New to 961?

TonyA · Feb 21, 2020

Canyon Motorcycles said:
Hey up Fellas, just poking around on my new Domi and the O/2 sensors are disconected from the harness with the open Megaphones. I take it needs some resistor plugs for the harness connectors such as dynojet makes? Looks like its got a OMEX ECU, if so any info on where to get them in the USA?

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Actually on the Open Megaphone Domi , There was no O2 sensors in the pipes and the factory installed map are designed to run this way (without the sensors plugged in) . So I don't think you need the resistor plugs with that Map loaded and those pipes . However , if you want to go to the other available pipes , mufflers with new map AND want to eliminate the O2 sensors you may want to get the resistor plugs. I got mine from the UK Ebay vendor from the thread on this site.

river700 · Sep 25, 2020

Been reading a couple hrs on modern forum- startin to get scared off from 17 cafe racer I looked at. Bought 73 750 new, and have another one. Have never ridden anything newer or shifting on wrong side.
This 2017 961 has never been licensed, 31 miles on it. No warranty. Nearest dealer 5 hrs away. Have always done own work, but the electronics are a new matter. How many problems do u think I might run into with bike thats been sittin like this?

Fast Eddie · Sep 26, 2020

river700 said:
No warranty. Nearest dealer 5 hrs away. Have always done own work, but the electronics are a new matter. How many problems do u think I might run into with bike thats been sittin like this?

If you’re happy doing all the work, then the lack of warranty or dealer support isn’t such an issue.

But you gotta be realistic, these bikes are often plagued with electrical issues, usually relatively minor, but present nonetheless.

If you’re prepared to invest the time, and see such things as a project and part of the ownership experience then you’ll probably love it.

If you’re looking for a bike with ‘modern’ press and go reliability, then it could be a difficult relationship.

kommando · Sep 26, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
But you gotta be realistic, these bikes are often plagued with electrical issues, usually relatively minor, but present nonetheless.

Work on the basis that all the relays, sensors and injectors etc are fake copies, then replace them all with known genuine components. The list of these items is in the forum, Richard-7 has posted these. The ECU's are genuine but only SCS provide good support past the warranty period, OMEX do not want to know. SCS do an ECU to replace the OMEX. it would be a good idea to cost all that out and use it to get a lower purchase price and a good bike when you apply the new parts.

961 ECU Support

Hello Access Norton Forum My name is Matthew and I work for SCS Delta. Myself and my colleagues worked at Specialist Components when that company supplied ECUs to Norton for the 961. Since the creation of Specialist Control Systems, we have developed the ECU range further with the introduction...

www.accessnorton.com

nopdog · Sep 26, 2020

kommando said:
Work on the basis that all the relays, sensors and injectors etc are fake copies, then replace them all with known genuine components. The list of these items is in the forum, Richard-7 has posted these. The ECU's are genuine but only SCS provide good support past the warranty period, OMEX do not want to know. SCS do an ECU to replace the OMEX. it would be a good idea to cost all that out and use it to get a lower purchase price and a good bike when you apply the new parts.

961 ECU Support

Hello Access Norton Forum My name is Matthew and I work for SCS Delta. Myself and my colleagues worked at Specialist Components when that company supplied ECUs to Norton for the 961. Since the creation of Specialist Control Systems, we have developed the ECU range further with the introduction...

www.accessnorton.com

If the price is right, buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BritTwit · Sep 26, 2020

river700 said:
Been reading a couple hrs on modern forum- startin to get scared off from 17 cafe racer I looked at. Bought 73 750 new, and have another one. Have never ridden anything newer or shifting on wrong side.
This 2017 961 has never been licensed, 31 miles on it. No warranty. Nearest dealer 5 hrs away. Have always done own work, but the electronics are a new matter. How many problems do u think I might run into with bike thats been sittin like this?

Really!
You've been living with the likes of two '73 Nortons, and you're scared off a 961?
Most of the 961 issues are minor, niggling matters, and there is support on this forum for most of these problems.

Let's face it, if you own old Nortons, you already have a masochistic streak, buy the 961, and go full masochist and get it over with already.

Fast Eddie · Sep 26, 2020

Hmmm... not sure your argument stacks up there BritTwit...

Old Norton’s are far easier to work on and have a FAR better parts supply.

And once built right, will have less niggles per mile than the average 961.

TonyA · Sep 26, 2020

river700 said:
Been reading a couple hrs on modern forum- startin to get scared off from 17 cafe racer I looked at. Bought 73 750 new, and have another one. Have never ridden anything newer or shifting on wrong side.
This 2017 961 has never been licensed, 31 miles on it. No warranty. Nearest dealer 5 hrs away. Have always done own work, but the electronics are a new matter. How many problems do u think I might run into with bike thats been sittin like this?

Maybe no problems . Is this a dealer or private sale ? Can the seller at least get it started and running for you ? And you will be the 3rd Norton 961 owner in Wisconsin That I know of ! (a very small group , that's got to be worth something right ?) The MCC Chicago dealer if that's who you are referring to may be able to service the bike , call them first. There is enough expertise available now to get ANYTHING sorted out , you have to be willing to do it or travel and pay for it . Norton is still in business , parts are available direct from Norton UK if need be . There is NO reason not to buy it if the bike is complete and working order And the price is FAIR . Remember that poor guy had to pay for it too .

TonyA · Sep 26, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Hmmm... not sure your argument stacks up there BritTwit...

Old Norton’s are far easier to work on and have a FAR better parts supply.

And once built right, will have less niggles per mile than the average 961.

It is a fricking shame hey ? Will the hapyy Norton 961 owner please stand up !

Fast Eddie · Sep 26, 2020

TonyA said:
It is a fricking shame hey ? Will the hapyy Norton 961 owner please stand up !

Hey Tony, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not knocking them. As I said in post #123, if approached with the right mindset, they’re good and fun bikes. But as you of all people should know, they take a bit of work.

But, comparing them to the old Commando does not make ‘em stack up well. A well built old Commando is a very reliable and low maintenance bike and you can get almost anything for them, brand new, around the world, within days !

TonyA · Sep 26, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Hey Tony, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not knocking them. As I said in post #123, if approached with the right mindset, they’re good and fun bikes. But as you of all people should know, they take a bit of work.

But, comparing them to the old Commando does not make ‘em stack up well. A well built old Commando is a very reliable and low maintenance bike and you can get almost anything for them, brand new, around the world, within days !

Is it too far a stretch to think that a Vintage Commando owner can buy and maintain a Norton 961 ? Are so many of them that behind the times ? And for stacking up well , Yes no kidding . How are Norton ever going to be able to sell anymore bikes with this kind of reputation ?

Fast Eddie · Sep 26, 2020

TonyA said:
Is it too far a stretch to think that a Vintage Commando owner can buy and maintain a Norton 961 ? Are so many of them that behind the times ? And for stacking up well , Yes no kidding . How are Norton ever going to be able to sell anymore bikes with this kind of reputation ?

No I do not think its a too far a stretch at all.

But I do think it’s a conscious decision that a prospective owner should make before purchase.

river700 · Sep 27, 2020

Thanks all for support. I saw that replacing relays,etc would be first job. The SCS delta looks like the way to go. Not a fan of plastic gas tanks, hope the alloy tanks get made. Feel a little more positive about it, have to decide if old body& brain could do it. TonyA, its in Mpls. From Wash dealer who went out of business they told me. Simply Street Bikes says it starts, runs & all gears work. No idea how to work on it. I haven't checked it out, just had time for quick look. $15K. Health problems this year are probably main things holding me back.

TonyA · Sep 27, 2020

HI River700 , Well for $15K they are not giving it away , not a $8500 steal ; This is OK the Bike has value . You said a 2017 model year so New OMEX for sure and MK2 I presume . If it were me , I would see how it gets along with the OMEX ECU first for sure. There are too many MK2 Omex Norton 961's that run good to not give it a fair chance . Is your Avatar the Mississippi River Vessel at Vicksburg MS ?

MxMartin · Sep 27, 2020

river700 said:
Thanks all for support. I saw that replacing relays,etc would be first job....

I wouldn't rush in to replacing any components at first, just put together a catalogue of equivalent part numbers/suppliers should it ever be necessary. I have a 2018 Mk2 and the only thing changed on it was the head temp sensor, not because it failed, but because the factory acknowledged it was of a weaker design than they envisaged so they replaced it free of charge. I had my speedo replaced because I was one of the owners experiencing high battery drain when bike switched off and the speedo was identified to be at fault. All other electrical components on my bike are as factory fitted, never touched in the 2 years/3.5k mile ownership.

river700 · Sep 27, 2020

TonyA said:
HI River700 , Well for $15K they are not giving it away , not a $8500 steal ; This is OK the Bike has value . You said a 2017 model year so New OMEX for sure and MK2 I presume . If it were me , I would see how it gets along with the OMEX ECU first for sure. There are too many MK2 Omex Norton 961's that run good to not give it a fair chance . Is your Avatar the Mississippi River Vessel at Vicksburg MS ?

Thought I'd see what they want for it closer to winter. It's a MK2, I'll ride it if I can get back up there.
No that's stbd wheel on Jacob Michael Eckstein on drydock at woodriver.IL getting new wheels( it's my regular two wheeler at work) Kort nozzle cracks welded, etc.
Martin, thanks for advice. Be good to ride it to see what I got. Might borrow trailer so I can be closer to home for break in.

Stephen_Spencer · Sep 29, 2020

I’m with Mx, if it ain’t broke.........! I too have not changed all relays/sensors etc. Same faults on mine; head temp sensor failed and speedo. Both changed under warranty. Currently having minor tick over when warm issue that Tony is helping me with (I will check that ECU today Tony) and failed gear change link bar. 9500k of awesome riding in between minor niggles as far as I’m concerned. Awesome machine, well worth a little perseverance that will be required and helps if you have a second bike. MY2P.

river700 · Oct 4, 2020

Stephen_Spencer said:
I’m with Mx, if it ain’t broke.........! I too have not changed all relays/sensors etc. Same faults on mine; head temp sensor failed and speedo. Both changed under warranty. Currently having minor tick over when warm issue that Tony is helping me with (I will check that ECU today Tony) and failed gear change link bar. 9500k of awesome riding in between minor niggles as far as I’m concerned. Awesome machine, well worth a little perseverance that will be required and helps if you have a second bike. MY2P.

Thanks, Stephen, that's prob how I'd approach it. Fix it as it breaks. Good ideas on what to watch for & how to get parts.
Mostly ride with other antiques on back roads, gotta decide between 961 or waiting for a 50's single.

Fast Eddie · Oct 5, 2020

river700 said:
Thanks, Stephen, that's prob how I'd approach it. Fix it as it breaks. Good ideas on what to watch for & how to get parts.
Mostly ride with other antiques on back roads, gotta decide between 961 or waiting for a 50's single.

Deciding between a 961 and a 50’s single ?!

That’s a real ‘chalk and cheese’ comparison there!

IMHO, in order to make that decision, all you need do is properly think about what you actually want the bike for, what you’ll actually use it for, what is the ownership genre you’re trying to fulfill.

The bikes are SO different that if you really clarify your needs, it should be very obvious which bike is the best fit.

river700 · Oct 5, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Deciding between a 961 and a 50’s single ?!

That’s a real ‘chalk and cheese’ comparison there!

IMHO, in order to make that decision, all you need do is properly think about what you actually want the bike for, what you’ll actually use it for, what is the ownership genre you’re trying to fulfill.

The bikes are SO different that if you really clarify your needs, it should be very obvious which bike is the best fit.

Right, Eddie. I decided before I didn't want a new bike ; but it is a Norton & just grabbed me when I saw it. Very much doubt I'd get the 961. Unless they give me an offer this winter i can't refuse.

New to 961?

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