Monoshock Commando

Here's a real long shot,

About 20 years ago (or perhaps slightly less) one of the classic bike mags (possibly British Bike Magazine, but maybe not) carried an article on someone grafting a rising rate monoshock rear suspension onto their Commando (I think it was ex-Yamaha).  It also involved them grafting another Isolastic onto the machine, as memory has it below the engine cradle.

They also fitted modern tyres and brakes (possinbly a modernish front end).

I would love to see the article again but cannot find it for the life of me.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't Peter Crespin's Covenant Commando either, I think the article was somewaht later than that (1988) - possibly early 90s, and it was a standard Comando frame with the monoshock grafted on and not a racing special.

It was a great bike but I have seen neither hide nor hair of it ever since.

All help much appreciated.

Luke Albanese

lukealbanese@yahoo.co.uk

Previously wrote:

Luke,

Think I have a copy of this article somewhere.  Will see if I can find it.

Regards

Richard Norton

Thanks Richard,

A scan would be ideal, but even the reference to trhe magazine would be an excellent start.

Am also trying to find the Crespin Articles from the early days of BBM on his alloy framed Covenant Commando.

Kind regards

Luke

Previously wrote:

Luke, despite a good search I can't find the article that I think is the one you are after.

It may turn up yet.  Will keep searching, meanwhile, have you seen this monoshock Commando?

http://motorcyclepictureoftheday.blogspot.com/2010/03/reader-submittal-big-post-on-very-cool.html

Regards

Richard

Here's a real long shot,

 

About 20 years ago (or perhaps slightly less) one of the classic bike mags (possibly British Bike Magazine, but maybe not) carried an article on someone grafting a rising rate monoshock rear suspension onto their Commando (I think it was ex-Yamaha).  It also involved them grafting another Isolastic onto the machine, as memory has it below the engine cradle.

They also fitted modern tyres and brakes (possinbly a modernish front end).

I would love to see the article again but cannot find it for the life of me.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't Peter Crespin's Covenant Commando either, I think the article was somewaht later than that (1988) - possibly early 90s, and it was a standard Comando frame with the monoshock grafted on and not a racing special.

It was a great bike but I have seen neither hide nor hair of it ever since.

 

All help much appreciated.

 

Luke Albanese

lukealbanese@yahoo.co.uk

 

Previously wrote:

Hi pretty sure it was in classic bike it had yamaha running gear i have the article somewhere ..................nick

I don't suppose you've had any luck finding this Nick?

Kind regards

Luke Albanese

Previously wrote:

Hi Luke,

 I have found the article and have scanned it. However because of the small attachment size on here, I cant load a decent picture, so send me a message to springbok.racing@tesco.net and i will send the pages by e mail.

 cheers

Hans taylor

Hans,

I have sent you an e-mail off board - very many thanks for this.  Can you tell me the magazine reference on this message board however - so that both other people can find the article and IU can see if I still have the original?

Kind regards

Luke Albanese

Luke,

Found it!

Will scan at work tomorrow but for now see attached pictures. 

Hope it is the one that you were thinking of.

Regards

Richard

http://nortonsnortons.blogspot.com/

Previously wrote:

Here's a real long shot,

 

About 20 years ago (or perhaps slightly less) one of the classic bike mags (possibly British Bike Magazine, but maybe not) carried an article on someone grafting a rising rate monoshock rear suspension onto their Commando (I think it was ex-Yamaha).  It also involved them grafting another Isolastic onto the machine, as memory has it below the engine cradle.

They also fitted modern tyres and brakes (possinbly a modernish front end).

I would love to see the article again but cannot find it for the life of me.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't Peter Crespin's Covenant Commando either, I think the article was somewaht later than that (1988) - possibly early 90s, and it was a standard Comando frame with the monoshock grafted on and not a racing special.

It was a great bike but I have seen neither hide nor hair of it ever since.

 

All help much appreciated.

 

Luke Albanese

lukealbanese@yahoo.co.uk

 

Rich,

I would love the Crespin articles if you can scan them to me:  lukealbanese@yahoo.co.uk

Likewise anything else which you think might fit the bill (Racecraft Commando etc.)

What was the reference to the Purple Commando BTW?

Richard Norton has found the article I wanted - see attachment below, and Hans Taylor also found an excellent article of a similar conversion in August 1999 Classic Bike of a beautiful French machine - I can send you this off board if you like.

Kind regards and many thanks to everyone,

Luke Albanese

Previously wrote:

A bit late coming to this but not quite sure what you're now missing.

The BBM Crespin Commando was 1988 May June and August issues which I can scan if you still need them.

The first time I saw an extra iso mount under the gearbox was in Classic Bike March 1990 - Racecraft Commando. But no rising rate I'm afraid.

 

Was the rising rate one purple with a silver swing arm. The swing arm mounted to the frame not the engine cradle?

 

Rich