What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Lucky You. I don't fish where I live. Not that I don't like to, however, the muddy
rivers and ponds here don't compare to casting a line in Northwest Montana waters
when I visit my brother and 2 sisters. Enjoy !
 
Loaded up and then fitted the saddlebags . Fishing and camping gear for the Paris , Ont. CVMG Fairgrounds Wknd. Norton parts for sale went ahead of me today in Fraser's van.
Torontonian,
How about some pictures of your saddlebags.
Thanks,Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pup
I have leather throw over saddle bags and can use them on all my bikes, but my Thruxton has the saddle bag supports that I made and I also have a 24ltr bag on the back rack surprising what can be carried in all 3 bags and a case of beer on top of the saddle bags and seat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pup
Oil and filter change on my new to me Mk iii. Removed both screens and the oil tank as it had some "almost sludge" trapped under the drain plug level. Absolute PIA. New Mahle OC5 filter and VR1 20/50. Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pup
I ordered super-bike bars (they have about a 3 1/2" rise) and two bar end mirrors from Dennis Kirk. The box arrived mid week with no bars and only one mirror (it looked like the box had been broken opened.) I let them know and they promptly sent the bars. The other mirror is on back order. I work in parts and it seems that my personal life reflects my work life!

I got out in the garage yesterday afternoon, swapped out the bars and installed the one mirror on the left side. I finished up this morning because it's pretty hot out there. It makes a huge difference in comfort and control. These new bars are more suited to my body. I do not have to reach so far and the grip placement is more natural. The bar end mirror is more usable than the old bar mounted item. The mirror I took off went on my Triumph so it will pass inspection. If I ever get my second mirror I will be pleased.
 
Tidied up (emptied) the spare downstairs bedroom, cobbled together a makeshift ramp and rolled the mk2 right in there for a more comfortable fettle session.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Tidied up (emptied) the spare downstairs bedroom, cobbled together a makeshift ramp and rolled the mk2 right in there for a more comfortable fettle session.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

I suggest you remove the petrol tank unless it and the carbs are bone dry or it could invalidate your house insurance in the event of a fire claim.
 
I suggest you remove the petrol tank unless it and the carbs are bone dry or it could invalidate your house insurance in the event of a fire claim.
I learnt to remove the fuel a few years ago with a Ducati.

Not so much because of the fire issue, but the constant smell of petrol :eek:
 
Spent yesterday trying to start the 850 Interstate after a full motor rebuild. Not making much progress. Occasional spit back thru left carb. Double checked tappet clearances - used the dial gauge this time. Double checked points gap - ok. Triple checked static timing. Checked spark. Pulled carbs down again, cleaned and checked all orifices (orifi?) all seems ok. Will pull down the carbs again as there's a slight leak of fuel from there; probably the result of a stuck float. New battery - put on charger again as I've been away for 2 weeks. Not sure there's much more I can check. No beefy mates around to give me a push start - maybe time to buy some Start ya Bastard?
 
Made a dial guage and seems my placement of the auto-advance on the taper wasn't correct. Took it off and tried again resetting the position and checked ignition timing again. Adjusted and checked. Kicked like a friggin' mule. Like the ignition was waaaay advanced. Duh, take out the advance lock washer dummy. Ah! Betterer. She's alive! Still dunno how the timing could have been out and still test ok? Lock washer was only left on the last time.

Better bung up a pic or two.

Also, my dial gauge jpg might be worth adding to the data section, it's based on the pdf already there, but with the correct (CCW) direction marked. Added standard (not combat) valve timing and the 28degree BTDC timing mark. Print it off on a CD, stick a bolt thru to the rotor or as I did - use blutak and a wire marker off the stator. No wukkin' furries.
 
Spent yesterday trying to start the 850 Interstate after a full motor rebuild. Not making much progress. Occasional spit back thru left carb. Double checked tappet clearances - used the dial gauge this time. Double checked points gap - ok. Triple checked static timing. Checked spark. Pulled carbs down again, cleaned and checked all orifices (orifi?) all seems ok. Will pull down the carbs again as there's a slight leak of fuel from there; probably the result of a stuck float. New battery - put on charger again as I've been away for 2 weeks. Not sure there's much more I can check. No beefy mates around to give me a push start - maybe time to buy some Start ya Bastard?
Was going to say points could be set 180 degrees out.
 
Last edited:
Made a dial guage and seems my placement of the auto-advance on the taper wasn't correct. Took it off and tried again resetting the position and checked ignition timing again. Adjusted and checked. Kicked like a friggin' mule. Like the ignition was waaaay advanced. Duh, take out the advance lock washer dummy. Ah! Betterer. She's alive! Still dunno how the timing could have been out and still test ok? Lock washer was only left on the last time.

Better bung up a pic or two.

Also, my dial gauge jpg might be worth adding to the data section, it's based on the pdf already there, but with the correct (CCW) direction marked. Added standard (not combat) valve timing and the 28degree BTDC timing mark. Print it off on a CD, stick a bolt thru to the rotor or as I did - use blutak and a wire marker off the stator. No wukkin' furries.
Yes very important to get the A-A tapper right and is also easy to set the points 180 degree out as well been caught out with that one with points, got rid of points a very long time ago.
 
Here's a link to the jpg timing wheel image from my google files via gdurl:




Scale and print direct to a CD or DVD if you've got printable discs and a printer that'll print 'em or print it on paper and glue it to any old disc.

Edit: Sorry, earlier CW version posted. Updated.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top