50th anniversary Cafe Racer

Fast Eddie said:

Yeah, just drill into your Ohlins forks.

What could possibly go wrong ?!?

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Lol.
Working at a tool shop I would definitely drill into the ohlins. Not an issue. But I do precision drilling all the time. So I guess thats me. But for the look you could two-way tape. 3m makes some strong and thin tape. Drill would look better tho. I’m sure thats all Norton is doing. The material is thick there and the rivits are very short. I wouldnt worry too much. Go to a metal store and grab an aluminum rod section about a foot long and practice first. Buy two sets. And then on tje aluminum practice peice use it as a paper weight after with a cool roadholder badge.

glb said:

Removed broken link

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Thats a good find.

I wonder if Norton Uk Owns that patent now? I’m sure dreer and company would have obtained that when getting all the other trade names back.

Or is it so old it doesn’t matter anymore?

glb said:

Broken link removed

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Holy crap awarded in '43.
Right smack in the middle of WWII.
That's dedication.

Today I fitted the Shorai battery and wired in a permanently fitted charge lead.

I also fitted new Magnecor HT leads.

And confirmed that the coil is Bosch.

All very straightward, especially so thanks to Richards manual for tank removal.

Fast Eddie said:

Today I fitted the Shorai battery and wired in a permanently fitted charge lead.

I also fitted new Magnecor HT leads.

And confirmed that the coil is Bosch.

All very straightward, especially so thanks to Richards manual for tank removal.

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I also fitted the Shorai, had to use several pieces of included foam packing in order to get the terminals at the right height. I note from the manual that came with the charger that the 'store' function keeps the battery at around 80% charge which is still good for high cranking amps (it says), and then says to use 'charge' to take battery up to 100% prior to taking bike out.

I used the free Norton paddock stand today..... the arms are about 2 inches wider than the mounted bobbins! I managed to squeeze it together enough so that it mates with the bobbins (reversed) and was quite pleased with how easy the 961 goes up on the stand. I just need to eat some more spinach and try to squeeze the arms a little tighter and find some bobbins small enough to be left on the bike as the supplied ones are too big and in danger of hitting the silencer mount bolts if left on the bike when on the road.

Gents, am a bit concerned that this etching wont last. i haven't even cleaned it and it seems to be disappearing. Maybe some nail varnish over? or that may melt it away?

Looking at it this close up, looks like it has been polished before I received it but with some abrasive cleaner?

MxMartin said:

I used the free Norton paddock stand today..... the arms are about 2 inches wider than the mounted bobbins! I managed to squeeze it together enough so that it mates with the bobbins (reversed) and was quite pleased with how easy the 961 goes up on the stand. I just need to eat some more spinach and try to squeeze the arms a little tighter and find some bobbins small enough to be left on the bike as the supplied ones are too big and in danger of hitting the silencer mount bolts if left on the bike when on the road.

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There are some nice bobbins available but seem bigger than the ones supplied. Will try fitting mine tomorrow to check out the fit of the stand.

Welshrugby said:

There are some nice bobbins available but seem bigger than the ones supplied. Will try fitting mine tomorrow to check out the fit of the stand.

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I was going to modify the supplied bobbins but was wary about the weight of the lift but the Norton stand picks up the 961 with ease, a lot easier than the stand for my Triumph.... so I feel a lot more confident in finding something narrow enough to clear the silencer bolts on full damper compression.

Welshrugby said:

Gents, am a bit concerned that this etching wont last. i haven't even cleaned it and it seems to be disappearing. Maybe some nail varnish over? or that may melt it away?

Looking at it this close up, looks like it has been polished before I received it but with some abrasive cleaner?

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Hmm, I do like to keep my ally shiny and wondered how long that paint might last... not long by the looks of it. At least it is an etching so might look 'cool' polished out completely if it gets real bad, or simply touched up with a brush/matt black enamel (or a color of your choosing). It's not good, worth mentioning to the factory and see what they say.

Welshrugby said:

Gents, am a bit concerned that this etching wont last. i haven't even cleaned it and it seems to be disappearing. Maybe some nail varnish over? or that may melt it away?

Looking at it this close up, looks like it has been polished before I received it but with some abrasive cleaner?

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I would definitely be having a gripe about that - it's in front of you all the time. Looks like not etched deep enough.

Mark, that’s a good spot regarding the bobbins, it definitely looks like they’ll foul the silencer mounts, or at least the silencer mount bolt heads.

That’s not good !

I guess it may be possible to buy / make some slimmer ones and squeeze the stand in a bit, but space is tight there.

Regarding your stand, there is no cross brace on it, so it should be easy to squeeze in. Mine fits perfectly.

Fast Eddie said:

Regarding your stand, there is no cross brace on it, so it should be easy to squeeze in. Mine fits perfectly.

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When I was 40yrs younger and pushing bench weights it wouldn't have been a problem lol. With all the forearm muscle I could muster I did manage to get the arms to close about an inch, the next inch probably needs my full bodyweight but need to take care not to buckle it

MxMartin said:

When I was 40yrs younger and pushing bench weights it wouldn't have been a problem lol. With all the forearm muscle I could muster I did manage to get the arms to close about an inch, the next inch probably needs my full bodyweight but need to take care not to buckle it

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I didn’t realise it was that far out. Even by Norton’s standards, being out by 2 inches is a lot!

I know up close digital photography shows everything, but that etching looks terribly scratched up. I'd have acid in the esophagus staring at that all day.

Yes the picture does make it look worse, I haven't cleaned it myself, they must have done this prior to delivery. Will ask them to look at it ln first service.

Went for a spin today, about 50 miles in all. Fully charged battery, could still feel it pulling back slightly when cruising and a couple of cut outs but much better run out as learning to work the throttle to avoid. Now have 115 miles on the clock, may try and get another 20 on tomorrow if I get time. Drove to Eye near Peterborough, used to be a big motorcycle dealer. Got there but now a funeral directors. Turned round, back home and called into my local coffee shop. Wasn't busy in town today but a chap in his 60's asked me how old it was, told him it was new and explained the resurgence of Norton again since 2008/9. Looks fantastic he said. Saw a few others stop and inspect as I sipped my cappacinno inside.

Cleaned the bike a little before leaving and noticed what looks like a little dent on the cat. I wonder if this is part of the problem. Nothing that has happened with me or when unloading the bike. Maybe be the shape of the cat I don't know. Another close up makes it look not so nice and a lot of marks on it that don't seem to rub off. Bit of a rush today so haven't inspected it properly but does look like a small dent to me.

Welshrugby said:

Yes the picture does make it look worse, I haven't cleaned it myself, they must have done this prior to delivery. Will ask them to look at it ln first service.

Went for a spin today, about 50 miles in all. Fully charged battery, could still feel it pulling back slightly when causing and a couple of cut outs but much better run out as learning to work the throttle to avoid. Now have 115 miles on the clock, may try and get another 20 on tomorrow if I get time. Drove to Eye near Peterborough, used to be a big motorcycle dealer. Got there but now a funeral directors. Turned round, back home and called into my local coffee shop. Wasn't busy in town today but a chap in his 60's asked me how old it was, told him it was new and explained the resurgence of Norton again since 2008/9. Looks fantastic he said. Saw a few others stop and inspect as I sipped my cappacinno inside.

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It appeals to the darker weirder side of my humour a motorcycle dealer turned funeral director........ Same customers?

You've discovered you can't get anywhere in a hurry on a Norton - there's always someone to talk to you about it.

Welshrugby said:

Went out for a spin today... Drove to Eye near Peterborough...

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I was down in Thetford today, great day for a ride and saw lots of bikes in the forest area but alas I was in the car. It does look like a dent on the cat but I wouldn't say enough to cause any probs, anyway at the rate you are accumulating the miles it will soon be replaced.... dead envious of you

The spare licence plate for my Triumph is on the back of the Norton..... wife says 'why have you done that?', I said 'just seeing how the rear end looks my dearest'. Now then, any number plate recognition camera wouldn't know the difference, would it???

Welshrugby said:

Gents, am a bit concerned that this etching wont last. i haven't even cleaned it and it seems to be disappearing. Maybe some nail varnish over? or that may melt it away?

Looking at it this close up, looks like it has been polished before I received it but with some abrasive cleaner?

Click to expand...

Looks like an employee could really care less if they got fired.