Camels, needles and Commandos

WHAT A GREAT SAYING ,I HAVE JUST REPLACED MY ENGINE ON MY 750 COMMANDO,

SO WHILE IT WAS OUT I THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE THEGEAR BOX OUT, THEN THE ENGINE PLATES,THEN SWINGING ARMS TO SPRAY PAINT .SO NO NEED TO STOP THERE, OUT CAME THE OIL TANK , SO TOTHE THE DREADED BATTERY TRAY. NOT TO BAD TO COME OUT, BE QUITE A B!!!!!!! TO FIT BACK ESPECIALY ALL DONE BY MYSELF,NOT BAD CONSIDERING I SUFFER FROM SERVERE ATHRITUS,AND A HEART ATTACK HALF WAY THROUGH REBUILD.BUT HEY ICOULD NOT BE WITH OUT MY BELOVED NORTON.

PS I HOPE MY WIFE DOES NOT READ THIS.

Hi Fellows, I first discovered how difficult this operation was when I rebuilt my first Commando in about 1986, I've since rebuilt about 6 more and I've come up with a theory about it. I reckon that in the factory, the first componant to come off the parts storage rack was the battery tray, onto this they fitted the horn and then slowly began bolting more and more bits on until the Commando was finished. I'm convinced that was how it was done. Cheers Alan

Try this method to remove it. Tighten up the rear isolastic mounts until there is no movement, ride around until it falls out in a pile of bits. Seemples. Second method, allow the battery breather to vent onto the tray and it will disappear before your very eyes. I believe older BMW boxers were built around the battery, Norton must have taken a leaf out of their book.

With a little thought and some clever fabrication, it could be possible to make the tray out of two parts that could be assembled in situ. ie split it down the middle and screw it back together with some home brewed brackets and some of screwfix's stainless allen screws and nuts. (yes I know they are metric but they are cheap). I took the opportunity to mount the forward end of the rear mudguard using some rubber mounts similar to the exhaust mounts but smaller. One less thing to crack and jam your rear wheel.