961 Turning Circle

I'm new here and I've seen some discussions about the ridiculous turning circle of the 961 Sport. I hadn't realised all Sports were like this - when I got mine it reminded me of my '93 Duke 900SS, which was real tricky at low speed manoeuvring.
On my particular 961 Sport Anniversary I further discovered that the lock to lock wasn't the same left to right because the lugs on the headstock hadn't been welded in place evenly each side. Really bad QC?
Up on the hoist I could see there was obviously more available lock to be had but the stops on the bottom yoke (triple tree) hadn't been fettled / adjusted. I still can't understand how the previous owner tolerated this.
So, thinking this was an oversight on my particular bike I cut away the stops and now have a decent (and evenly apportioned) headstock movement that remains clear of the tank on full lock. I had to fettle one side a little bit more than the other in order to achieve an even 'swing'.
I've attached a pic showing the small amount I removed and it begs the question: why didn't the Norton Factory do this?
Of course, the Sport has top yoke mounted bars so this Mod might not be possible if Clip-ons are fitted.
Now, I understand this job aint for the feint hearted but has anyone else had to do this, considered it or asked a moto mechanic if its possible for their bike?

Nice work, I hadn’t even thought to check whether things could be improved. Something else for the list

I reckon mine turns worse than the QE2 - but never thought to cut the lock stops.

Glad to see some positive comments - I felt a bit of a 'clutz' when I discovered I'd done something I maybe wasn't supposed to do ..!
But if we check out the gap between the tank and the fork tubes on full lock its likely about the same on most Sports. Mine was around 3cm on one side and 3.5cm on the other! Now is a nice, even 8mm clearance each side with a massive improvement on turning circle. My mates don't stand applauding and sniggerin when I pull up at the local caff ..
What I did: Check the clearance you have then loose off the two front tank fasteners. Remove the seat and see if you've got some 'jiggle' for a bit more clearance. Then refit the seat to settle it all back in line and retighten the tank bolts.
A hoist makes this job a whole lot easier and the best way to proceed is to strip out the front end and cut the stops on the bench.
However, Norton Factory likely know how much to remove and I didn't so I used a 'plunge cutter' without dismantling and very, very carefully, checking and double checking the tank fit.
The first side was tough but the 'new found' clearance made the second one easier.
Furthermore, if too much metal is removed its not the end of the world coz a slug/rivet can be inserted into the stop to build it back up again.
And if you don't wanna risk DIY, any proper bike shop / workshop could do it for you in a coupla hours.

You're destroying the exclusivity of the 961, stop it!
Jesus, improve the turning radius, improve the starting, and idling, improve the seat latching.......
Damn, pretty soon these 961's will be so easy to live with, everybody is gonna want one!

BritTwit said:

You're destroying the exclusivity of the 961, stop it!
Jesus, improve the turning radius, improve the starting, and idling, improve the seat latching.......
Damn, pretty soon these 961's will be so easy to live with, everybody is gonna want one!

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Yeah, yr correct. Sorry ... But I admit I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to do it ! And, loadsa people do want one, we're the lucky ones.

I did exactly that on my California - did the first half on the bike then decided to do a better job so stripped the lower yoke out and did a neater job with my dremmel cutting disc. It was dangerous and I'm sure an oversight when they were built.

Its the same on the Dominator. Actually dangerous if you ride other bikes and forget about it.
I must check the stops more closely and see if I have room to wiggle with.

Same on my 2018 cafe racer. On the first ever ride I nearly fell off it at the end of my road due to the tiny turning circle. You get use to it though

Welshrugby said:

Same on my 2018 cafe racer. On the first ever ride I nearly fell off it at the end of my road due to the tiny turning circle. You get use to it though

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I have clip ons ( cafe racer). there is no more turning available on the left, the turn signal almost kisses the tank. There is about 10-12mm open space turning right.

kanenas said:

I have clip ons ( cafe racer). there is no more turning available on the left, the turn signal almost kisses the tank. There is about 10-12mm open space turning right.

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As I suspected, clip-ons likely won't allow any improvement. Also, I was looking at an SF on Saturday.
That has different yokes to my 2018 Anniversary and despite it having standard bars, there appeared to be no clearance available for any improvement. There seems to be no consistency, some can be changed, some can't.