961 Carbon Fiber

if you want a full fairing for a Commando who are we to stop you? Now there’s a thought Carbon Fibre full or half fairing ,challenge there for some keen modeller,now that the wolf pack of legal beagles are safely back in their lair , someone may just yet purloin that concept with permission from Norton’s go to guy, & thank u Simon btw for making me such icon bike that took me 8,500 miles in 10 weeks across Canada & USA , & thanks again to The transatlantic norton gurus Richard & Dad in helping me make it , I look forward to evertime I climb aboard that bike,& the delays I get when I park it & refuel in having to talk to people about it.
 
Does anyone know the durability of the c/f number plate/rear indicator carrier?

My anniversary has one fitted as standard but it covers a heavy gauge metal carrier. I have taken the rear carrier completely apart as I wanted to see if I could modify the angle that the number plate sits (the UK license plate is like a huge billboard) and it seems to me that the c/f unit on it's own should be plenty strong enough to hold indicators and a pressed alloy number plate but not sure if the vibration at rear end results in premature fatigue of the c/f mounting points. The metal carrier must weigh 8 - 10 oz on it's own. If the c/f isn't durable then it is a pretty pointless addition as 95% of it is hidden from view.
 
A std number plate is big, and so are the stock indicators, and there a reflector bracket to support.

I would also imagine that removing / reducing that lot should allow the CF mount to cope.

But at 8-10 oz, I wouldn’t be expecting a marked increase in performance ...
 
961 Carbon Fiber
Does anyone know the durability of the c/f number plate/rear indicator carrier?

My anniversary has one fitted as standard but it covers a heavy gauge metal carrier. I have taken the rear carrier completely apart as I wanted to see if I could modify the angle that the number plate sits (the UK license plate is like a huge billboard) and it seems to me that the c/f unit on it's own should be plenty strong enough to hold indicators and a pressed alloy number plate but not sure if the vibration at rear end results in premature fatigue of the c/f mounting points. The metal carrier must weigh 8 - 10 oz on it's own. If the c/f isn't durable then it is a pretty pointless addition as 95% of it is hidden from view.
Martin , it is rock solid ,i binned the metal reflector holder, & stuck my only very slightly illegal ( it’s the width of the c/f piece & letter / numbers /spaces are a few millimetres short ) I used some double sided gel type tape which is used in the sign industry & commands £100 a roll or something like that ,my plates been on 12,000 Miles & tbh I would struggle to remove it , if u would like some I can post u a strip , just pm me ,I do have a temp reflector on atm ,but have an alternative on order that I attach to bottom of plate
 
Hi Guys,

We had the carbon and plastic parts cracking in the early days so the steel structure was introduced as a fix, they have never broken since, it is 'over' engineered! It will crack eventually without that bracket. Like you say for the very minimal weight saving its not worth it and of course we cannot replace these parts under warranty if they do break.

Cheers

Simon
 
Hi Guys,

We had the carbon and plastic parts cracking in the early days so the steel structure was introduced as a fix, they have never broken since, it is 'over' engineered! It will crack eventually without that bracket. Like you say for the very minimal weight saving its not worth it and of course we cannot replace these parts under warranty if they do break.

Cheers

Simon
Thanks Simon, I came to pretty much the same conclusion today.... 'steel bracket over engineered' but 'c/f likely to crack over time' without it so I put everything back as found :)
 
You hit the head on the head!
I’m a car mechanic and all my life (46 years) I’ve been around, building and fixing cars. My dad owns a shop and I myself also own a shop. I was never into motorcycles, but 2 years ago for some reason I had the urge to buy a bike.
I’ve known about all the brands available throughout all the years but I always liked the idea of a British motorcycle.
When I decide on buying a bike the first and only one that came to mind was a Norton. Keep in mind I had no idea they were back in business, my first thought was to buy a 60s-70s Norton and restore it.

After doing a few minutes of internet searching I realized Norton was in fact back in business and I started looking for a new 2016 Commando SF. I bought my first new Norton, a 2016 Commando SF from South Bay Norton in California (I’m in Michigan) shortly after I purchased my bike I ran across this great forum and learned about the minor problems our bikes can have.
Thanks to Richard and his dad I purchase all the recommendations they provided and fitted them to my bike the same day it arrived.
I have not had one single problem with my Commando at all.
Well I take that back, I did have the neutral light flicker, but Callum sent me the patch cable and I fixed it myself. Very easy repair.
I have put many upgrades on my Commando that I bought directly from Norton. (Alloy tank, all polished chassis parts including polished yolks, bar clamps, foot controls, shift and foot brake levers, etc)
I also must say that when Callum was with Norton I would email him everything I wanted and I’d receive my order in 3 days tops. He was great to work with! I miss him!

Last spring I placed my order for another Norton. This time a 2016 Dominator Naked.
I ordered it from Indian of Orange County. Leo and Byron are the best guys to work with.
Again I purchased the parts Richard and his dad recommended and fitted them to my Dominator and had absolutely no problems at all.
Without Richard and his dad doing all they do for our bikes we’d be left in the dark!
I’m not one to ever take my cars or bikes to the dealers.
Being that I’m a mechanic I don’t trust anyone else. But In my honest opinion Norton should be greatful Richard and his dad put so much hard work and information on this forum for all Norton owners to be aware of and learn from.
I would never send my bike back to California for repairs. No way!

The day I received my Dominator the shipping company broke my tail light, rear turn signal, dented the long silent muffler, scratched the yolk and scratched the headlight bucket.
Leo insured the bike and the shipping company refused to pay for the damages!
They only paid me $270.00 and would only insure the bike by the pound. I was fking pissed to say the least.

Another thing that ticks me off is the same day I received my bike I contacted Norton to buy the damaged parts listed above, I emailed both Clem and Kevin and after numerous emails and calls I still have not received anything period.
They kept telling me that the Naked was a very low production bike and the parts are not available.
Really? The polished yolks, tail light and turn signals are the same as all Dominators.
I want my parts and will pay out of my pocket as I did with Callum. But to not get any word or parts after a 2 month run around is ridiculous.
It’s been 8 months now and still nothing.

Without people like us buying the commando and Dominator, Norton wouldn’t even be in business again.
And without the help of Richard and his dad, Norton would have more problems and they would just keep making the same bike with the same old problems.
Norton, you can deny it all you want. But the facts speak for themselves. Richard and his dad helped you make a better Norton motorcycle and they didn’t get anything in return but shit on by you as a company.
I love both of my bikes and take pride in owning them.
But!
Give credit where credit is due!
The Coote’s deserve recognition for all they have done!

Sorry for my rant but that comment from Simon pisses me off. “Cleaning up his mess”
Pretty sure I have spare turn signals if you would like them?
 
Pretty sure I have spare turn signals if you would like them?
I also have a few spares myself.
The point was that I placed numerous orders when Callum was there and ALWAYS received awesome customer service with him. I ordered over $8000 in parts from Norton with Callum and would receive them to my front door in Michigan USA in 3 days unless it was a out of stock part.
When I received my Dominator Naked a few pieces were damaged and I placed my order with Kevin only to be tossed around to Clem and back to Kevin then back to Clem.
8 months and still nothing.
I’ll send another Email soon.

Thank you for the offer Foggy.
 
Hi,

I posted on other threads some work in progress images this is a better thread for this post.
Looking generally at the discussions in this thread, I think when you can’t buy the parts really want, you have to make them yourself.
So look what just came out of my mold today
961 Carbon Fiber

961 Carbon Fiber
 
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Thanks for your compliments.
Still lots of work to do!
First finalize the part, cutting the edges and mold split print.
Then inserting the back light.
And than the exciting part. Modifying the bikes frame. And finalizing
Hopefully all before spring. So I can enjoy driving again:)
 
Thanks for your compliments.
Still lots of work to do!
First finalize the part, cutting the edges and mold split print.
Then inserting the back light.
And than the exciting part. Modifying the bikes frame. And finalizing
Hopefully all before spring. So I can enjoy driving again:)
Guessing u have but how bout a carbon fibre wrap job on fuel tank & airbox ?
 
If your seat is possible to fit without too extreme frame mods, I’d suggest making a few and opening a paypal account...
 
If your seat is possible to fit without too extreme frame mods, I’d suggest making a few and opening a paypal account...
Yes this is also in my head, to suppress the major costs, and make some of you
First have to see what the final results is. Although now it looks already pretty promising.
 
It looks very promising indeed!

My only suggestion would be to limit the frame mods to the minimum.

If the mod is reversible it will be far more popular.

Indeed, if it is reversible, I’d like to put my name down first !
 
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