What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Torontonian said:
Indeed , all Norton owners should know the status of their layshaft bearing. I fit a roller one instead of the ball type. A lot of forces go through this area in the gearbox.
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Agreed. Any ideas on how to ID or tag a gearbox once the layshaft bearing has been replaced? (Should create a new thread)
998cc
 
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Drove to Elora Ont. for trout opener. Camped overnight , a lovely cosy tent sleep. Awoke to birds calling out for mates. Went fishing in ice water for nothing. Went home not so happy with clutch , so changed it to sintered plates from former Barnett fiber and achieved a better stack height. This afternoon , then the rain. I study weather before going anywhere now .
 
Finally some decent riding weather around here. Rolled her out of the shop, filled the fluids, fired her up and I tell you those are the longest 2 minutes waiting for oil circulation verification. Looking forward to tomorrow's ride
 
We've had beautiful riding weather here.... a tad windy but dry and sunny anyway. I rode day before yesterday and went the furthest on her that I've done since about '80. A little over 70 miles... a long way for me on a Commando..... It pleases me that the unfortunates from places other than Texas are getting some saddle time in.... okay... flame on.
 
Lovely day, so...
Looked for the head leak..... There wasn't one!
Waited for the layshaft bearing to put me in a ditch.... It didn't!
(It DID tap me on the heal a few seasons back, though)
Waited for rough running and component meltdown due to use of supermarket fuel.... Didn't happen!
Expected to be passed by cyclists and determined joggers all laughing at those black cap rev limiters but no.... Still claimed (and kept) my rightful place in the fast lane!

Damn Norton... What IS wrong with it :) ??

 
EstuaryBoy said:
Lovely day, so...
Looked for the head leak..... There wasn't one!
Waited for the layshaft bearing to put me in a ditch.... It didn't!
(It DID tap me on the heal a few seasons back, though)
Waited for rough running and component meltdown due to use of supermarket fuel.... Didn't happen!
Expected to be passed by cyclists and determined joggers all laughing at those black cap rev limiters but no.... Still claimed (and kept) my rightful place in the fast lane!

Damn Norton... What IS wrong with it :) ??

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Blimey!!!!
Next you will be saying that the electric starter works
And the left foot gearchange is possitivly positive !!!!!
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Lovely day, so...
Looked for the head leak..... There wasn't one!
Waited for the layshaft bearing to put me in a ditch.... It didn't!
(It DID tap me on the heal a few seasons back, though)
Waited for rough running and component meltdown due to use of supermarket fuel.... Didn't happen!
Expected to be passed by cyclists and determined joggers all laughing at those black cap rev limiters but no.... Still claimed (and kept) my rightful place in the fast lane!

Damn Norton... What IS wrong with it :) ??

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Good post. Fair cop. I'm one guilty of looking for and expecting trouble. I do enjoy reading about problems and then adjourning to the garage, to check on mine. Hopefully it's the newbie / first 50 year old bike syndrome and I'll grow out of it. I'm planning a short holiday on mine in August, as a sign of growing confidence.

I rode 120 miles yesterday, gave it the full beans in a few places, managed to shorten the sidestand on a couple of the bends. Fun ride and only half an hour wipe down and check over afterwards! That's jinxed it. :cool:

Edit: that's on 4,000 miles old Dunlop K81 (TT100s). Starting to square off at the rear, but I'm quite pleased with them.
 
Mart UK said:
Good post. Fair cop. I'm one guilty of looking for and expecting trouble. I do enjoy reading about problems and then adjourning to the garage, to check on mine. Hopefully it's the newbie / first 50 year old bike syndrome and I'll grow out of it. I'm planning a short holiday on mine in August, as a sign of growing confidence.

I rode 120 miles yesterday, gave it the full beans in a few places, managed to shorten the sidestand on a couple of the bends. Fun ride and only half an hour wipe down and check over afterwards! That's jinxed it. :cool:

Edit: that's on 4,000 miles old Dunlop K81 (TT100s). Starting to square off at the rear, but I'm quite pleased with them.
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A bit of leg pulling, perhaps, but you've hit the nail on the head with these bikes, Mart. As they approach 50 years old we haven't a clue as to the maintenance regime (or skill set) of those custodians before us. Add dubious pattern parts, those who ride everywhere at WOT, and it's not surprising that many exhibit what can seem like never ending problems..
But.... their simplicity can be a boon. Sympathetically treated, and with quality replacement parts where/if needed, something reliable and rewarding can be coaxed out with patience (and money!!)..

IMHO... of course :)
 
Rode to one of my favorite spots on the planet - Lucille’s Luncheonette in Warren Grove NJ . Started by Lucille Bates and husband Jim when I was a very much younger man and now run by their daughters .
Anyone familar with the Southern New Jersey enduro scene in the sixties/seventies knows how fast “ the OldMan” Jim Bates was.
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Deets55 said:
Every self respecting diner in South Jersey requires a Jersey Devil statue. Right Rich?
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You betcha Pete . We have to be really careful riding to Oyster Creek Inn - you know that Leed’s Point is the birthplace of Mrs. Leeds 13th child , A.K.A . the Jersey Devil
PM sent
 
Yep, my wife‘s father (was) and especially her brother are huge Jersey Devil fans. I think there are still some remains of the house, but the Leed’s family had so many problem trespassers that they had to get the police involved.
 
Deets55 said:
Yep, my wife‘s father (was) and especially her brother are huge Jersey Devil fans. I think there are still some remains of the house, but the Leed’s family had so many problem trespassers that they had to get the police involved.
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Take a guess as to who is featured on Lucille’s t -shirts …
 
Richard Tool said:
You betcha Pete . We have to be really careful riding to Oyster Creek Inn - you know that Leed’s Point is the birthplace of Mrs. Leeds 13th child , A.K.A . the Jersey Devil
PM sent
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For us simple folk across the pond… who the heck is the Jersey Devil ?
 
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