New owner - first 24hrs

MxMartin said:
That crossed my mind, I am sitting hard against the back of the tank. Any recommendations without spoiling the lines of the bike?

Yep, my legs tuc in nicely, might even put on tank knee protectors to stop the rubbing :)
Click to expand...

I use this clear film https://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/bikes/norton-cafe-racer-2011. It doesn't cover the whole tank, just the areas that you would rub with your knees and pants/zipper. I had to light it up so you can see the outline in the photo but in normal daylight it barely shows.

New owner - first 24hrs New owner - first 24hrs

I'm 5'10" and I find the Thruxton R riding position is ok for me but after a couple of years I had to admit defeat with the 961 Cafe Racer and change the clip-ons for the normal bars. For me it was age and knackered joints (mine). So if the low riding position does become a pain, you've always got the option of the standard bars.
 
Hi How long have you had this and what is the wear rate like. The finish looks great
 
comet said:
I use this clear film https://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/bikes/norton-cafe-racer-2011. It doesn't cover the whole tank, just the areas that you would rub with your knees and pants/zipper. I had to light it up so you can see the outline in the photo but in normal daylight it barely shows.

View attachment 4003 View attachment 4004

I'm 5'10" and I find the Thruxton R riding position is ok for me but after a couple of years I had to admit defeat with the 961 Cafe Racer and change the clip-ons for the normal bars. For me it was age and knackered joints (mine). So if the low riding position does become a pain, you've always got the option of the standard bars.
Click to expand...

Nice one, thanks for that, I was thinking I’d be forced to cut out some sticky back plastic (Blue Peter style!), that will be much neater !
 
comet said:
I use this clear film https://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/bikes/norton-cafe-racer-2011. It doesn't cover the whole tank, just the areas that you would rub with your knees and pants/zipper. I had to light it up so you can see the outline in the photo but in normal daylight it barely shows.
Click to expand...

Comet,

Is this the 8 mil clear polyurethane film made by 3M Corp?
They claim that it's not effected by ultraviolet light, and remains clear.
How long have you had it on our tank?
 
BritTwit said:
Comet,

Is this the 8 mil clear polyurethane film made by 3M Corp?
They claim that it's not effected by ultraviolet light, and remains clear.
How long have you had it on our tank?
Click to expand...

glb said:
Hi How long have you had this and what is the wear rate like. The finish looks great
Click to expand...

No idea what type it is, the supplier could probably help with that. I found them helpful when I contacted them originally. The picture on their web site doesn't actually show the correct coverage for the tank. It has been on the tank for over 4 years (I took the photos this evening).

In response to Graham's question, for various reasons I've only got around 2000 miles on the clock so I can't speak to heavy usage, but so far it's barely noticeable in daylight. I don't know if the colour of the tank would affect its visibility. It goes on with soapy water, so if it does get manky I guess it will come off quite easily with the help of a hairdryer.
 
[QUOTE="...I am getting very sweaty palms just thinking about my first trip out :eek:[/QUOTE]

You will have no problems. I had not ridden for years and no issues at all apart from a sore clutch hand in traffic, but conversely I am used to racing cycle drop bars so the clip-ons only gave me mild shoulder aches. The secret is not to go too far away in a straight line on your first ride and take mirror-adjustment tools. Also check headlamp alignment. Some riders struggle with the sidestand - I just flip the peg up with my ankle to access it - and watch out for the pegs flipping up on their own. Again I'm used to just tapping them down on riding away but it can be disconcerting when you go to put your feet up and change gear and there's nothing to put your foot on.

Regards Clive
 
Waiting at home for delivery of my bike which should now be running well, with de-cat and shorties fitted. Going to take it for a good spin via a coffee shop, possibly Uppingham, see some Hogs. Will report back how she runs.
 
Arrived at 11.30am this morning and looked great with the new shorts, fired her up which was so much easier than before and ticked over nicely. Clock read 137 so the good chaps at Norton had given it a good 22 mile testing. The weather was beautiful today so decided to take it for a good spin over to Uppingham and back to Oundle, two coffee shop stops in all and stopped off at the Hog dealer in Uppingham. Lots of admiring glances and comments everywhere I went.

It rode fantastically, no sign at all of cutting out and sounded blissful. The crackle and popping of the exhaust was pure music, my guzzi sounds great but this was so much better. Great handling too, I threw it about a bit on some bumpy back roads and it was sure footed. Speedo now 192 and I might take it for another tonight now I have done my garden duties. No more coffee, perhaps a London Pride.

Back, now 205 and Abbott Ale at home instead. Nice little run but too many flies, admiring glances from village pub drinkers.

New owner - first 24hrs


New owner - first 24hrs
 
A gentle thrash on the Norton; shorties beating in sync; a stop for coffee; a nod to the admiring villagers... that on it's own sounds like pure bliss but throw in a pint of London Pride.... heaven!

Great to hear that you are back up and running!
 
First off I am taking this thread to be the "The First 24 Hours of actual Riding" not first 24 hrs of ownership. So for me, thats about 840 miles. I am up to 280 miles now so managed to add 143 over the weekend. Pretty good weather here these last few days and I took friday off to take receipt of the bike again.

As mentioned, starts well now and good tickover with no weakness. The sound of the short pipes is just excellent, cannot get enough of that splutter, barble, pop, crackle. Best sound is slowing down in 5th from 60mph and just listening to the popping etc. Met the wife for coffee in our local town, she dropped someone off and I met her on the bike. Lovely coffee in the sun, must have been a classic car event somewhere as no end of minis, avengers, dolomites, stags, astons and things far older went by. Rode on to Wheels a big dealer in Peterborough who stock Honda, Kawasaki, Aprillia, Moto Guzzi and have a outside seating area. Weather turned bad and had to ride home in some very heavy showers, bike was dirty as hell when I got some so spent a good hour wiping her down and restoring the new look.

The bike performed well, wont be long now until I can use 4500 revs so looking forward to that. I am starting to notice the engine noise though, it can be quite harsh but guess they always have been a bit. Something to get use to although the Guzzi twin isn't all that quiet either.
 
Welshrugby said:
First off I am taking this thread to be the "The First 24 Hours of actual Riding" not first 24 hrs of ownership. So for me, thats about 840 miles. I am up to 280 miles now so managed to add 143 over the weekend. Pretty good weather here these last few days and I took friday off to take receipt of the bike again.

As mentioned, starts well now and good tickover with no weakness. The sound of the short pipes is just excellent, cannot get enough of that splutter, barble, pop, crackle. Best sound is slowing down in 5th from 60mph and just listening to the popping etc. Met the wife for coffee in our local town, she dropped someone off and I met her on the bike. Lovely coffee in the sun, must have been a classic car event somewhere as no end of minis, avengers, dolomites, stags, astons and things far older went by. Rode on to Wheels a big dealer in Peterborough who stock Honda, Kawasaki, Aprillia, Moto Guzzi and have a outside seating area. Weather turned bad and had to ride home in some very heavy showers, bike was dirty as hell when I got some so spent a good hour wiping her down and restoring the new look.

The bike performed well, wont be long now until I can use 4500 revs so looking forward to that. I am starting to notice the engine noise though, it can be quite harsh but guess they always have been a bit. Something to get use to although the Guzzi twin isn't all that quiet either.
Click to expand...

Sounds good WR and I totally agree about the shortie addiction !

When you get along to one of the upcoming Commando Attacks you’ll get to see and hear others bikes which (as it did with me) should at least reassure you that ‘they all do that sir’ regarding the bag of spammers at tick over!

Am rather surprised to hear that you allowed it, and yourself, to get rained on.

Call yourself a FWB !?!?
 
Welshrugby said:
First off I am taking this thread to be the "The First 24 Hours of actual Riding" not first 24 hrs of ownership. So for me, thats about 840 miles. I am up to 280 miles now so managed to add 143 over the weekend. Pretty good weather here these last few days and I took friday off to take receipt of the bike again.

As mentioned, starts well now and good tickover with no weakness. The sound of the short pipes is just excellent, cannot get enough of that splutter, barble, pop, crackle. Best sound is slowing down in 5th from 60mph and just listening to the popping etc. Met the wife

I am starting to notice the engine noise though, it can be quite harsh but guess they always have been a bit. Something to get use to although the Guzzi twin isn't all that quiet either.
Click to expand...
. Exactly , don’t compare a jap four, or modern triple etc , norton noise is normal , shorties rule the noise comparison
 
Hey. Unless you've heard the long SBN opens, you may want to bite yer tongues instead of wagging them. The SBN catless X pipe and the SBN long DS pipes are the bomb. I got a feeling they are a little different than the Norty longs. Deeper sound than the shorties. Shorties from what I gather sound more raspy. Can't really tell you about db level though. I ride with a buddy with open V and H on his Harley. I'm still heard.
 
Britfan60 said:
Hey. Unless you've heard the long SBN opens, you may want to bite yer tongues instead of wagging them. The SBN catless X pipe and the SBN long DS pipes are the bomb. I got a feeling they are a little different than the Norty longs. Deeper sound than the shorties. Shorties from what I gather sound more raspy. Can't really tell you about db level though. I ride with a buddy with open V and H on his Harley. I'm still heard.
Click to expand...

All you misguided stumpy owners should just admit that the long opens are more elegant and the quality of the sound is so much nicer. Like comparing a fine opera singer with the bellowing of a drunken karaoke singer.....
 
I completely agree there Clive.

That is, if one thinks that big and fat is elegant... and quiet and rattly is a nicer sound...
 

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