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Submitted by simon_mannell on Wed, 29/01/2020
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Commando

Good evening. I have just acquired a 1974 850 mk2a Interstate. I think. I don’t collect it for a few days so I’m not 100% certain exactly what it is.  Despite 40-50 bikes in the past nearly 50 years this is my first Norton. I’m really looking forward to recommissioning it after its 2 year lay up. I know it has a few immediate issues to resolve, a faulty master cylinder and front caliper - the bits are supplied with it.  I’ll get it up in the bike lift and set to getting it all sorted out, hopefully it won’t prove too arduous as it has only covered a genuine 10,000 miles and looks like new.  Get ready for plenty of questions. If there happens to be anybody in the Exeter area who’d care to share a cup of tea and a slice of cake while answering loads of questions then please let me know. 

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Submitted by jonathan_newton on Thu, 30/01/2020

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Looks like a well cared for example of one of the better Commando derivatives.  Enjoy it!!

Submitted by pwhite105 on Thu, 30/01/2020

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Hi Simon

Welcome to the club! We have around a dozen members based in Exeter but unfortunately no branch as yet?

There's plenty of useful resources on this site however. Look under the 'Technical' heading for lots of stuff about Commandos like your nice Mk 2a and there's 50 years of Roadholder articles under 'Roadholder' covering just about everything!

Good luck with the front brake refurb and hope to see you perhaps at one of our events!

Peter

Submitted by simon_mannell on Thu, 30/01/2020

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Many thanks for your comments, I hope to spend many an hour sorting this machine out.   

@Andy - thanks for your offer I’d like to take you up on it sometime. I need to find out if there is a messaging service on here first.  Your Caliper repair is a worthy read as mine is one of the first jobs to do, along with the master cylinder.   

I’ve read the most recent 7 pages on here for hints and tips, but I’ve a lot of questions bubbling under the surface already. Itching to get started..........

 

Simon 

Submitted by andrew_heathwood on Thu, 30/01/2020

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Simon

Messaging works by left-clicking on the person's name (see image captured below):

Result of left-clicking on person's name

Then click on the 'Contact' tab (see message image below):

Contact tab for messaging

And away you go.

Andy

Welcome. I've been a membef on and off for 20 years? I don't know your financial situation but consider improvements over originality if you want to stop in an emergency ! When I realised the original set up was a danger to life in modern traffic I fitted a larger disc and uprated calliper from mick hemmings. This helped but still scarey . Mothballed for several years and  have now fitted an rgm master cylinder reline kit. Finally feels like your'e not pulling against a seized cylinder and although not up to modern braking it is much better (safer) than factory. There are many options and many opinions on what's best. Research wisely. Cheers, Roy.

Submitted by simon_mannell on Sun, 02/02/2020

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Thanks Roy,

yep, plenty of research going on at the moment as I don’t collect the beast till Monday, then I can see exactly what needs doing. I think I’ve gone through each article in the last 18 pages of the Commando forum so far. 

I am aware that both the caliper and master cylinder have thrown in the towel and need to be attended to. A job I’m quite happy to undertake as until I retired from racing 10 years ago I used to offer a caliper overhaul service for the 6 pots fitted Busas and many others. Apparently there are the required seal kits in with a box of other spare parts included in the sale.  I’ve seen a lot of reference to the 13mm resleeve kit, also a 13mm option complete cylinder from a couple of sources. This is along with several versions of uprated calipers and discs. Many years ago I rebuilt a Yamaha XS750 and the brakes on it were horrendous, partly the discs but also the wrong cylinder diameter and ratios.

it is my intention to recommission the bike back to totally factory stock - however, for safety reasons as you quite rightly mention, I have no concern about changing cylinder, caliper and disc if I can get an operable braking system. Then, if I ever decided to sell, the original stock stuff would be included as I will not undertake anything that can’t be simply reverse engineered. 

I welcome any suggestions what would be a sensible braking system - I will want to retain the stock switchgear and not just fit any old 13mm master cylinder though.   

 

Submitted by james_fanning on Mon, 03/02/2020

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Finally gave up with the standard Norton-Lockheed front brake on both my Mk1a and Mk3 850s and fitted a Norvil kit to the Mk1a and an RGM kit to the Mk3. Both are similar and use the same the Lockheed Racing caliper. Front braking greatly improved and even better don't need servicing or unseizing if bikes stand unused for long periods. Kits are not cheap but will transform front braking on your Mk2a.   

Submitted by robert_finan on Thu, 25/03/2021

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I recently joined the club and was wondering if there are many members in the west of Scotland. 

If so would any of them be interested in a meet up on a regular basis at an agreed venue.

I am based near Helensburgh Argyll would this be a suitable location for a monthly/bi-monthly meeting. Any ideas welcome.

Submitted by john_holmes on Thu, 25/03/2021

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A few years ago there was a regular monthly meeting south of Glasgow at the Fenwick Hotel. Lack of numbers killed it off after 18 months or so.

 


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