When posting the fact that I purchased the Ebay 961 I expected some "less than positive" remarks. Thank you ( Going Commando) for being positive. I do not post a great deal, but I am interested in becoming a more frequent contributor to this sub-forum.
I would like to get to know the other 961 owners (that has already started in my reading of the topics in this section) I have a better understanding of what to expect as I begin the break-in process.
I would like to get some feedback on who is (as far as dealers) the best at customer service. As I mentioned earlier, I am 900 miles from the nearest dealer. So if I need to ship the bike somewhere for service, I would like to use a dealer that has a reputation for good service.
G81, you snagged a deal there. Here in UK we have to wait 6 months minimum. Every now and then a stock bike comes up, usually from a cancelled order. If I had the chance at a 961 in February, in stock somewhere, Id have bought it straightaway and had the summer on it. You did good. Krazy Horse had 2 stock bikes here in UK, both went straight away.
Running in: Im not sure if you've actually got yours yet but the bike has a sticker on the tank showing revs in relation to mileage.
At first, when u start it, it sounds like its broken, its very loud and clackety and youll think 'what have I done?' plus the exhausts let absolutely no noise out at all, making the engine noises worse. It almost certainly wont tickover for the first couple of minutes when starting from cold, youll have to hold the throttle at about 2000 reves to keep it running until it warms up. Before starting it, pump the throttle twice with the ignition on, it starts better, for me anyway. Once its ticking over it sounds horrible, as its getting hardly any fuel, this is the way they are set up from new to get through emissions regs and is normal, if somewhat worrying the first time you hear it.
3500 revs for the first 350 miles, then 4500 til 600, then 6000 til 800 miles then it can be opened up. 3500 revs is horrible. as that is 60mph and people laugh at you. Wear a black visor so nobody recognises you.... At 500 miles take it to your dealer, who has to be a Norton dealer initially by the way, have the first service and have a set of derestricted pipes put on, plus the fuelling is remapped to allow a lot more fuel in. This transforms the bike. It now sounds great and more importantly runs properly. Note: There are 2 types of exhaust, 1. shorties, which are very loud but look kinda ugly, release about another 5 horse power and only need the stage 1 remap. 2. Peashooters, which look like the originals but have no internals. These release 3 Horsepower and aren't as loud but sound a lot more like the classic commando exhaust. Peashooters need a stage 2 remap, which is hot off the Norton dyno in the last 2 weeks. Ive got peashooters on my 961 and I need to go in for the stage 2 remap, as the fuelling is different.
After that, go out and ride it hard, they love being worked. The more you ride it the better it is, mine has 1000 miles on it and is superb. Prepare to be stopped in the street by complete strangers and to be photographed constantly. Ive got 3 other bikes and haven't sat on any of them since I got the Norton. They are simple tough bikes so any dealer with a good mechanic should be able to look after it, id check with Norton first re the warranty, just in case. The oil filter is a Triumph item anyway.
Enjoy the bike
