TOPIC: Journal: 1968 Commando tear down/rebuild PART 5

Today the crank and cam were installed, first a bit of cleaning up on the surface where the seal has to slide over the end of the crank. The con rods with new shells, were bolted onto the crank. Cam, spring and breather plate installed. Crank set in the case. sealant applied to the half's of the cases and it was bolted together.

Looks good!

Any purple jelly on those case halves?

We used some other stuff, semi-hardening gasket material, Honda Bond I think.

In previous posts on the website, I had a write ups and photos on how the motor was torn down and reassembled. New pistons rings, , new shells, all new gaskets, the head was de-carboned, new super blend bearings, on both sides installed. the crankshaft turned by Mile High Crankshaft in Denver CO. barrel board out. Mile high crankshaft does a lot of work for Colorado Norton works so they know what needs to be done. Very reasonably priced too. The Barrell was machined by R & L Engines on Durum Rd. Rt. 108 in Dover NH, tip of the hat to Bob Bolduc for recommending them. I talked to the folks there and they have done machine work on many British bikes so they also know what needs to be done.

So the reassembled engine went into a crate, then the back of my pick up truck, and back to my shop. Larry Marquis came over and gave me a hand sliding the motor back in the frame. At this time I also installed a new oil filter kit. On a side note if your commando does not have an oil filter it's a good idea to install this kit, it's not that difficult. I had previously put a Boyer ignition on the bike so all I had to do was reattach all of the ignition wires. Everything torqued down, oil in the Oil tank, and it was ready to fire up. With fresh gas in the tank, it actually fired up on the first kick with witnesses! I put about 50 miles on the motor, then change the oil and filter. I now have another 200 miles on the motor, and I will run it till the end of the season and change the oil for the winter, and that's it.

I have a 19 tooth counter-shaft sprocket on the bike and it really pulls strong.
FWIW, I brought the bike to the 2016 Larz Anderson show and it took the trophy for ""Best Specialty Norton.
Thanks to Dave Comeau, I could not have done it without him. You are missing a lot if you don't go to the Tech Sessions and the Monthly Meetings, lots of great information to be had.
I love riding this bike

Glad to see it up and running without a hitch. That's what I shoot for on my projects.... I'll be interested to see the NTN superblend mains in action, though I know NTN are fine bearings also. FAG seem to be a bit overpriced IMO.