No gripes here.......

[jbruney]

I've had no issues with mine in well over a year.... at least since most of the worn out items were addressed by yours truly.... check levels, tire pressure, an occasional squirt of oil it can't spatter on by itself, kick off and ride. I'm just wondering who all around here is as fortunate as myself with an old unrestored machine. Things have gotten to the point where I don't become upset if I ride off and forget my phone.

 

[Stephen Hill]

What we have here is a case of "FSS".
Stands for a False Sense of Security.
A rare thing on a Norton.
No cell phone. Living on the edge!!

 

[jbruney]

I've come to trust it almost as much as my elderly Goldwing. That $500 I spent in 1978 was well spent. May your vibration always be minimal.

 

[KiwiShane]

I've had no issues with mine in well over a year.... at least since most of the worn out items were addressed by yours truly.... check levels, tire pressure, an occasional squirt of oil it can't spatter on by itself, kick off and ride. I'm just wondering who all around here is as fortunate as myself with an old unrestored machine. Things have gotten to the point where I don't become upset if I ride off and forget my phone.

I find it handy sometimes to ...as the Mrs etc can't contact me
She has a occasional squeak so will try the oil trick

 

[ashman]

My Norton has been like that most of its life of 46 years of ownership, and most of that time riding it I never had a mobile phone, I always had a shoulder bag for a few tools and anything else I needed but in all those times I never used any tools while out for break downs.
If a Norton is ridden regularly they are pretty reliable and if maintenance is kept up.
I only have had a mobile phone for about the last 7 years, I do take it when out but it stays in my jacket pocket, I am not a phone person but my riding mates can't live out them mounted on their handle bars or when pulled up it's in their hands, I don't even look at mine.
My Norton hasn't been restored since I built it in early 80s, yes I done upgrades and replace crank cases but it's unrestored and showing its age but it still going and looks like it's been well ridden.
So jbruney you aren't alone there.

 

[concours]

I'm the person people CALL when stuff breaks down.

It is ever evolving. Any machine.

Even the '20 Silverado with factory designed intermittent misfire I drive.
The changes are happening.
Up to you to be aware.
Enjoy the ride.

JMWO

 

[milfordite]

Happy to hear that your steed is running well. It seems that once your Commando is fettled, it doesn't need a lot of love. I rarely fiddle with mine, just a once over in the spring usually. Headed out on a 5K mile trip this summer, so we'll see how we do for a couple of old farts.

 

[Deets55]

I'm the person people CALL when stuff breaks down.

It is ever evolving. Any machine.

Even the '20 Silverado with factory designed intermittent misfire I drive.
The changes are happening.
Up to you to be aware.
Enjoy the ride.

JMWO

Bob,

When you get some free time you can always do this to your Chevy



Pete

 

[concours]

Bob,

When you get some free time you can always do this to your Chevy



Pete

2019 forward, they locked the ECM so well, you have to REPLACE IT for $2000 just to begin.

 

[concours]

Happy to hear that your steed is running well. It seems that once your Commando is fettled, it doesn't need a lot of love. I rarely fiddle with mine, just a once over in the spring usually. Headed out on a 5K mile trip this summer, so we'll see how we do for a couple of old farts.

Love it. RIDE 'em, don't hide 'em.

 

[jbruney]

It took some doing to get her back in form after the almost four decade long nap.... I almost lost faith, but Bam! Just like that.... She got her groove back.
Using more oil but not so much as to be a nuisance. Anyway I believe she'll last as long as I do.... wish I could afford a nice velo or something to keep company beside it on the long nights. I'm glad to not be the only happy camper.

 

[worntorn]

I've had very good luck with my MK3.
It has covered about 26,000 miles since I purchased it in 2003. The longest trip was about 1500 miles or so.
It's still running the original engine internals from the factory. Total mileage is around 40 k.

Glen

 

[baz]

I really don't want to tempt fate but I wouldn't hesitate to do any distance on my commando
It's so reliable that the bike can do a lot more miles than the owner
I never think about it not starting or not getting me home

 

[ashman]

If it's using oil maybe you are over filling your oil tank, keep the oil between the lower mark and high mark as the high mark is to much oil in the tank, it's well known, the high level seems to blow the oil out the breather of the oil tank.

 

[KiwiShane]

My 850 has stopped me "once" from returning home in 37-38 years due to a Portuguese bearing failure.. just after I got her.....My 750s prior to that were much the same...but with no gearbox issues...(Obviously had been replaced by POs)
Well set up & well maintained Commando's are super reliable motorcycles ... ya just got to stay on top of the maintenance is all ⚙

 

[ashman]

I think it was the 850s that had the Portuguese layshaft bearing problems all my old mates that had 750s never had that problem, on the 850s if you got more than 12k miles out of those failed layshaft bearing you be in danger of accident ready to happen, mine blew outside of my house when I put it into gear, just went klunk and then nothing, right on 12k miles.

 

[jbruney]

If it's using oil maybe you are over filling your oil tank, keep the oil between the lower mark and high mark as the high mark is to much oil in the tank, it's well known, the high level seems to blow the oil out the breather of the oil tank.

Level is kept in that tween area.... just burning a smidge.... and some tunnel seeping too. No problem to me because not pulling down until I have too. She's perfect in my eyes.

 

[ashman]

Level is kept in that tween area.... just burning a smidge.... and some tunnel seeping too. No problem to me because not pulling down until I have too. She's perfect in my eyes.

She will go for a lot long I am sure.

 

[KiwiShane]

I think it was the 850s that had the Portuguese layshaft bearing problems all my old mates that had 750s never had that problem,

Yes you could be right about the 750' layshaft bearings...not sure but ...The 850 SKF LS bearing flew apart at speed in a corner for me ..I managed to control the bike (fluke) so she was sweet....gearbox not so much... mine had traveled to just over 10,000 miles on the clock at the time.

 

[L.A.B.]

I think it was the 850s that had the Portuguese layshaft bearing problems...

Late 850s had the Portuguese layshaft bearing, mainly 850 Mk3 but also some Mk2/2A and although the Portuguese bearing is the one most likely to fail, all layshaft 6203 ball bearings can potentially break up and more likely to be an 850 but all 6203 layshaft ball bearings should be replaced regardless of it being in a 750 or 850 gearbox.