MK3 wobble

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I took a look at these shocks, pretty worn out but they don't wiggle. Mounted on the bike they measure 12" shouldn't they be like 13"?
 
I took a look at these shocks, pretty worn out but they don't wiggle. Mounted on the bike they measure 12" shouldn't they be like 13"?
Are they 12" unladen?
Should be more like 12.6 I think? Others will know
13" would be better I'm not near my bike and can't remember what length mine are
Shorter shocks don't help the situation you are having plus being worn out
I'd recommend you change them for something better
 
13" according to the factory manual (12.9" according to the Girling list).

Yep

MK3 wobble
Hosted on Fotki

MK3 wobble
Hosted on Fotki
 
I had a weave in my commando for decades. The bike felt like a snake going down the road. I replaced many parts over the years trying to correct the issue. It turned out to be a worn swingarm tube, which the kegler clamps corrected. Back in the early days, I had always wondered why people talked about how great commando's handled because my bike "snaked" down the road. Friends would comment that the wobble was visible when they rode behind me, and many who rode my commando commented that they didn't see how I could ride a bike that handled like that.

I don't know what an MK3 cradle looks like or if it has the improved swingarm tube wedge bolt design , because I have an earlier model, but the swingarm tube issue is a known issue that causes a certain kind of poor handling. I characterized it as "snake-like" feel in the rear wheel. If you characterize your "wobble" similarly to my description, then that's where I would tell you to look...
 
The MK3 cradle was 2 cotter pins that engage 2 flats in the spindle to ensure its gripped like the Kegler clamps, they do need the 2 nuts on the pins to be tight which is worth checking.
 
I've never encountered rain grooves here in CT but I can certainly relate to the nightmare of resurfacing grooves. The state posts signs, "road work ahead" and "bump" if you're lucky. We also have one swing bridge across the Connecticut River that's on one of the nicest biking routes in the area. I go SLOW in 2nd gear, usually with my feet out for balance. We do however have cracks in the pavement between lanes that will make my 850 unstable when I cross them. This year I put a new rear tire, a cNw head steady and Cosentino fork bushes on my bike and while out for a ride yesteray I purposely rode across the cracks when I saw them, and the bike never flinched.
 
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Put 4.10x19 wheels/tires back on the bike and observe the problem disappear! ;) I have that experience and the T-shirt!
 
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I think this post jinxed my bike (or it could be my lack of maintenance!)
Out on my Norton yesterday it developed a bit of a weave at about 90mph I thought maybe one of the tyres a bit soft, maybe tyre squared off etc
Any way on the way back it got worse then I heard a rattle,I pulled over,just as I got off the bike the nearside shock was hanging almost off the swing arm bolt
The rattle I heard was the chain guard
I kicked the shock back on, not as easy as it sounds in the dark with no center stand
The was being pushed down by the weight of the bike
I managed to put one the seat knobs on the bolt and all was well again
So I can only conclude the bolt must have been loose when I set out causing the weave?
I'm guessing if shocks are worn/not working properly not damping equally can cause a weave particularly on a commando because if the isolastics ?
 
Whatever he did It's made the center stand useless unless you're a gorilla...
There is a little bit of technique to put a Norton on center stand and do not need to be a gorilla.Push down on the center stand extension with right foot and pull bike backwards. If the center stand 'feet' are damaged such that they do not roll when the extension is pushed down and pulled back then that is another matter that will need attension . Someone of slim build and average strength can put a Norton on the center stand .
 
There is a little bit of technique to put a Norton on center stand and do not need to be a gorilla.Push down on the center stand extension with right foot and pull bike backwards. If the center stand 'feet' are damaged such that they do not roll when the extension is pushed down and pulled back then that is another matter that will need attension . Someone of slim build and average strength can put a Norton on the center stand .
I think the problem here is the shocks are 1" too short
That makes it a bit harder than a standard commando
 
I think the problem here is the shocks are 1" too short
That makes it a bit harder than a standard commando
I agree, short shock and 18" wheel. I've owned a few commandos in the past and know how to put it on the center stand. I took it off, for now, I can't use it until I correct these issues.
 
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