What do I look for when buying ?

Alright Steven, in my opinion be wary of immaculate bikes with stainless everything and low annual mileage. For reliability and performance a scruffy example, but mechanically sound - oil tight engine, reliable tickover etc, and which has several thousand miles under its belt since the last rebuild is a better bet. At least you would be confident in the bike arriving at your chosen destination.Some owners happily spend hundreds of pounds on paint and chrome, but think engine work is expensive. I 've never heard of a bike breaking down due to the wrong colour petrol tank. Good luck and beware some of the self proclaiming experts. Personally I avoid Norvillike the plague.

HELLO STEVEN, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD RESTORED 850 COMMANDO THAT IS WELL SORTED WITH NO FAULTS I WILL SELL YOU MINE THANKS COLIN. 01704 229218 OR 07973846711

Hi Steve

John Dunn is theclubs technical man for Commando's. He is a nice guy and obviously very knowledgeable about Commando's. He might know of abike forsale and give you some good advice, he has helped me a lot over the years with my 850es. As you live in Romford he is quite local to you. Contact him on his clubemail address.

Good luck Peter

Previously wrote:

Hi all,

I am a new member with no bike at the moment, I am looking high and low for a Commando can I beg advise on buying. 750 or 850 old dog or perfect ? e-bay or small ad's, many thanks Steve Kirby ( Essex )

Hi Steven,

I was a bit in the dark when I bought mine but the essential things I looked for were that it started well and the engine pulled strongly,the gears and clutch worked ,the brakes stopped it and all the electrical equipment worked. It came with a well charged battery which managed to hide the fact that the rectifier was kapput. I later discovered the cylinder head sleeve nut thread had gone. I`ve done a fair bit of work since but it`s the best bike I`ve ever had ..and there`s been a few.

Chris

Steven,

I am absolutely no expert but I have just done the self same thing; be very aware that if you buy a MkIII e/s without a working e/s you will probably be looking at a bill in between £250 and £650 (if you replace the starter motor itself to get rid of the obsolete Prestolite 2 brush affair), to make it work properly.

So budget for that.

I would also advise that you go for a bike with 18" wheels (these are my personal preference, the concours chaps will disagree, but as I intend to ride mine regularly I like the idea of being able to put some decent tyres on it - Metzlers probably - all advised by Norman White); and some sort of modified, or at least properly maintained isolastics (verniers), and head steady.

Watch out for the clutch too!

I was advised to avoid the combat motor unless it has been suitably modified.

Don't be afraid of bikes with Mikuni or other types of carburetor, if the work is done properly - this can be a definite advantage! The majority of the old Amals will be worn out, and they were never consistently good in the first place in my personal experience.

Electronic ignition is also a real advantage - be aware however that Boyer transistorised ignition can cause backfiring that can destroy your sprag clutch. This is due to mis-timing caused by the low voltage due to the starter loading the 12v rail at starting! Old style points or Pazon is apparemty what you need if you want to fix this properly. All part of my current shopping list. Anyone like a Boyer ignition cheap...

Otherwise this is a great practical choice of bike, because as well as being handsome motorcycles, they are great bikes to ride and work on, spares are good and they are a useful practical choice when suitably modified.

Previously wrote:

Hi all,

I am a new member with no bike at the moment, I am looking high and low for a Commando can I beg advise on buying. 750 or 850 old dog or perfect ? e-bay or small ad's, many thanks Steve Kirby ( Essex )

Hi Steven,

Personally I would avoid the 850 MkIII. It has the extra weight and complication of the electric start. For some reason, maily because the are the last ones built, people seem to ask rather a lot for them. What I suggest you look for is as others have mentioned, not a concours machine, but one that gets steady road use. Electronic ignition definitely recommended. Also look for 850 MkIII Isolastics, they're not hard to fit, but if they're on already it's one less job, and it makes adjustment a doddle. You also, if you decide to go for an early bike, like a 750 Fatsback etc, want a later head steady. There is an article in this months Classic Bike about which Commando, Bonnie etc is best. Mick Hemmings recommends 850 Mk11A Roadster.