Birmingham Norton Test Ride and Comparison.

Fast Eddie · Jul 24, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
Get your point entirely FE, although the unknown seems to be the disparity in build/reliability - have ya got a Monday bike or a Friday one. Some having significant issues whilst others have virtually none - or maybe the ‘lucky’ ones just don’t have the mileage yet.

Think I’d be letting Stu have a good gander at it as a first port of call.

I would be delighted to be proved wrong, but I believe most (if not all) high mileage 961s have either suffered various mechanical failures and / or had blueprint rebuilds ?

Panetone · Jul 24, 2023

Clive said:
Well after hearing about poor trade-in offers I didn't ask about that for mine. I still have some issues - just about to replace sensors and hopefully Stu can take a look for me I think there may be a mechanical problem so I have reached the point where I just want to get back to the position where I can just get on the bike and ride so was pondering a new one. I am considering going back to just the one bike and much as I enjoy the others the 961 just presses all the buttons for me. Mine has now done 14000miles so sale value is not fantastic, and I would have to get the issues sorted to sell, then I would be looking to get bits on a new bike polished up so I am currently teetering. Once the engine is properly sorted I do still need to get that horrible clutch fixed one and for all. So as you can tell I have a few things to consider but either way I still want to have a 961 in the garage.

For the water-cooled option I was told that different engines were being looked at for the overseas markets so make of that what you will. Oh yes and apparently they have just taken delivery of a half million plus new CNC machine so there is still cash flowing into the company. There was a corner of the reception area which was supposed to be 'delivery room' but has turned into a storage area soon to be where Norton clothing and accessories are available. So that implies factory tours and visitor area. All in all sounds quite positive - I know we have been impatient but I do think things are coming together.

Give me a price for your bike unrepaired with all problems

Fast Eddie · Jul 24, 2023

Panetone said:
Give me a price for your bike unrepaired with all problems

You might be running out of excuses Clive !!

BritTwit · Jul 24, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
You might be running out of excuses Clive !!

One simple PM, and he may be on his way to a NEW 961.

TonyA · Jul 24, 2023

BritTwit said:
One simple PM, and he may be on his way to a NEW 961.

Three cheers for Clive and Panetone !

TonyA · Jul 24, 2023

961al said:
Ha Ha yes Tony, i'm now on my third Z900RS lol... keep sellin em to try other bikes, but keep comin back to em... like a 961 i suppose ..

The Z900RS SE is especially nice :

https://www.cyclenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-Kawasaki-Z900RS-SE-Specifications.jpg

961al · Jul 24, 2023

TonyA said:
The Z900RS SE is especially nice

YEP.....

Birmingham Norton Test Ride and Comparison.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 24, 2023

TonyA said:
The Z900RS SE is especially nice :

https://www.cyclenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-Kawasaki-Z900RS-SE-Specifications.jpg

Yep, they really did get the styling right on the Z900 - guess that’s why ya see so many. I’d love to ride one. This one would do nicely!

TonyA · Jul 24, 2023

961al said:
YEP.....

That is Sweet ! I have the Candytone green and yellow 2020 version.

BritTwit · Jul 24, 2023

The wheels are neat!

Clive · Jul 25, 2023

Panetone said:
Give me a price for your bike unrepaired with all problems

Well this is a really difficult one - adding up the extra cost of a new one plus all the blingy bits to make it look like mine vs the warranty/reliability. Riding in to work today with the tiniest glimmer of summer(?) sunshine I just love riding the thing and am now thinking of cutting back to to just the Norton in the garage so reliability is valuable and I just spent a lot getting my Morgan restored. I am currently inclined to get Stu to have a look to see what he thinks. The current noise has only been since the rocker bushes collapsed and were replaced so think it must be associated. Lifters? Then I see pictures of Fast Eddie's gorgeous new Seeley Commando..... Arggg the 961 is such a fickle mistress.

Fast Eddie · Jul 25, 2023

Clive said:
Well this is a really difficult one - adding up the extra cost of a new one plus all the blingy bits to make it look like mine vs the warranty/reliability. Riding in to work today with the tiniest glimmer of summer(?) sunshine I just love riding the thing and am now thinking of cutting back to to just the Norton in the garage so reliability is valuable and I just spent a lot getting my Morgan restored. I am currently inclined to get Stu to have a look to see what he thinks. The current noise has only been since the rocker bushes collapsed and were replaced so think it must be associated. Lifters? Then I see pictures of Fast Eddie's gorgeous new Seeley Commando..... Arggg the 961 is such a fickle mistress.

First world problems eh ?!?

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 25, 2023

Why have’nt I seen pictures of FE’s ‘gorgeous new Seeley Commando’’ - did I miss something?

Show and tell FE! Hiding a new bike is unacceptable behaviour!!

Fast Eddie · Jul 25, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
Why have’nt I seen pictures of FE’s ‘gorgeous new Seeley Commando’’ - did I miss something?

Show and tell FE! Hiding a new bike is unacceptable behaviour!!

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 25, 2023

Very cool FE!

Had a look at Minnovation Racing and Martin Page - interesting guy, story and business! Building Mark II and Mk III Seeley Commandos, amongst other racing machinery!

You’re gonna race it obviously! Were you not tempted to get the road registrable model - can this beauty be easily made roadworthy? More fun on the track of course!

Fast Eddie · Jul 25, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
Very cool FE!

Had a look at Minnovation Racing and Martin Page - interesting guy, story and business! Building Mark II and Mk III Seeley Commandos, amongst other racing machinery!

You’re gonna race it obviously! Were you not tempted to get the road registrable model - can this beauty be easily made roadworthy? More fun on the track of course!

Stephen_Spencer said:
Very cool FE!

Had a look at Minnovation Racing and Martin Page - interesting guy, story and business! Building Mark II and Mk III Seeley Commandos, amongst other racing machinery!

You’re gonna race it obviously! Were you not tempted to get the road registrable model - can this beauty be easily made roadworthy? More fun on the track of course!

View attachment 108482

It’s a track bike. No need or desire to ride it on the road. Adding all that road detritus to race bikes is a crime IMO.

Stephen_Spencer · Jul 25, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
It’s a track bike. No need or desire to ride it on the road. Adding all that road detritus to race bikes is a crime IMO.

Gotcha - no doubt that is gonna be awesome authentic track fun!

Good on ya! Reckon I’d be afraid to run that beauty into the kitty litter; the reason I’d never take the CR onto the track! You’ve obviously got much more of a clue!

Video footage of the first track outing would be very cool to see!

Fast Eddie · Jul 25, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
Video footage of the first track outing would be very cool to see!

First track outing was in May. And I don’t do videos mate. Unless you want porn…

TonyA · Jul 25, 2023

TonyA said:
That is Sweet ! I have the Candytone green and yellow 2020 version.

This is mine now :

Panetone · Jul 25, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
First world problems eh ?!?

Hi Fast Eddie,
you are right:
what a babble on a simple request for a price.

Cheers
Panetone

Birmingham Norton Test Ride and Comparison.

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