Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998
From: Lissa Widoff
OK, I give up. What's the secret for reinstalling a Commando air filter? With the intake rubbers fitted to the front plate and the filter and perforated surround in place, there is no way to fit the assembly in place. Without the intake rubbers fitted, it will just barely wiggle in but then there is no room to work the rubbers into place. Please don't tell me that the carbs must come off. Tea break design bodges are amusing ... up to a point. Thanks for any advice you may send my way.
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 18:45:44 -0700
From: Eric William Lamberts
The back of the air cleaner is mounted on the battery box (or something) and is immovable. Put the front of the aircleaner with the carb rubbers onto the carbs. Now take the aircleaner element and push it in between their front and rear plates. Push it around 'till it looks real neat, and insert the bolts on the sides. Tighten them until the aircleaner accordion pleats start to bend just a little, then back off until they are straight, adjusting the element so it fits right up to the edge of the pleats.
Really a very simple operation, and a major doh!, once you know how to do it...
Eric Lamberts
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 21:23:17 -0700
From: Ben & Linda
Chris Finlayson noted:
> [On my Commando] There is sheet metal duct work brazed to the back
of the
> front plate: an oval tube running horizontally back from the front
plate
> almost to the rear plate and a round tube running vertically downward
from the
> oval tube almost to the bottom of the housing. These effectively
block
> the subsequent insertion of the filter. If these pieces were removed
it
> should be possible to insert the filter. What purpose do they serve?
Ach. I have seen that only in the parts book, not in the flesh. But it was added I am sure for decibel reduction. Get filter plates from a 750-they will fit right on and will not have any internal baffles to get in the way.
> A pair of clamp-on K&Ns is starting to look real good to me.
The extremely tight close-together fit of the Commando carburettors prevents use of a pair of K&N clamp on's. K&N makes a Commando specific one piece filter with two openings that clamp to the two carburettor mouths. Works a treat. Ask your friendly neighbourhood Norton spares stockist...
Ben English
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 08:11:35 +0100
From: Peter Aslan
On Fri, 14 Aug 1998, Lissa Widoff wrote:
> OK, I give up. What's the secret for reinstalling a Commando air
filter?
[Snip]
With all the work I've done over the years on Amals, this was originally a real pain to do. Eventually I discovered a technique; If you make sure that the Rings that fit to the Carbs, (where the rubbers fit), are just loose, you are able to rotate the rubbers with the rings. Strange as it may sound, being able to rotate the rubbers allows you to seat them within the Airbox Front Plate, (and fully on the Carbs) without having to go round the carbs with the rubbers in one position.
I suppose you have to try it to now what I mean. Regards,
Peter Aslan (aka Captain Norton). Louden Quill Award.
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