1974 Norton Commando 850 - Floppy Clutch Lever

[@zepelin-on-road]

Excellent approach to repair instead of throwing and replace, that’s when you recognize a good mechanic ! 👍🤝

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks 👍 glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lovely. Much better than buying a new one. And way more satisfying.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, cheers, Mike

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I was about 12 when I came to understand "the lathe is the mother of all machine tools" and built a crude lathe to do the same job first to bicycle levers, and then to motorcycle levers and parts. I eventually became a machinist and have been in that trade for some fifty years. Almost any part to fine machines can be customized and improved to get the best performance and life out of the machines we love. It's great to see someone using a small cheap machine tool to personalize their favorite ride! Very nicely done, Mike!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks John. All respect goes to Geoff and his incredible ability to be able to turn his hand to anything.. he’s truly a very talented guy and I really appreciate learning so much from him. I would love to get one of those little hobby lathes one of these days. Geoff bought his years ago for a small project on his Vincent and he says it’s one of the best tools he’s ever bought. Best wishes, Mike

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

@@TheMightyGarage Hi Mike, I am a custom builder, mostly retired and I can't express how much pleasure I've gotten from your channel. I watch every video because you have such interesting friends and the bikes have all been beautiful. I hope to build a few more bikes in my life, got three in the works now and really get a lot of ideas from what you present. My greatest hope is to get out your way in the next year or so and meet you, maybe on a bike you'd enjoy. I'm about four thousand miles away but sometimes I feel like you're just next door. Thanks for all you do for the loves of our lives.

[@madgardener5820]

I never realised floppiness was such a widespread problem. I too suffer with floppiness but thanks to Mighty Garage I'm no longer embarrassed and now feel empowered to face the problem and tackle it head on. I can see it's important to have a friend with a lathe who you can talk to. Thank you Mighty, thank you. DON'T BE ASHAMED OF FLOPPINESS.

[@alansivkoff282]

Just anther sign of old age?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, it feels so much better to chat with my friends like you 😀😉 thanks for your emotional support as we work through this condition together😀😀

[@stewy62]

Your creative juices are flowing Mike in more ways than one ! 🇬🇧

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉😀😀😉

[@MotoFelipe]

Nice work Mike! After watching this I checked mine and it flopped a lot also. I had some brass sheet that was 0.020 thick which was what the wear measured. Lever was only worn on bottom side. Filed the not worn part and drilled and cut the shim. Now no flopping. Thanks for this video. Never would have addressed it otherwise. I’ll send you some pictures.

[@colnuttall9035]

Being seri for a moment, theris a special joy to be had when your bikes tight tollerances in all the things you interact with. Great video Mike.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks, Colin. I’m glad you enjoy the videos. I’ve got a lot more garage videos coming soon on the BSA and other project bikes over the winter. Take care, Mike

[@brookeshenfield7156]

I wish I had you in 2004 when I restored my ‘74 Commando. Excellent work.

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Good little job

[@BrendanGM]

Thank you Mike for the Wednesday night cup of cocoa! You mention making a couple of those bushings. Years ago I met a tool and die maker from Sheffield who told me "I won't make two. That's production's job."

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you, Brendan. Yes I actually made a few inquiries into having a batch made as a production lot and it is pretty expensive. I may still consider it if there’s enough demand.

[@Tunatime-g1g]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@jameskwaka]

Mate, you are a legend.

[@TheMightyGarage]

☺️ many thanks James, you are too kind 😉🙏🙏

[@henryhawk978]

Nice cure for the floppee clutch handle done the correct way. Enjoyed the video Mike and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Henry. I hope all is well. Best wishes, Mike

[@gillestrombetta3019]

Hello Mike ,superbe travail ,très méticuleux ,j’adore 😊

[@TheMightyGarage]

Salut Gilles. I hope all is well. Best wishes, Mike

[@VonRyansExpress-v3r]

That's a beautiful job and so worth doing 😊 . . .

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike

[@philmuskett265]

That sure stop 'em floppen!!!! Good job.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, thanks a lot, Phil.😆

[@elmerfudd1086]

Well done sir❤. Great tip as well as really good workmanship

[@TheMightyGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Mike.

[@martinowl]

What a nice job you made of that.👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@guyfuller1369]

GREAT video! I appreciate your humorous analogical opening. And that little bushing press device is brilliant.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, Guy. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike

[@joea5810]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, Mike. So relaxing and professional.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks, Joe. Glad you enjoyed the video. I should have some more videos from the garage coming up soon, now that the weather has started to change. Best wishes, Mike

[@Oskars_Motorrad-Abenteuer]

Well done ! Oskar is impressed. He uses thin shims to do the job. But obviously your solution is technically much better.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi, the shim method may actually be better than this as it protects the inner surfaces of the perch and spreads the load, but this worked very well and should last for a good while. Best wishes, Mike

[@manfredmatzdorf4728]

Hey, Mike, very nice work…. Looks great! Greetings from northern Germany Manfred

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

It's great to see responses to this from far away parts of our world!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Manfred. I hope all is well.

[@geneahart5607]

Nice to watch you work Mike! Excellent!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks,Gene. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. More projects coming from the garage over the winter soon.

[@nigelcox7477]

Just don’t play with it too much…. Quality job, well done. 😎👍❤️✅

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉😉 thanks a lot, Nigel.

[@ashleyhoward8926]

A good repair, well done. You might like to part off on the lathe next time, it's a neat job. My original clutch is ever so slightly heavier than your's. Thanks for posting.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for the tip, Ashley. I appreciate it. Best wishes, Mike

[@johnrowley4993]

I’ve been waiting for someone to comment but sadly I’m going to be a bit of a party pooper I’m afraid. Correct me if I’m wrong (I hope I am, but don’t think I am) but the perch is made of an aluminium alloy. The bush is made of steel and will wear the perch in short order, so you’re going to be worse off. There are a number of remedies but none are simple. Stainless steel shims top and bottom together with your current modifications should work but would probably need the perch widening a little. Apologies for being negative. Love the channel Mike

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for your comment, John. I know what you mean. I’ll keep my eye on wear and tear of the perch from time to time. Hopefully it will last a while. The last bushing was also steel and lasted about 50 years, so hopefully I’ll have a little time. Cheers, Mike

[@Cobra427Veight]

I had that on my 73 norton 750, I just managed to get a proper shim washer in there , it's good now .

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you, yes, I think the shim is possibly the best way to do this mod, but hopefully this new bushing will last a while. Cheers, Mike

[@raypusey8037]

Dear Mighty Garage, please could you send me, shall we say 1/2 million of those bushes for starters with the view of purchasing more in the future. Many thanks in advance : Ray 🇬🇧. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes, absolutely Ray 😀😉

[@nigeldavis4220]

Brilliant! A very satisfying little project, well done. Looking forward to hearing about your super light clutch, particularly as mine is currently stripped out in readiness for the installation of my new Alton electric start kit.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you, Nigel. Good luck with the Alton. They are so great. Hope everything is going well with your bikes. Speak again soon. Cheers, Mike

[@tadpoles10]

Nice one Mike, that little mod should last another few years .. 😉 .. 👍 atvb t .. 🏍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, Terry. Yes, hopefully it will last for many more years. The last one lasted 50, so I might not need that long 😉😀

[@jimandcharfrancis3857]

It was nice to watch this after experiencing all the stress of the elections. Looks like it really helps to have a friend with a lathe. I notice you using your much newer motorcycle (Thurston?) on some of your rides. Like when you don't have time for break downs.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, Jim. Yes, it’s been fun riding the Thruxton recently. It’s so much easier and it’s a terrific bike. Best wishes, Mike

[@colnuttall9035]

Mike, throw a couple of those blue pills in your petrol tank ! Floppy lever happens to us all at some point in our lives, but help is at hand (so to speak). You are on the right track thinking about the bush mate. Australia.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, thanks a lot, Col! 😉😀 I really appreciate the advice. Best wishes, Mike

[@splodge57]

For those who don't have a lathe would Andover Norton who supplied the bolt also be able to supply the bush?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi, I looked but couldn't see that Andover Norton produced or anyone else for that matter. I'm considering having a batch made if there is enough demand. Cheers, Mike

[@alanhodge984]

at 73 my lever somewhat floppy but still attached

[@TheMightyGarage]

At least it’s still attached, Alan, 😉😀

[@user-ff9cr1pj5r]

Careful Mike you might wear it out, testing it. 😂 great job though.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, thank you! I will try to be careful 😉😀

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

They sell Central Machinery lathes in England?Do they Harbor Freight there too?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Chris, yes. They are pretty popular and I'm sure that's where Geoff bought his lathe from. Cheers, Mike

[@daveco1270]

You must be a little OCD like I am. Floppy levers bug me. I use thin washers on the top and or bottom to take up some of the space that allows the lever to move up and down in the perch. It helps a little. I don't have the machinery or the skill to make new bushings. You should make a batch of those to sell on the MG website.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot, Dave. I did actually make a few inquiries about having some production lots made, but they are pretty expensive. I may possibly revisit it if there’s a demand. Cheers, Mike

[@timmyc7898]

Hi, thank you! I have thought about how to solve this problem on my 72. I was going to try to shim it, but know I don’t have too. Thanks!!

[@TheMightyGarage]

You're welcome! Best wishes, Mike

[@peterturnham5134]

I have a 63 650SS concours and a 64 Atlas completely production race modified. Back in the day I visited Peter Williams in Andover to look at Belt drive. I touched one of his bikes... Oooh the clutch was light. I asked how do you do that? On a comando clutch you add one steel plate. You can still win the' TT but you don't strain your fingers.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you, Peter. Yes, it’s all about the “stack height“ as you know. I’ve been fortunate enough to find the right thickness, steel plate to achieve a very good stack height, which enables the light clutch. You have excellent taste in motorcycles! Best wishes, Mike

[@bananabrooks3836]

Mike: Did Jeff advise on the grade on steel to use and was an oilite bronze bush considered? Two other considerations: The interference fit to make sure the worn alloy part didn't crack when bush pressed in and as you said, lube would have helped.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

"Oillite" bronze can be had in stock material and locktite can also be used to secure the bushing in place in the lever rather than pressing in place.

[@bananabrooks3836]

​@@JohnMcClain-p9tThanks.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks very much for the tips. I’m sorry I can’t remember what steel grade it is. I appreciate it. Cheers, Mike

[@norton794]

2 bushes please mike for my 1976 MK3 Commando Interstate p+p to England 👍👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for asking. I’m considering having a batch made and will do an announcement if I do. Cheers, Mike

[@mred7030]

you are now wobbless

[@TheMightyGarage]

😀😀

[@kevindaly5093]

If your ride exceeds 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention. 😂

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, excellent medical advice, thanks a lot, Kevin. Cheers, Mike

[@wdhewson]

I've shimmed all my sloppy levers...............OCD.........

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉😉

[@robertpanecki2094]

ok

[@GerryPowell-r6s]

Hate it hen it goes floppy

[@TheMightyGarage]

😀😀