What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

Ty, House of Kolor Apple Red over silver base.
Cheers to Don Morton and Gary Cole. Masters at their craft.
 
concours said:
I put 1 ounce of two-stroke oil in the gas tank, as well as a half ounce of stable fuel stabilizer. Was just about to run that through the carbs when a snow squall came up. That'll have to wait for another day to run it
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concours said:
I put 1 ounce of two-stroke oil in the gas tank, as well as a half ounce of stable fuel stabilizer. Was just about to run that through the carbs when a snow squall came up. That'll have to wait for another day to run it in.




View attachment 122643
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Nice set of bikes. And a ladder for each one.
 
Saturday: Decided to replace battery. Old battery has only been in the bike a year and a half. but it refused to start the bike once and was barely able to get bike started another time, although fully charged. I am keeping this battery as a backup and a way to power my strobe. Pulled side cover off, carefully removed all the wires (in addition to the many wires that go to battery, I have a pigtail to plug a charger into) tied all the ones that go to the positive terminal together and all the ones that go to the negative terminal together, eased old battery out, eased new battery in (there is NO battery clearance on a Mark III) connected all the negative wires up and connected all the positive wires up. Positioned piece of truck innertube over battery to avoid accidentally touching frame, strapped battery down and buttoned everything up.

Then went over bike with a cleaning rag and chain lube, checked a decent assortment of bolts and made sure there was oil in the primary case and in the gearbox. I check engine oil everytime I come back from a ride. Finally, plugged in new battery to the charger. The charger display was wonky. I tried a second charger, same thing. Considered options, decided it was not going to get better with age and took the seat and the side cover off. Found that despite all care, the negative ground of the pigtail had slipped away when I was removing wires. Bolted pigtail wire to battery and replaced the seat and side cover a second time. This time the charger display looked like it should and I left the bike to fully charge while I got some lunch.

Sunday: Chilly but sunny. Layers, riding suit and helmet on, bike out of garage, hit starter button, Norton fires right up and sounds good and off to a pleasant 97 mile loop on twisty country roads.

Happy New Year, all
 
nortonmargie said:
Saturday: Decided to replace battery. Old battery has only been in the bike a year and a half. but it refused to start the bike once and was barely able to get bike started another time, although fully charged. I am keeping this battery as a backup and a way to power my strobe. Pulled side cover off, carefully removed all the wires (in addition to the many wires that go to battery, I have a pigtail to plug a charger into) tied all the ones that go to the positive terminal together and all the ones that go to the negative terminal together, eased old battery out, eased new battery in (there is NO battery clearance on a Mark III) connected all the negative wires up and connected all the positive wires up. Positioned piece of truck innertube over battery to avoid accidentally touching frame, strapped battery down and buttoned everything up.

Then went over bike with a cleaning rag and chain lube, checked a decent assortment of bolts and made sure there was oil in the primary case and in the gearbox. I check engine oil everytime I come back from a ride. Finally, plugged in new battery to the charger. The charger display was wonky. I tried a second charger, same thing. Considered options, decided it was not going to get better with age and took the seat and the side cover off. Found that despite all care, the negative ground of the pigtail had slipped away when I was removing wires. Bolted pigtail wire to battery and replaced the seat and side cover a second time. This time the charger display looked like it should and I left the bike to fully charge while I got some lunch.

Sunday: Chilly but sunny. Layers, riding suit and helmet on, bike out of garage, hit starter button, Norton fires right up and sounds good and off to a pleasant 97 mile loop on twisty country roads.

Happy New Year, all
Click to expand...
I also need a new battery for my MKIII. Tried starting it the other day and got about three ugga duggas only. Curious to what brand and part number battery you chose? Mine is currently on a Motobatt 16 amp hr., but I fear it has given up the ghost.
Thanks
 
nortonmargie said:
Saturday: Decided to replace battery. Old battery has only been in the bike a year and a half. but it refused to start the bike once and was barely able to get bike started another time, although fully charged. I am keeping this battery as a backup and a way to power my strobe. Pulled side cover off, carefully removed all the wires (in addition to the many wires that go to battery, I have a pigtail to plug a charger into) tied all the ones that go to the positive terminal together and all the ones that go to the negative terminal together, eased old battery out, eased new battery in (there is NO battery clearance on a Mark III) connected all the negative wires up and connected all the positive wires up. Positioned piece of truck innertube over battery to avoid accidentally touching frame, strapped battery down and buttoned everything up.

Then went over bike with a cleaning rag and chain lube, checked a decent assortment of bolts and made sure there was oil in the primary case and in the gearbox. I check engine oil everytime I come back from a ride. Finally, plugged in new battery to the charger. The charger display was wonky. I tried a second charger, same thing. Considered options, decided it was not going to get better with age and took the seat and the side cover off. Found that despite all care, the negative ground of the pigtail had slipped away when I was removing wires. Bolted pigtail wire to battery and replaced the seat and side cover a second time. This time the charger display looked like it should and I left the bike to fully charge while I got some lunch.

Sunday: Chilly but sunny. Layers, riding suit and helmet on, bike out of garage, hit starter button, Norton fires right up and sounds good and off to a pleasant 97 mile loop on twisty country roads.

Happy New Year, all
Click to expand...
Marge,
To avoid clutter on the battery I attached what ever extra wires I needed to the starter solenoid , except for the charger pigtail. This would be where the battery cable attaches to the solenoid
And Happy New Year to you too.
 
Well, over the Christmas hols I managed to get some good shed time.

Got the T140 out of storage and recommissioned.

And rattled off a big list of jobs on the Commando.

Now I’m just needin’ some dry and salt free roads…

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well, over the Christmas hols I managed to get some good shed time.

Got the T140 out of storage and recommissioned.

And rattled off a big list of jobs on the Commando.

Now I’m just needin’ some dry and salt free roads…

View attachment 123210
Click to expand...
Love that blue! Bike looks good! Your workshop is so well organized. I like the idea of carpeting....:)
 
Gotta love installing new parts on our Commandos!

I haven't done a thing with my bike except winter storage stuff, before putting it away for the winter, and wiping it down from time to time in the garage. One thing about the end of the holidays is that I can see spring way down the road and can't wait for the big thaw so I can kick off the new riding season...
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well, over the Christmas hols I managed to get some good shed time.

Got the T140 out of storage and recommissioned.

And rattled off a big list of jobs on the Commando.

Now I’m just needin’ some dry and salt free roads…

View attachment 123210
Click to expand...
Thanks!
The blue is a Mercedes Benz colour ‘Cavansite Blue’.
It looks even better in sunlight, it looks darker, to the point of looking black from some angles, then ‘pops’ from other angles.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well, over the Christmas hols I managed to get some good shed time.

Got the T140 out of storage and recommissioned.

And rattled off a big list of jobs on the Commando.

Now I’m just needin’ some dry and salt free roads…

View attachment 123210
Click to expand...
Lovely motorcycle Nigel! I am bias as I have the same setup as you with the tank and seat which works well for me.
Mike
 
Now that the salt bans Arnie from venturing out it’s high time I tackle the gearbox oil leak. This is my first time pulling the primary apart so a good learning curve.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?


My suspicions that the problem was a loose drive sprocket nut were confirmed, not even finger tight, wtf!!!

Today I set about cleaning up the mess, thick sticky GB oil plastered all over the inner primary case, swing arm, centre stand, cradle etc; at least it’s too thick to drip on my garage floor.

What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

That’s better. Yes I know the lock washer is missing, I’ll order a nice clean one along with a new circlip for that spindle. cNw starter bagged to protect the drive.
 
Café au Lait said:
Now that the salt bans Arnie from venturing out it’s high time I tackle the gearbox oil leak.

My suspicions that the problem was a loose drive sprocket nut were confirmed, not even finger tight, wtf!!!
Click to expand...
What is different about a Commando gearbox compared to a pre-Commando gearbox that a loose drive sprocket would cause a gearbox oil leak? Does the spacer chew up the oil seal if the gearbox counter sprocket (drive sprocket) is a little loose? I would definitely change the seal regardless. Probably your plan and I missed it.
 
Schwany said:
What is different about a Commando gearbox compared to a pre-Commando gearbox that a loose drive sprocket would cause a gearbox oil leak? Does the spacer chew up the oil seal if the gearbox counter sprocket (drive sprocket) is a little loose? I would definitely change the seal regardless. Probably your plan and I missed it.
Click to expand...
That was indeed my thought but talking to Matt:

“The seal should be OK. That said, the seal arrangement is not the best design as there is an area between the thick spacer and the sleeve gear where there is just metal to metal.”

“I would leave main shaft seal as is.”

The oil was finding its way between the spacer (there are actually 2 because Matt adds a 0.90” spacer to align for a 520 chain) and the sprocket as being so loose there’s enough of a gap when the oil thins due to heat. It only leaks when it’s fully warmed up. Obviously I’ve got to go with his advice and if it doesn’t fix it I’ll have something to do while the bikes off the road due to the salt🤣
 
Café au Lait said:
Now that the salt bans Arnie from venturing out it’s high time I tackle the gearbox oil leak. This is my first time pulling the primary apart so a good learning curve.

View attachment 123218

My suspicions that the problem was a loose drive sprocket nut were confirmed, not even finger tight, wtf!!!

Today I set about cleaning up the mess, thick sticky GB oil plastered all over the inner primary case, swing arm, centre stand, cradle etc; at least it’s too thick to drip on my garage floor.

View attachment 123217
That’s better. Yes I know the lock washer is missing, I’ll order a nice clean one along with a new circlip for that spindle. cNw starter bagged to protect the drive.
Click to expand...
I was advised to use the Mk3 starter circlip part no. 06-8072 and thin it on a piece of abrasive paper until it’s a snug fit. ( probably worth ordering a couple).
 

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