What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

I tried to figure out why the alternator light is not working. Poking around with a multimeter, there is no current to the wire. Next goal - figure out why not.
 
ntst8 said:
Nice tidy machine. You may be best to start your own thread on the handling, it will likely get lost in this one.
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Hey there Iain,
Yeah, I figured with the no response from the group that it is likely an operator error and that I'm just a daft inexperienced newbie and just need some more miles under my wheels to mature as a rider. Like you said, it is a tidy machine.
 
After that earlier thread on replacing the oil lines in case they are hard and cracked, I decided to do the same. Good thing too, the ends were cracked and flaking. I replaced the three and also the oil tank oil filter plug combo. I was thinking of replacing the high pressure thinner lines to the head with a stainless steel set. My Combat sitting in here has SS lines and they appear to be bigger than the stock plastic ones on my 850. Any of you guys have thoughts on the line capacity to choose for the oil going to the head?
 
Starvingphotog said:
I was thinking of replacing the high pressure thinner lines to the head with a stainless steel set.
My Combat sitting in here has SS lines and they appear to be bigger than the stock plastic ones on my 850. Any of you guys have thoughts on the line capacity to choose for the oil going to the head?
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They're usually "600", -3 (1/8" - 3.5mm bore). Probably appears larger diameter because of the braid. "Set" I take to mean the line and banjo fittings? It can be as cheap to buy a ready-made rocker feed line than it is to buy the parts to make one.
andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton - ROCKER OIL FEED PIPE KIT (STAINLESS BRAIDED) - 06.5561/SS

ROCKER OIL FEED PIPE KIT (STAINLESS BRAIDED)
andover-norton.co.uk

Buy Goodridge 600 Series Brake Hose | 600-03 - race-parts.com

Buy your Goodridge 600 Series PTFE Stainless Braided Hoses from us at Raceparts USA, use for brake and clutch lines throughout the vehicle, US ground delivery.
www.race-parts.com
 
Isolastics adjustments before the big ride up north to Electric Eclectics Festival , Georgian Bay.
The rear rubber gaiters fell into bits after I attempted to pull them back to access the vernier adjuster and PTFE washers. Then I remembered that CNW builds leave them out of the works altogether. So be it.
Backed off the big nuts , sprayed the works both sides with silicone chain lube liberally , spun the adjuster cap a tad tighter , tightened back the 2 nuts to a torque reading of 30 ft. lbs.
Same on the front. No feeler gauge involved.
Test drove it to the beer store and back.
Super smooth ride now . Happy.
 
Fitted new Andover Norton 13mm master cylinder and SS brake line built from parts from Venhills. Realised my brake lever has worn a couple of mm off the heel.... more expense, but nice to have a less wooden front brake
 
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L.A.B. said:
They're usually "600", -3 (1/8" - 3.5mm bore). Probably appears larger diameter because of the braid. "Set" I take to mean the line and banjo fittings? It can be as cheap to buy a ready-made rocker feed line than it is to buy the parts to make one.
andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton - ROCKER OIL FEED PIPE KIT (STAINLESS BRAIDED) - 06.5561/SS

ROCKER OIL FEED PIPE KIT (STAINLESS BRAIDED)
andover-norton.co.uk

Buy Goodridge 600 Series Brake Hose | 600-03 - race-parts.com

Buy your Goodridge 600 Series PTFE Stainless Braided Hoses from us at Raceparts USA, use for brake and clutch lines throughout the vehicle, US ground delivery.
www.race-parts.com
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Thanks for the link Les. Those like like very nice quality. I think that upgrading from the plastic lines is a good move. Yes, by set I mean the lines and the terminus banjos. Direct replacement set to the unit I have now is what I'm hoping to do with all new parts.
 
Today I fitted standard footrests back on my commando
I have been using rear sets for 20 odd years
In fact I have never ridden this commando with standard footrests before !!
 
Fixed the Steibel air horn.
Corroded contacts. Used sandpaper and die-electric grease and re-crimped up tighter.
 
baz said:
Today I fitted standard footrests back on my commando
I have been using rear sets for 20 odd years
In fact I have never ridden this commando with standard footrests before !!
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And how was the ride with them?

I havent ridden mine with standard ones since about 1990.
 
baz said:
Today I fitted standard footrests back on my commando
I have been using rear sets for 20 odd years
In fact I have never ridden this commando with standard footrests before !!
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What handle bars?

I think stock footrests work very well with the western bars. Never tried U.K. bars. But with lower bars it makes for an odd riding position.

I’ve just spent a day playing around with loads of different handle bars options on mine to make it more comfortable as a road bike (planning to stop using it on the track). But the rearsets kinda dictate low ish bars. Have fitted some raised clip ons, not sure about the looks yet (they look kinda modern) but will see what they ride like. They feel good sitting on it in the shed !
 
Fast Eddie said:
What handle bars?

I think stock footrests work very well with the western bars. Never tried U.K. bars. But with lower bars it makes for an odd riding position.

I’ve just spent a day playing around with loads of different handle bars options on mine to make it more comfortable as a road bike (planning to stop using it on the track). But the rearsets kinda dictate low ish bars. Have fitted some raised clip ons, not sure about the looks yet (they look kinda modern) but will see what they ride like. They feel good sitting on it in the shed !
Click to expand...
If you don't mind me asking after checking out your brake rod set up...(nice) does it make alot of difference compared to cable for your rearsets?
 
Fast Eddie said:
What handle bars?

I think stock footrests work very well with the western bars. Never tried U.K. bars. But with lower bars it makes for an odd riding position.

...
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This year I swapped to a 1250GS for touring and alternate between it and my Commando, but more miles go on the BMW, so I am used to its riding triangle. The Commando has stock footrests, interstate tank and seat, but still the low narrow bars it came with as a Roadster. When I get on the Commando, I immediately think the ergos stink. Feet, knees and arms forward, all wrong! Very strangely, I completely forget about it after a mile or so. One of the most comfortable bikes I've ever owned and I feel in control on bends. I love this bike, always delights me on a ride and so good to look at!
 
Fast Eddie said:
What handle bars?

I think stock footrests work very well with the western bars. Never tried U.K. bars. But with lower bars it makes for an odd riding position.

I’ve just spent a day playing around with loads of different handle bars options on mine to make it more comfortable as a road bike (planning to stop using it on the track). But the rearsets kinda dictate low ish bars. Have fitted some raised clip ons, not sure about the looks yet (they look kinda modern) but will see what they ride like. They feel good sitting on it in the shed !
Click to expand...
The bars are halfway between export and UK I'd guess
If I can get more movement in my leg I'll refit the rear sets
The bike feels very odd with the standard footrests and I had forgotten how much they weigh !!
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’ve just spent a day playing around with loads of different handle bars options on mine to make it more comfortable as a road bike (planning to stop using it on the track). But the rearsets kinda dictate low ish bars. Have fitted some raised clip ons, not sure about the looks yet (they look kinda modern) but will see what they ride like. They feel good sitting on it in the shed !
Click to expand...
Did you try drag bars like we were talking about or are you going with the pot belly tank?
 
That’s a long story…

Tried several bars I didn’t like.

Found one that I liked, but the ergonomics weren’t good with the rearsets.

Tried the Vincent’s and couldn’t route cables and hoses nicely.

Tried risers, that cured the routing issues, but after all that, I didn’t like the wrist angle.

Ended up with raised and wider clip ons… Seem good… For now…
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Fast Eddie said:
That’s a long story…

Tried several bars I didn’t like.

Found one that I liked, but the ergonomics weren’t good with the rearsets.

Tried the Vincent’s and couldn’t route cables and hoses nicely.

Tried risers, that cured the routing issues, but after all that, I didn’t like the wrist angle.

Ended up with raised and wider clip ons… Seem good… For now…View attachment 97212View attachment 97214
View attachment 97213
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I must have had around 10 sets of bars in my commando (not at the same time :rolleyes: )
I never seem to get it exactly right
I used to have a set like this on mine from an fz750 but they dropped away to sharply for my wrists and back
This was with a fastback tank/seat fitted
 
Fast Eddie said:
What handle bars?

I think stock footrests work very well with the western bars. Never tried U.K. bars. But with lower bars it makes for an odd riding position.

I’ve just spent a day playing around with loads of different handle bars options on mine to make it more comfortable as a road bike (planning to stop using it on the track). But the rearsets kinda dictate low ish bars. Have fitted some raised clip ons, not sure about the looks yet (they look kinda modern) but will see what they ride like. They feel good sitting on it in the shed !
Click to expand...
I have biltwell braced 7/8 bars on mine, just about perfect and reassuringly expensive
 
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