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Submitted by robin_smith1 on Fri, 08/01/2021
Forums
Commando

Hi all, I'm a brand new NOC member excitedly awaiting the delivery of my 71 Fastback. I've been trawling through the various forums and have been really impressed with the amazing knowledge and enthusiasm of you members. I had many brit bikes back in the day and did a bit of road racing but had no clue about things like crankcase breathing  and wet sumping.. something that seems to be a big deal now..   Also the whole thing about fuel and fibreglass tanks is new to me now. The bike I'm buying is fairly unmolested and not restored but will arrive serviced and MOT'd  and ready to ride to club meets. Any advice to a new owner of a 50 year old Commando would be gratefully  received. Cheers Rob.

 

Submitted by webmaster on Sat, 09/01/2021

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Hi Robin - well done on your new bike and joining the club - your in the right place.

If your Commando is standard, it should run and ride OK, but there are many many upgrades you can make to turn it into a bike you know will get you home. I could try and list them all, but there are so many improvements to make. Best bet is to keep reading the forum posts and look at the Commando section under Technical in the blue banner top of page. We are also lucky in the UK to have a good source of parts for the Commando - our NOC shop, Novil, RGM, Andover Norton.

Not on our shores but one of my favorites (I visited them a few years ago)....

https://www.hollandnortonworks.eu/en

Regards - Paul.

Submitted by richard_mills on Sat, 09/01/2021

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For practical hints and tips read the club's 'Commando Service Notes' (serialised in monthly Roadholder), and 'INOA Technical Digest' (available from NOC Shop).

Submitted by robin_smith1 on Sat, 09/01/2021

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Thanks for the welcome and information Paul. Yes the info from this forum is massive and most interesting. I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what I've got and making sensible mods without detracting from the original. In particular regard to oil tightness and braking. I will check out the link you kindly posted.

Cheers

Rob

Submitted by peter_stowe on Sat, 09/01/2021

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Hi ya Robin, welcome to the club and ownership of a Commando. After 36 years of Commando ownership my advice is to read lots about them and stick to keeping them mainly standard. Standard bikes have standard problems with standard solutions and easily available spares. Thats not to say that some improvements like electronic ignition and vernier isolastics are worth doing. Most of the problems we all experience are age related, like rusty connections and general wear. They are no worse than any other bike of the same age.

It's a good friendly club with a lot of interesting events going on (pandemics permiting), so get along to those.

Hi Richard, I just recieved my first copy of Roadholder, most interesting and imformative. Ive been trawling through various publications  but havent come across the IONA Technical Digest yet,  So will give it peruse. Many thanks for the info.

Cheers Rob

 

 

Hi Peter, thanks for the welcome, I must say the forum seems very friendly and a real mine of information. I've also joined my NOC local branch ( Surrey UK ) and I can't wait to be able to ride the bike to a local meeting.

Your advice follows my thoughts exactly and I have purchased all the usual manuals and Norman Whites Restoration Manual which I got for a fair bit less on Amazon than the £40 quoted in a well known Monthly Classic subscription paper...

Cheers Rob

 


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