961 at Mallory

Fast Eddie · Jul 14, 2019

I had the 961 on the track at Mallory Park again this weekend.

Unfortunately mine was the only one out there (as far as I know).

To anyone who’s thinking about doing a track day on one etc, DO IT!

They are really rather surprisingly good. Of course, they’re not gonna win any BHP challenges, but the chassis, suspension and brakes are very ‘flattering’ ie they make it easy to hussle it along.

I’m not Rossi, but I found it possible to gain on far faster bikes on corner entry, corner speed (especially around Gerrards), and corner exit. Which all meant the power disadvantage was much reduced in terms of its overall impact.

The bike started / ran / ticked over / held its oil flawlessly all weekend.

Loved it !!

jan nelder · Jul 14, 2019

I saw your bike in the paddock, but didn’t have time to find owners if they weren’t visible.Perhaps another time!

Fast Eddie · Jul 14, 2019

That’s a shame Jan.

Actually due to some friends bikes cluttering up the space (!) we were spread out a bit and I was perhaps not so easy to identify.

I’ll try and make myself more visible next year !

regental · Jul 14, 2019

You were going well yesterday on both bikes & putting in regular 62s laps on the 961 - the can on the 920 made a glorious sound also - you were busy chatting when I went past so didn't interrupt but it is a great event

Fast Eddie · Jul 14, 2019

regental said:
You were going well yesterday on both bikes & putting in regular 62s laps on the 961 - the can on the 920 made a glorious sound also - you were busy chatting when I went past so didn't interrupt but it is a great event

Thanks for that !

But next time, please do come and interrupt us...

TonyA · Jul 14, 2019

Good report ! Lovin it .

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Jul 14, 2019

Fast Eddie said:
I had the 961 on the track at Mallory Park again this weekend.

Unfortunately mine was the only one out there (as far as I know).

To anyone who’s thinking about doing a track day on one etc, DO IT!

They are really rather surprisingly good. Of course, they’re not gonna win any BHP challenges, but the chassis, suspension and brakes are very ‘flattering’ ie they make it easy to hussle it along.

I’m not Rossi, but I found it possible to gain on far faster bikes on corner entry, corner speed (especially around Gerrards), and corner exit. Which all meant the power disadvantage was much reduced in terms of its overall impact.

The bike started / ran / ticked over / held its oil flawlessly all weekend.

Loved it !!

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Jul 14, 2019

Nice one Nigel,& are photos to follow of yer taped up headlight & number etc ?

Fast Eddie · Jul 14, 2019

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Nice one Nigel,& are photos to follow of yer taped up headlight & number etc ?

There was a track side photographer, will have to wait n see if he got my good side!

Taped up headlights is a good point Rich...

Anyone taking a Euro 4 961 on the track should disconnect the headlight bulb, as you can’t turn the lights off and taping up the lens (which is plastic) will cause it to melt!

Actually, taping it up is not required because it is not glass, but many scrutineers seem not to be aware of this and insist on taping.

Fast Eddie · Jul 14, 2019

And, despite spending a lot of time at or around 7,000rpm, the catch bottle has probably only got 1/8” of oil in it.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 14, 2019

Awesome report Eddie,

Takes some balls to thrash such an expensive beauty around the track.I just know that I would get carried away and land it in the kitty litter! Fantastic to hear how well the 961 held up. I love this bike.

Long live Norton.

Steve

Fast Eddie · Jul 15, 2019

Stephen_Spencer said:
Takes some balls to thrash such an expensive beauty around the track.I just know that I would get carried away and land it in the kitty litter!

Well yes, I’d be gutted if I binned it Steve, but actually, at an event like that, it’s not really an expensive bike, from Manx Norton’s, Rob North’s and Seeley’s through to modern high end sports bikes there were many bikes worth far more than a 961. And that’s without even mentioning the exotica that was in attendance.

Regarding the avoidance of kitty litter etc. Whilst this is, of course, still a very real risk, it’s actually one of the best things about the 961. With the chassis performance well in excess of the engines performance I think I’m less likely to get caught out by the bikes power. It’s the same thing when I think about V4 vs Superlight, I’m sure the V4s power would either put me in the gravel, or make me over compensate and ride like an old woman.

My thinking is that an over chassis’d under powered bike is going to be a lower risk, and it’s going to allow me to focus on, and hopefully improve, my riding ... rather than just hanging on with white knuckles between corners (I can go to Alton Towers for that) !

MAK · Jul 15, 2019

What day were you out on track, I was there on Sunday,
Two 961’s in the bike park.
My Norton has started to do the dreaded hunting on Rickover-1200 to 1600,
changed idle control valve but made no difference.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 15, 2019

Get what you’re saying Eddie, but those 80 horse are still enough to get you in trouble methinks. If you don’t know what you are doing! No ABS on my Mk1 also, and I just know that the ‘red mist’ would come down and I would end up trying to chase my mates megamonster sports bike

Think I’ll stick to the highways and byways! Call me a big girl! Anyway, we can just live vicariously through your exploits.

Steve

Fast Eddie · Jul 16, 2019

MAK said:
What day were you out on track, I was there on Sunday,
Two 961’s in the bike park.
My Norton has started to do the dreaded hunting on Rickover-1200 to 1600,
changed idle control valve but made no difference.

I was out on Saturday. I was supposed to be out early on a Sunday on the 920, but a combination of damp weather in the morning and too much to drink the night before eroded my enthusiasm.

Shame really cos Sunday is a much faster day as a rule.

bpjthornton · Jul 16, 2019

Nicely done Nigel, with those new cans on it must have sounded great. Did you keep the factory tyres on?

Fast Eddie · Jul 16, 2019

The cans sounded better than glorious Ben!

Did you make it or were you full on nappy changing ??

It’s quite a limiting factor though when I start pondering doing more track days. I’d like to know the actual dB level with the baffles fitted and might look at ways of quietening it for the tracks.

Got me thinking, all the bikes in my shed are too noisy for most race tracks! I really ought to have a decently quite one amongst them so I can do more track days...

And yes, still the factory tyres. They seem good enough for my needs, although I started to feel a bit of squirming around Gerards.

Fast Eddie · Jul 16, 2019

I put the little baffles in the Thiel pipes today to see what’s what. They are surprisingly effective, really reducing the noise. On a brief test the bike ran very well, in fact I couldn’t really detect any difference.

Just got to try and find out what the dB is with these on. I tried a couple of different noise meter apps, but they were both pretty useless. Anyone know of any good ones?

961 at Mallory

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