961 is back !

Stephen_Spencer said:
As we thought guys, same 961 with technical fixes. Two models - SP and Cafe Racer. Why mess with the styling - looks as beautiful as ever in the images. Now starts the quest to ID those changes so we can potentially piggy-back off the development. More than happy with that!:D
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Birmingham Norton may have even delt with the vibration /harshness and judder during takeoff . That would make it a winner in my book.
 
Absolute no brainer to launch the Commando again. However, I was expecting a new model that would be liquid cooled and meet the latest euro standards. Perhaps they realised it wouldn't be a big seller so saved the considerable expense of euro compliance. That's surely good news for existing 961 owners, I wonder if they would sell a complete engine if needed. A new engine would slot straight in surely. I realise that is a bit extreme but further down the line, could be an option to reduce the niggles
 
I don't know how I feel about the triple tree nut. also with all the supposed refinements there is still an inline oil filter?

Frame cracking? When were they going to tell original owners this?

36% reworked or changed?
And why rework the gas tank unless its a battery issue?
 
Voodooo said:
Plastic license plate holder
Metal chain guard
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Got to be something in the aftermarket catalogue right. Notice also no bikini fairing - think I prefer the bike with it.

The 36% claim will include absolutely everything that has been changed/amended or re-engineered, however minute. From the new valve train to amendment to a spec or technical drawing. I don’t believe for one moment that over a third of this bikes components have undergone physical/material change, but it is good PR to distance the technical difficulties of the SG era further.

Have we had a single instance of frame cracking around the headstock in 10 years of road testing (including cobbles)? A few cracked (over tightened) triple clamps maybe. Unfortunately I don’t see Norton Birmingham providing a detailed list of changes; why would they as a commercial entity, with an eye on legal implications. We will get some information from Norton, no doubt when we try to purchase certain components. The remainder will come with the passage of time and that’s ok - ownership of the original 961 was always gonna be a long game.
 
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Gojuu said:
You’re looking at this wrong. They aren’t fixing a bike. They’re fixing a company.
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Gojuu said:
Your looking at this wrong. They aren’t fixing a bike. They’re fixing a company.
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So if you purchase parts, it’s a risk and non refundable purchase.

How do we know what will and will not work. All they say is 35% of the parts are improved.

For all of us not in the UK, it’s a huge risk.
Still need more news and more direct information and questions answered.

You can’t have a successful company without customers.
 
In one of the video there was talk of US Homologation in the future. Don't remember Dr Bob ever saying anything about that. The thrust of the conversation was always just selling in the UK.
Did the factory just us a spokesperson to pass a bit of new?
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Got to be something in the aftermarket catalogue right. Notice also no bikini fairing - think I prefer the bike with it.

The 36% claim will include absolutely everything that has been changed/amended or re-engineered, however minute. From the new valve train to amendment to a spec or technical drawing. I don’t believe for one moment that over a third of this bikes components have undergone physical/material change, but it is good PR to distance the technical difficulties of the SG era further.
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Don't forget, Mr Skinner is still at Norton. He knows where all the bodies are buried. He knows which parts were stinkers, and which were serviceable. Which suppliers provided crap, and which were reputable. Being an engineer he probably disliked the slipshod methods employed during the SG period. He would certainly know all of the questionable areas of the 961. That would narrow down the search area, and time involved fixing the motor.
 
Voodooo said:
So if you purchase parts, it’s a risk and non refundable purchase.

How do we know what will and will not work. All they say is 35% of the parts are improved.

For all of us not in the UK, it’s a huge risk.
Still need more news and more direct information and questions answered.

You can’t have a successful company without customers.
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@Voodooo I reckon our definitions on risk might be different.

A closed manufacturer for a bike with limited "aftermarket support" beyond generic oem/alternate components

vs

an operating manufacturer of largely the same bike, with improved quality control, probably not on credit hold to their preferred supplier but a potential of not fitting (but likely close enough to be fettled) and new opportunities for oem/alternate components

I know it's different for a Dominator. But I've already bought parts, and have another quote for more in my inbox. It doesn't feel all that negative to me.
 
Gojuu said:
@Voodooo I reckon our definitions on risk might be different.

A closed manufacturer for a bike with limited "aftermarket support" beyond generic oem/alternate components

vs

an operating manufacturer of largely the same bike, with improved quality control, probably not on credit hold to their preferred supplier but a potential of not fitting (but likely close enough to be fettled) and new opportunities for oem/alternate components

I know it's different for a Dominator. But I've already bought parts, and have another quote for more in my inbox. It doesn't feel all that negative to me.
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They don’t guarantee them to fit and if they don’t work, it’s non refundable.

On top of that, the price of shipping and customs.
 
Voodooo said:
They don’t guarantee them to fit and if they don’t work, it’s non refundable.

On top of that, the price of shipping and customs.
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Yes, but not fitting and not working could be down to me buying an ECU from a late model when I've got a 2012 model.

Things like engine components is where the real concern likely is - but even so - a close fit component is likely better than no component at all.
 
Gojuu said:
Yes, but not fitting and not working could be down to me buying an ECU from a late model when I've got a 2012 model.

Things like engine components is where the real concern likely is - but even so - a close fit component is likely better than no component at all.
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A close fit engine component isn’t a solution. You can’t just throw something in an engine and say it’s close enough.

If it doesn’t fit, it won’t work.

But, it’s not sure what they changed so who knows when we’ll find out.
 
Voodooo said:
A close fit engine component isn’t a solution. You can’t just throw something in an engine and say it’s close enough.

If it doesn’t fit, it won’t work.

But, it’s not sure what they changed so who knows when we’ll find out.
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No, but I've mixed and matched enough similar, close or even same family different spec stuff to know that a machine shop with similar parts can get a workable solution. I don't believe for a second you haven't done the same.
 

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