2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions

That's enough to suck some unwanted air in from the atmosphere. Hope that's your idle problem as it was mine because it's such an easy fix.
 
Hmmm, well that was half a day i won't get back.
Had to pull the the intake manifold off to get access to fit clips on the feed hose between the IAM to the manifold.
All back together and it is one step backwards - now once it warms up it goes up to 2500rpm and stays there. Blipping the throttle no longer reduces the revs. Just tested in the garage so far, won't get a road run in today as have had a couple of beers to commiserate.
Will also check that i haven't dropped an o-ring on the manifold but there are no obvious gaps.
It is fascinating working on a fuel injected bike after all these years, but fascinating will turn to rewarding if progress is actually made.
 
Blipping never worked for me. Once hot and RPM up there, it stayed there. Occasionally if I turned the motor off and restarted it would go down for a bit. Sounds like you do have a gap somewhere. I find, because there is so much pressure on the flange from that bent stiff house from the airbox is what causes the flange to go slightly cockeyed.
 
True. I'm sure there is more than one cause for this pain in the ass phenomena. I'm just happy mine was an easy fix...…...so far.
 
Have been talking with the factory and the new NZ dealer, since my ECU was remapped for the shorties (just after it seems) there were further software updates made available which my bike doesn't yet have. It's a 2 day ride to the new dealer, but fortunately our rally this year is just around the corner, so will be going a day early for a tech session.
In the interim taking the bike our for a short test ride has in part helped, at the first stop sign it was hunting from 2000 - 2250rpm on quite a short cycle, by the time i got home again it was idling below 1500rpm but running up to 2000rpm briefly then dropping back down, which will make it rideable.
 
Last edited:
Ride em dont’ hide em, Brass Monkey Rally this weekend.

2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions 2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions
 
NZ Sth Island.
My heart missed a beat when i opened the motel room curtains in the morning. Only rain had been forecast.
Fortunately i was heading to the coast and the snow cleared a couple of miles down the road.
Much nicer on the way Nth again today.
2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions
 
My apologies for the bike cover suggestion. Didn't know you were on the road and thought that photo was your residence. Man....what a splendid place to ride. Sucking up that clean mountain air. Enjoy.
 
No problem, a cover would be good for winter trips, but not with a small backpack for luggage.
Finally scraped some of the grime off the bike tonight - 1800 mile 6 day round trip, 5 or 6 hours of heavy rain while riding, lots of wet roads, what a mess.
The only casualty so far, rear reflector has fatigued off (item 21 on plate 16.1.7 in the factory manual) and despite loctite both seat bolts loose. Welded up heavier brackets on the chainguard survived, insulation tape over the gap between lens and rim kept the lights working in the rain this time.
Need to check the fuel tank breather, almost couldn't open the cap at the last fuel fill. A carb bike would have starved of fuel, the pump on the FI can just about pull the tank inside out!! Scary.
 
Nice day out yesterday, took part in the 1KC (1000 kilometer cruise) on my 961.
4 of us hit the road at 6.00am and checked back in at base at 9.15pm. Great weather and more corners than straights on this route :).

2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions

Most importantly how did the 961 go - new Jumo head temp sensor fitted. Does seem to have less issues with random idle speeds once hot. Still a few more items to fit yet (heat insulating gasket to throttle body and factory breather/oil interceptor kit).

Tail light failed again late in the day - just when it go dark!! Did the last hour with an LED headlamp set on red and strapped to the number plate.

I'm still amazed at how comfortable the riding position on the Sport is, with reupholstered seat i had no issues. May eventually go for 1" risers on the bars but otherwise nice.

Nearly forgot, about 1/2 litre of oil drained out of the air box!
 
Last edited:
One other item, i had the fuel light on for the first time, had me a bit spooked given comments on here about there being almost no reserve capacity. It only took 11.5 litres to refill after that, hoping that means 3 litres spare which should give around 60km/40 miles.
Will have to do some measuring and checking.
 
One other item, i had the fuel light on for the first time, had me a bit spooked given comments on here about there being almost no reserve capacity. It only took 11.5 litres to refill after that, hoping that means 3 litres spare which should give around 60km/40 miles.
Will have to do some measuring and checking.

All of the Nortons I know of in canada have about 30/40 miles after the reserve. My dad ran out of gas a couple times first trip out west and said each time was bang on 38miles after the light. By the way; its expensive to get a tow truck to bring you gas in the middle of nowhere.
 
Last time out there was a very graunchy sound on one start up, and the clutch was very juddery when pulling away. Primary oil was due a change so thought i would have a look inside just in case.
No great dramas evident, but there were some metal filings stuck to the crank position sensor and what i assume is the mangled spring from the oil seal where the gear shaft passes through the primary cover was hanging on the shaft. The starter ring seems to be firmly on the clutch basket.
Inside cover has MM on it in white, a coincidence as those were also the PO's initials.
Have i just started the long delayed blueprinting, time will tell.
I will be checking the cush rubbers, they have about 7500 miles on them.
 
Hello Again , Keep in touch with Richard -7 as you do your rebuild-blueprint. All the ball and roller bearings replacements have been sourced with better than new replacements by David C. With proper clearances and FAG with brass cage when necessary. I would not hesitate to bring the cases to a machine shop for fitting the bearings if you need to. Just get help when you need it ,if you know what I mean . Pay close attention to the Drive side balance shaft bearing as this may be the cause of major failure especially on the 2013 and older machines. The power flows through this side on its way through the transmission.
 
Thanks Tony, there is a good machine shop locally - aircraft engineers who spend half their time working on classic race bikes.
Have been building the inventory before i get into things, plus it came back to me that i had agreed for the bike to be on display at a bike show at Easter so no real work before then.
I had always thought the original indicators to be rather clunky so finally weakened and order a set from motogadget. The Triumph mounts they sell seem to be a close fit, will just need to drill out the threads on the Norton mounts.
SCS Delta 400 ECU also somehow arrived.
Nearly forgot, have just fitted a modified tilt sensor, 2 x resistors soldered in place, thanks to TonyA.
2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions 2014 961 - First (and Occasional Ongoing) Open Road Impressions
 
Last edited:
Back
Top