I feel I know this bike is it a members ?

[Martin6]

Slightly resurrecting an old topic, but it made me laugh 😂 and reminded me...

I have a mk3 850 Commando. 8,000 miles since rebuild with excellent compression. Last of the line with electric and a kick start. Thought I would try the kiickstart, on the centrestand in my garage. Found I could stand on the kickstart and not move it. Thinking it was just technique, I jumped into the air and gave it an excellent prod with my right boot. The kickstart barely moved, I was unbalanced and decided the best route was to slide off the bike to the left, rather than drag the bike over and off the centrestand.

Only pride wounded.

When it's warm up, standing beside the bike, it takes a bit of a shove, but I can start the CB750 on the kickstart with my hand.

[Bryanj]

Ah, those prestolite norton starters that made a lovely click.

Seriously though the fist sign of a gearbox layshaft bearing going is the kickstart going round on its own, not sure about being tight to move.

Also the last Commandos suffered from incorrectly hardened rocker shafts which wore quicly, allowed excess oil to sit on top of valve guide coupled with oil consumption and smoke.

Not a well known problem nowbut had 2 of the last batch do it back in the day

[Martin6]

Upgraded starter, Portuguese layshaft bearing replaced with a reliable one. No smoke   👍

[Bryanj]

Just reminicing, may help somebody

[Martin6]

And you were spot on. Few additional things on the early bikes, then you get into isolastic replacement rubbers/adjustment, anti wet sumping territory and finally, which oil...  👍

If anyone ever needs help with a Commando, the 'Access Norton' forum is just phenomenal.

[andy120t]

I assume that the ' modified to start etc' wording just means it had a broken starter button/switch so it's been removed and replaced with the rather ugly throttle mount!  Starter motor still seems to be in place.