Nice Commando. Drum front brake on an 850?
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Just Ride.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
Great to see the Commando being used for useful runs. My Commando fell short as a useful bike but that was back in impoverished student days when I knew a lot less on how to keep them going. Mind you, in fairness, the Commando also taught me a lot. First rebuild of a British motorcycle engine. Correct that - first successful rebuild of a British motorcycle engine
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Just swapped on the (2nd) best set of tins I had. Mostly a 71 750, I think she's a bit of a "Heinz" bike.
A little of this, a little of that.
Great pic! Interesting gearshift lever.
Not a ride, but a bench racing report. A friend of mine, a Ducati aficionado, keeps telling me “to stop the madness” of messing with the old bike and just buy a modern bike, like a nice Ducati. So I came down to his level and compared dyno numbers of my 700cc build with that of a 2019 Ducati Scrambler Café Racer (https://www.cycleworld.com/how-much-power-does-2019-ducati-scrambler-cafe-racer-make/). This Ducati is an 800cc air-cooled twin. The old Yamaha matched or outperformed the numbers of the Ducati out to 5500 rpm. I bet if I open up my Torque peak optimizers the horsepower curve will keep up out to 6K. The conclusion was recognized and received no argument in return from the Ducati aficionado friend.
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Rideability...
can't match the Ducati handling though...
At my age the electric scooter grocery carts handle pretty good....
Any Goober with a 700 credit score can buy the Ducati...building what you've built, priceless.
Madness was insistant when I opened the shed door this morning.
With football season fast approaching the popcorn supply looked a bit low so off to
in Montfort. Allison pops our corn and RR1 grows the best popcorn!
The actual route was a bit less direct. Any road that looked interesting had me zigging and zagging.Took some roads I've never been on before even though they are within 15 minutes of Baraboo.
Just good ole rural WI
Bridge near Lone Rock. It's being replaced the new bridge, nearly done. I stopped for a bar burger in Lone rock (mmm tasty) and under glass on the bar they had lots of old pics, including one of the "old bridge" and "new bridge" dated 1930, and one even earlier with a ferry. So this will be crossing #4
A large solar installation north of Lone Rock
https://www.alliantenergy.com/clean...neration/wisconsinsolar/bearcreeksolarproject
We have lots of rural schools still standing often they are now houses but several I saw today were preserved.
With football season fast approaching the popcorn supply looked a bit low so off to
in Montfort. Allison pops our corn and RR1 grows the best popcorn!
The actual route was a bit less direct. Any road that looked interesting had me zigging and zagging.Took some roads I've never been on before even though they are within 15 minutes of Baraboo.
Just good ole rural WI
Bridge near Lone Rock. It's being replaced the new bridge, nearly done. I stopped for a bar burger in Lone rock (mmm tasty) and under glass on the bar they had lots of old pics, including one of the "old bridge" and "new bridge" dated 1930, and one even earlier with a ferry. So this will be crossing #4
A large solar installation north of Lone Rock
https://www.alliantenergy.com/clean...neration/wisconsinsolar/bearcreeksolarproject
We have lots of rural schools still standing often they are now houses but several I saw today were preserved.
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Thanks for the tour!
How beautiful, you lucky dog! 
Thanks for the nice photos!
Thanks for the nice photos!
A SHORT TOUR OF THE NEAR WELSH MARCHES
Sunday was to be the last sunny day of the recent good weather, so a chance to ride was to good to miss.
As Merlin (GL1000) is still in pieces It would be Taffy (XS650) that would be my steed for the day.
My plan was to do the Three Castles Tour through the rolling hills and levels East of Abergavenny and boardering the Welsh / English boarder.
Setting out from Caerleon (Roman Garrison) village I head for Abergavenny via Usk. The whole trip would be well surfaced 'B' roads suited to the power and agility of Taffy. So up at 6.00am quick cuppa and down to the lockup / workshop. Wake Taffy from a few weeks slumber and roll the bike out into the early morning sunshine; it a glorious morning. Check my mobile and shows low battery, bugger! So pick up my Fuji EX2 / 16-55mm camera. Tog up, sling the camera over my shoulder, and fire Taffy up first press; warm up and settle to a steady idle. Im feeling good at this point.
The Route Part 1:
Ride out (Blue line) via usk
It’s still early but decide to make the first stop at the Windmill at LLancayo:
About half way to Abergavenny. Such an unusual structure to see in South Wales.
The building is now available to rent for holidays and sleeps 12 people.
More here: https://www.llancayowindmill.com/
Onward along the the valley of the river Usk, the road is a mix of fast sweeping bends and short straights well suited to Taffy’s performance; easy 50-60mph average. Taffy is a joy to ride on these roads, quick enough to put big grins on your face, but not so fast you miss the scenery. I doubt a modern sports bike would be as enjoyable.
Abergavenny and The Marches views:
The road spills out onto a short dual carriageway that takes me into the market town of Abergavenny. It’s only 8:00am but there are already a number of bikes coming in and out. I turn into the bus station with the Biker cafe and park Taffy next to some exotic stuff.
There are a number of bikes that catch my eye: RD400 RD250 GT750kettle, funny all 2 strokes? And also Hienkel bubble car!
Sadly my Fuji camera then packed up!
I strike up a conversation with a fella called Jim from Yorkshire on a rather nice Moto Guzzi V100 full of Ohlins and Aprillia tech. Nice bit of kit. He is visiting a Scottish mate Gary on a Triumph Tiger 900 who now lives in South Wales.
We all get some breakfast baps and tea from the cafe, and talk bikes & classic cars for an hour or so.
I say goodbye and return to find Taffy surrounded by a number of interested bikers. (Nobody’s looking at the nice Ducati parked next to Taffy!). Many questions are answered, and another 30 minutes pass by.
Time to fire up Taffy and…… cough splutter…….Fire!
Strange I thought but pulled away with more revs for loudness effect.
A short ride to find the ‘B’ roads to the three castle’s route.
(About three miles in and Taffy decides to throw a wobbly!(See additional post); just as we near White Castle Vinyard
THE THREE CASTLES LOOP:
First stop at 8 miles from abergavenny is the White Castle Vineyard: https://whitecastlevineyard.com/
We have a few vineyards in this area all of merit for their food and wine produce. This one however offers tours and other events throughout the year.
They also have a 14th century barn that can be hired for weddings or barmitsphas etc.......
THE NORMAN CASTLES OF THE MARCHES
Next stop is the White Castle:
8 Miles on Third Stop is Skenfrith Castle:
And finally 6 miles further Grosmont Castle.
A reconstruction image above of what it may have looked like.
A short 70mph blast back to Abergavenny on the fast A4042 And another cuppa at the bus station. I take the quicker route back home (Red line), and I'm in the pub by 3:00pm for a refreshing Guinness.
What an eventful morning ride, only about 75 miles in total, and mostly enjoyable.
Cheers
Ads.
Sunday was to be the last sunny day of the recent good weather, so a chance to ride was to good to miss.
As Merlin (GL1000) is still in pieces It would be Taffy (XS650) that would be my steed for the day.
My plan was to do the Three Castles Tour through the rolling hills and levels East of Abergavenny and boardering the Welsh / English boarder.
Setting out from Caerleon (Roman Garrison) village I head for Abergavenny via Usk. The whole trip would be well surfaced 'B' roads suited to the power and agility of Taffy. So up at 6.00am quick cuppa and down to the lockup / workshop. Wake Taffy from a few weeks slumber and roll the bike out into the early morning sunshine; it a glorious morning. Check my mobile and shows low battery, bugger! So pick up my Fuji EX2 / 16-55mm camera. Tog up, sling the camera over my shoulder, and fire Taffy up first press; warm up and settle to a steady idle. Im feeling good at this point.
The Route Part 1:
Ride out (Blue line) via usk
It’s still early but decide to make the first stop at the Windmill at LLancayo:
About half way to Abergavenny. Such an unusual structure to see in South Wales.
The building is now available to rent for holidays and sleeps 12 people.
More here: https://www.llancayowindmill.com/
Onward along the the valley of the river Usk, the road is a mix of fast sweeping bends and short straights well suited to Taffy’s performance; easy 50-60mph average. Taffy is a joy to ride on these roads, quick enough to put big grins on your face, but not so fast you miss the scenery. I doubt a modern sports bike would be as enjoyable.
Abergavenny and The Marches views:
The road spills out onto a short dual carriageway that takes me into the market town of Abergavenny. It’s only 8:00am but there are already a number of bikes coming in and out. I turn into the bus station with the Biker cafe and park Taffy next to some exotic stuff.
There are a number of bikes that catch my eye: RD400 RD250 GT750kettle, funny all 2 strokes? And also Hienkel bubble car!
Sadly my Fuji camera then packed up!
I strike up a conversation with a fella called Jim from Yorkshire on a rather nice Moto Guzzi V100 full of Ohlins and Aprillia tech. Nice bit of kit. He is visiting a Scottish mate Gary on a Triumph Tiger 900 who now lives in South Wales.
We all get some breakfast baps and tea from the cafe, and talk bikes & classic cars for an hour or so.
I say goodbye and return to find Taffy surrounded by a number of interested bikers. (Nobody’s looking at the nice Ducati parked next to Taffy!). Many questions are answered, and another 30 minutes pass by.
Time to fire up Taffy and…… cough splutter…….Fire!
Strange I thought but pulled away with more revs for loudness effect.
A short ride to find the ‘B’ roads to the three castle’s route.
(About three miles in and Taffy decides to throw a wobbly!(See additional post); just as we near White Castle Vinyard
THE THREE CASTLES LOOP:
First stop at 8 miles from abergavenny is the White Castle Vineyard: https://whitecastlevineyard.com/
We have a few vineyards in this area all of merit for their food and wine produce. This one however offers tours and other events throughout the year.
They also have a 14th century barn that can be hired for weddings or barmitsphas etc.......
THE NORMAN CASTLES OF THE MARCHES
Next stop is the White Castle:
8 Miles on Third Stop is Skenfrith Castle:
And finally 6 miles further Grosmont Castle.
A reconstruction image above of what it may have looked like.
A short 70mph blast back to Abergavenny on the fast A4042 And another cuppa at the bus station. I take the quicker route back home (Red line), and I'm in the pub by 3:00pm for a refreshing Guinness.
What an eventful morning ride, only about 75 miles in total, and mostly enjoyable.
Cheers
Ads.
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TAFFY TAKES A BAD TURN
As I left Abergavenny on the ride above Taffy decided to show some indifference to my route by initially missing occasionally.
A few miles in and approaching White Castle the bike was now backfiring. I decided to turn around and make for home.
On the road back to Caerleon Taffy was intermitent, badly miss firing and popping through the carbs; just like the problems of the past!
I limped back to the workshop 8 miles mostly on one cyclinder; with the occasional burst of both. Bike would only take about 20% throttle and only run on a light trailing throttle opening; any more and it bogged down. I was running the old origonal TCI box; swapped out to the Gonzo to test run, but it was still bad. I put Taffy back in the lockup and took out The Brat (R1200GS) and retraced my steps to complete the ride.
As I left Abergavenny on the ride above Taffy decided to show some indifference to my route by initially missing occasionally.
A few miles in and approaching White Castle the bike was now backfiring. I decided to turn around and make for home.
On the road back to Caerleon Taffy was intermitent, badly miss firing and popping through the carbs; just like the problems of the past!
I limped back to the workshop 8 miles mostly on one cyclinder; with the occasional burst of both. Bike would only take about 20% throttle and only run on a light trailing throttle opening; any more and it bogged down. I was running the old origonal TCI box; swapped out to the Gonzo to test run, but it was still bad. I put Taffy back in the lockup and took out The Brat (R1200GS) and retraced my steps to complete the ride.
Thank you for that ride report Adam! I can’t get enough of seeing your part of the world! Just stunning countryside to ride a motorcycle through!
I’m sorry to hear that your bike is still giving you fits, it has to be getting frustrating for you. Hopefully you’ll get it sorted out soon.
Well that sucks. You gonna post in your Taffy build thread when you start troubleshooting Adam?
JRP01
XS650 Enthusiast
Yupper ST1300 out Buell Thunderbolt S3 in. Always fun to ride with the gggGary and sample his impressive fleet.
On the bright side Adam, it got you home. Might have been on a wing and a prayer... but she got you home.
Thanks Adam!!! Looking forward to reading that stem to stern!