1972 Commando quick build lessons?

Hi

Well I thought when I saw this bike I thought it would be a quick restoration and get me back on a Norton quick, that was a big mistake, and I should have known better!

Issues, no points/points plate, carbies worn out totally, alternator burnt out, no compression, wiring a total mess.

Fitted TriSpark ignition how easy was that?

Adjusted valve clearance and got reasonable compression, at least enough for it to run.

Fitted 200W 3 phase alternator and regulator, rewired to suit, fitted blinkers in the process, as they were an option in 1972.

Fitted new 32mm Premium Amals (RGM), cam is a Combat cam and the carbies fitted were 32mm.

Right ready to start, no problem started first kick, but no oil pressure.

Removed timing cover, no seal on oil pump to timing cover, no oil seal to ignition. Fitted new seals,restarted and oil pressure, OK 55 PSI cold and 20 PSI hot at idle.

Next problem smoking heavily out RH exhaust, oil spilling out the front of head about 3 fins down, check and find 2 missing head nuts and the rest loose.

Fit nuts off my other project (650ss), and tighten the rest, start again and oil still poring out, found that new gaskets were fitted on the rocker shafts, but old gaskets/half gaskets still thereas well, removed old gaskets and restarted no oil but lots of smoke.

Removed head and found 1 good bore and one damaged, also rh piston in back the front, lifted the barrel looked like gudgeon pin had moved at some stage and found barrel nuts all loose, also found only 2 rings on rh side and the piston + 0.020 oversize but lh side +0.010 oversize and barrel damaged too much, skirt missing lh side.

I found a second hand barrel +0.060" and had it bored to +0.080", someone had bored it oversize for the +0.060 pistons. Pistons fitted are EMGO (JCC), hope it works?

I have fitted new valve guides and valves as well as welding2 new fins on the head this weekend.Also fitted new cam followers as the old ones looked like they had been in a shipwreck, (RGM/Andover).

There have been a few other issues but I can only assume that some one has started on a restoration and got sick of it and just stuck it back together to sell it. I am the 3rd owner in its current state the other 2 didn't do anything with it maybe they had a better look than I did?

Other things I have done is rebuild the front end, new staunchions, seals bushes, rebuilt the brakes RGM master cylinder kit, new rear mudguard, painted the frame,tank and seat, exhaust system looks new, new brake pedal, new number plate.

The head is off to get the valve seats recut, and hopefully I will be able to refit it next weekend and fire it up again.

Regards

Mark