New member says hello and asks question

Welcome back to the fold Chris. I'll pitch in on the first query. The Mk3 anti-drain valve has a small bleed hole behind it but can easily stick back in the housing (the spring is very light).

I've found it advantageous to polish the side of the plunger so that it's an easy sliding fit in the housing. It seals on the tip, so a little side clearance is not a problem.

The new production Andover Norton oil pumps seem to be much better at resisting drainage and I'd regard 'a couple of days' as rather too short for a pump in good condition. If it were mine, I might well consider a new oil pump.

Hi Chris, 530 chain is correct for Commandos but you won't be able to fit an o ring chain as it's too wide 530 means 5/8" pitch and 3/8" width..... 520 is 5/8 X 2/8 (1/4")

I wouldn't put inferior shocks on a bike, you get what you pay for. My Brother's CX500 with £50 shocks was "shocking" Hagon's would be the way ahead IMHO.

Fuel pipe 5/16" bore

Well worth investing a few quid in a proper workshop manual or at least the American Tech notes available from this website I believe (NOCSHOP)

INOA Tech digest is what you want £12 nocshop

Hi Chris & Welcome,

I would suggest that (if not already purchased)you get a copy of the MK III Workshop manual (£20)from Andover Norton: http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/JRP/jrframes.htm

The parts list (£13:50) is a good investment & also helps with (dis-)assembly. (you can also access this online under the Andover webshop). As an e.g. I scanned& printed pages from myparts list/manual to pin on the garage wall when I removed the head toreplace the guides (saves grubby fingers on pages and info is immediately to hand).

The Haynes manual is quite helpful and I think still widely available, you will find the (imo better) Clymer manual appearingevery so often on eBay.

Shocks depend on your budget, as David says 'you get what you pay for'. Andover listanacceptablereplacement pairat £75

http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton%20Website/norton/parts-list.php

You could spend more on a pair of Hagon's & get a better product. I bit the bullet a few months ago & bought a pair of IKON Dial A Rides (ref: 7610-1653) from Norman Hyde - imo they are excellent;though considerably more than £75 they can berebuilt. Other choices areavailable.

Regards,

Mike

MK III Commando

Hi Chris,

I'm in Settle &joined the NOC last year. I've a couple of Norton singles amongst other things. No experience withCommando stuff specifically, but I've been doing bikes for a long time.

If you want to meet up for a chat drop me an email duncansmith66@yahoo.com

Regard

Duncan

I've heard that later editions of the factory manual had the thread direction corrected. I fell for that one. Having bought bearings and seals one Saturday before lunch and after destroying the lock-ring, I was back a few hours later for a new lock-ring, to be told at the spares counter "They're not left-hand thread, you know"

There was also a parts book which showed the oil filter plumbed into the feed line. It's not just on the internet that you can't believe everything that's written !

On your point 1 re the anti-oil drain valve arrangement in the timing cover, it was very much a last gasp afterthought designon the Mk 3 by Norton and never really worked that well.Got tired of the clouds of white smokewhen starting after a bike had beensitting a while andgave up on fiddling with minefinally fittingthe high quality Mick Hemmings oil pipe in-line valve (about36 quid)which hassolved all wet sumping permanently. I'm often leaving bike for three months between runs and oil tank level never drops a milimetre.

Congrats on buying a MkIII, the best sorted of the lot. Hagons are great. My Mk3 has Marzocchi's with 5 presets. They are very good but I've no idea if they are still available.

Regards Rob.