I agree, IMHO most Commando owners are familiar with the springtime regimen of draining the crankcase if the oil tank level is low when they kick it over when the snow is gone. There are lots of "experts" out there that have more experience and knowledge than I do. I'm kind of a newcomer as I've only been at this for about 60 years so I'm just throwing out some of my accumulated observances and will gladly defer to the more informed people out there.

@@saywhatsaywhat1 Yes, the situation that I'm really concerned about with wet sump starts is the situation where previous wet sump starts have damaged the crankseal and the primary is full of engine oil. A few cranks and oil is spurting from the return in the tanks so "all is OK"; a few more kicks and the return stops bubbling -- everything has been taken care of. Then the start and not only is the crankcase overpressurized - granted, pneumatically instead of hydraulically - but there's little oil in the engine or tank because so much is in the primary. All appears OK until the effects of too low/too hot oil appear. With luck, the rider recognizes this and rechecks the oil level in the tank (which has never refilled). A wet sumped Commando engine is a serious situation. That's why I say that I am not much bothered by *how* a rider doesn't start a wet sumped engine, only that they find a good way to prevent it happening due to the dire effects of it going wrong. I, too, am a newcomer at this - my experience only goes back 56 years of Commando ownership, 53 years of racing, and some other involvement. Plus, I had little dealing with Commandos when I worked on the the Rotary project at Shenstone (so that was a gap) but I've tried to keep up with Commandos by owning at least one over the years. I'm sure that we both have shared the situation where the "experts" have a lot to say over the years. It just comes with the territory. It's great to see videos with lots of knowledge and experience in them, so please keep up the good work that you're doing.

The A70 had a longer stroke, and bespoke crankcases but the bore was the same as the 650. Supposedly 250 were produced and genuine survivors are rare.

@@saywhatsaywhat1 Thank you. That's interesting history and it fills in details that I wondered about.

@gorblimey61 Good observation, we did check and the crankcase does have the correct casting mark, the "7" stamped inside a circle on the crankcase. Yes the bore was the same as the 650. BSA lore is not my strong suit but thanks for keeping me honest.

@streetscrambler8075 yes, I've seen his bikes, quite impressive.

Thanks for the kind words, I've had a second chance at life and I'm blessed to to be able to do what I did as a teenager, work on old bikes and cars.

Yikes, good news that you found it, bad news that it happened. My guess is the bike probably had been sitting for quite a while and oil pump lost its prime. After a hibernation, always a good idea to prime the pump by taking the feed line off and squirting oil in there to make sure.

I think you are correct, I am running without a check valve for now and installed an oil pressure gauge for peace of mind.

@@JohnJones-or4qh more like polished alloy, but thanks for the comment.

@garysmith8276 They really are memorable bikes, I've had a few and they all do have a strong chatacter.

Yes I remember that test, there was some question about the bike being a ringer but it wasn't unusual for all manufacturers to try that trick. I did show the taillight to my buddy's Kawa 900 though. We were both surprised.

@@saywhatsaywhat1 I'd have to guess you got him in 3rd gear...

@np1663 Well, that comment can go either way LOL. Any way, thanks for looking!

@@saywhatsaywhat1 haha it could but it’s meant in the most complimentary way. A phenomenal amount of work and dedication must have gone into this bike. It certainly shows.

My initial thought would be to put a switch in series with the power, less chance of harming the box itself. That's how my Norton works. It probably wouldn't hurt in the long run but why take the chance.

@@chuck5713 I sold it a few years ago.

@mysticapprentice as I said, I tried the typically supplied seals and no joy. The originals are square cut so not even a typical oring. After looking closely they didn't really seem thick enough to protrude above the manifold itself so I figured it was worth a shot to try something thicker. Not easy access there either as I'm sure you've already seen. Anyway it worked our fine in the end, best of luck, I've been wrenching on this stuff for over 50 years but learn every day...

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. Indeed, it's surprising how much information and knowledge seems to always come up around these bikes. Part of why we love them I guess!

It's like sailboat racing, perfecting an obsolete mode of transportation .

@JohnBlomquist well back in the day there were a number of shops that would mill out the threads and weld in an insert. Fair spares comes to mind but I don't know who's doing it now. Needless to say, the head has to come off and get shipped out. No miracle fix on this one I'm afraid.

Thanks for the offer but I'd rather keep the patina at the level where it is now.

No comparison really, the Commando is far and away a better machine.

Yes, a battery is required, mine is off screen.

No issues, well designed

Glad you think so, not everyone was complimentary. I would have installed clip ons and rearsets but i'm afraid my back wouldn't tolerate it.

That works

I sold it a couple of years ago but the last time I did a moto Giro it showed between 55 to 60 I think. Pretty good for a 185 anyway.

you know Yamaha advertised 85 to 90 mph on this bike

@jkjodi yeah I know ,lol. My yds3 may have but not the 185

Yes, fully agree, I'll have some time in the next day or two to do more digging. No history on the bike so it's all forensic wrenching.

Yep

I guess it depends on HOW far they are out. Loctite stud and bearing mount is made for the job. They make it in a couple of variations so check out their website for specs. I have used it in the past with good results.

In the case of the trans probably 3 to7 thousands that bore is out of round. Engine bores around one or two thousands. @@saywhatsaywhat1

One or two thou, no problem using loctite. Seven thou is more of an issue.@@peterrestaino7047

thanks for the reply@@saywhatsaywhat1