What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

My Commando had been sitting for a couple of years until today. The last ride I used it for was to travel to a friend's memorial service in Summer 2024. I was going to ride the Thruxton R that day, but it had a dead battery. The Commando had a good battery and full tank of ethanol free fuel, so off we went on a 320 km trip. It ran perfectly and I had no aches or pains afterward as that bike has always been a comfortable ride for me.

This morning I moved the sump oil back to the oil tank, tickled the carbs, touched the starter and away it went, same as always.
I thought " I'll never sell this bike, it's such a great no trouble bike"
The ride was only about 100 k each way out to a breakfast spot some friends and I meet up at. Again the bike ran beautifully. I seem to be the problem now. After parking at the restaurant I had real trouble standing up straight to walk in. The back was hurting and both hips really hurt!.
It was even worse at home after the 100 km return trip.
I tried the jacuzzi tub, ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternating thru the afternoon, which was spent in full recline. Finally about 5 o'clock this afternoon the pain eased up, so I did a bit of light farmwork, just to get moving around again.
My first thought at home when I was in pain was " I might as well just sell this bike and maybe some others too"
That thought went away when the pain left, but wow, big difference for me between age 69 and now 71!
I'm going to see how I do on the BSA Super Rocket tomorrow. It has a very different riding position from the Commando and it has a more comfortable seat, although the Commando seat was not the problem. The far forward position of the Commando foot pegs might be the problem, although the real problem is my aging body!

Glen
 
worntorn said:
My Commando had been sitting for a couple of years until today. The last ride I used it for was to travel to a friend's memorial service in Summer 2024. I was going to ride the Thruxton R that day, but it had a dead battery. The Commando had a good battery and full tank of ethanol free fuel, so off we went on a 320 km trip. It ran perfectly and I had no aches or pains afterward as that bike has always been a comfortable ride for me.

This morning I moved the sump oil back to the oil tank, tickled the carbs, touched the starter and away it went, same as always.
I thought " I'll never sell this bike, it's such a great no trouble bike"
The ride was only about 100 k each way out to a breakfast spot some friends and I meet up at. Again the bike ran beautifully. I seem to be the problem now. After parking at the restaurant I had real trouble standing up straight to walk in. The back was hurting and both hips really hurt!.
It was even worse at home after the 100 km return trip.
I tried the jacuzzi tub, ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternating thru the afternoon, which was spent in full recline. Finally about 5 o'clock this afternoon the pain eased up, so I did a bit of light farmwork, just to get moving around again.
My first thought at home when I was in pain was " I might as well just sell this bike and maybe some others too"
That thought went away when the pain left, but wow, big difference for me between age 69 and now 71!
I'm going to see how I do on the BSA Super Rocket tomorrow. It has a very different riding position from the Commando and it has a more comfortable seat, although the Commando seat was not the problem. The far forward position of the Commando foot pegs might be the problem, although the real problem is my aging body!

Glen
Click to expand...
Glen,
I understand your frustration about the difference between the two ages but my only suggestion is not to sell your Mark III.At 76 the problem that frustrates me the most is the lack of strength but try to stay as active as possible. I still ride my motorcycle at least 3 times a week for 50 miles or so and always smile when I get home. I know you must have plenty to do around your farm to keep you off the couch along with many bikes you have built.We are all getting older so I just deal with it.Having motorcycles all my life,it would break my heart to sell my Norton.Just my thoughts.
Mike
 
worntorn said:
My Commando had been sitting for a couple of years until today. The last ride I used it for was to travel to a friend's memorial service in Summer 2024. I was going to ride the Thruxton R that day, but it had a dead battery. The Commando had a good battery and full tank of ethanol free fuel, so off we went on a 320 km trip. It ran perfectly and I had no aches or pains afterward as that bike has always been a comfortable ride for me.

This morning I moved the sump oil back to the oil tank, tickled the carbs, touched the starter and away it went, same as always.
I thought " I'll never sell this bike, it's such a great no trouble bike"
The ride was only about 100 k each way out to a breakfast spot some friends and I meet up at. Again the bike ran beautifully. I seem to be the problem now. After parking at the restaurant I had real trouble standing up straight to walk in. The back was hurting and both hips really hurt!.
It was even worse at home after the 100 km return trip.
I tried the jacuzzi tub, ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternating thru the afternoon, which was spent in full recline. Finally about 5 o'clock this afternoon the pain eased up, so I did a bit of light farmwork, just to get moving around again.
My first thought at home when I was in pain was " I might as well just sell this bike and maybe some others too"
That thought went away when the pain left, but wow, big difference for me between age 69 and now 71!
I'm going to see how I do on the BSA Super Rocket tomorrow. It has a very different riding position from the Commando and it has a more comfortable seat, although the Commando seat was not the problem. The far forward position of the Commando foot pegs might be the problem, although the real problem is my aging body!

Glen
Click to expand...
Glen, do you use any form of back support whilst riding ( e.g. kidney belt or back protector). I have back problems, and I find my Dianese back protector helps, as it has wide Velcro straps around the midriff, so you can get it on quite tight.
 
cliffa said:
Glen, do you use any form of back support whilst riding ( e.g. kidney belt or back protector). I have back problems, and I find my Dianese back protector helps, as it has wide Velcro straps around the midriff, so you can get it on quite tight.
Click to expand...
So far my back has been OK, even on longer rides. I'm thinking about trying some rearsets on the Commando to make this hip pain problem go away. Commandos do have an unusual footpeg position.
 
After de winterization which included cleaning of clutch plates I was unhappy with some gear change - specifically difficulty in changing down from 4th and 3rd and occasionally difficulty in finding neutral . Slacking the primary chain helped but still not the clean easy snick as before. Started over and minimized the free play at the clutch lever and now all is good !
 
worntorn said:
So far my back has been OK, even on longer rides. I'm thinking about trying some rearsets on the Commando to make this hip pain problem go away. Commandos do have an unusual footpeg position.
Click to expand...
Hi Glen - I have long legs and I find rearsets are the only way to go on the Commando.

I have a set of Clubman Racing rearsets that work fine but need a little TLC that I would let go for $50 plus shipping.

If you are interested give me your email and I will send some pix.
 
Glad to see you back Glen !

I believe that the footrest position comfort is also linked to the handle bar choice.

If you want low ish bars, you need rearsets, conversely the ‘western’ bars work very well with the stock footrests and give an overall more upright, more ‘open’ riding position that is a lot less taxing on bodies that aren’t as young as they once were.

The downside to the upright riding position is wind blast at speed, and more weight on the arse can cause discomfort on long rides.

Def worth mocking up a set of western bars before changing the footrests to see how it feels Glen IMO.

That said, the interstate does generally make you sit further back than a roadster (provided you’re not using a Corbin seat) which further supports the rear set idea.

I’ve been through a few different handle bar set ups since I finally conceded that I can’t do clip ons on the road anymore (make my hands go numb). I’m currently using some LSL bars that work very well with the rearsets and interstate tank combo. I found the stock euro bars a bit too narrow and generally a bit, errr, odd!

Couple of pics for reference:

IMG_4268.jpeg
IMG_1603.jpeg
 
Last edited:
The bars i like best are flat drag bars. But they foul the Interstate tank. UK style bars bars are okay, but a bit high for me ideally. But they don't foul the Intertank.

I couldn't get Kenny's rear sets into a comfortable position for my legs. I tried three different sets of plates to move them around. My legs are just too long.

I have a set of those I would sell too, but they need a new brake lever arm.
 
gortnipper said:
Hi Glen - I have long legs and I find rearsets are the only way to go on the Commando.

I have a set of Clubman Racing rearsets that work fine but need a little TLC that I would let go for $50 plus shipping.

If you are interested give me your email and I will send some pix.
Click to expand...
That would be fantastic, thanks.
Will send you my email.

Glen
 
gortnipper said:
Hi Glen - I have long legs and I find rearsets are the only way to go on the Commando.

I have a set of Clubman Racing rearsets that work fine but need a little TLC that I would let go for $50 plus shipping.

If you are interested give me your email and I will send some pix.
Click to expand...
Second thought, are these MK3 type reasets?

Glen
 
Fast Eddie said:
Glad to see you back Glen !

I believe that the footrest position comfort is also linked to the handle bar choice.

If you want low ish bars, you need rearsets, conversely the ‘western’ bars work very well with the stock footrests and give an overall more upright, more ‘open’ riding position that is a lot less taxing on bodies that aren’t as young as they once were.

The downside to the upright riding position is wind blast at speed, and more weight on the arse can cause discomfort on long rides.

Def worth mocking up a set of western bars before changing the footrests to see how it feels Glen IMO.

That said, the interstate does generally make you sit further back than a roadster (provided you’re not using a Corbin seat) which further supports the rear set idea.

I’ve been through a few different handle bar set ups since I finally conceded that I can’t do clip ons on the road anymore (make my hands go numb). I’m currently using some LSL bars that work very well with the rearsets and interstate tank combo. I found the stock euro bars a bit too narrow and generally a bit, errr, odd!

Couple of pics for reference:

View attachment 125020View attachment 125021
Click to expand...
Thanks Nigel, I hadn't considered the bars. Will try some things there first.
Your bike looks great with the Interstate tank and ( I assume shortened) Corbin on there.

Glen
 

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