Rotary Owners' Club

My sidestand was getting to the point where the bike leant over so far it was difficult to get the bike back to upright. It seems modest movement at the top end translates into a big movement at the bottom end. I have improved mine a bit a one benefit is that the bike fills better with petrol whilst...

You could buy the rotary engine video/dvd workshop engine rebuild by Graham Wishaw from the Norton owners club

I had a similar problem, I had a recon engine in the cupboard under the stairs which I have put in, with JB assisting. The noise is gone so definitely the engine. I suspected a bearing and if it was it could have broken up and wrecked the engine. I even bought a stethoscope but couldn't locate the e...

I usually get around 800 km per litre when two up and fully loaded. Two lites with you should be sufficient. When doing a similar journey I realised in France that I wasn't going to make it so topped up early with a litre of 30 SAE lawnmower oil with no ill effect.

Booking on the NOC website will be open later this week.

Hi Trevor, given all the work that you have been undertaking I assumed that you had a workshop manual but if not they are available for the Commander at Andover Norton.
Tim

I have a vague recollection that the commander petrol cap came from a Fiat from the eighties but this may be that I am suffering from false memory syndrome?

Hi Trevor. My Commander goes onto the centre stand easily and lifts the back wheel off the ground. If the bike rides well the forks are probably OK and need to settle. After a rebuild I vigorously press the forks up and down to get the hydraulics working properly. Others may have more information bu...

Hi Trevor, the forks are Yamaha late '80s XJ900 fitted as standard to the Commander. Likewise the wheels and brakes. If you have anything different they are non standard.
Tim

You could try the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum in North Walsham. The town is also worth a visit. The North Coast; Cromer, Wells Next the Sea and Brancaster are lovely seaside areas with the possibility to watch seals and eat crabs. Swaffham market on Saturday. Thetford Forest for walking. Norfolk Broad...

The chain is fully enclosed running in clean oil, the factory said that they should last the lifetime of the bike. If you are getting a new one I also recommend the chain man and get his very best. Richard advises against a split link and recommends riveting the chain. Certainly replace the gaiters ...

Just out of interest I have a drain with cover in my drive which I remove and push the front wheel over the open space, then it is easy to remove the wheel.You still need a block under the engine to ensure the bike is stable. It is a rain water drain. You may need a cloths peck if you use a foul dra...

Hi Trevor, further to my previous reply, the four pot Billet calipers are listed on the Harrison Billet website. They are designed fit the XJ900 forks without the need for new discs or fork modification. They probably sell pads but I use 880 Ducati items.
Regards
Tim

Hi Trevor, as a word of caution there are no spare mirrors other than if you could find one second hand. Mine have never gone stiff but I would have thought that penetrating fluid and gentle manipulation should do it. Regarding your query on front brake calipers, mine are 4 pot Billet Calipers which...

The sprag has to be matched with the drive gear and engine sprocket. It is generally recommended that the three are installed together as new parts. Obviously much easier said than done with your bike. If the sprocket looks good Andover Norton has the 18 tooth sprag but yours maybe the 14 tooth vers...

Is it the starter sprag clutch. If it is not gripping the sprocket the starter will spin but won't turn the engine. This is a common problem on the Mk3 Commando but the freer spinning rotary with no backfire does not wear them out so quickly.
Tim

I use Avon Roadriders, I have ,like Tony, used them in all conditions and they are relatively inexpensive.

Hi JB. When I passed my motorcycle test in 1964 the Highway Code stated that there was, unless stated, no designated right of way on roundabouts. This was often inaccurately taken to mean that the right of way was with the main road. I think that the give way to the right came in around 1966/7.
Tim

Hi Mike I swapped over the krausers from one bike to another which made it straightforward. The seat on the earlier bike is slightly narrower and will therefore fit. All of the bracketry is different and but the side panels and tank cover do not need any modification. if you have the rear enclosure ...

The problem is that unless you check you won't know how worn it is. When the Oldham coupling goes it does so without warning and you can't carry on. The overhaul is relatively straightforward, full instructions are on the Startright website. The most critical thing is to ensure that the coupling ful...

Hi JB It is now some years since the last ROC gathering in Essex. I don't equate this your suggestion with Popham which is a one day show without a Rotary focus. If we wish to regenerate interest in the Club a weekend rally would be a good staring point. Whilst fully understanding Tony's reluctance ...

Hi JB It is now some years since the last ROC gathering in Essex. I don't equate this your suggestion with Popham which is a one day show without a Rotary focus. If we wish to regenerate interest in the Club a weekend rally would be a good staring point. Whilst fully understanding Tony's reluctance ...

Hi David. It would be a shame if the Club were to discontinue. The forum is still relatively active at times although if resources allow it may be better to reduce the number of sections, It just really needs Technical, Events and classified adds. Regarding the magazine it will continue to be a prob...

Hi John. The spark plugs are the first thing to check. Is it firing ok on one rotor? If so swap plug leads and plug to see if it fires on the other rotor. Does the Classic have a sidestandand cutout, if so check the wiring to that. If you have a spare electronic ignition swap it over. That after all...

Hi JB, Do you mean the ECU? This controls electronically, amongst many other things, the flow of fuel into the injectors. It is possible that if it is not working properly it may stop the flow altogether. On the other hand if you run out of Diesel its not like the old days- fill up, tickle the carb ...

Hi Mike Welcome to the forum. Regarding the Commander they are quite tall and heavy. The weight is due to all of the fibreglass bodywork. Exotic and fragile they are not. Everything apart from the engine is pretty standard, much comes from the Yamaha XJ900. My Commander has been all over Europe as f...

Hi Terry, from what I can remember from my last visit, Andover Norton has a number of contemporary booklets and brochures from the Rotary period. I don't think that brochures are in any way rare because so many were left over when production ceased. Regards, Tim

HI JB, the factory setting for the carburettors is designed to fast idle when the engine is running in, this clearly does not apply to your engine which should happily idle at 600 rpm. I can't assist with the electric waterpump. The standard version is mechanical and therefore speeds up as the engin...

Hi John A fat spark doesn't always mean that the plugs are operating properly. A change is a simple task, Next borrow an electronic ignition box and try it, Ok so the ignition probably isn't the problem but once you have tried these two simple checks you can then concentrate on the carbs, If they ar...

The rotor bearings are slightly different, one is hard to source and the other may become so. If JB used a secondhand one that may have been the problem but that may be the only source at present and they will need to be carefully checked. These bearings seem to generally have a long life. It would ...