Email I just received from Norton.

Joined
Sep 12, 2022
Messages
260
Country flag
Hello Mr. ………..,

Thank you for your email. We released an update regarding parts and service earlier this year that you can see below:

“As you may know if you have been following the Norton story, we have been working through the issues left by the previous Norton company, NMUL Realisations Ltd., and although we (The Norton Motorcycle Co. Ltd.) bought some of the assets of NMUL we did not take on any liability or responsibility for any parts or products made and sold by that company.

We have now almost completed this work and unfortunately we have found that the parts we inherited came from a variety of sources, with very little documentation to show providence, quality standards, or important information regarding compatibility with different models. All this means that we cannot be certain that the parts would be of the necessary quality and standard to ensure rider safety. Therefore, we have taken the difficult decision that we cannot sell any parts we haven’t sourced, or tested; nor can we service, maintain or repair any bikes that we have not built. Unfortunately, this includes your motorcycle.

This isn’t a decision we have taken lightly; we have spent a significant amount of time checking the stock of parts in the hope of finding a way to support you, but it would be irresponsible of us to sell parts or service motorcycles without being confident we could guarantee your safety.

All motorcycles built and sold by us will, of course, be fully supported through Norton Birmingham, and in time a global network of Norton Customer Centres. Our Parts Department will shortly open, and when this happens, we will sell parts that are fitted to our own Norton Commando Classic 961 only. For the reasons set out above we will not be able to guarantee that they will fit your bike, nor that they are suitable or fit for purpose on your motorcycle.

We had hoped to find a better solution but that has not been possible due to the issues we have inherited.”

Best regards,

Norton Parts


This transmission is confidential and intended solely for the person or organisation to whom it is addressed.

It may contain privileged and confidential information and you should not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this transmission in error please notify us immediately by email at info@nortonmotorcycles.com.
 
That's been their position for sometime.


A failure to support the Norton name and allowing the values of pre TVS bikes to fall is a no no in the Automotive world. It will greatly affect their sales going forward IMHO.
 
That's been their position for sometime.


A failure to support the Norton name and allowing the values of pre TVS bikes to fall is a no no in the Automotive world. It will greatly affect their sales going forward IMHO.
Factory support ends after the 3 or whatever years warranty is over so the second hand value of pre-TVS bikes will be totally dependant on compatibility of the new parts. It sounds encouragingly as though TVS will sell spare parts to us - just don't expect support or a refund if they don't fit. There could even be some kudos for 'Donnington Bikes'.
 
Factory support ends after the 3 or whatever years warranty is over so the second hand value of pre-TVS bikes will be totally dependant on compatibility of the new parts. It sounds encouragingly as though TVS will sell spare parts to us - just don't expect support or a refund if they don't fit. There could even be some kudos for 'Donnington Bikes'.
There is a big difference between warranty support, and factory support for ‘service parts’ (as they are known).

Manufacturers have to provided service parts long after the warranty period. I cannot recall the specific timeframes.

Of course, TVS has no legal obligation to provide service parts as they are a different legal entity. But that’s different to the moral obligation, or even the blatant self interest in protecting the brand, as they are still the same brand !

In the automotive industry generally, older models service parts are taken care of by after market producers. But both SG and TVS Norton have shown a heavy handedness which has basically shut down aftermarket options to a large extent.

So what we’re currently left with is a bizarre situation whereby the OEM won’t commit to sell parts AND won’t allow aftermarket producers to do so either.

That’s madness. And will, OF COURSE lead to frustrations and feelings of ill will.

And in many ways, the biggest shame of all IMHO is that these bikes are such a fabulous things to ride when sorted. But these infuriating obstacles are way outside of my tolerence limit, leaving me just so pleased I sold mine when I did.
 
Last edited:
For those of us who stayed on the sinking ship Nigel ;) I still believe that if someone wants a second hand 961 it totally hinges on whether they can get spare parts. If the word is that 'the non TVS bikes are unreliable' or 'you can't buy parts for them' prices will plummet especially a few years down the line when we are competing on the second hand market with older TVS 961s. I still remain hopeful that many new parts will fit and enable us to improve the bikes then if we sell they will be 'with later clutch basket' etc. For people like me where the bike is a 'keeper' a big problem at the moment is service access to the ECU which is why I am trying to find a way of reading error codes. And even this can be fixed with a new ECU. Yes yes or carbs. Of course if the ECU remains the same we can go to one of the many new dealers.

I am also hopeful that TVS will see the benefit to the brand/model of aftermarket companies producing upgrades/accessories for the 961 but we shall see.
 
Situation - no change. Nothing new here. Fast forward a year or so and I strongly suspect that ‘common’ parts availability will be clear, alternate spares resolved and those who stayed wirh the ‘sinking ship’ will still be enjoying their bikes! Rode mine today - 300 km - fooking awesome!!
 
For those of us who stayed on the sinking ship Nigel ;) I still believe that if someone wants a second hand 961 it totally hinges on whether they can get spare parts. If the word is that 'the non TVS bikes are unreliable' or 'you can't buy parts for them' prices will plummet especially a few years down the line when we are competing on the second hand market with older TVS 961s. I still remain hopeful that many new parts will fit and enable us to improve the bikes then if we sell they will be 'with later clutch basket' etc. For people like me where the bike is a 'keeper' a big problem at the moment is service access to the ECU which is why I am trying to find a way of reading error codes. And even this can be fixed with a new ECU. Yes yes or carbs. Of course if the ECU remains the same we can go to one of the many new dealers.

I am also hopeful that TVS will see the benefit to the brand/model of aftermarket companies producing upgrades/accessories for the 961 but we shall see.
I’m hopeful too Clive, just glad I’m not actually involved currently!

But hey, dunno what you’re playing around at mate, rip off the crap and install these bad boyz (I’ve just ordered a pair of 39s for a project):

1699054A-5247-4F76-9E13-E8C0B9B40177.jpeg


In fact, if you don’t mind a bit of work, and can find another person interested, this would work out cheap(er):

 
No spare parts for the Domi. That’s a bad thing in my opinion.

I still don’t see TVS selling many Commandos. Anyone who wanted a commando 961 had years to do so when sg was running the show.

How can one really believe that TVS is any better with quality or after sale when none are available or offered?

If I was in the market to buy a new 961, I’d be more skeptical now than years ago.
 
Situation - no change. Nothing new here. Fast forward a year or so and I strongly suspect that ‘common’ parts availability will be clear, alternate spares resolved and those who stayed wirh the ‘sinking ship’ will still be enjoying their bikes! Rode mine today - 300 km - fooking awesome!!
My belief as well.
If the NEW 961 does become a popular seller, because it has been fixed, I think the factory will release parts to legacy 961 owners. I prefer the term legacy 961 to SG 961, leaves a better taste in the mouth.
We need to put the SG era to bed, permanently.

I'm certain that when the TVS/Norton boys started inspecting and measuring the legacy 961 parts that they inherited, they were shocked at the poor precision of the components. From their perceptive they could do nothing else but bin the parts. The poor precision and variablity of the manufactured components no doubt was the reason many 961 owners found their bikes to have so many strange qualitites, weaknesses, and failures. TVS just didn't want to involve themselves in the same insanity.
 
I’m hopeful too Clive, just glad I’m not actually involved currently!

But hey, dunno what you’re playing around at mate, rip off the crap and install these bad boyz (I’ve just ordered a pair of 39s for a project):

View attachment 99944


In fact, if you don’t mind a bit of work, and can find another person interested, this would work out cheap(er):

No joke, someone needs to do that.
FCR's would be great, and one of those Ignitech electronic ignition systems that appeared on the following link.
Then adding a supercharger would be child's play.:p

 
I’m hopeful too Clive, just glad I’m not actually involved currently!

But hey, dunno what you’re playing around at mate, rip off the crap and install these bad boyz (I’ve just ordered a pair of 39s for a project):

View attachment 99944


In fact, if you don’t mind a bit of work, and can find another person interested, this would work out cheap(er):

Looks more to me like you’re installing the crap……. The efi takes way less effort to sort than they ever will.
 
Looks more to me like you’re installing the crap……. The efi takes way less effort to sort than they ever will.

That‘s one way of looking at it.

Another way is, if we were to do a Pareto of all 961 problems to date, fitting FCRs and a new ign unit would have had the biggest single impact on reducing issues I’m sure!

And… it’s how they were designed… we have known settings for them. And… Ollie Thiele has done it. And… it’d be SO cool :cool: !!
 
@Fast Eddie yeah, I get you - but I think there would be columns and columns about ditching the FCR's for EFI…….
But very few would actually do the switch, unless they knew how to tune carbs.
So only the select few would have kick-ass cool FCRs hanging off the rear of their cylinder heads. The rattle from the flatslides when cold is great too. True racer chic.

And when I say tune carbs, it's no longer run the bike revs up on the street, chop the throttle, and pull the plugs to look at the color. Today you just drill and weld sensor fittings in you header pipes, then screw in sensors, and dyno the crap out for the bike.
 
That‘s one way of looking at it.

Another way is, if we were to do a Pareto of all 961 problems to date, fitting FCRs and a new ign unit would have had the biggest single impact on reducing issues I’m sure!
I’d honestly wonder if that pareto just shows that the least understood aspect of the bike is the injection. I know there are a lot of people here that can tune carbs - Im not sure that’s the same for EFI.
 
I’d honestly wonder if that pareto just shows that the least understood aspect of the bike is the injection. I know there are a lot of people here that can tune carbs - Im not sure that’s the same for EFI.
Maybe it’s not the EFI itself. But the WHOLE system, inc all the required sensors, that’s another matter.

When I had mine I bought a pair of FCRs off of Kenny Dreer ready to swap out for the day that the sensors issues tipped me over the edge… but I didn’t have any !! I sold the bike before fitting them. And I sold the carbs to Ollie Thiele.

Actually, maybe that’s the answer… maybe you don’t have to actually fit the carbs… just buy them and put them next to the bike as a threat…!
 
Last edited:
Actually, maybe that’s the answer… maybe you don’t have to actually fit the carbs… just buy them and put them next to the bike as a threat…!
Seems a perfectly plausible solution to me.
However, you should have a stand for mounting the carbs, and an illuminating light.
 
Back
Top