BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 13, 2008 1:30:25 GMT -5
I know exactly what you mean.They turn out some beautiful,and very high quality work there,but most of it tries to be too "custom" for my taste. Take that one for instance.Way too much bling.I like the seat/tank combo,but it's way too shiny.Might be alloy(or not),but it looks like chrome.Every bit of bare metal on that thing is polished to the nth degree.I like shiny bits here and there just fine,but when the whole thing is just one big shiny lump,it just loses it's appeal. I don't care much for the billet yokes either,although I'm sure they're very functional.And,the whole big chrome monopost mount headlight,and drag bars with risers look like they were stolen from some poor,unsuspecting Harley.Just wrong for a caff style bike. Think how much better it would look just with a Lucas style headlight with ears,and those bars mounted directly to the top of the yoke. Oh well,I'll bet at least it runs.Which is more than I can say for either one of my Commandos. Cheers! Bruce
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Post by rmak on Sept 28, 2008 9:39:11 GMT -5
Got her home yesterday, and as promised, here are some better photos. Kicked for 20 minutes (a great aerobic workout!) till I found I had the key in the wrong position. The next kick started her right up. Took a short ride without a licence plate and found that you really have to ride this thing. Not a laid back cruiser experience. Looking for better pullback bars and cooler mirrors if anyone has any suggestions.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 28, 2008 14:06:18 GMT -5
That's sweet, Rich. Guess you won't be around the 'puter much today.
Guess we forgot to mention the starting drill: Step 1. Set machine on centrestand. Step 2. Turn the fuel tap on. Step 3. Tickle both carbs until fuel drizzles out onto your freshly cleaned cases. Step 4. To prime engine,operate kickstarter 30 or 40 times,or until you can't breath anymore. Step 5. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Step 6. Operate kickstarter. Engine will start.If engine does not start,repeat step 4.
This next part is for advanced users,and should not be attempted by Norton neophytes: NEVER tickle a hot engine.Doing so will flood it,and make it a mofo bear to start.You usually don't need to tickle unless the bike's been sitting a few hours. ALWAYS dispense with step 4,and go directly to step 5. ;D
I had bars like those on my 750 when I first got it,and I didn't like them either.The Commando just takes too much steering effort for those stubby,low bars. I had some bars laying around that I put on her,I think from an early '80s Suzuki.Way better.They are still on there.
I know that doesn't help you much,but they are pretty close to the same bend as my Scram bars.Slightly higher,with a little more pullback,but pretty close. You might try your old Scrambler bars,til you come up with something better.
I like those little round Lane Splitter mirrors myself.I might even get some,if I can swing a second mortgage on my house.They don't give those things away.
So,now to the good stuff. How do you like the sound,and power? Are you having fun learning a new way to brake and shift?
Don't forget to turn the gas off when you park her.
Cheers! Bruce
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 28, 2008 14:10:23 GMT -5
Uh-oh.I just noticed your pipes are bluing. Better get rid of the AI quick!
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Post by rmak on Sept 28, 2008 18:01:41 GMT -5
Uh-oh.I just noticed your pipes are bluing. Better get rid of the AI quick! Yep, Bruce, it's on the agenda right after I get a Unifilter for the airbox. Loved the starting instructions. It seems to start a lot faster with the key on. Is that correct from your experience? Haven't had a chance to ride it far, but love the pull of the engine and the sound is like nothing else. Someone sells commando bars on ebay, 33" wide, 5" rise and 7.5" pullback. That seems like a lot better to me. How would they look with Napolean mirrors? One tech question: How long does it take to warm up? Is it as cold blooded as Triumphs? I rode it about six miles yesterday and it still wouldn't idle without the choke. Should I screw up the idle adjuster a little or ride it longer to get hotter first? Thanks, Rich
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 29, 2008 0:47:53 GMT -5
Funny how those little electrons insist on having a path to ground before they'll do any work. I don't have time now,but I'm going to start a thread entitled"My most embarrassing motorcycle moment" I think you'll find mine familiar.
I like round mirrors better,but that's purely personal taste,and the wedge shaped Napoleons would certainly give you a wider range of view.I think they would look fine on there.
It should have been warm enough to idle after six miles.You might want to play around with the idle stop screws. Does your bike have tickler buttons as well as a choke? Is it a cable operated choke,or a lever down by the carbs?
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Post by Midnight on Sept 29, 2008 13:42:30 GMT -5
Rich- i cant make out the carb properly looks like you may have an amal single mk2 or a mikki fitted?. the bike seems to need carby adjustment from what your post says.
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Post by Midnight on Sept 29, 2008 13:50:27 GMT -5
sorry forgot to comment on the bike, it looks realy nice, i agree the mirrors could be better, but if thats all we can find wow. its been about 15 years since i have owned a commando, but putting a set of ikons on it one day would be good .I remember haveing to fit konies as they were called then to mine, and a big improvement ,but thats probably someting further down the track.
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Post by rmak on Sept 29, 2008 16:07:58 GMT -5
Thanks, Ron. Yeah, I know I'm nit-picking about the mirrors when I should be counting my blessings. I'm going to get her warm tonight and idle up the carb a little to see if it works. It will be a couple of days till I can get a license plate. Then I can take it for a longer ride to start sorting things out a little.
It's a resleeved Amal, one-carb set up. the p/o gave me the other carb and double carb manifold. I may switch back some day just for the heck of it.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 29, 2008 16:58:55 GMT -5
So,does it have a tickler button Rich?
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haggis95
Gold Star
I ain't no stinkin' moderator!
Ride on!
Posts: 991
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Post by haggis95 on Sept 29, 2008 17:23:41 GMT -5
groan, drool, moan, slobber God I want one!
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Post by rmak on Sept 29, 2008 18:02:47 GMT -5
So,does it have a tickler button Rich? Yep, Ron. It's got a tickler and a choke. I had a chance to think through exactly what the guy said to start it. Including about three kicks after tickling while off to get some gas into the cylinders. Started first kick. I screwed the idle screw in about an eigth of a turn and let it warm up for a few minutes. It ran and idled great. I think I like this bike a lot! It pulls like a friggin freight train.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 29, 2008 23:22:31 GMT -5
So,does it have a tickler button Rich? Yep, Ron. It's got a tickler and a choke. I had a chance to think through exactly what the guy said to start it. Including about three kicks after tickling while off to get some gas into the cylinders. Started first kick. I screwed the idle screw in about an eigth of a turn and let it warm up for a few minutes. It ran and idled great. I think I like this bike a lot! It pulls like a friggin freight train. That's Ok George,you can call me Ron if you want. Since this is going a little off topic of Norton pix,you can read my reply here.Cheers! Bruce
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Post by rmak on Sept 30, 2008 4:21:00 GMT -5
That's Ok George,you can call me Ron if you want. Cheers! Bruce :-[If I don't know how to turn a key on, imagine how confused I am with the internet. Sorry, Bruce.
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Post by rmak on Dec 22, 2008 9:44:25 GMT -5
My buddy sent over a notice that this Norton is up for sale. It's listed as an "S" model, which I understand is rare. It's a beauty. $7000, which seems like a good price.
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