Latest email from Factory !!!!

Vernon240 · Mar 10, 2022

I recon we are SOL on any Dominator specific parts.

Clive · Mar 10, 2022

Voodooo said:
I understand. But I’m not only interested in engine or transmission parts. I’m also wanting fenders, seats and tails. Mainly dominator. I don’t see the risk to selling these sort of parts.

Can't imagine them wanting to buy batches of these sort of items to restock their stores. The most interesting thing is how many they currently have in stock. Also ref. the alloy tank thread these things can be made bespoke by other companies, probably at a similar or cheaper cost than the original Norton. The British hand-made alloy tanks come out around half Old New Norton's price. I am due a visit on 1st April (yes I know) so will try to get some inside info.

Clive · Mar 10, 2022

I hear that the service team at Norton are working on a support plan so looks like we have not been cast out into the wilderness yet.

TonyA · Mar 10, 2022

Clive said:
I hear that the service team at Norton are working on a support plan so looks like we have not been cast out into the wilderness yet.

It makes sense doesn't it ? 2000 potential 961 owner/customers - this number may be high so lets say 1000 owner/customers.

Vernon240 · Mar 10, 2022

Clive said:
I hear that the service team at Norton are working on a support plan so looks like we have not been cast out into the wilderness yet.

It would give them something to do I guess!

I think at it's heart, we are looking for some information, positive if possible, about what their plans are. If they are selling the final batch of 961's, will they sell parts for these? To garner (pardon the pun) some good will, I'd look for Norton to be reasonable...so either sell parts...but understand they can make no guarantee as to if they will fit our bikes..or if not, allow previous suppliers to deal with us. None of this 'we won't sell you parts, but we also won't allow anyone else to sell you parts' which, to be quite honest, would be an obstructive move (I have a less polite term for this!) that would not go down well with anyone here. Just as bad would be them saying 'yep, we will sell you parts ' then quote ridiculously long lead times and/or prices.

I'd like to see some specifics coming out of Norton, vs their current legally ass covering statements that seem to leave us even more confused, saying what they can't do, but not clarifying what they can/will/want to do.

Come on Norton. Lets see some specifics vs aspirational statements of little substance or details of what you won't be doing.

MAK · Mar 10, 2022

Vernon240 said:
It would give them something to do I guess!

I think at it's heart, we are looking for some information, positive if possible, about what their plans are. If they are selling the final batch of 961's, will they sell parts for these? To garner (pardon the pun) some good will, I'd look for Norton to be reasonable...so either sell parts...but understand they can make no guarantee as to if they will fit our bikes..or if not, allow previous suppliers to deal with us. None of this 'we won't sell you parts, but we also won't allow anyone else to sell you parts' which, to be quite honest, would be an obstructive move (I have a less polite term for this!) that would not go down well with anyone here. Just as bad would be them saying 'yep, we will sell you parts ' then quote ridiculously long lead times and/or prices.

I'd like to see some specifics coming out of Norton, vs their current legally ass covering statements that seem to leave us even more confused, saying what they can't do, but not clarifying what they can/will/want to do.

Come on Norton. Lets see some specifics vs aspirational statements of little substance or details of what you won't be doing.

Like I said,
Their statement is as clear as mud!!

kommando · Mar 10, 2022

MAK said:
Their statement is as clear as mud!!

Written by a lawyer no doubt, plausible deniability woven through every sentence.

BritTwit · Mar 10, 2022

Just some passing thoughts while we wait for Norton to actually build new bikes:

1. Wouldn't be great if an eccentric, Norton fan, millionaire would decide to take a personal interest in the 961 and start producing replacement parts for the bike that were, of course, better than the originals?

2. Wouldn't it be great if a movie were made to document the fraud committed by SG while running Norton?
i. Which actor would play SG?
ii. Which actor would play Simon Skinner?
iii. Which actor would play SG's South African game farm warden?
iv. Which actress would play SG's wife?

JPH · Mar 10, 2022

Clive said:
I am a NMM member (highly recommended) and seem to remember from a newsletter a picture of a lucky chap in Suffolk grinning like a loon with his prize. Hence my previous posting - did he receive his non-merchantable-quality bike? Perhaps it was delivered bolted to the plinth it sat in the NMM as an ornament?

And before some wag says it - no, second prize wasn't two 961s...........

View attachment 85631

The image shown on a previous page (and above-Image 85631) of a 961 outside the National Motorcycle Museum is of another raffle winner dating back to 2015, and is not the winner of the 2021 raffle whose image can be found by visiting www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/bike-raffle/

Mr Bernard Clifford, the winner of the summer 2021 raffle has not yet received his bike, as the raffle prize bike is among the limited number of Commando 961 Classics that Norton are producing to satisfy orders placed with the previous Norton company (NMUL). Norton will update those customers, and the summer 2021 raffle winner, when they are ready to arrange delivery of their bikes.

The National Motorcycle Museum have a fantastic relationship with The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd, who were extremely generous in donating a Commando 961 Classic for us to raffle as part of our post-Covid recovery. Mr Clifford was appraised (and is perfectly happy with the fact) that there would be a slight delay in him receiving his prize, as this would be forming part of Norton’s schedule for the release of all the other 961 Classics produced.

We hope this gives clarity as regards the National Motorcycle Museum summer 2021 raffle, and would like to take this opportunity to thank The Norton Motorcycle Company Ltd for their help and support following what was a very difficult period for us.

James Hewing, Museum Director, The National Motorcycle Museum.

Vernon240 · Mar 10, 2022

JPH said:
The image shown on a previous page of a 961 outside the National Motorcycle Museum is of another raffle winner dating back to 2015, and is not the winner of the 2021 raffle whose image can be found by visiting www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/bike-raffle/

Mr Bernard Clifford, the winner of the summer 2021 raffle has not yet received his bike, as the raffle prize bike is among the limited number of Commando 961 Classics that Norton are producing to satisfy orders placed with the previous Norton company (NMUL). Norton will update those customers, and the summer 2021 raffle winner, when they are ready to arrange delivery of their bikes.

The National Motorcycle Museum have a fantastic relationship with The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd, who were extremely generous in donating a Commando 961 Classic for us to raffle as part of our post-Covid recovery. Mr Clifford was appraised (and is perfectly happy with the fact) that there would be a slight delay in him receiving his prize, as this would be forming part of Norton’s schedule for the release of all the other 961 Classics produced.

We hope this gives clarity as regards the National Motorcycle Museum summer 2021 raffle, and would like to take this opportunity to thank The Norton Motorcycle Company Ltd for their help and support following what was a very difficult period for us.

James Hewing, Museum Director, The National Motorcycle Museum.

Thanks for the clarification, James. A 'slight delay' is a slight understatement. Not far off 5 months since the draw and counting. Not a criticism of the the NMM, but more of the lack of clarity generally from Norton, I'm afraid.

Voodooo · Mar 10, 2022

I’m still not buying the fact that TVS built 20 bikes with re-engineered parts. They seem perfectly ok to sell a bike or to raffle a bike to someone, and who’s going to stand behind its quality and safety on that “””961 classic”””???
Stu or Simon?

Because TVS already said in the email that they can not provide spare parts because it wouldn’t make them look good. Please. Enough.

Excuse my bitterness but I wish they would be straight to the point and stop beating around the bush with a two sided email. Their talking out of both sides of their mouth.

Fast Eddie · Mar 11, 2022

I guess they’re stuck in a catch 22…

Unless they decide to go into reasonable production runs, they won’t have the volume necessary to invest in re engieeeing. But unless they re engineer it, they can’t embark upon volume production…!

Dr Bob said AGES ago that they were deciding whether or not the 961 had a place in their future portfolio. What I can’t understand is why a company the size of TVS cannot make these decisions more quickly (and professionally).

What is very clear now, is that the row of 961 classics in press pictures, and the raffle bike, were non running ‘mock ups’…

Madnorton · Mar 11, 2022

BritTwit said:
Just some passing thoughts while we wait for Norton to actually build new bikes:

1. Wouldn't be great if an eccentric, Norton fan, millionaire would decide to take a personal interest in the 961 and start producing replacement parts for the bike that were, of course, better than the originals?

2. Wouldn't it be great if a movie were made to document the fraud committed by SG while running Norton?
i. Which actor would play SG?
ii. Which actor would play Simon Skinner?
iii. Which actor would play SG's South African game farm warden?
iv. Which actress would play SG's wife?

Garner will leave prison richer than the day he walked in the gate. Maybe he will produce the parts when gets parole, or possibly in the prison workshop.

Clive · Mar 11, 2022

JPH said:
We hope this gives clarity as regards the National Motorcycle Museum summer 2021 raffle, and would like to take this opportunity to thank The Norton Motorcycle Company Ltd for their help and support following what was a very difficult period for us.

James Hewing, Museum Director, The National Motorcycle Museum.

Thanks for clarifying that James - sorry about the confusion over the 'other' 961 raffle prize picture - now corrected. I hope he is able to take ownership of his 961 soon and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. As I have mentioned in previous posts this was a very generous donation from our local SOLIHULL motorcycle manufacturer and I hope the support will continue. I visit the National Motorcycle Museum (on my bike commute route) at least one a week and highly recommend anyone to visit or become a Friend of the museum - it is fantastic value and a great place for a breakfast panini, cake and a coffee! The 'ride a classic' day is a great experience.

JPH · Mar 11, 2022

Clive said:
Thanks for clarifying that James - sorry about the confusion over the 'other' 961 raffle prize picture - now corrected. I hope he is able to take ownership of his 961 soon and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. As I have mentioned in previous posts this was a very generous donation from our local SOLIHULL motorcycle manufacturer and I hope the support will continue. I visit the National Motorcycle Museum (on my bike commute route) at least one a week and highly recommend anyone to visit or become a Friend of the museum - it is fantastic value and a great place for a breakfast panini, cake and a coffee! The 'ride a classic' day is a great experience.

Hi Clive,
No problem at all and thanks for your continued support of the museum!
As you say, the new team at Norton have been very generous to the museum, and I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism and commitment to the Norton brand.
James, Museum Director, The National Motorcycle Museum.

Fast Eddie · Mar 12, 2022

Although many Nortonista try to pretend otherwise, the Thaiumph 1200 Thrux motor is an awesome motor by any standard.

Maybe this Norton parts supply issue will spawn a whole new generation of Tritons!

Or is that Thaitons ?!

Fast Eddie · Mar 12, 2022

Clive said:
Thanks for clarifying that James - sorry about the confusion over the 'other' 961 raffle prize picture - now corrected. I hope he is able to take ownership of his 961 soon and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. As I have mentioned in previous posts this was a very generous donation from our local SOLIHULL motorcycle manufacturer and I hope the support will continue. I visit the National Motorcycle Museum (on my bike commute route) at least one a week and highly recommend anyone to visit or become a Friend of the museum - it is fantastic value and a great place for a breakfast panini, cake and a coffee! The 'ride a classic' day is a great experience.
View attachment 85701

Yer pipes are blocking the view of the museum Clive…

TonyA · Mar 12, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
Although many Nortonista try to pretend otherwise, the Thaiumph 1200 Thrux motor is an awesome motor by any standard.

Maybe this Norton parts supply issue will spawn a whole new generation of Tritons!

Or is that Thaitons ?!

Why take a perfectly good Triumph bike/frame and muck it up ?

Voodooo · Mar 12, 2022

Modern Triton

Rocketgarage Magazine, Engine Fuel & Passion since 2007. cafe racer, scrambler, bobber, flat track, motorcycle, lifestyle, endurance, restomod

rocket-garage.blogspot.com

TonyA · Mar 12, 2022

Voodooo said:
Modern Triton

Rocketgarage Magazine, Engine Fuel & Passion since 2007. cafe racer, scrambler, bobber, flat track, motorcycle, lifestyle, endurance, restomod

rocket-garage.blogspot.com

I do have to admit , That one looks great ! And probably better than the original. !! (When I say original I mean better then the Original Air cooled Triumph bike) But don't you think that Triumph did a much better job with the liquid cooled twins in both engine and chassis performance. ?