What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Larry S said:

Slide the screw through the lens and rubber lens seal then slide the rubber washer on. I think that’s how it goes.

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The rubber washer first (prevents the loose screws from falling out).

Ok that makes sense. Thank you.

Drove it a lot. 800 Kms. Detroit and back. Wife wrote a song about it and sang it with her band tonight.

Learned how to improperly then properly use my new slide hammer today while removing my rocker spindles. Blood, sweat and tears baby!

Larry S said:

Learned how to improperly then properly use my new slide hammer today while removing my rocker spindles. Blood, sweat and tears baby!

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Ouch.

Passing with rain again.....so adjusted iso"s fitted newly modified main stand and return spring... and the Mrs tested it out...

Its been raining for the last two days but got around 900 kms in for the previous week on the AT DCT.
The Commando sits waiting but its Mk2 rollerised gantry should be finished this week and the airbox is done.



The Moto Guzzi is still waiting for new Dellorto PHF inlet needle seats and pumper diaphragms which were a back order so have not had a chance to test the billet distributor with Tri-Spark Compass internals.

Hey there fellas,
Well, I took the old girl up for a ride to work last week and had quite the adventure. If you're up for a little mystery read on.

As you can see it was loaded up with my work bag and a saddle bag with some extra rain gear. Probably about 30 pounds or so combined on the back. I'm 180, and 5'8", and I lowered the rear shocks 1" and didn't modify the front forks. Tires are the Dunlop original tread pattern, but modern versions less than 5 years old. I had also put in 10wt fork oil over the winter to try that out this riding season. Other than those things, a stock setup.

So here's the thing. I noticed the bike handling very differently on different road types. I take back country roads and some M-series highways (i.e. M-140, M40, Red Arrow Highway) that some of you might know here in Michigan. The roads are generally very bad with lots of potholes, strip sealing on cracks, and general age. The M-series roads are a little better and some are concrete with similar cracks and unevenness (i.e. part of M-140 for example, where I rode on my way to work). I noticed as if the bike front end was feeling lighter and lighter the faster I went. So much that I felt like I was going to lose it and go off the road. I also felt like I was counter steering a lot to the left in order to prevent myself from drifting off the road to the right. I was generally riding about 50mph on these roads in 4th. On the concrete M-series road, this is where I felt the most in trouble. the bike front end was drifting and scaring the crap out of me. I slowed down quite a bit from the 50mph I was doing and this was a problem because there was a transport truck behind me and a line of other cars behind him. I pulled off to let the group go on and then got back on the road and gingerly continued until I reached normal asphalt. The winds were very high that day as well, by Lake Michigan where my offices are (i.e. Whirlpool Benton Harbor). Also just yesterday I took the bike out again for a quick ride and noticed the same front end drift feeling. This time I had changed the fork oil to 20wt and took the saddle bag off and my work bag was not on, so less weight in the back.

Now I know that these old Dunlop tread patterns are bad for their symmetrical tread pattern that doesn't like road grooving and such, and this likely plays a role in the handling characteristics. I also wiggled the front end and all is tight. I'm not sure if this is just riding situations that I need to get used to, or whether there is a setup that I did that is contributing to this. At this point going over 50mph is tricky for me. I was also wondering about wheel balance and spokes becoming loose. I haven't checked those yet. Also, I wonder if the wind is pulling the bike up with my body acting like a parachute and pulling up the front end. This would account for the issues at higher speeds.

Any thoughts from you more experienced lot?

The first photo is me sitting on the bike to give you an idea of my setup and how I sit on the bike. I think that it fits me quite well and I feel very comfortable on it. Second photo is just my normal setup bike, but now I have the grab bar mounted on their as you can see in the third photo. Third photo is my setup when I rode to work, about 60 miles each way.

New ignition rubber and Head Steady bolts. Now waiting on more parts.

Starvingphotog said:

Hey there fellas,
Well, I took the old girl up for a ride to work last week and had quite the adventure. If you're up for a little mystery read on....

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Nice tidy machine. You may be best to start your own thread on the handling, it will likely get lost in this one.

Got my Premier carbs ready..



Fit a Pazon. (well sort of. It isn't wired in yet)



Removed the old fuel cap.

Hidden under 48 years of rust is my home town..



And put in a new seal kit..




Actually this was yesterday. Hope I'm not facing a lengthy forum ban

I rode my commando today
First time since I had a full knee replacement 10 weeks ago
I would have ridden it sooner but I couldn't get my foot on the rear set until now
I'm very happy

Well done. I’m still undecided if I really want to get back on either of mine since my heart bypass just 11 weeks ago. But it’s the annual Dartmoor classics run on Sunday - I need a goal. Perhaps that is it?

Flatspot said:

Well done. I’m still undecided if I really want to get back on either of mine since my heart bypass just 11 weeks ago. But it’s the annual Dartmoor classics run on Sunday - I need a goal. Perhaps that is it?

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Only you can decide on that one
All I would say is only do it if you feel right about it
Cheers

baz said:

Only you can decide on that one
All I would say is only do it if you feel right about it
Cheers

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Let yer body decide and then choose the mind .

baz said:

Only you can decide on that one
All I would say is only do it if you feel right about it
Cheers

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Indeed. Don’t rush it.

First of all I need to add oil as I’d drained the tank 3 months ago. Then check tyre pressures. Then check the battery, it’s Lithium so shouldn’t be an issue. Then start it up to see that all is ready, willing and able.

Then ask the memsahib if I’m allowed out

Or just tell her, and ask forgiveness after I wonder if she’s got anything planned for us this Sunday that she’ll have to cancel?

Gave my Nephew riding lessons...

Lookin good. Love that red.

Installed the NYC Norton/Jim Comstock reed valve breather. Well-made unit, and installation is straightforward.