What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

jan nelder · Dec 31, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
Does the bush need to turn on the stanchion ?

probably not, but I recall N White says yes.

Fast Eddie · Dec 31, 2022

jan nelder said:
probably not, but I recall N White says yes.

I had always kinda assumed ‘the tighter the better’ as that’d give less play / slop.

But I’m not inclined to pick a fight with Norm !

jan nelder · Jan 2, 2023

especially going round Gerrards!

Fast Eddie · Jan 2, 2023

jan nelder said:
especially going round Gerrards!

Been there (with Norm). Didn’t win.

Torontonian · Jan 3, 2023

Put a second cover on top of it . Exciting stuff !

EstuaryBoy · Jan 4, 2023

I took the cover off of mine! Push biking in the mud today and I reckoned it was about time the Commando got a tickle and prod. That's all it got last time, so plugs needed a clean (stale fuel probably didn't help) before it stumbled to life....
A few mins at fast idle saw it cleanly picking up from a closed throttle, so good enough for this boy

No desire at all to ride in this weather (hat's off to you Mart, et al.), won my bad weather brownie points years ago. I'll do my 'involuntary dismounts' at a safer speed... three times last year IIRC!

Starvingphotog · Jan 4, 2023

happy New Year folks!

Well, I've been going into the garage every now and again to say hi to my 850 and noticed that I have some flaked paint on the gas tank by the head. It's cherry red and I wondered if you guys might know where I can get some touch up paint that matches. Not sure if it's a Norton colour or whether I just have to find something that's a close match.

Also, I'm thinking that I might like to take a crack at rebuilding my wheels on the Combat. They are in ugly shape and I would like to convert the rear to 18" and keep the front at 19". I really liked the look of some of your bikes that have the alloy rims and ss spokes. I have no idea what I'm doing here and first time for me. Should I give it a go or leave it to the pros? Also, will need some recommendations on where to order the rims and spokes. I will be reusing my original hubs, and mounting a set of Avons or Bridgestones to the rims when done.

Schwany · Jan 4, 2023

Starvingphotog said:
happy New Year folks!

Well, I've been going into the garage every now and again to say hi to my 850 and noticed that I have some flaked paint on the gas tank by the head. It's cherry red and I wondered if you guys might know where I can get some touch up paint that matches. Not sure if it's a Norton colour or whether I just have to find something that's a close match.

Also, I'm thinking that I might like to take a crack at rebuilding my wheels on the Combat. They are in ugly shape and I would like to convert the rear to 18" and keep the front at 19". I really liked the look of some of your bikes that have the alloy rims and ss spokes. I have no idea what I'm doing here and first time for me. Should I give it a go or leave it to the pros? Also, will need some recommendations on where to order the rims and spokes. I will be reusing my original hubs, and mounting a set of Avons or Bridgestones to the rims when done.

Rims and spokes are expensive for what they are in my opinion. Ridiculously so, but everything related to making a Norton a nice ride is expensive, so par for the course.

Talk to Buchanan's Spoke and Rim. They have the experience. You can do it yourself, if you want all the control of the process, have copious amounts of confidence, and don't get frustrated easily. Take your time. Nothing about a Norton is rocket science. You'll have to ship them your wheels complete or hubs if you have them to it. You'll also have to wait to get them back. Once you take the spokes and wheel off the hub, you'll probably want to try it yourself though. Take notes and pics during disassembly. It's not difficult, but not that intuitive.

Mart UK · Jan 4, 2023

I did my front last year. First time for me. New spokes, nipples and rim, original hub. Axle in soft jaws of the vice, wire coat hanger as my truing gauge. My best bit of learning was to get it as true as possible whilst relatively loose, then tighten very slowly round the wheel. Might have been beginner's luck, but I'd try it again now.

Torontonian · Jan 4, 2023

Starvingphotog said:
happy New Year folks!

Well, I've been going into the garage every now and again to say hi to my 850 and noticed that I have some flaked paint on the gas tank by the head. It's cherry red and I wondered if you guys might know where I can get some touch up paint that matches. Not sure if it's a Norton colour or whether I just have to find something that's a close match.

Also, I'm thinking that I might like to take a crack at rebuilding my wheels on the Combat. They are in ugly shape and I would like to convert the rear to 18" and keep the front at 19". I really liked the look of some of your bikes that have the alloy rims and ss spokes. I have no idea what I'm doing here and first time for me. Should I give it a go or leave it to the pros? Also, will need some recommendations on where to order the rims and spokes. I will be reusing my original hubs, and mounting a set of Avons or Bridgestones to the rims when done.

Photograph the wheels from several angles and most important measure the offset of each wheel . You can do it . There are very detailed instructions here on the Forum . Be confident .
The other way is to hand over the job over to a competent wheel builder .
Good luck .
Actually luck has very little to do with it !

bluto · Jan 4, 2023

Torontonian said:
Photograph the wheels from several angles and most important measure the offset of each wheel . You can do it . There are very detailed instructions here on the Forum . Be confident .
The other way is to hand over the job over to a competent wheel builder .
Good luck .
Actually luck has very little to do with it !

+1, I moved my rim and spokes over to a new "Madass" rear hub recently and it was much easier than I expected, including the dish/offset and truing. Got a good tight fitting spoke wrench (with multiple heads) at Amazon. A few spokes protruded too far out of the nipples when I was done but a grinding stone in a Dremel tool fixed that quickly and easily. FWIW also bought some good quality rim strips at my local Harley dealer, they stock tubes and strips that fit our bikes.

Jdub · Jan 4, 2023

I will follow Steve Borland's approach (see here) to matching the discs and trapping the felt seal for the primary chaincase rearside seal. Machine screws, Nyloc nut, Loctite Red.

I have built many bicycle wheels over time including radial and mixed-cross spoke with various butting and gauges. But that Commando front wheel? I handed mine over to Buchanan's and slipping that wheel into the Mk2 the other day it fit like a glove. If you elect to build a wheel with that offset / dish, be mindful and know your measurements. Best of luck!

YING · Jan 6, 2023

I sent my hubs off to Buchanans to get new SS spokes and rims.Did not have to wait long and they arrived beautifully packaged,perfect offsets,and fit like a glove.They have been in business for over 50 years and can put together any combination you are after.You won’t be disappointed.
Mike

Hortons Norton · Jan 6, 2023

I also had Buchanans do a set last summer, they have done three pairs for me now. I think it's time for me to take a try at lacing a wheel. I don't know why but it is always something I wanted to do but always felt I'd screw it up. I have used spokes and a rim that i could try it with. Wintertime would be the time to try it, what do I have lose??

ntst8 · Jan 6, 2023

Worked out why the 850 won't go - two position modern ignition switch has died, turn it on and no power comes through. Bought in anticipation of being more reliable than a Lucas replica, fail.
Also found a broken bootlace ferrule on the signal side of the Mo.Unit - must have been a bit aggressive in crimping that one.

Big_Jim59 · Jan 8, 2023

The weather is clear and beautiful here in North Texas. It's a little on the chilly side in the wind but the sun is warm. I took advantage if the weather to get the Guzzi and the Norton out. The Guzzi I just rode around a local circuit and I did the same with the Norton. I wanted to test a plan I had for the Norton.

If my 74 850 sits for more than a month it sumps up. All my Nortons had done this in the past and it was no problem to drain the sump. Now getting down on the floor is starting to be a problem. I would rather not get under the bike if I don't have to. To that end I got a hand transfer pump at Harbor Freight. It has a hose on each end and I made a pickup tube to go down inside the oil tank. I rode the Norton ten miles or so, pulled into the garage and drained the oil out using suction. I used a very clean plastic disposable, five gallon, water jug to hold the oil and I pumped it out while the oil was warm but not hot. It worked great. Now it won't sump up. I am the only one who rides it so I know to pore the oil back in it (it sitting on the floor next to the bike.) I am all set if the weather turns nasty and I do not get a chance to ride for a while

Big_Jim59 · Jan 8, 2023

Hortons Norton said:
I also had Buchanans do a set last summer, they have done three pairs for me now. I think it's time for me to take a try at lacing a wheel. I don't know why but it is always something I wanted to do but always felt I'd screw it up. I have used spokes and a rim that i could try it with. Wintertime would be the time to try it, what do I have lose??

You won't screw it up. Lacing a wheel is one of the most satisfying projects you can do yourself. It takes time, patents and determination to get it as perfect as possible. Take pictures before you start for reference and do not forget to measure the offset. You can do this!!

ashman · Jan 8, 2023

I no longer work on any bikes on the floor the best 2 thing I invested in is a bike lift table and a wind up scissor jack that fits perfect on the lift table, wish I invested in these 2 workshop helper 40 years ago, have had both for over 3 years now well worth the money and able to use my stool with the castors to work on the bikes at any level, just makes life so much better.

Ashley

Stevo · Jan 8, 2023

^^^
Me too, totally agree but only had them a couple months.

Drained gas from grp tank in anticipation of fitting a freshly painted brand new steel one this later this week, along with steel side panels! Will be a load of my mind to get that done. Also messed around jacking up the bike using the frame rails to take most of the weight off the isolastics. Worthwhile or waste of time?

Big_Jim59 · Jan 8, 2023

ashman said:
I no longer work on any bikes on the floor the best 2 thing I invested in is a bike lift table and a wind up scissor jack that fits perfect on the lift table, wish I invested in these 2 workshop helper 40 years ago, have had both for over 3 years now well worth the money and able to use my stool with the castors to work on the bikes at any level, just makes life so much better.

Ashley

I have always wanted a lift table but every time I get the money I buy a bike instead. It's a problem.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Pittsboro,NC