1972 Norton Commando Combat Rebuild (7) - Fresh Parts have arrived

[@larrys.3992]

Those cases are gorgeous!

[@01jimmyjazz]

Be good to see it rebuilt, thanks for sharing guys

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Jimmy. Hopefully more to follow soon! Cheers, Mike

[@jltrack]

A repaint of the barrel looks to be in order. Cool stuff.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Jane. Yes, Dave is going to repaint the barrel. It should come up really nice. Best wishes, Mike

[@tadpoles10]

Good news & I agree the vapor blasting finish is outstanding, I'd be very happy with that. The barrel packaging was good unlike a set I ordered from MCN (in the UK) back in the early 60s. It came wrapped in newspaper (no bubble wrap in those days) in a cardboard box with two broken fins, fortunately accessible & being aluminium easily welded up. atvb t ..

[@swooshdave]

I definitely overpacked but I got the tub from Walmart and while I was walking around I found the cooler that fit perfectly. I think the cooler was $2 which is a steal compared to bubble wrap. The last think you want is to spend a lot of money and then have to deal with shipping damage. a few dollars more spent on packing can save you hundreds in repairs later.

[@BilgemasterBill]

Those vapor-blasted bits look swell...like they're still cooling from the foundry. For those on a tight budget, you can also get shiney results by just boiling those aluminum or aluminum alloy bits for about an hour with a bunch of rhubarb. A big enameled thrift store stock pot or turkey-sized roasting pan will do the trick nicely. As for rusty steel or iron bits or that favorite old crescent wrench you finally found in the back yard, a room temperature bath of 1 part molasses with 9 parts water for a week in any old plastic tub for about a week will carry away the rust and leave the good metal unscathed. Scrub, dry and rub down with a little spray lube or an oily rag, and Robert's your mother's brother.

[@01jimmyjazz]

Would this work to remove internal rust from a petrol tank ? thanks

[@BilgemasterBill]

In theory, sure, but in practice it might be better (and certainly quicker) with a fuel tank to use slightly more aggressive white vinegar, leaving it overnight (instead of a week or two with molasses), dumping in several nuts and bolts as agitators, vigorously shaking the thing, and then rinsing thoroughly with water, shaking out the bolts. There are also non-acidic treatments like Evapo-Rust for under 10 bucks that'll do the job nicely using chelating agents to carry off the rust (like molasses, but stronger). At the high end there are whole multi-part stripping and sealing systems like KBS Coatings' offerings. Whatever strategy you use, you would do well to sneak in an extra inline fuel filter up near the fuel petcock(s) to catch any debris sure to follow, so it doesn't wreak cloggery havoc in your carb.

[@01jimmyjazz]

Thank you

[@swooshdave]

There are many ways to clean aluminum but nothing will remove stains, debris or leave the surface in perfect condition like vapor blasting. When the head gets back from being rebuilt we'll be able to show the difference between sandblasting and vapor blasting. But I like your ingenuity, although I hate rhubarb... and it's probably worse boiled.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Haha, I'll have the rhubarb Dave for a crumble... yum... although it might taste a little 'metallic' ;)

[@crozwayne]

I see the replacement cases are numbered 200578, my old Commando was 200500 on frame, engine & gearbox and was probably built the same day or definately the same week as yours

[@TheMightyGarage]

Very cool, thanks a lot for sharing. Best wishes, Mike

[@jimh.5286]

Nice stuff.

[@sf940477]

It is like Xmas Mike he he take care ..

[@rudigerschmitz1997]

Won‘t you do the crank case and breather modification which is recommended in the Norton Andover service note for Combat-engines?

[@swooshdave]

These cases have already been modified. We may do a video on how to modify them with some of the other cases I have at a later date.

[@pauldavies3764]

Was given£261 by Bowens for my 750 Commando in part ex for Trident! Where is ADE 753K now?

[@geoffhalsey2184]

Is that high pressure water or steam cleaning? Very nicely done. That tiny chip on the barrel, where fin was welded, could of been better but I don't think anyone will notice once they are painted and on the bike. Great to see the project progressing.

[@swooshdave]

The head should completely hide the top fin, especially with the Combat head.

[@geoffhalsey2184]

@@swooshdave Yes, you are right. Just me being pedantic.

[@swooshdave]

Geoff Halsey Considering what you saw of the other barrel this was the better option.

[@geoffhalsey2184]

@@swooshdave Undoubtedly .

[@libertyman3072]

🔝🆒🏁 MA NORTON A MOI 🏁🆒🔝

[@rudigerschmitz1997]

And another question: how do they manage the welding of the broken fin, because the barrel is cast iron? I have the same thing to do. - many thanks for making and share all these interesting videos -

[@swooshdave]

Cast iron can be welded, don't ask me how but a competent welder shouldn't have a problem.

[@Jaysqualityparts]

I’ve seen a lot of parts made by emgo for my bike. How are the quality of there parts?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi, I would say that the quality is overall very good. The reproduction tanks for example are excellent. But for sure the Andover Norton parts are the best that you can buy in my opinion. Best wishes, Mike