Latest service manual still shows the one way valve in the return line . Maybe Rob can tell us what they changed ? If they now manufacture the frame with the oil return above the level of oil in the tank they wouldn't need a non-return valve in the oil line. Could that be what Norton has done ? They should have done that from the beginning.
Oil Pump Schematic Ref. No. #19
Part Description
Torque (Nm)
That manual appears to show ‘pre formed’ oil lines.
These would be nice. But mine are simply lengths of tube cut off of a roll, as I imagine everyone else’s are.
So this isn’t some big ‘design issue’ it’s an assembly quality issue. The guys cutting the oil hoses, and fitting them, have probably never been trained on the importance of them not being too long. All he has to do is cut them an inch too long and bingo, we have our problem!
And, irrespective of the above (probable) training deficit, the QC processes are clearly not designed to confirm this either.
In Norton’s defence, this kind of ‘non sexy’ and ‘old fashioned’ type of failure is all too common, even in very big corporations.
The belief that technology will solve everything is WRONG and has a lot to answer for. Robust processes at the shop floor are still an absolute necessity.
It’s a shame that Norton have repeatedly denied the offer of FREE help from highly experienced ex Toyota managers (no strings attached, they are simply Norton fans), as this is exactly the kind of thing that would have been nipped in the bud via use of some very simple Toyota methodology.
Ah well...!
