2021 meet up?

Upon leaving the Caffeine & Machine meet, I apologised to my missus for our first "date" of the year being all bikes..... she said she enjoyed it and the Norton guys are "all lovely". Keep an eye on you lot lol. But that was it, everyone enjoying their bikes and getting together with them. I think the guys who have a grudge with the 961, are one's who've either been messed about by Norton or dealers, and/or expect it to work like a cbr600 ie leave it for 6mnths, press the button and ride. The way I've always viewed the bike is it's an old bike with injection and decent brakes.... nothing much more. Take that approach to it and you forgive it for its quirks.
 
cliffa said:
Thanks for the update. Any news on continued parts support for 961's ?
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We were ‘instructed’ by our host, NOC official, to submit questions in writing through the owners club! Following a discussion on the shop floor with our guide I was asked to email sales directly, perfectly happy with that, so I did.

I’m certain I will not receive a reply until at least after the official press launch, which is imminent, although no date for this was furnished.

I believe the consensus is the factory will open in September this year and with nearly half of the 961 Classics already built there should be some happy new owners taking delivery with the prospect of some riding season still out there, for the UK customers.

My gut feeling is optimistic, but I do have that ‘waiting outside the headmasters office feeling’ not knowing whether its punishment or praise I’m about to receive! I’ll let you know.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Upon leaving the Caffeine & Machine meet, I apologised to my missus for our first "date" of the year being all bikes..... she said she enjoyed it and the Norton guys are "all lovely". Keep an eye on you lot lol. But that was it, everyone enjoying their bikes and getting together with them. I think the guys who have a grudge with the 961, are one's who've either been messed about by Norton or dealers, and/or expect it to work like a cbr600 ie leave it for 6mnths, press the button and ride. The way I've always viewed the bike is it's an old bike with injection and decent brakes.... nothing much more. Take that approach to it and you forgive it for its quirks.
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I’ll use a capital Q for my bikes Quirks. Having said that I also use a capital W when referring to Wife! and I’m still married.
 
BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Hi Jan ,
Please note the complete absence of any pics , none permitted inside or outside the huge new factory unit , must be multi million investment, clapped eyes on 13 complete 961 classics , 3 complete 961 engine s & bout 12 short exhaust systems in process off being made in house , no V4 bikes or bits on show , certainly what we were showed , made a point of quality checking etc is paramount with these hi tec machines which check frames /hardness /welds & metal things .
No one has really been shown round the place yet & there gearing up for a press launch soon , many boxes in stores areas with Norton on , but we don’t know what’s inside them.
There’s an extraction system there for removing exhaust fumes from the place , you know bit like vacuum cleaner flexible tubes hanging from over head , so must be doing petrol engines surely?.
It does appear to be well funded & had one of them automotive “ Light box’s” with ultra bright lights to park the bike in to show up visual defects .
Impressive Norton logo on factory building outside what will be reception area
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There were a handful of V4 swingarms sitting on a pallet - can't tell if new or old, also a few frames in one of the cells. Seems to be a big push on traceability and weld analysis with a dedicated metallurgy lab. Paint is not done in-house. Alu and steel welding in-house with emphasis on polishing before and after welding with a 1 in 20 destructive sample rate on the frames. They had an interesting fluid filling station which I noticed also had an OBD connection harness. Waiting for new dyno to arrive.

Had interesting discussion with marketing/promotion lady (no name badge but pronounced Arga????) who was very enthusiastic and broached the subject of electric bike developments. So far no progress but emphasised that TVS and Norton brands are to be kept separate so no electric TVS bike with Norton badging. Also talking about the demand for the 961s and they could have sold a lot more so I believe that had set her thinking.

I may be wrong but get the impression that under Garner they were so pleased to get all the components together to be able to build complete bikes (which was actually a major achievement although later events buried any general appreciation of that) so the boring testing and fault rectification was mostly put in the hands of the owners. Possibly TVS have appreciated that the brand is their most valuable asset which is underpinned by perception of quality and reliability.

All in all it looked really encouraging and even the 'real' Norton owners seemed impressed. All we need now is some details of what is going to be built there....
 
V4 frame polishing always was done before and after welding ie the parts were polished, it was then welded and then polished as a whole.
Interesting in the new dyno...wonder if the old one is for sale.
Paint, unless one off specials, were done at Dream Machine....they may still have the contract.
 
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Stu Bodycote said:
V4 frame polishing always was done before and after welding ie the parts were polished, it was then welded and then polished as a whole.
Interesting in the new dyno...wonder if the old one is for sale.
Paint, unless one off specials, were done at Dream Machine....they may still have the contract.
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Mine was done at Dream Machine (2017) but I thought they stopped doing them? Interesting on frames - did you do any weld sectioning/etching?
 
I was still taking stuff to Dream Machine last year, just before I left Norton.
Dont know, weld shop wasnt my department. I know the QC used some red dye on the v4 frames....but thats as much as I know (it was an arse to clean off, thats how I remember it) ie I dont know the procedures involved.
 
Just a nudge & reminder we do have another meet very soon ,1st weekend in September at the “ Priest House”
Kings Mills
Castle Donington
DE74 2RR
England
Few of us are already booked in from Friday 3rd Sept to Sunday 5th, we shall be riding out somewhere in the Peak District ( avoiding the motorway this time) on the Saturday, drinking moderately Friday & Saturday night , like minded individuals welcome , pref on yer 961 as that’s what it’s all about , so a few jars in eve or tide in day , so come on down
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2021 meet up?
 
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BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Just a nudge & reminder we do have another meet very soon ,1st weekend in September at the “ Priest House”
Kings Mills
Castle Donington
DE74 2RR
England
Few of us are already booked in from Friday 3rd Sept to Sunday 5th, we shall be riding out somewhere in the Peak District ( avoiding the motorway this time) on the Saturday, drinking moderately Friday & Saturday night , like minded individuals welcome , pref on yer 961 as that’s what it’s all about , so a few jars in eve or tide in day , so come on downView attachment 81214View attachment 81215View attachment 81216
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I'll most probably be on a Duc, but I'll be there for the ride out. If you're in the process of planning a route, snakes pass is a good run taking in Ladybower....or closer to Matlock, the Via Gellia.
 
BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Just a nudge & reminder we do have another meet very soon ,1st weekend in September at the “ Priest House”
Kings Mills
Castle Donington
DE74 2RR
England
Few of us are already booked in from Friday 3rd Sept to Sunday 5th, we shall be riding out somewhere in the Peak District ( avoiding the motorway this time) on the Saturday, drinking moderately Friday & Saturday night , like minded individuals welcome , pref on yer 961 as that’s what it’s all about , so a few jars in eve or tide in day , so come on down
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I'll be there. Room booked at the Priest House Friday & Saturday night.
 
I have two rooms booked, but again this year we don't know whether Terry is well enough to ride. If not and he decides not to go there will be a room going spare at the Priest House
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I'll most probably be on a Duc, but I'll be there for the ride out. If you're in the process of planning a route, snakes pass is a good run taking in Ladybower....or closer to Matlock, the Via Gellia.
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Why doesn't one of the locals plan the route. Its your backyard :) No motorway miles please
 
glb said:
I have two rooms booked, but again this year we don't know whether Terry is well enough to ride. If not and he decides not to go there will be a room going spare at the Priest House
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I’ve booked a hotel at Castle donnington, but I have to cancel by the 19th of August, otherwise I’m committed...so if he makes the decision before then, great, otherwise, I’ll be staying put.
 
Vernon240 said:
I’ve booked a hotel at Castle donnington, but I have to cancel by the 19th of August, otherwise I’m committed...so if he makes the decision before then, great, otherwise, I’ll be staying put.
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Hi. He is back from holiday on Monday so I will talk with him then. I will let you know soonest.
 

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