What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Torontonian · Nov 25, 2022

ashman said:
Those big seat knobs make it easy to lose a seat as it makes it easy for some scumbag to just undo and take what don't belong to them as in my case back in 79, my seat and kick starter my bike was under my granny's house with the dreaded blown lay shaft bearing when they came in under darkness while I was out, to this day I never replaced those big knobs just use nuts done up tight so need a spanner to undo them.
I did end up finding the person who did steal it but proving it at the time as he was converting a interstate to a roadster at the time and had already sold the bike on before I found out who it was, I won't say no more but just to say I got payback many years later and let him know I knew it was him.

Ashley

We don't have to worry too much about that stuff nowadays here in Central Toronto , Canada .
I think Australia was a Penal colony at first stages of English repression.
Pirates and all that.
And common thieves.
Nowadays I can not worry about who would mess with my Snorty.
Police tell me this is a super safe neighbourhood. Only compliments the past 13 years , even from occasional wandering boozed up losers / homeless types.
I work with Police and Community Watch.

ashman · Nov 26, 2022

Torontonian said:
We don't have to worry too much about that stuff nowadays here in Central Toronto , Canada .
I think Australia was a Penal colony at first stages of English repression.
Pirates and all that.
And common thieves.
Nowadays I can not worry about who would mess with my Snorty.
Police tell me this is a super safe neighbourhood. Only compliments the past 13 years , even from occasional wandering boozed up losers / homeless types.
I work with Police and Community Watch.

So you sayin all Aussies are thieves, come on no place is safe from opportunist thieves no matter where, this happen to me over 40 years ago and with those big seat knobs just makes it easy no matter where you are, and it's the only time something has been stolen off my bikes as I do live in a very safe area.
But there is more to my story but I will keep that to myself.

Torontonian · Nov 26, 2022

ashman said:
So you sayin all Aussies are thieves, come on no place is safe from opportunist thieves no matter where, this happen to me over 40 years ago and with those big seat knobs just makes it easy no matter where you are, and it's the only time something has been stolen off my bikes as I do live in a very safe area.
But there is more to my story but I will keep that to myself.

Just havin' a bit of fun with ya. I travel and hang with many Aussies as they are remarkably similar to Canuck travelers. We rent cheap scooters and drink beers , usually in Asia. Vegemite in a jar many Aussies pack with them.
Australia at first was a British exile land . Time and generations later that's over.
Enjoy.

RoadScholar · Nov 26, 2022

ashman said:
So you sayin all Aussies are thieves, come on no place is safe from opportunist thieves no matter where, this happen to me over 40 years ago and with those big seat knobs just makes it easy no matter where you are, and it's the only time something has been stolen off my bikes as I do live in a very safe area.
But there is more to my story but I will keep that to myself.

Anyone who knows what the seat knobs do probably won't steal it...Never mint be able to start it.

Best

acotrel · Nov 26, 2022

I live in Victoria. Victorian police are different from New South Wales police or Queensland police. The first police in those other two places were recruited from among the convicts and the solders who guarded them. Many of our police are as bad as the people they arrest, but most are not. We need criminals to catch criminals, nobody else knows all the perks.
There is a book, you might be able to get titled ' Sydney Noir'. It is about Steve Cray. He was a Sydney cop who was into everything, both in Sydney and Brisbane. Also Marianne Atkinson's book 'The Fixer' is a good read. It is about the Labor Party's shenanigans with the cops and the mobsters. Our politicians have to play with both sides of the law.
I don't think anybody in Australia takes this stuff seriously until it really gets out of hand. Then we do something about it.

Torontonian · Nov 26, 2022

RoadScholar said:
Anyone who knows what the seat knobs do probably won't steal it...Never mint be able to start it.

Best

Usually I leave the key in the ignition , where it belongs . Hard enough to start it . I have a cover , which I use a lot . Off to pick up the wife downtown on it . Pre- warmed up too.

ashman · Nov 26, 2022

Torontonian said:
Just havin' a bit of fun with ya. I travel and hang with many Aussies as they are remarkably similar to Canuck travelers. We rent cheap scooters and drink beers , usually in Asia. Vegemite in a jar many Aussies pack with them.
Australia at first was a British exile land . Time and generations later that's over.
Enjoy.

I have an old school mate who lives your way he met and married his wife from there, he said Canadians are so much a like to Aussies in every way have a love of good beers and very similar opinions on most things, so all good there, love to get over your way one day.
We need to go our own way now the Queen has past, but most hate changes.
My Norton don't even have a key just the toggle switch hidden for on off, my Thruxton I leave the key in while it's in the shed I have a good secure shed and 2 cattle dogs to look after them, my house is never locked and windows are always open 24/7 all year round.

Deets55 · Nov 27, 2022

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Made up a “tweaker” and installed some LED turn signal bulbs from Classic Dynamo

Starvingphotog · Nov 27, 2022

`You guys gotta check out these latest vintage electric bikes!

72 Volt Roadster

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Almost the price of an excellent condition Norton!

EstuaryBoy · Nov 27, 2022

Starvingphotog said:
`You guys gotta check out these latest vintage electric bikes!

72 Volt Roadster

Specializing in creating the fastest Electric bike, powered by a 750w hub drive motor. This is what premium electric transportation should feel like. Amplify your next adventure with the Roadster. Vintage Electric is an American brand that stands behind their design, craftsmanship & the love of...

www.vintageelectricbikes.com

Almost the price of an excellent condition Norton!

Call me a miserable SOB (you won't be the first.... or last, probably) but these and their ilk put me in mind of a small book I have covering the 'Flying Car' phenomenon...
Conclusion to most was they were compromised as an aeroplane by trying to be a car, and were compromised as a car by trying to be an aeroplane.
'Electric' bicycle!! Why???
(Just an excuse to get the lycra out, perhaps?)

Torontonian · Nov 27, 2022

Me like.
This afternoon I'm tearing apart the front end of My EMMO Urban Lithium 36 V. Leaky fork seals and dust caps . Can't get new parts from T.O. EMMO , so when I get a seal out I'll check for any numbers on one , if none , time to measure inner and outer dimensions and talk to a bearing / seals supply house .
Love E-bikes , getting an electrical assist bicycle soon as a gift , advanced Parkinson's .
Drove the Norton Downtown for Cavalcade of Lights Skating Show and back home , dry but too cold , so season likely over , no salt yet though.
Enjoy.

Tornado · Nov 27, 2022

Think it's time to call it a season....15k miles back in March, At today's last hurrah outing, showing 21k. Fingers getting numb and salt starting to be thrown around. She'll be getting the thorough cleaning/de-fueling/tank-oiling/WD-40 overspraying treatment soon.

Torontonian · Nov 27, 2022

Tornado said:
Think it's time to call it a season....15k miles back in March, At today's last hurrah outing, showing 21k. Fingers getting numb and salt starting to be thrown around. She'll be getting the thorough cleaning/de-fueling/tank-oiling/WD-40 overspraying treatment soon.

Yup , our Toronto days are over. I spray corrosion block , but WD 40 would work too. Pull battery to go inside and double bag her up for the cold street sleep.

ashman · Nov 28, 2022

You poor buggers well I am out on the bike tomorrow great sunny day and a warm 32c our summer is here so might get up into the ranges where the temp be a bit cooler and I be thinking of all you poor sods trying to keep warm, going to visit my mate so an easy 300 km round trip and lunch at my favourite cafe at Esk before heading home.

concours · Nov 28, 2022

Torontonian said:
We don't have to worry too much about that stuff nowadays here in Central Toronto , Canada .
I think Australia was a Penal colony at first stages of English repression.
Pirates and all that.
And common thieves.
Nowadays I can not worry about who would mess with my Snorty.
Police tell me this is a super safe neighbourhood. Only compliments the past 13 years , even from occasional wandering boozed up losers / homeless types.
I work with Police and Community Watch.

.

Torontonian · Nov 28, 2022

ashman said:
You poor buggers well I am out on the bike tomorrow great sunny day and a warm 32c our summer is here so might get up into the ranges where the temp be a bit cooler and I be thinking of all you poor sods trying to keep warm, going to visit my mate so an easy 300 km round trip and lunch at my favourite cafe at Esk before heading home.

Waaaaaaaaa ! + 2 C > today. Grey.
Fixed the e-bike leaky seal situation by using WD 40 to soften and scrape out the corrosion hard crud from the seals and then spray with Rubber Care product to soften them up again. That worked . Fresh 20 W. fork oil measured by guess , no manual available . No seals available.
Sales and repair / parts uninterested. Sales anxious to show you the new models though. Same thinking as BMW.

Stevo · Nov 28, 2022

Well we’re getting most days 40f + so if no rain, I will be getting rides in. Only local mind, no iron butt excursions for me, just pussy butt. 🙂

Starvingphotog · Nov 29, 2022

Hey Toronto guy, I'm wondering. Can't you bring that bike in and park it in the back yard or on the front porch or something to get it off the street. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario and worked in Toronto so know the downtown and outskirts somewhat. Depending on where you live there space could definitely be tight. But I can't imagine your bike sitting on the road all winter, getting plowed in and subject to all that damp wet variable temp weather that plagues the SWO and GTA areas.

I was just wondering.

Thomasa · Nov 29, 2022

EstuaryBoy said:
Call me a miserable SOB (you won't be the first.... or last, probably) but these and their ilk put me in mind of a small book I have covering the 'Flying Car' phenomenon...
Conclusion to most was they were compromised as an aeroplane by trying to be a car, and were compromised as a car by trying to be an aeroplane.
'Electric' bicycle!! Why???
(Just an excuse to get the lycra out, perhaps?)

Ummm I really like Lycra, particularly on athletic women. That said, there are those who should not wear it.

Torontonian · Nov 29, 2022

Starvingphotog said:
Hey Toronto guy, I'm wondering. Can't you bring that bike in and park it in the back yard or on the front porch or something to get it off the street. I grew up in Waterloo Ontario and worked in Toronto so know the downtown and outskirts somewhat. Depending on where you live there space could definitely be tight. But I can't imagine your bike sitting on the road all winter, getting plowed in and subject to all that damp wet variable temp weather that plagues the SWO and GTA areas.

I was just wondering.

Thanks for caring .
I live in an Artscape art studio complex that is LEED Certified , which means no motor vehicles allowed on the property. Heck I even have to hide my solvents and sprays for the Norton in a sealed tub so they don't see them during the annual inspection. They gave one of my neighbours grief for painting in oil paints vs. acrylics , so she moved out . I use acrylics .
Walridge motors here in London , Ont. has just sold me something called " The Bike Bag " to help. It's not a cover but an actual thick big plastic clear bag. I will have to shuffle the bike somehow into it , bungee cord up the opening as per instructions , then fit a final bike cover on top of it . The one I like is XYZCTM , available from Amazon , comes in black top and orange sides. Previously I had used pure black covers and the bike was knocked over twice at night in dark winter because of this. I now use 2 cone bottomed base poles ( filled with cement for stability ) painted day glow fluorescent (acrylic of course ) paint , on each end . The city leaves me alone and no more clowns making 3 point turns have hit it in years now.
That's my strategy for this winter , I'll pull the tank and seat and battery first , likely tomorrow.