Rick's 1975 Norton 850 Commando MkIII Roadster
- Thread starter grandpaul
- Start date
10/13
Ready to dig into the primary chaincase...
Looks a bit neglected, black oil
Shifter crossover shaft was well and truly rusted to the coupler, regardless of the rubber bootie. The replacement bootie will get a bit of RTV silicone to seal it up.
Ready to dig into the primary chaincase...
Looks a bit neglected, black oil
Shifter crossover shaft was well and truly rusted to the coupler, regardless of the rubber bootie. The replacement bootie will get a bit of RTV silicone to seal it up.
Clutch plates are not too bad; they'll clean right up.
With the alternator, starter drive bits, and primary chain tensioner removed, the primary just needed the usual alternator rotor and drive sprocket pullers, and off it all came.
Front isolastic is sacked and deteriorating.
With the alternator, starter drive bits, and primary chain tensioner removed, the primary just needed the usual alternator rotor and drive sprocket pullers, and off it all came.
Front isolastic is sacked and deteriorating.
10/13
Primary drive and transmission (tranny yet to be torn down and inspected)
Pulling the rear isolastic was easier than I anticipated, the through bolt wasn't frozen inside the iso sleeve as is very typical. Swingarm spindle slid right out. That's it, bare frame!
Primary drive and transmission (tranny yet to be torn down and inspected)
Pulling the rear isolastic was easier than I anticipated, the through bolt wasn't frozen inside the iso sleeve as is very typical. Swingarm spindle slid right out. That's it, bare frame!
10/14/16 Engine disassembly-
Timing cover was nice and clean, just a bit of sludge at the bottom.
Absolutely zero baked on / blackened oil; this bike got decent regular maintenance and was never thrashed.
Very little sludge in the timing chest, one of the cleanest I've seen, 20+ Commando engines overhauled.
Timing cover was nice and clean, just a bit of sludge at the bottom.
Absolutely zero baked on / blackened oil; this bike got decent regular maintenance and was never thrashed.
Very little sludge in the timing chest, one of the cleanest I've seen, 20+ Commando engines overhauled.
10/14/16
All of the cam drivetrain and oil pump removed.
Like new, not even a hint of oil in the rockerbox covers (rockers and valve springs have a nice film of clean oil on them)
Champion N3C are incorrect fitment. Right plug just a touch lean, left side a bit rich. Readings may be off, due to incorrect plug spec (should be N7YC).
All of the cam drivetrain and oil pump removed.
Like new, not even a hint of oil in the rockerbox covers (rockers and valve springs have a nice film of clean oil on them)
Champion N3C are incorrect fitment. Right plug just a touch lean, left side a bit rich. Readings may be off, due to incorrect plug spec (should be N7YC).
From 10/14/16
Back sides of the rods show just a bit of scuffing. I'm sure this must have been how they were installed, this engine has never been disturbed.
Front sides of the rods nice and clean. ZERO evidence of small end heating which turns them brown or even black. These are just a bit yellowed.
Bottom of the engine shows it had some life-long oil weepage which caked on pretty significantly.
Back sides of the rods show just a bit of scuffing. I'm sure this must have been how they were installed, this engine has never been disturbed.
Front sides of the rods nice and clean. ZERO evidence of small end heating which turns them brown or even black. These are just a bit yellowed.
Bottom of the engine shows it had some life-long oil weepage which caked on pretty significantly.
Piston front faces show witness discoloration where the cylinder skirt cut-outs reach (I didn't think they went that high up). I've never noticed this prominent coloration. No significant scuffing or scratches.
Piston rear faces look pretty much like the fronts.
A bit of blow-by on the piston sides. At a minimum, the bike will get new rings (still need to mic everything).
Piston rear faces look pretty much like the fronts.
A bit of blow-by on the piston sides. At a minimum, the bike will get new rings (still need to mic everything).
Left case half looks pretty decent, just a faint residue of sludge on the bottom. No chips, chunks, sludge or dirt.
Right case half looks just like the left. Superblend main bearings are in excellent shape.
The crank has been liberated from the cases.
Right case half looks just like the left. Superblend main bearings are in excellent shape.
The crank has been liberated from the cases.
Virtually zero sludge in the crank trap. Just a bit of gooey, dark oil.
Hardly dirty sludge trap.
Rod bearing shells are in very good condition, just a bit of easy wear, no scratches. Almost all of my photos are right side parts on the right, left side parts on the left (same with head, plugs, pistons, etc.)
Just need to tear apart the transmission and head, carbs, and forks, and the disassembly phase will be done.
Hardly dirty sludge trap.
Rod bearing shells are in very good condition, just a bit of easy wear, no scratches. Almost all of my photos are right side parts on the right, left side parts on the left (same with head, plugs, pistons, etc.)
Just need to tear apart the transmission and head, carbs, and forks, and the disassembly phase will be done.
Inner cover looks more normal inside the inner face...
Dirtiest place on the whole bike.
Last of the sludge, not TOO bad in the gearcase itself.
Transmission done. That's probably it till Monday.
Engine disassembled except for head & carbs.
End of a L-O-N-G day.
Dirtiest place on the whole bike.
Last of the sludge, not TOO bad in the gearcase itself.
Transmission done. That's probably it till Monday.
Engine disassembled except for head & carbs.
End of a L-O-N-G day.
