morning guys ,this my first commando ,72 roadster 19k,prior to my first sortie ,was checking over bike ,discovered what i thought was play in the swinging arm ,further ivestigation seems more in a rubber bush that the swinging arm attaches to the play at the rear wheel is approx 3/8 in with a good heave on the rearmost part of the wheel is this acceptable /normal ???dont want throw it down the road just yet
Hello Stephen, welcome to…
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Previously norman_lorton w…
Previously norman_lorton wrote:
Hello Stephen, welcome to Commando ownership! Lots of tired ones are like that. You have discovered the play in the isolastic suspension mounts at the front and rear of the engine. Even MOT testers sometimes mistake this for the swinging arm. 3/8"at the end of the rear tyresounds very typical for a worn setup but it is probably still quite rideable. Once you get the shimming right it will be a lot less than this. Search the web for 'commando isolastic shim adjustment' and similar phrases. I will let other people explain adjustable kits and their experience of fitting them.
thanks i was concerned as the bike has a new mot and only i think low milage ,,i was thinking of installing one of those vernier front adjusters if they will fit without a lot of machining ill look up adjustment anyway thank sorry for such a stupid/simple question ,now back to wrestling with the lotus
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Previously stephen_campbel…
Previously stephen_campbell wrote:
sorry for such a stupid/simple question ,now back to wrestling with the lotus
Hi Stephen,
There are no stupid questions if you are new to these things and never be afraid to ask.
Enjoy the ride.
Tony
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Hi Stephen, The amount of…
Hi Stephen,
The amount of play at the rear wheel on a Commando is dependent on clearance between the isolastic thrust faces. With 0.004" clearance there will be approx. 0.040" free play only. Wider iso clearances results in greater free play. For checking purposes only, you can reduce the iso clearance to zero and if you still have free play then look at your rear wheel bearings, swing-arm bushes and spindle, swing-arm spindle and cradle tube, engine cradle and rear crankcase mounts or front iso mounting bolt/brackets.
With reference to handling you need to be aware that, in my experience, all Commandos left the factory with the rear wheel out of alignment by between 0.2" to 0.3" from the frame centre line. All the ones I've seen are biased to the drive side.
In addition to this, the swingarm rear wheel axle slots are not parallel in the horizontal plane to the swingarm spindle looking from the rear of the bike, the swing arm spindle axis and front and rear iso brackets are not perpendicular to the steering head axis in the vertical or horizontal plane. And the front wheel is not true to the frame centre line. I can rectify all of the above if you want - see ad. in Roadholder,
Regards, Simon.
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Previously Tony Ripley wro…
Previously Tony Ripley wrote:
Previously stephen_campbell wrote:
sorry for such a stupid/simple question ,now back to wrestling with the lotus
Hi Stephen,
There are no stupid questions if you are new to these things and never be afraid to ask.
Enjoy the ride.
Tony that said thxs ,took the bike for a quick run (well push really)seemed to weave gently, but worse, the engine started missing badly,thought i could clear it but it only became angry and gradually worse ,took no interest in the twist grip position !!nursing it home sometimes 1500 rpm sometimes 3000 (of course it started raining )then the clutch decided to refuse to disengage completly, now the situation was deteriorating,wet road etc the bike kept cutting out, much heaving on the kick start,and many beeps from fellow motorists. im hopeing a/varnish in carbs due lack of use, residual old fuel? and clutch cable stretch?the adjustment is almost finnished seemed worse as the engine became hotter (and me) oh and a leak from primary case !!!it has electronic ignition any help please
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I'd give the engine a lea…
I'd give the engine a leak down test so you'll know the state of the valves/seats/piston rings and cylinder bores.Engine misfire could be carburation or ignition.
If they're original carbs they'll probably be worn out so replacement would be worth considering - if not then ultrasonic cleaning works very well. Check ignition circuit for loose connections especially on the stator plate then check the ignition timing with new plugs if not fitted already.
Lots of info on the web re clutch problems and solutions e.g OldBritts. I've never had a cable stretch so could be incorrect cable. Clutch plates would probably benefit from a good degreasing.
Not surprised the bikes weaving - especially with 3/8" rear wheel play.
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Previously simon_ratcliff…
Previously simon_ratcliff wrote:
I'd give the engine a leak down test so you'll know the state of the valves/seats/piston rings and cylinder bores.Engine misfire could be carburation or ignition.
If they're original carbs they'll probably be worn out so replacement would be worth considering - if not then ultrasonic cleaning works very well. Check ignition circuit for loose connections especially on the stator plate then check the ignition timing with new plugs if not fitted already.
Lots of info on the web re clutch problems and solutions e.g OldBritts. I've never had a cable stretch so could be incorrect cable. Clutch plates would probably benefit from a good degreasing.
Not surprised the bikes weaving - especially with 3/8" rear wheel play.
thxs ill clean them first
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Hello Stephen, welcome to Commando ownership! Lots of tired ones are like that. You have discovered the play in the isolastic suspension mounts at the front and rear of the engine. Even MOT testers sometimes mistake this for the swinging arm. 3/8"at the end of the rear tyresounds very typical for a worn setup but it is probably still quite rideable. Once you get the shimming right it will be a lot less than this. Search the web for 'commando isolastic shim adjustment' and similar phrases. I will let other people explain adjustable kits and their experience of fitting them.