What Did You Do With Your Commando Today?

[Stevo]

Rode out for first time since torquing head to try and cure very slight oil weep below drive side ex valve that was blowing back onto side cover. Initial results are good, no signs of any blow back, a couple more rides will confirm success.
Feels good to have hopefully cured a niggling issue.Thanks go to all that have suggested trying it in various threads as a first step.
Steve

 

[mean gene]

Great Day weather wise today in Pennsylvania. Took Mk III to car/bike show. Left there a little early to go to scrambles and watch Evan Ranshaw win every race he was in!! Wife was following me, as we pulled into the drive, she asked what plastic cover fell off my bike?? The glasfiber cover for the tail light was missing. still a great day

 

[milfordite]

Fitted the new master cylinder from AN, then fired up the Combat, set the timing, and rode down the street and back. First ride since a full refurbishment.

 

[Saber]

I stepped off the porch a little further yesterday. 110 mile ride to my brothers house to watch the Lions/Rams game. Nice day here in Michigan. The '74 Commando performed great. I got good experience understanding what it's like to go for 2+ hours on a motorcycle, what clothing is appropriate for driving 65-75 mph at 70 degrees f, how the bike takes it (like a champ!) and affects on the body (it make me smile a lot).

 

[Torontonian]

Connected up both electric vest leads . Fall coming . Looked at how to remove the e-speedo and install original . Ubered about , social life involving some booze .

 

[jamesp]

After five plus years since being hit by a red light runner, my Norton runs again. What a great day! But, for some reason I am not able to post a video.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Fitted the new master cylinder from AN, then fired up the Combat, set the timing, and rode down the street and back. First ride since a full refurbishment.

AND….

What was it like ??

 

[cliffa]

After five plus years since being hit by a red light runner, my Norton runs again. What a great day! But, for some reason I am not able to post a video.

I checked with Jerry the other day, and he confirmed that videos are not permitted. You can post them on YouTube or Google pics etc. and share the link though.

 

[milfordite]

AND….

What was it like ??

Got out for a ride today for a bit. 15-20 miles. It ran well! Smooth running, good power although I took it easy. Once home, I snugged up the exhaust nuts, now I'll go over the bike to check for loose fasteners, retorque the head, check valve clearances, etc. I've always had 850's, the 750 felt like it revved a bit freer, but that may be the higher compression showing it's hand. Everything worked well, not really any niggles have shown up yet, but time will tell!

 

[YING]

After five plus years since being hit by a red light runner, my Norton runs again. What a great day! But, for some reason I am not able to post a video.

James,
How about some pictures!
Mike

 

[Fast Eddie]

After five plus years since being hit by a red light runner, my Norton runs again. What a great day! But, for some reason I am not able to post a video.

I bet that felt GOOD James !

Post a vid on YouTube and link it on here. It’s so easy, even I can do it!

When is the maiden voyage ??

 

[Richard Tool]

I have been riding my, new to me, Honda 2006 ST1300 almost exclusively in a series of short rides as I ironed out some issues. Yesterday I thought that I might better have a turn on the Norton just to keep the oil in the tank and out of the sump. Oh Boy was that a shock. I have been thoroughly acclimated to the Norton, its riding position and its shifting but it was all the more surprising to me why, after such a short time on the ST1300, why I felt so foreign on the Norton. It felt all wrong, strange and above all small. It's also possibly the difference in three decades of motorcycle advancement and design.

I had a ST 1300 bought new in 2007 - had it for 17 years. Amazing motorcycle. Fast , dependable, nimble ( once rolling! ) . Sold it a year or so ago because I wasn’t riding it much anymore.
Always liked the Commando best .

 

[YING]

I had a ST 1300 bought new in 2007 - had it for 17 years. Amazing motorcycle. Fast , dependable, nimble ( once rolling! ) . Sold it a year or so ago because I wasn’t riding it much anymore.
Always liked the Commando best .

Richard
I had an R1200RT that I had since new and had the same experience.Great bike 120,000 miles and never a problem.It just got to the point that it just sat with all my riding on the Norton.Much more fun!

 

[Torontonian]

2 Sleeping bags , side bags and fishing gear loaded up today and ready for the trip to Prince Edward County ( C.V.M.G. Weekend ) . Interstate tank topped up . Alma on back too . Trailer life once there , campfire , O.N.O. tells me we are flush and will provide craft beers with membership money . Will stay an extra night or 2 seeing as the weather is perfect , at Sunset Shores campground with Vince , the Ice racing motorbike Champion . The goal is to come back with fresh Perch , on ice .
Saw Born to Kill at The Paradise Cinema Wed. Night . The Doug McRae life story . On the Norton of course , just down the street for us , easy Peasy .

 

[YING]

2 Sleeping bags , side bags and fishing gear loaded up today and ready for the trip to Prince Edward County ( C.V.M.G. Weekend ) . Interstate tank topped up . Alma on back too . Trailer life once there , campfire , O.N.O. tells me we are flush and will provide craft beers with membership money . Will stay an extra night or 2 seeing as the weather is perfect , at Sunset Shores campground with Vince , the Ice racing motorbike Champion . The goal is to come back with fresh Perch , on ice .
Saw Born to Kill at The Paradise Cinema Wed. Night . The Doug McRae life story . On the Norton of course , just down the street for us , easy Peasy .

Any pictures of the bike loaded up?Sounds like a great trip

 

[ludwig]

Today I packed my Commando for a 2500 km trip, looking for snow (Alps).
Starting tomorrow:

 

[ntst8]

Fixed a slight disconnect between the Alton starter motor and the engine, old bungs either side, new in the middle.

 

[Stevo]

Fitted a reed valve from Mikes XS the other day. Judging by the musical hum when first kicking the bike over then the virtual lack of positive pressure at the breather outlet in the oil tank when running, it seems to be working.

 

[grandpaul]

After a VERY long break, I am able to post to this thread once again!

I'm prepping 9 bikes for a big bike show in November, and yesterday was FINALLY the time to get the Dreer New Norton monoshock prototype bike up on the stand. It will just need a few bits put back on, that I robbed off it in the last few years (fuel tap nut & ferrule and battery). New Amal Premiers are clean as a whistle. I'm going to ONCE AND FOR ALL fix the sidestand stop with a welded on bolt head to ensure it never hyperextends again, also replace the busted clutch lever (from a sidestand hyperextension incident). Maybe come up with a nice custom headlight mount instead of those ugly metal straps (they were only supposed to be temporary 15 years ago). Then, a detailed wash & primp...

 

[2WheelsUp]

Fitted a reed valve from Mikes XS the other day. Judging by the musical hum when first kicking the bike over then the virtual lack of positive pressure at the breather outlet in the oil tank when running, it seems to be working.

@Stevo, Mikes XS specialized in Yamah parts and I found the reed valve they sell. Where did you fit it onto your engine? Pictures would be great. Thanks.