move the bottom end forwards to tap out the final top cradle bolt , to finally free up .and remove to the left ..

Torontonian said:

Thank you Greg .
At present , on the street , Mk 111 , Had not thought about re- installing center stand . Will do .
Head and cylinders off .
Will try to move the bottom end forwards to tap out the final top cradle bolt , to finally free up .and remove to the left ..

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Bottom end is out.
Refitting the center stand made all the difference .
Camshaft is perfect , like new .
Pistons scrap . Have new .040 pistons from Andover , Italian make .
Head will get new timeserts soon .
New engine to go in , pre-prepared with J.S. rods and pistons .
( I have 2 MK 111 models to play with ) .
Howling winds and rain out on the street now , but no fear , covered up tight for better weather in early November to put the new engine with barrels into place , with help using my new ratchet straps , if required .

I fitted the “1972 Factory option halogen headlight” It took some work though as I had to remove the lens from a rusty silvered backing and mate it to a new one.