50th anniversary Cafe Racer

I picked up my Commando a couple of months ago and it's the best thing I ever did. Just wish I'd known about the Anniversary model. The bike is just fabulous and you can get bogged down in the discussions on sensors, batteries, ethanol, coil packs, clutch baskets etc. but when you're riding your new bike in the sunshine all that goes out the window...

Handy hint - The first 350 miles running-in is a big pain and you can't appreciate the bike properly. The bike does not like running so slow, you can't accelerate out of corners properly etc. so get that over as quickly as possible.

Enjoy!!
 
Clive said:
I picked up my Commando a couple of months ago and it's the best thing I ever did. Just wish I'd known about the Anniversary model. The bike is just fabulous and you can get bogged down in the discussions on sensors, batteries, ethanol, coil packs, clutch baskets etc. but when you're riding your new bike in the sunshine all that goes out the window...

Handy hint - The first 350 miles running-in is a big pain and you can't appreciate the bike properly. The bike does not like running so slow, you can't accelerate out of corners properly etc. so get that over as quickly as possible.

Enjoy!![/QU

That ought to take a whole 2 days.
Click to expand...
 
I went to the NEC bike show today to see the Aniversary Cafe Racer in the metal.

Absolutely stunning !

I spoke a lot with Kev (who used to frequent here occasionally). He went through all of the issues, from oil in the airbox, leaky gearbox, ethanol effect on tanks, etc, etc. He really convinced me that the known faults really are all sorted.

He did also explain how tough it was getting the bikes through Euro 4, and I think that’s why they’re pushing the open pipes etc more... they just don’t run right without them!

He also put my mind at rest by saying that the coil, leads, sensors on new bikes are all top notch, genuine Bosch, and there is no issue with them at all.

Now I really can’t wait for my CR !!
 
The 961 MkII and Dominators should be relatively problem free today.
It's been a long journey for Norton to get the bike to where it is today, but it's a much better machine for the effort.
Hopefully, Norton will be able and willing to evolve the design into something that can pass Euro 5, 6, 99, etc.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I went to the NEC bike show today to see the Aniversary Cafe Racer in the metal.

Absolutely stunning !

I spoke a lot with Kev (who used to frequent here occasionally). He went through all of the issues, from oil in the airbox, leaky gearbox, ethanol effect on tanks, etc, etc. He really convinced me that the known faults really are all sorted.

He did also explain how tough it was getting the bikes through Euro 4, and I think that’s why they’re pushing the open pipes etc more... they just don’t run right without them!

He also put my mind at rest by saying that the coil, leads, sensors on new bikes are all top notch, genuine Bosch, and there is no issue with them at all.

Now I really can’t wait for my CR !!
Click to expand...


Not trying to be a nudge, and they very well maybe, but what would you expect Kev to tell you.....about all their problems??? I have a bridge for sale.
 
Britfan60 said:
Not trying to be a nudge, and they very well maybe, but what would you expect Kev to tell you.....about all their problems??? I have a bridge for sale.
Click to expand...

He went into detail about the faults, I’d be staggered if he was making it all up and blatantly lying about such stuff. That’s illegal!

Not sure I can remember everything, but for example:

Oil in the airbox fixes include a valve to prevent wet sumping, increased scavenge flow from pump, lower oil level, new oil separator.

Gearbox leaks fixed with vent.

Etc.

A long, steady list of gradual improvements and fixes over last few years.

Certainly gave me enough confidence to risk it !
 
BritTwit said:
The 961 MkII and Dominators should be relatively problem free today.
It's been a long journey for Norton to get the bike to where it is today, but it's a much better machine for the effort.
Hopefully, Norton will be able and willing to evolve the design into something that can pass Euro 5, 6, 99, etc.
Click to expand...

Euro 4 was difficult by all accounts. The impression I got was that they do not currently think that the current design would pass euro 5.

I was very tempted to say that with Brexit, the U.K. and THE REST OF THE WORLD couldn’t give a f**k about Euro 5... but I refrained...!
 
Fast Eddie said:
I went to the NEC bike show today to see the Aniversary Cafe Racer in the metal.

Absolutely stunning !

I spoke a lot with Kev (who used to frequent here occasionally). He went through all of the issues, from oil in the airbox, leaky gearbox, ethanol effect on tanks, etc, etc. He really convinced me that the known faults really are all sorted.

He did also explain how tough it was getting the bikes through Euro 4, and I think that’s why they’re pushing the open pipes etc more... they just don’t run right without them!

He also put my mind at rest by saying that the coil, leads, sensors on new bikes are all top notch, genuine Bosch, and there is no issue with them at all.

Now I really can’t wait for my CR !!
Click to expand...


Good. It took my dad and I a lot of time to figure all that out.
 
Well, looks like they eventually listened Richard!

Now you and your Dad will have to turn your inventive minds to something else... Rears sets? 2:1 exhaust systems? Performance cams? Big bore kits? Pod filter / airbox removal kits? ECU modules?

And that’s just for starters...
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
I went to the NEC bike show today .... Now I really can’t wait for my CR !!
Click to expand...

Did they provide an updated delivery date? I gave Clem my deposit and paid upfront for some mods but I've not had anything in writing, I guess they've all been busy prepping for the NEC.
 
I gave him my deposit on 3rd Nov. I got a receipt about a week and a bit later, but I had to chase it up.

Then I got a call from him this week to say it is going in to build, and an invoice for the remaining amount the next day.

I have not had a firm delivery date though, and (perhaps stupidly) I told Clem I was in no rush with it being winter.

I think they’re ‘all hands on deck’ this week though.

Having seen them at the show today, I need call them and add LED indicators to my order...
 
If you paid extra for the de cat pipe, and you’re getting a Cafe Racer, you’ll get that dosh refunded !
 
Fast Eddie said:
If you paid extra for the de cat pipe, and you’re getting a Cafe Racer, you’ll get that dosh refunded !
Click to expand...
Is the decat pipe included in price? I thought it was just the open long/short silencers. I opted for the black head/barrels/crankcases, otherwise everything else is standard.
 
MxMartin said:
Is the decat pipe included in price? I thought it was just the open long/short silencers. I opted for the black head/barrels/crankcases, otherwise everything else is standard.
Click to expand...

After I ordered mine, I paid extra for the de cat pipe. When I got my invoice this week, they explained that since I placed my order they had decided to include the de cat as standard on the cafe racer, so had deducted that from the balance I owed.

Thoroughly gentlemanly conduct I thought !
 
worntorn said:
Geez, one of those old unexploded grenades just got lobbed back, pin out:oops:

Glen
Click to expand...

I'm done listening to sales pitch. I may ask about certain components and performance but I keep one ear closed. Dealers want to sell bikes. Manufacturers want to sell bikes. They may only own up to mistakes made public in the past but that it. Hit the deck. Live incoming!! I really do hope and want to believe all that was said to be true. I love my Norton, but heard how great they were before I bought mine too.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well, looks like they eventually listened Richard!

Now you and your Dad will have to turn your inventive minds to something else... Rears sets? 2:1 exhaust systems? Performance cams? Big bore kits? Pod filter / airbox removal kits? ECU modules?
And that’s just for starters...
Click to expand...

Yeah,
Richard how about a Drouin for the 961?:D
 
Britfan60 said:
I'm done listening to sales pitch. I may ask about certain components and performance but I keep one ear closed. Dealers want to sell bikes. Manufacturers want to sell bikes. They may only own up to mistakes made public in the past but that it. Hit the deck. Live incoming!! I really do hope and want to believe all that was said to be true. I love my Norton, but heard how great they were before I bought mine too.
Click to expand...

I most certainly won’t be hiding anything or be shy about any faults that show up with mine. They’ll be broadcast on here loud and clear...

FWIW, the sales man was somewhat ‘nice but dim’ when it came to any technical questions. However, Kev, who I spoke to at the show had nothing to sell, I opened our chat by saying I wasn’t buying cos I’d already bought one, but wanted to talk to someone able to answer some technical questions. He jumped forward and said “that’s me, what do you want to know”?

He gave me confidence. Time will tell if the product lives up to it !
 
Hello Fast Eddie , Have you taken a test drive yet ? I would do that , just to be sure you like it. I did not have that opportunity when I purchased mine. I had to take the buy it and see approach. Naturally , if you are a died in the wool Norton guy like me it wont matter. BUT if you are expecting high levels of refinement like BMW and Triumph don't buy it. The Norton 961 experience is very visceral , much like driving a MOTUS 1650 . You will feel everything , and this is not knock . This bike is not for general consumption , it is an acquired taste.
 

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