Non-Laverda... any advice for buying a Commando?

I looked at quite a few Commandos, the plan was to sell my BSA rather than have two Brit twins. I wanted a drum brake interstate, 1971.
Whilst I was looking I stumbled across a picture of this thing called a Laverda SF1 750, better looking from some angles, electric start, cheaper. The rest - as they say - is history.

Except it's not quite. I spotted another A65 Thunderbolt locally that had had the whole catalogue thrown at it and more - bore kit, the lot. I bought that too. Still need to sell on BSA no 1, that's a job for next year.

Commandos do still float my boat, don't get me wrong, but if we're talking big Brit Twins then it's late Enfield Interceptor that get's me hot under the collar.
Royal-Enfield-Interceptor-Right-Side.jpg
 
The '73-'74's were some of the best. As long as the isolastics are adjusted correctly they are an enjoyable ride. The single Mic or Keihin carb mod makes them really tractable and they idle reliably. Some can have a 30-40 mph head waggle if the tires or isolastics are worn. I built one out of a Hi-Rider using 70,71,72 pieces, did it up with the scrambler pipes and painted it Barbie pink for my wife. Talk about pissing off the Black and Gold only set! Was a real kick to ride. Regrettably had to sell when we moved, I understand it went to Poland. I hope it's still pink, it was a really nice looking bike!
 
olly said:
I looked at quite a few Commandos, the plan was to sell my BSA rather than have two Brit twins. I wanted a drum brake interstate, 1971.
Whilst I was looking I stumbled across a picture of this thing called a Laverda SF1 750, better looking from some angles, electric start, cheaper. The rest - as they say - is history.

Except it's not quite. I spotted another A65 Thunderbolt locally that had had the whole catalogue thrown at it and more - bore kit, the lot. I bought that too. Still need to sell on BSA no 1, that's a job for next year.

Commandos do still float my boat, don't get me wrong, but if we're talking big Brit Twins then it's late Enfield Interceptor that get's me hot under the collar.
Royal-Enfield-Interceptor-Right-Side.jpg
Click to expand...
Ooh, yeah! My favourite brit twin too.

Engine looks like it's hewn from rock, much like a Laverda. Not as pretty as a mid-60's Bonneville, but it certainly has "something". Probably too heavy, too slow, etc, etc, but, who cares?

piet
 
Friend of mine locally who did a round the world trip on a Commando uses an SU carb. A common mod at the time though nobody's mentioned it?

Paul
 
Paul Marx said:
Friend of mine locally who did a round the world trip on a Commando uses an SU carb. A common mod at the time though nobody's mentioned it?

Paul
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SU conversion was developed by an ex Norton man , Hooper, works well . Triumph single carb Tiger was really good and running a big single Dellorto worked on XS 650- faster gas speed and no synchronisation problems.
People don’t want to hear single carb- they want two carbs, bigger the better!
I did all my college practical on a Commando- had more antiquated types of thread than any other bike and would walk out the workshop on tickover if I turned my back to pick up a strobe gun! I used to love kicking it over, big long swinging lunge then that noise, happy days for a sixteen year old.
 
1200 JOTA said:
I might sell mine ... thinking thinking thinking
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I've decided to make mine available if our BC colleage is interested ... PM me and I'll give you the details and take some pics.

It's a '75 Roadster MKIII in almost stock condition (except for the electrics) so ideal for a rider or to play with. CA registered and runs well.
 
Exmoor beast said:
SU conversion was developed by an ex Norton man , Hooper, works well . Triumph single carb Tiger was really good and running a big single Dellorto worked on XS 650- faster gas speed and no synchronisation problems.
People don’t want to hear single carb- they want two carbs, bigger the better!
I did all my college practical on a Commando- had more antiquated types of thread than any other bike and would walk out the workshop on tickover if I turned my back to pick up a strobe gun! I used to love kicking it over, big long swinging lunge then that noise, happy days for a sixteen year old.
Click to expand...
People who like twin carbs like others to set them up.

Paul
 
Exmoor beast said:
SU conversion was developed by an ex Norton man , Hooper, works well . Triumph single carb Tiger was really good and running a big single Dellorto worked on XS 650- faster gas speed and no synchronisation problems.
People don’t want to hear single carb- they want two carbs, bigger the better!
I did all my college practical on a Commando- had more antiquated types of thread than any other bike and would walk out the workshop on tickover if I turned my back to pick up a strobe gun! I used to love kicking it over, big long swinging lunge then that noise, happy days for a sixteen year old.
Click to expand...
Yes that's what I remember about my Commando, you needed every type of spanner in the universe.
 
Tippie said:
Wasn't the original Kawa Brit twin clone so close to the original that it even had the same oil leaks?
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I remember those Kawasaki W1 650's. I knew a bloke who bought one new back in about 1968. Was as close as you could get to a BSA without actually being a BSA. Seemed like a decent bike. Didn't leak oil or shake apart. Had better brakes than a BSA.

www.shannons.com.au

Old Bike Australasia: Kawasaki W1/2 650 - Shannons Club

The twin-carb W2 From the time the Edward Turner-designed Triumph Speed Twin stopped British Motorcycle Show-goers in their tracks in 1937, it seeme...
www.shannons.com.au
 
My take on buying old bikes that you had a yearning for when you were younger, but couldn’t afford etc etc, is that when you buy them years later they hardly ever live up to your expectations, unless of course you only intend to leave it in your garage and show it off to your friends.
Probably best to stick with what you know, says the mad fool with a garage full of ‘work in progress’ Laverdas. 😕
 
Hi,
I have two 750s at the moment, one is a 71 Roadster the other an original 750SS, I had a 73 850 interstate and miss it incredibly, in fact that will be the next thing added to my collection.
In my honest opinion I would without a doubt look for a 73 750, (first series 850) the later they are the slower they became and heavier they became. The 850 has much more torque than the 750 and although the 750 "feels" quicker it isn't in std form.
Keep the twin carbs, and keep the points ignition. Neither need much attention to keep good and contrary to what people say, Carbs do not go out of balance all the time, why would they?
If all is in good condition then it all works a treat. if you want something to neglect and still work then change the whole bike for a Honda CX500 :D
If you leave the Commando with standard ignition then even with a flat battery it will start with either a good kick or a push, don't bother with an electric start, a good kick is far more reliable and a good commando will start on two kicks.
Best advice. Pay for a good one. You will never regret buying the best.
Good luck and great choice.

Regards,
Julian
 
Andy, Funny you mention about bikes you yearned for as a youngster.
That is what re-sparked my bike interest.
I always wanted a red 850 commando interstate as one of my girlfriends brothers had one when I was 11 and I loved it.
I saw one advertised some years ago now and went from Belgium to Edinburgh to collect it. Fabulous bike!!!! Better than I had ever expected.
When I was 17 I saw the first model Ducati MHR on a turntable in the local bike showroom, only gods could touch that one, Needless to say I have one of those also now, Meets and exceeds all expectations.
Same shop a year later I saw a Honda CB1100R on the same turntable, Bought one of them also, Regret selling it but needed to at the time, that was actually better than imagined and too good if anything as it didn't feel "old"
And so on and so on, All my bikes are / were childhood memories and all met my expectations. As long as you expect them to be perfect in an un-perfect way. That is actually what makes them special.
Look at a 180 triple for instance.
Funny sounding engine, Fantastic in a special way,
Heavy brute, again, fantastic in a special way,
Big and a little unwieldy but that what makes it even more special.
Adding up to a dream of a bike. just looking at it makes you respect it as it looks like a heavyweight boxer waiting for its next victim.
Now what's next to look for? Ah yes, money to pay for it all. I'll be back to work then.
Ciao, Jules
 
Dellortoman said:
I remember those Kawasaki W1 650's. I knew a bloke who bought one new back in about 1968. Was as close as you could get to a BSA without actually being a BSA. Seemed like a decent bike. Didn't leak oil or shake apart. Had better brakes than a BSA.

www.shannons.com.au

Old Bike Australasia: Kawasaki W1/2 650 - Shannons Club

The twin-carb W2 From the time the Edward Turner-designed Triumph Speed Twin stopped British Motorcycle Show-goers in their tracks in 1937, it seeme...
www.shannons.com.au
Click to expand...
There is an article in Classic Bike this month with one of those motors in a featherbed frame.
 
I have a 1972 commando and like it. Much lighter than my Laverda 750's. Parts availability is very good and they are easy to work on. In factory stock form they can be an unreliable piece of shit and you will find many people who bought them new and say it was the worst bike they ever had. Quality control was non-existent as most of the Norton factory workers were worried each day could be their last.

Luckily every mechanical problem they left the factory with a modern part has been developed to fix it! At that point they are the most practical of British twins to own. Mine has a single AMAL monobloc on it and it starts and idles perfect. Also still has the points ignition.

Dellorto man, yes the XS650 is reliable and does not leak oil. But, they handle so bad every turn on a mountain road will scare you to death. I wanted one back in the 1970's until I rode one. Bought a 1961 Triumph Bonneville instead which I still have.
 
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