Hello from Norton UK

NortonFactoryUK said:
Hi Contours,

Been mega busy recently, please drop me another PM if you still have any questions.

I'm sure, Simon. Things seem quite okay at this point so you probably won't hear from me again til next May. :D
 
Hi Simon and All,
I here just recently bought a new Commando 961 Sport here's in New Zealand. I bought the bike in Auckland and had the open mufflers installed before picking it up. I picked it up from the dealer and rode it home to Wellington a journey of 650 kilometres.
It was fantastic to have finally owned a Norton after having admired them for so long. The bike was fantastic to ride and handled well, but the engine felt a bit harsh at times.
At my first refuel I went to check the oil but found that the filler cap was screwed in so tight I couldn't remove it by hand. Figuring it was a brand new bike i thought it should be safe enough to assume that it would be okay to Cary on to Taupo which is the halfway point where we were going to stay for the night. As we got to Taupo I lost all clutch function the lever was soft to pull and didn't activate the clutch at all. On investigation I found that the clutch fluid reservoir screws were slight loose and a small amount of fluid was leaks out but the main cause was the assembly that fits over the sprocket cover was completely loose and just hanging on by the three loose bolts and ready to fall compleoff the bike. Tightening up the three bolts brought the clutch back to life.
Once I was able to get the oil filler cap off I checked the oil and found that it was really low and took 750 mils to get it to the right level. Seriously not impressed.
After going over the bike tightening all that I could see we we resumed our journey south the next day. After 480 Ks I was able to open it up a bit to 4500 revs which was nice to do but was also met with hideous vibration which is quite a worry.
In spit of thinking I had everything tightnone of the bar end caps vibrated out of the end on the handle bar and one of the paddock stand lugs worked loose and was struck by the muffler bracket as the springs compressed and sheared the screw off in the swing arm.
The next day the bike was started and wouldn't idle! Richard had kindly sent me his manuals (thanks heaps Richard) and while reading those I saw the info about the throats top set screw, had a look at the bike and sure enough it was completely gone, but luckily I found it sitting in the crank case area behind the engine.
Needless to say this is all pretty concerning after paying $30,000 for a new bike. Especially the vibration and I'm worried that the low oil may have damaged the new engine. I'm also wondering if it needs to have the ECU remappped to allow for the new mufflers. What number map would have been in it when it left the factory? And what should it have for the open mufflers?

Yours a bit worried

Paul
 
And when I talk about vibration I mean worse than:
66 Triunph Saint
72 Triumph Trophy
Ducati 900 SD Darmah
Harley Wideglide!
 
Kiwi961 said:
And when I talk about vibration I mean worse than:
66 Triunph Saint
72 Triumph Trophy
Ducati 900 SD Darmah
Harley Wideglide!

I understand your concern, Paul. The way my '75 850 Commando vibrates always made me nervous. But the way these bikes vibrate can cause a lot of grief as evidenced by your experience. :shock: It's a simple enough habit to get into, checking all the usual suspects before going for a ride. At this point I feel it's a small price to pay for such a magnificent motorcycle. 8)

Good luck!
 
Kiwi961, that is a horror story. These bikes are supposed to be professionally set up by the dealer upon delivery. I'm really sorry for your troubles. Head back to the dealership and inquire as to just what the hell is going on.
 
Hi Paul

Firstly I'd like to apologise for the first experience you have had. Please can you PM your bikes VIN so that I can have a further look into this. With regards to your comments about the oil I am concerned you may now have over filled it as there is a correct procedure for checking the oil level, it requires the bike to have been started and run for 2 min immediately before checking the oil level with the dipstick. We have had a few cases in the past where owners have not understood the nature of the oil system and have therefore over filled it un-intentionally (which 750ml sounds like you have done this).

The dealer that fitted the aftermarket exhaust system should of updated the ECU at the same time so it should have the correct settings in it if it has been done at an official Norton dealer.

Please drop me a PM with your VIN and contact details and we will be in touch.

Regards

Simon


Kiwi961 said:
Hi Simon and All,
I here just recently bought a new Commando 961 Sport here's in New Zealand. I bought the bike in Auckland and had the open mufflers installed before picking it up. I picked it up from the dealer and rode it home to Wellington a journey of 650 kilometres.
It was fantastic to have finally owned a Norton after having admired them for so long. The bike was fantastic to ride and handled well, but the engine felt a bit harsh at times.
At my first refuel I went to check the oil but found that the filler cap was screwed in so tight I couldn't remove it by hand. Figuring it was a brand new bike i thought it should be safe enough to assume that it would be okay to Cary on to Taupo which is the halfway point where we were going to stay for the night. As we got to Taupo I lost all clutch function the lever was soft to pull and didn't activate the clutch at all. On investigation I found that the clutch fluid reservoir screws were slight loose and a small amount of fluid was leaks out but the main cause was the assembly that fits over the sprocket cover was completely loose and just hanging on by the three loose bolts and ready to fall compleoff the bike. Tightening up the three bolts brought the clutch back to life.
Once I was able to get the oil filler cap off I checked the oil and found that it was really low and took 750 mils to get it to the right level. Seriously not impressed.
After going over the bike tightening all that I could see we we resumed our journey south the next day. After 480 Ks I was able to open it up a bit to 4500 revs which was nice to do but was also met with hideous vibration which is quite a worry.
In spit of thinking I had everything tightnone of the bar end caps vibrated out of the end on the handle bar and one of the paddock stand lugs worked loose and was struck by the muffler bracket as the springs compressed and sheared the screw off in the swing arm.
The next day the bike was started and wouldn't idle! Richard had kindly sent me his manuals (thanks heaps Richard) and while reading those I saw the info about the throats top set screw, had a look at the bike and sure enough it was completely gone, but luckily I found it sitting in the crank case area behind the engine.
Needless to say this is all pretty concerning after paying $30,000 for a new bike. Especially the vibration and I'm worried that the low oil may have damaged the new engine. I'm also wondering if it needs to have the ECU remappped to allow for the new mufflers. What number map would have been in it when it left the factory? And what should it have for the open mufflers?

Yours a bit worried

Paul
 
It would really be nice to have my questions answered with detailed information and a little concern as opposed to half sentences. I can't accept "busy" as an excuse anymore. It is hard to know if the incident I had 2 weeks ago is being taken seriously. I want to know exactly what parts I need, when they will be available and whether or not Norton UK is going to force me to pay for them. And if I am required to pay for them I'll need a convincing argument. Though, I don't know how one explains why a blown out bearing on new bike that has a little over 1100 miles on it and is still under warranty would not be covered.

Hello from Norton UK


I am not looking to blame any one person in particular. It's just that my personal experience with both MCC and Norton has left me with a bad feeling thus far. To start with shouldn't someone be asking for my VIN in order to trace the assembly history at least?
 
contours said:
I am not looking to blame any one person in particular. It's just that my personal experience with both MCC and Norton has left me with a bad feeling thus far.

Just want to follow up by reporting that MCC and Kev, Norton's warranty manager, will be pointing me in the proper direction sometime soon (I hope). Not totally sure where it will lead, but we are communicating. :)
 
i choose not to get onto tit for tat arguments, but i can assure you all, if the correct procedure is followed by the customer, and the dealer. Norton will always be happy to help with any issues that arise.
 
Hello Kevin , I never doubted for a moment that Norton would take care of it. Thanks for your help and dedication.
 
Kevin. Is there any valid excuse for not filling my parts order placed 2 months ago? I'm waiting for a clutch cover and a set of open pipes, long or short. Getting frustrated that I can't get my bike back from a dealership after my accident over a couple of simple bolt on parts. Thanks in advance.
 
a valid reason ? it is down to the exhaust now being manufactured in house, who have you ordered them through ?
 
When delays are days or weeks, I call them reasons. When the turn into months, I get annoyed and call them excuses. Pardon me for venting. Ordered through Gold Coast in NY.
 
Hello Kevin , Now that the exhaust system is being manufactured in House by Norton , will they look the same as before ? Has Norton changed the design ? Just curious. Thanks.
 
Exhausts,
I to have been waiting for a pair of long open exhausts for my sport for about 6 weeks and have been told by Calum that having been brought in house to make may take a little while what with the holiday season upon us and what with the immanent arrival of the V4 taking precious time up.
Please can I have my pipes Calum.
Dodgy Den.
 
the exhaust's will look the same, the previous exhaust manufacturer is no longer trading, so in order to satisfy future orders the decision was made to bring the manufacture of exhaust in house, this is not a five minute job to set up, but will insure future availability.
 
Motad went out of business early in the year and the exhaust are now made in house at Norton.
Lucky old me who has had the long open pipes on order for 2 months can pick a set up on the next Tuesday 1/8/17 :D.
 
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