What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

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 !!
I’m about to create a thread asking about rearsets as the stock foot position on the Interstate really hurts me. Riding along with my feet on the rear pegs helps so I’m happy to try going backwards a bit. Any thoughts? Do you still have yours?
 
I’m about to create a thread asking about rearsets as the stock foot position on the Interstate really hurts me. Riding along with my feet on the rear pegs helps so I’m happy to try going backwards a bit. Any thoughts? Do you still have yours?
My rear sets were made up by me years ago
The rear brake lever is an upside down gsxr 1100 lever
And the gearchange is a bit of bent stainless bar and a linkage
I only changed to standard footrests because I couldn't get the movement to change gear after knee replacement
But I'm now planning to refit the rear sets because I'm getting a bit more movement and I really don't like the standard setup
Maybe halfway rear sets as has been on here recently
 
I’m about to create a thread asking about rearsets as the stock foot position on the Interstate really hurts me. Riding along with my feet on the rear pegs helps so I’m happy to try going backwards a bit. Any thoughts? Do you still have yours?
have a look at this thread…

 
I managed to get out today for a meet with a pal at a cafe about 35 miles away. Effectively my first proper ride in 18 months I reckon, last year was a wipe out for health reasons.

As expected it worked faultlessly, CNW starter, billet clutch etc. single Mikuni electronic ignition and a HD coil setup.

I did have to retrain myself how to ride it, old habits die hard riding Japanese bikes for 35 years or so.

I need rearsets! View attachment 105910
Don’t forget your front brake upgrade!
 
I got my front fender brace from cNw. After doing a test fit and drilling a new hole in the fender I painted the brace black. Once the paint dried I was able to mount it. It clears the caliper and looks great.
 
Hey fellas, so I got myself one of those infrared thermometer guns and measured the pipes after a short 5 mile ride and left pipe was around 290F and right pipe was around 245F. What do you guys think of those numbers? I'm gonna adjust the left carb mixture to bring it down to match the 245F. But first I will wait for my CarbTune to show up first and make the fine adjustments in the slides to make sure the same amount of air is entering each carb. Once that's done, I'll take another temp measurement and plan to adjust the mixture on the left carb to match the right, whichever is lowest.

Cars generally run at 190F and I wonder if these Norton engines should run around the same temps, with the exhaust pipes on our bikes somewhere around the same temps. Just thinking out loud here. Being an air-cooled engine there's variation, but as a general range I wonder what that is.
 
Oh, and another thing. I swapped the fork oil today for 10wt Belray fork oil. I'm a 5'9" 180 pound dude of pure lean muscle and trying to find a right fit for me to keep the front end from being too bouncy and keep the bike level. I'm also just playing around to find a happy spot. I have a bottle of 15wt and 20wt as well to try if this one tends to bottom out on me, but so far on that short 5 mile ride today it was fine and felt good. I'll take another longer ride tomorrow or on the weekend to see how I like the 10wt before I make a jump to the 15wt.
 
Oh, and another thing. I swapped the fork oil today for 10wt Belray fork oil. I'm a 5'9" 180 pound dude of pure lean muscle and trying to find a right fit for me to keep the front end from being too bouncy and keep the bike level. I'm also just playing around to find a happy spot. I have a bottle of 15wt and 20wt as well to try if this one tends to bottom out on me, but so far on that short 5 mile ride today it was fine and felt good. I'll take another longer ride tomorrow or on the weekend to see how I like the 10wt before I make a jump to the 15wt.
I'm 175lbs. I used 20W dedicated fork oil in mine and I am very happy with the result. No chatter and decent feel. Not too stiff on the back roads. What came out was very clean, as I think the condition of the internals will have a major impact.
 
Thanks Mart, I'll probably end up there again later in the summer when the heat gets here. I used Silkolene 20wt last season and decided to experiment with Belray's oil this season to see if I notice any difference with this brand. At the very least my frequent changes will flush the forks out some. I do see some oil residue, a tiny bit, on the fork boot on the right side. Looks like the seal is going. I'll likely do the forks over the winter or late this season to tidy things up. I've never done it before so not sure if it's a weekend job. I'll dig up a thread or two on it and see what's involved.
 
Fitted a new set of bars

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Saw this book at a reasonable price & bought it.

Half way through and finding it much better than I thought it would be* 👍

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

* I accept that this 'review' is unlikely to make the next Nobel Peace Prize nominations shortlist, but I'm just sharing the love :)
 
Tippler,
How do you like those new bars and who makes your twist grip with the 90 degree bend?
Thanks,Mike
Side view of the bars if you can
i have not been out on the bike yet as waiting for a new rear master cylinder barrel as mine buggered. the cable is from Venhill and it is a 110 degree bend. will do side pic in a minute
 

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Tippler,
How do you like those new bars and who makes your twist grip with the 90 degree bend?

An optical illusion as I think it's the standard Mk3 twist grip and cable guide although the cable guide does look bent where it enters the housing.
 
Tippler,
How do you like those new bars and who makes your twist grip with the 90 degree bend?


The bend is 60-70 degrees.

- Knut
 
it is more than 90

Approximately 45 degrees when measured from straight and...
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

...when fitted should look like this but yours seems to have a serious bend at the housing. This is a Venhill cable (actually they're two different Venhill cables in the pictures).
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
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