Billet clutch basket surprise...

I've got no problem with re-riveting the basket together, as Nikoli mentions, its the swelling of the rivets that's just as important as the peening over. For my own build, I riveted the unit together, and then tig welded it (the steel used on the retaining plate is optim700, so fine to weld).... belt and braces approach. Only difference being, I had four rivets to hand at that time. For now though, given the state of the basket, I think we'll be looking for a complete unit.
 
Nikoli started a thread a few months ago about offering a replacement clutch, but the general consensus was that he wouldn't sell many so the thread went cold. I don't agree personally. The existing clutch is a flawed design and as bikes rack up more miles I'm certain there will be a growing demand for them.
 
cliffa said:
Nikoli started a thread a few months ago about offering a replacement clutch, but the general consensus was that he wouldn't sell many so the thread went cold. I don't agree personally. The existing clutch is a flawed design and as bikes rack up more miles I'm certain there will be a growing demand for them.
Click to expand...
You’re undoubtedly right about the design.

But Nikoli was hardly met with a tidal wave of responses / deposits was he?

Without firm interest the poor fella would risk sinking thousands into the project, simply to have a shed full of clutches of which he sold 2-3 of a year !
 
Fast Eddie said:
You’re undoubtedly right about the design.

But Nikoli was hardly met with a tidal wave of responses / deposits was he?

Without firm interest the poor fella would risk sinking thousands into the project, simply to have a shed full of clutches of which he sold 2-3 of a year !
Click to expand...
I Agree the response was not great on here and realize the risk involved , but apparently (maybe) there were a couple of thousand bikes made with basically the same clutch so I do feel that there will be a market for it. There are other ways to publicize it as well don't forget. Obviously this all depends on the minimum order quantity and price etc.
 
I had a contact willing to start remaking the 961 aluminium tanks, but there was little take up, via Facebook at least. Trouble is many want to see the item in stock before committing their name to one..... and the provider can't gamble the financial outlay until people commit.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I had a contact willing to start remaking the 961 aluminium tanks, but there was little take up, via Facebook at least. Trouble is many want to see the item in stock before committing their name to one..... and the provider can't gamble the financial outlay until people commit.
Click to expand...
There was a similar list started on here that attracted quite a lot of names, but the thread originator has seemingly disappeared.

The list seeemd to get up to 11 parties or so. But obviously a new list would be prudent given the time that has lapsed.

I don’t know what happened to the project, it just seemed to fizzle out.

Heres the thread: https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/commando-alloy-tank-group-buy.29254/

If you have a willing tank maker, it would be worthwhile starting a list on here IMHO…
 
Last edited:
All these clutch pictures of those Cush drive springs has brought it all back again , the loud bang in the engine b4 I turned it off , the trauma, anxiety of not having the bike & the not knowing etc , so I know I’ve shown these pics a few times on different threads , but here a reminder of what happened to my 2016 bike at 16,300 miles .
Billet clutch basket surprise...
Billet clutch basket surprise...
Billet clutch basket surprise...
 
Fast Eddie said:
There was a similar list started on here that attracted quite a lot of names, but the thread originator has seemingly disappeared.

The list seeemd to get up to 11 parties or so. But obviously a new list would be prudent given the time that has lapsed.

I don’t know what happened to the project, it just seemed to fizzle out.

Heres the thread: https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/commando-alloy-tank-group-buy.29254/

If you have a willing tank maker, it would be worthwhile starting a list on here IMHO…
Click to expand...
Just had a quick read.... I'm afraid I find it very unlikely that my mate could do it that cheap! He is an ex Norton weld shop manager, now running his own engineering business down in Hinckley (Google The-Machine-Shop). He's still involved with the Norton tanks, as he's doing repairs as necessary for one of the dealers down south.
Norton used to buy in the skins, with the underside and inside being fabricated in house, and then linished and polished in house. Bob would be looking to follow that same path, using the same skin provider. If there is genuine and worthwhile interest, then I'll approach him again on the subject.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Just had a quick read.... I'm afraid I find it very unlikely that my mate could do it that cheap! He is an ex Norton weld shop manager, now running his own engineering business down in Hinckley (Google The-Machine-Shop). He's still involved with the Norton tanks, as he's doing repairs as necessary for one of the dealers down south.
Norton used to buy in the skins, with the underside and inside being fabricated in house, and then linished and polished in house. Bob would be looking to follow that same path, using the same skin provider. If there is genuine and worthwhile interest, then I'll approach him again on the subject.
Click to expand...
Another option could be to send an old plastic tank to India and get them to have a go….
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Just had a quick read.... I'm afraid I find it very unlikely that my mate could do it that cheap! He is an ex Norton weld shop manager, now running his own engineering business down in Hinckley (Google The-Machine-Shop). He's still involved with the Norton tanks, as he's doing repairs as necessary for one of the dealers down south.
Norton used to buy in the skins, with the underside and inside being fabricated in house, and then linished and polished in house. Bob would be looking to follow that same path, using the same skin provider. If there is genuine and worthwhile interest, then I'll approach him again on the subject.
Click to expand...
Irish Bob ??
 
cliffa said:
By "compression limiters" are you referring to that the oval shaped spacer which the rivet is passing through in your picture?
Click to expand...

That Norton (I can't see what is billet about it certainly not the basket) clutch has some oddities even if a copy of sorts of most Japanese clutches with the same damper spring set up.
The inner bushes to set the axial clearance would be important so the damper springs work radially and by rights would be a stepped rivet to maintain that setting at manufacture not floating if that is what it is based on the pic.

Only four damper springs is odd also so the wear is little surprise especially with an open coil at the pocket thrust faces.

It would not be to hard to build a clutch that would last, not Norton but this was a custom clutch I built in 2007.
A TL1000 drive with a OEM GSXR1000 slipper unit mated to it.

SCT36.JPG
 
Last edited:
Hi all,
Help needed. I finally have gotten around to inspect the clutch on my 2015 Sport. I was only going to change the clutch side gasket as it had a small weep, but thought while I was at it I’d check the clutch given the history.
Ive read a few threads over the years regarding the clutch, none of them too encouraging.
So I’ve removed the pressure plate and clutch plates and the assembly feels way too sloppy so I suspect the worst but to get the hub and basket off it looks like I need the special clutch tool, can one of you guys tell me if this is the case? Or is there an alternative?
Not sure where I’ll go if the rivets etc do need to be remedied but one step at a time. Better to find out before catastrophe strikes.
Some of the parts in the clutch housing are marked MM or WW depending on which way you look at it, fyi.

The bike has just over 21,000klms, mostly trouble free, no issues other than the usual oil in air box and chain guard.

thanks
 
Hi Tiedy, you just need 30mm socket and a clutch holding tool,which is the same as many Yamaha’s such as the TDM850.
I can recommend this one..

www.ebay.co.uk

Norton 961 Clutch Holding Tool | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Norton 961 Clutch Holding Tool at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk

Keep us posted on your progress.
 
Oh sorry, forgot, you will need to remove the intermediate gear first which is on a taper, so you will need a puller for that.
 
Hi Cliffa,
Thanks for the advice, thought that would be the case, I should be able to source one locally and will keep you updated on progress.

Thanks Gojuu, they’ll be my first call, cheers
 
Back
Top