Hello from Norton UK

961al said:

Hi Simon,
Allan here, a café racer owner in the uk.. ordered at the NEC bike show dec 2009 ( one of the first) and finally got the bike sept 2012 (don't ask...) LOVE THE BIKE...
Right, the short Motad pipes were fitted at the first service oct 2012, when there was no talk of remaps.... bike runs ok but stalls while stopped occasionally, is a bit grumpy at low revs but fairly takes off at 5000rpm...
I'm planning to have the decat pipe fitted at Norton and I want to know if there is a remap available for my bike and if so which map would it be for the decat and motad pipes? Reason for asking is that there is a post on this forum that states there is no remap that can be done to the early 961 ecu's . Is that correct and if so, would my bike fit into the 'early 961' category ?
Thanks in advance.

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Hi Allan,

All the bikes we have produced (certainly from early 2012 onwards) have ECU calibrations available for all options of exhausts. In reality for the 961 commando this is simply 2 options, standard road system or after market off-road exhaust (the long and short after market, with or without de-cat, utilize the same calibration). Please arrange for your bike to get to us here at the factory and our main man in UK service will get it sorted for you.

Its ok guys, the way things are continually improving and moving on here at the factory , in all aspects from the bikes themselves to the staff and even the facilities (new fabrication shop coming soon !) I've got no worries of us shutting shop any time soon ! A point that any member of public is welcome to come see for themselves by joining one of our weekly factory tours here at our 26 acre woodland site in the grounds of Donington Hall, UK.

BPHORSEGUY said:

Simon, are there any plans to export the Dominator SS to the US and if so, when?

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The Dominator SS and also the Dominator will be available in the USA in 49 states only from the beginning of 2016. Anyone in California will need to speak to South Bay Norton for further info.

SIMON;

Some bikes have Nikasil and some don't. Without taking apart the engine, are there any markings on the heads that you would know of to tell which liners are inside?

Also, some engines are Sand Casted and some are Die Casted of the same year, is there a clear date this changed or is there another reason for the two?? Vendors, Nikisil liners, low volume production vs higher volume, etc..

Thanks in advance..

Richard,

With regards to the barrels, they are all now Nikasil lined bores and have been for nearly 2 years. The sand cast barrels have steel liners and the die-cast ones are Nikasil lined. As volumes have grown we have been able to invest in new tooling that can create more cost effective ways of manufacturing components whilst always improving quality standards. This has enabled us to keep the same RRP of the bikes over the last few years even though costs globally have increased.

good info!!! :mrgreen:

THREE MORE>>

1) What is the dry weight of my bike? 2014 Standard bars, USD forks, Shortie exhaust with cats, FULL Carbon package?


2) Why in 2014 did the front carbon fender (maybe all materials) go to a new design?


3) Why did Norton change the color of the front calipers in 2014 from Gold to Grey?

Hello Simon , When can we expect a resolution to the oil in air box issue. ? This issue makes long trips unusual. Thanks Tony.

Hello Simon
Thank you for giving support to the costumers here.
I have one question. For the moment it is apparently quite difficult to get spare parts for 961 owners in Switzerland. For example, I could not ride my bike for a while because I had to wait for a set of new rubber dampers which I finally got from South Bay Norton (US) and the Swiss dealer still did not get the sets he ordered about one month ago.
Can you tell if this situation will be improved in near future?
Raphael, Switzerland

Precisionbob said:

Simon, thanks to you and the Norton Factory for contributing to this forum - I look forward to reading your comments. Here's my question: I have one of the 50 USA Special Editions, and I have learned to love the bike over my 4 months and 2,700 miles of ownership. However, there are probably 49 others in addition to myself who would like to know what the plan is to fix the SE numbering for the USA bikes. I waited 51 months from deposit to delivery for my SE, and received it without a unique SE Number or Number Plate. The only information I have received is a rather feeble excuse from South Bay Norton, who blamed it on a Factory screw-up with the numbering system. I very much hope this gets resolved and unique number plates are sent to the first registered owners of the 50 USA Special Editions. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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Hi Precisionbob,

The unique plaques are currently being manufactured and will be sent to Matt Capri at South Bay Norton within the next few weeks. They are intended to be placed in the recess underneath the rev counter (there might be a second "Norton Hand Made at Donington Hall" plaque currently occupying this space) on the right hand side of the clock surround. Any further questions on this should be directed to South Bay Norton.

Hi Precisionbob,

The unique plaques are currently being manufactured and will be sent to Matt Capri at South Bay Norton within the next few weeks. They are intended to be placed in the recess underneath the rev counter (there might be a second "Norton Hand Made at Donington Hall" plaque currently occupying this space) on the right hand side of the clock surround. Any further questions on this should be directed to South Bay Norton.

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Simon - THANKS VERY MUCH for the research and reply! Yes, my bike has the two "Donington Hall" plaques, and I know exactly where the SE plaque should be installed. This is much appreciated, and I will contact Matt in a few weeks to make arrangements. Thanks again for providing factory input to this forum.

Precisionbob (Bob Jones - Park City, Utah)

richard-7 said:

good info!!! :mrgreen:

THREE MORE>>

1) What is the dry weight of my bike? 2014 Standard bars, USD forks, Shortie exhaust with cats, FULL Carbon package?


2) Why in 2014 did the front carbon fender (maybe all materials) go to a new design?


3) Why did Norton change the color of the front calipers in 2014 from Gold to Grey?

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Any chance to look into this? Thanks.

A hearty welcome to you from Edinburgh, Scotland, Simon!
All the best,
Dan / Danny 8)

hello norton uk! torontp canada eh, had a 74 for a few years back in the day, first bike

make it great again eh!

Simon:

From the posts more recent than mine, it looks like things are going well and you don't need that parachute after all! Have there been many of the 961s sold in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia) ?. In Anacortes, we have a big meeting of motorcyclists in late September, called the "Oyster Run". I usually go into town for a look at the bikes every year. More of the current production Triumphs are showing up, but I haven't seen any Nortons (either current production or classics) for several years. It wasn't as big an event this year as the weather was not good for several days before. Three years ago (I thnk) our local paper said there were 40,000 bikes here over the 3-day event. The city turns about 10 blocks of the main street into "motorcycles only" territory. The bars and pubs do well!

Good luck with your efforts and those of your fellow employees.


Frank Damp
Anacortes, WA, USA

Dear Simon happy to have your support.
Having ordered my Commando Sport in June 2011, I just took delivery in October 2015 of a Commando SE , due to availability. I am on the US West Coast. This is my sixth bike and I have been riding almost 30 years in all conditions, mainly on American big twins.

At any rate I was just breaking this new bike in when I unexpectedly traversed a deep rut and pothole in the seam between two lanes. I crashed my new bike, which I love. My bike is now at Munroe Motors in San Francisco.

Questions:
1] What is the outlook on replacement parts these days? The left turn signal, clutch lever, left foot peg, shift lever and shift linkage are broken, Also, the primary cover has extensive damage. After waiting 4.5 years for this bike I am hoping the parts won't take as long to collect.
2] As a side note, I have an oil leak not related to the crash. Oil seems to be collecting near the drain plug beneath the primary cases and is dripping onto the exhaust. Not sure if the origin Is the starter as many others have witnessed, or if the origin is elsewhere. This is a warranty item I assume. Anything you could advise on parts and the oil leak would be appreciated. Thanks

Sorry to hear. When you get the bike back, stop by CNW website and order a one07 trans vent kit. Too much pressure in the transmission and its pushing oil out. Trans vent kit will cure this. Or make your own. But make sure to vent it to the airbox so you don't polute.

Thanks- didn't locate that part just yet on their website. But it appears to be a fairly common issue- so I'd think The Factory would step up and proactively issue a voluntary corrective action. Thanks Again

Probaly be about 2 more weeks before the 961 section is up fully on the CNW site.

Precisionbob said:

Hi Precisionbob,

The unique plaques are currently being manufactured and will be sent to Matt Capri at South Bay Norton within the next few weeks. They are intended to be placed in the recess underneath the rev counter (there might be a second "Norton Hand Made at Donington Hall" plaque currently occupying this space) on the right hand side of the clock surround. Any further questions on this should be directed to South Bay Norton.

Click to expand...

Simon - THANKS VERY MUCH for the research and reply! Yes, my bike has the two "Donington Hall" plaques, and I know exactly where the SE plaque should be installed. This is much appreciated, and I will contact Matt in a few weeks to make arrangements. Thanks again for providing factory input to this forum.

Precisionbob (Bob Jones - Park City, Utah)

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Hi Guys

SE plaques are on the way to South Bay Norton as you read this. Please contact Matt Capri at South Bay Norton for any further info regarding this issue.

Thanks Simon for the information. I'll give Matt a call the first of the week. Your effort on this is very much appreciated.

Bob Jones