My Commando had been sitting for a couple of years until today. The last ride I used it for was to travel to a friend's memorial service in Summer 2024. I was going to ride the Thruxton R that day, but it had a dead battery. The Commando had a good battery and full tank of ethanol free fuel, so off we went on a 320 km trip. It ran perfectly and I had no aches or pains afterward as that bike has always been a comfortable ride for me.
This morning I moved the sump oil back to the oil tank, tickled the carbs, touched the starter and away it went, same as always.
I thought " I'll never sell this bike, it's such a great no trouble bike"
The ride was only about 100 k each way out to a breakfast spot some friends and I meet up at. Again the bike ran beautifully. I seem to be the problem now. After parking at the restaurant I had real trouble standing up straight to walk in. The back was hurting and both hips really hurt!.
It was even worse at home after the 100 km return trip.
I tried the jacuzzi tub, ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternating thru the afternoon, which was spent in full recline. Finally about 5 o'clock this afternoon the pain eased up, so I did a bit of light farmwork, just to get moving around again.
My first thought at home when I was in pain was " I might as well just sell this bike and maybe some others too"
That thought went away when the pain left, but wow, big difference for me between age 69 and now 71!
I'm going to see how I do on the BSA Super Rocket tomorrow. It has a very different riding position from the Commando and it has a more comfortable seat, although the Commando seat was not the problem. The far forward position of the Commando foot pegs might be the problem, although the real problem is my aging body!
Glen
kidding
Maybe pick up one of these Shorai Li batteries. So far so good with mine I put on there.
