Latest email from Factory !!!!

BritTwit said:
Well, that's really the $64,000 question isn't it?

When SG signed the deal with Jinlang, he wasn't thinking that his operation would shortly be wrapped up by the authorities.
So, what was he thinking?

Maybe, dramatically reduce Norton expenses by having the engine assembly/production in China. Many of the engine components already originate in Taiwan. Possibly, but then how does he continue to advertise the 961 as a mostly British motorcycle?
Click to expand...
He advertised it as weighing 412 lbs, I can't see him suddenly getting concerned about truth in advertising- or anything. He also stole a lot of money from pensioners....
 
BritTwit said:
When SG signed the deal with Jinlang, he wasn't thinking that his operation would shortly be wrapped up by the authorities.
So, what was he thinking?
Click to expand...
Sadly, we can’t even take this base hypothesis as fact.

I cannot remember the precise chronology of events, but the engine deal was really late IIRC. It is not at all impossible that his only motivation was to raise short term cash.
 
worntorn said:
He advertised it as weighing 412 lbs, I can't see him suddenly getting concerned about truth in advertising- or anything. He also stole a lot of money from pensioners....
Click to expand...
All true, but remember, until his wrong doing was exposed he was seen in the M/C press as the man who brought Norton back to life. He obviously basked in that lime light, hobnobbing with celebrates, and such. He loved it, and certainly wanted it to continue.

The reason Norton went bust was simply his acting as CEO of a company in an industry in which he had no core competence. I don't think he committed his larceny to defraud pensioners as a crime, in his mind. He thought he could succeed at Norton, and make good on the loads. Sure, pure narcissism on his part to think he could succeed with such methods.

Just like John Delorean, SG is a masive narcissist, who wanted to be seen as a great man, a captain of industry. When financial issues began to squeeze him, he too turned to any method available to resolve his cash flow problems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: glb
BritTwit said:
All true, but remember, until his wrong doing was exposed he was seen in the M/C press as the man who brought Norton back to life. He obviously basked in that lime light, hobnobbing with celebrates, and such. He loved it, and certainly wanted it to continue.

The reason Norton went bust was simply his acting as CEO of a company in an industry in which he had no core competence. I don't think he committed his larceny to defraud pensioners as a crime, in his mind. He thought he could succeed at Norton, and make good on the loads. Sure, pure narcissism on his part to think he could succeed with such methods.

Just like John Delorean, SG is a masive narcissist, who wanted to be seen as a great man, a captain of industry. When financial issues began to squeeze him, he too turned to any method available to resolve his cash flow problems.
Click to expand...
But
John delorean was selling drugs to raise money. Not stealing it from pensioners.
 
Voodooo said:
But
John delorean was selling drugs to raise money. Not stealing it from pensioners.
Click to expand...
Not saying which is worse.
Just saying both individuals resorted to crime to avoid pending failure, and humiliation.

In 2006 Dreer faced failure, he accepted the reality, as painful as it was, then returned everyone's deposit with interest from escrow accounts, and shutdown operations.
That's the way it's done.
 
TonyA said:
No agreement really. Some say 2000 bike over 10 years , others are saying the number is less than 1000 .
Click to expand...
Here's a guesstimate:

How many new Nortons have been built?

This has been asked before, but there doesn't seem to be any clear answer. A recent article in Octane Magazine suggested that the new factory had built 6000 units to date. This seems quite a bit higher than previous estimates I've read. A common consensus seems to be that around 80% are...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
BritTwit said:
Here's a guesstimate:

How many new Nortons have been built?

This has been asked before, but there doesn't seem to be any clear answer. A recent article in Octane Magazine suggested that the new factory had built 6000 units to date. This seems quite a bit higher than previous estimates I've read. A common consensus seems to be that around 80% are...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
Click to expand...
The problem with that is here in the USA the numbers reported by some of the selling dealers don't support that figure. I know I'm beating a dead horse but you don't even have that many forum members who own them
 
The estimate was based on production figures given to various publications by SG during interviews.
But, like any calculation, garbage in - garbage out.;)
Silent/sly old Skinner knows.
Bet on it.
 
City Garage said:
The problem with that is here in the USA the numbers reported by some of the selling dealers don't support that figure. I know I'm beating a dead horse but you don't even have that many forum members who own them
Click to expand...
Don’t think we can count our number as indicative of total ownership. Given the average age of owners there will be a good number I suspect that do not have much online activity; I have an aquaintance for example that has three 961’s and is not interested in online forums. There are plenty of people accross on FB sites that choose that forum over this for various reason or have not heard of Access Norton.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Don’t think we can count our number as indicative of total ownership. Given the average age of owners there will be a good number I suspect that do not have much online activity; I have an aquaintance for example that has three 961’s and is not interested in online forums. There are plenty of people accross on FB sites that choose that forum over this for various reason or have not heard of Access Norton.
Click to expand...
I totally agree but even add those numbers up and its not many
 
I don't have a late model norton , but if you really need some parts , I'm sure they would fit or could be modified to , couldn't they have a disclaimer , I think Norton will be giving themselves an even worse name .
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Don’t think we can count our number as indicative of total ownership. Given the average age of owners there will be a good number I suspect that do not have much online activity; I have an aquaintance for example that has three 961’s and is not interested in online forums. There are plenty of people accross on FB sites that choose that forum over this for various reason or have not heard of Access Norton.
Click to expand...
Yeah and most on the Facebook forum are A-holes. I got banned because I was accused of being a troll only because I made a Poll of what people wanted from TVS bike line up.
 
City Garage said:
The problem with that is here in the USA the numbers reported by some of the selling dealers don't support that figure. I know I'm beating a dead horse but you don't even have that many forum members who own them
Click to expand...
Assuming TVS has taken possession of the dispatch book of the Norton Motorcycle Company, obtaining the exact figure shouldn't be difficult. Why not go and ask them to have a glimpse in the dispatch book?
TVS seems to have abandoned the 961 anyway, and I can't understand what there is to hide anymore. Anyone visiting the Solihull TVS plant in the near future?

- Knut
 
Gojuu said:
@Voodooo - you got banned for that? Seriously?
Click to expand...
I’m serious.
About 18 months ago I got off of Facebook because it’s full of drama. (On some of the groups).

I don’t provide any of my personal information on Facebook and keep my profile minimum. Meaning, I don’t provide pictures of myself or family and I don’t disclose my real name.

But when joining the Norton 961 page, they ask you a few questions before reviewing you and allowing you to become a member.

Questions such as…
How many CC’s are a 961?
How many cylinders are the 961?
Pretty basic questions.

So after allowing me to join, I started a Poll asking what bikes 961 owners would like to see TVS offer.
Most everyone wanted spare parts from TVS. Most everyone wanted a 961 Commando model.
Many wanted the Atlas bikes to be offered by TVS.

Well then I asked how much a buyer would be willing to pay. That’s when I became accused of being a troll and asked what bikes I own and do I even own a 961. For my Facebook profile picture I had a picture of my Domi.

When I started getting accused more and more by members of being a fraud and troll and some even private messaging me, I provided more pictures of my 961’s in my garage, of my vin tag numbers etc.
Some believed I was legit, but it didn’t convince all and it didn’t convince the admin and he banned me.

Oh well! FB sucks and it’s a reminder why I got off it in the first place.
 
Shelby-Right said:
I don't have a late model norton , but if you really need some parts , I'm sure they would fit or could be modified to , couldn't they have a disclaimer , I think Norton will be giving themselves an even worse name .
Click to expand...
Not sure what "they" are in your vocabulary. As TVS is focussing on the V4, I doubt commonality of parts can be assumed. As for the "Norton" name, it's just a trademark, and the reputation lies with the manufacturer, which is TVS.

- Knut
 
Last edited:
City Garage said:
I totally agree but even add those numbers up and its not many
Click to expand...
Latest email from Factory !!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top