I think your method results in what the factory was trying to obtain. In my case I just adjusted the coil length by the book and got a noticeable improvement.
What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
- Thread starter Starvingphotog
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Errr, what?
robs ss
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Every mechanical spring has a constant "k", where the amount of force equals k times deflection. As springs stretch with age (particularly cheaper ones) k changes too.
All of that means the Norton method, posted by Les above, will not necessarily give the desired force to support the front of the engine unit.
All of that means the Norton method, posted by Les above, will not necessarily give the desired force to support the front of the engine unit.
robs ss
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I would've been a great opportunity to move the horn somewhere better too!
ntst8
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Ive gone full circle on that one over time, refurbed the original a little while back and remounted it where it should beI would've been a great opportunity to move the horn somewhere better too!
NORTSTER1974
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Never did like those Kendon lifts. That looks like some kind of copy. Plus, no side boards even though it looks like there is a provision for them? No different than driving your MC onto the back of a P/U with one ramp, although I have done it numerous times. Should be easy to pick up by yourself. Just move that lift out of the way. UFB.
Deets55
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Damn Greg, hope you didn’t get hurt . On a good note the tins were off. Hope the OEM black cap survived.
marshg246
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It's not a copy. The side shelves are off in the picture but they are about useless. The are only about 2' x 18" and clip onto the sides under the engine.
I do all my real work on 2' x 6' tables I build. The lift is only for quick things or things where I needed to get things where I can work - I have one destroyed shoulder and one bad shoulder and I can no longer get on my knees, so this was good for some things. Since I can no longer safely put bikes on an off it, it's got to go.
Here's what I use for almost everything and there no chance of me getting hurt or dropping a bike: https://gregmarsh.com/MC/MMCT.aspx
marshg246
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Unfortunately, I did get hurt. Cuts, but more importantly, I tried to stop it and further damaged my left shoulder and pulled something in my back and neck.
The muffler is OK, the mounts are bent - that's no big deal. The PITA is that I spent about 6 hours restoring the turn signals and taillight bracket and then doing what I consider the hardest Commando job - getting the rear fender, taillight, and turn signals aligned. That's all a mess now. The side-stand took some damage - I'm hoping it the stand and not the mount or frame. It still holds the bike up OK, but it leans a little more than before.
Extra special good is it missed the rear end of the 1970 perfect Bonneville I have for sale by about an inch.
gpzkat
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Ouch, that stinks. The beams in my garage are strong enough suspend the bike with a 1T chain hoist, no need for a platform. I never trusted the small ones, which never fit the undersides of any bikes I've owned. And the big ones make it too hard to get up close.
Torontonian
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I'm pulling out the bottom end now ,on the street .
Is there a ratchet strap I can buy , to the main upper frame to wrap around the stripped down engine , to raise and lower it ?
Or wood blocks to support up .. then the down again .
Is there a ratchet strap I can buy , to the main upper frame to wrap around the stripped down engine , to raise and lower it ?
Or wood blocks to support up .. then the down again .
Deets55
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Sorry to hear that. Hope you both mend up quickly.
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Greg,
Don’t feel alone on this.My main bitch about getting old is my loss of strength!At least I am still above dirt.
Mike
BERT
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Curious,where do you rig the sling(s)?
2WheelsUp
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I bought a frame stand a few years ago that I used to restore my Norton and MG Lemans. I eventually coupled it with a HF electric winch that I use to lift / drop the motor into the frame. This rig works well to precisely lift heavy objects, coupled with my lift table adds even more flexibility.
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gpzkat
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Under the frame's headstock for the front, sometimes through the yoke to bring the strap away from the tank, if mounted. Looped through frame rails in the seat/battery, or near the shock mounts for the rear, not the rear fender loop. If lifting the whole bike, use both and join together at the hook. I don't need or want anything under the bike. For my sidestand-only bikes, it is used for chain lube and adjustment. Also very handy for lowering/raising frames on/off engines. I use a dirt bike levering stand for the KTM as it mates up perfectly to the skid plate and travels well.
gpzkat
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That's a tricky one, such a tight space. You can use a normal ratcheting strap to lower, but it is a bit fiddly, one click at a time, very carefully. I have some are easier than others, still don't think I'd chance it. Once when I was garage-challenged, I used a neighbor's kids' swingset and the hoist, bike on its side. Maybe there's a playground nearby?
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