New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

Fast Eddie said:
Well, no harm in hoping!

But just to be clear, the point I am referring to is only this one “It would be great to have an open discussion with the new management to talk about resolving issues like this where owners are outside warranty and a long distance from a dealer but need to diagnose a fault”.

And all I’m saying is that I expect New Norton to focus on a decent dealership network, with technicians, and parts, and support. So all that is gonna help tremendously.

I just think that ‘hoping‘ they’re going to put resources into setting up to support owners of ‘old’ Norton’s, outside of warranty, who live too far away from a dealership, is a bit optimistic. That’s all.
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Yes, I understand what you're saying, I'm sure we a low on the priority list
 
Mine is just over 3 years old, 2900 miles and needs an MOT. Trouble is I cannot start it to ride it to the MOT station. I am fairly sure it is the battery, lord knows why as it is only 3 years old and lives mostly on trickle charge. Bike trailer on order so I would like to take it to the factory, get it running and through its MOT but not only that, I would be willing to pay to get all known niggly faults with various sensors, relays and whatever sorted out. I want to keep it but need to feel confident that it won't keep letting me down.

Do we think the new setup know of all the existing faults with dodgy parts, I guess they do from previous warranty claim records. If someone could make a list of the suspect parts, I am betting many of us would like to get them sorted and be happy owners and great ambassadors for the brand.
 
Hey welshrugby I’ve got an 82 Ducati in the shed goes through a battery every 2 years. You can almost set your calendar with it. It does about 1,000 miles a year.
My 961 is probably not so bad. 2 batteries since 2016 purchase with about 4,000 miles per year.
Batteries are cheap and expendable.
Re the factory with out of warranty repairs. We can’t expect too much. But it won’t be free. If they make the ECU readily accessible would be a start. Any good small engine mechanic with British twin experience can work on them. Just my 2penny worth after a fewe beers n winee. Sorry
 
I think the best realistic hope would be from small private firms. Maybe Richard-7 comes out of hibernation (and I know you read these Richard;)) and / or Ollie Thiel, and spread their wings a bit. If such a specialist teamed up with dealers, like Krazy Horse or Thor in the U.K. for example, then I think there could be a great opportunity to access more customers (good for business) and provide a greater service (good for owners).

OEMs are in a catch 22 with this kind of topic, if they start offering fixes, they leave themselves wide open to be criticised for knowing about the faults, then owners will start arguing the upgrades should be free, perhaps even taking legal action, and the cycle just keeping on fuelling itself. Small private firms have no such issues, it’s not their design that they’re fixing.

Moreover, I honestly think that expecting the factory to invest in R&D to develop a bike that has reached end of life, is chasing a unicorn. They are looking to the future, they are going to want to spend R&D money and resources on the products for the future. Which is exactly what they should be doing IMHO. Just like Bloor did.
 
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Fast Eddie said:
Well, no harm in hoping!

But just to be clear, the point I am referring to is only this one “It would be great to have an open discussion with the new management to talk about resolving issues like this where owners are outside warranty and a long distance from a dealer but need to diagnose a fault”.

And all I’m saying is that I expect New Norton to focus on a decent dealership network, with technicians, and parts, and support. So all that is gonna help tremendously.

I just think that ‘hoping‘ they’re going to put resources into setting up to support owners of ‘old’ Norton’s, outside of warranty, who live too far away from a dealership, is a bit optimistic. That’s all.
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Access to the ECUs definitely a good start, the availability of spares etc. less of a problem! Luckily so far none required but this forum has it well covered me thinks!
 
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Not sure if you guys are aware, but there is a great fb group, The Norton Commando and Dominator 961 motorcycle owners club......They might have reached their limit on group name :D

A chap on there, Stuart Bodycote, has set up a business, Motorvated ltd and he’s started looking after Norton 961’s. Stuart is ex Norton works and has stayed in contact with a number of ex employees from when our bikes were in production. It’s not his full time job right now, but he’s looking at sourcing service parts and potentially improving the 961 platform, offering servicing and mot’s etc. He’s based fairly near the old factory in the midlands. Very helpful and approachable chap, so might be able to help some out. One customer has just had his bike transported from Wales for Stuart to MOT and sort out some niggles.

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)
 
He's a member on here as well, but more active on FB ( which I personally am not a fan of ). Agreed he is very helpful and responsive. He told me he is now 961 technical adviser to the N.O.C.
 
cliffa said:
He's a member on here as well, but more active on FB ( which I personally am not a fan of ). Agreed he is very helpful and responsive. He told me he is now 961 technical adviser to the N.O.C.
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Great news ! , I hope that others in the UK see this post and give that guy some work .
 
I don't want to be rude to this new Norton member/bike owner, but haveing to replace all those cheaply made parts with better quality ones puts me right off those SG manufactured Norton's.
Or is it just me? . . .
 
Bernhard said:
I don't want to be rude to this new Norton member/bike owner, but haveing to replace all those cheaply made parts with better quality ones puts me right off those SG manufactured Norton's.
Or is it just me? . . .
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No it’s not only you Benrhard. And unfortunatley it doesn’t always end there, some ‘niggles’ will most likely continue / appear in future.

But when they’re sorted, and running well, they are very nice indeed. Hence, those owners happy to put the time and effort into the relationship are rewarded, and happy. Its just not a relationship for everyone.
 
Vernon240 said:
Not sure if you guys are aware, but there is a great fb group, The Norton Commando and Dominator 961 motorcycle owners club......They might have reached their limit on group name :D

A chap on there, Stuart Bodycote, has set up a business, Motorvated ltd and he’s started looking after Norton 961’s. Stuart is ex Norton works and has stayed in contact with a number of ex employees from when our bikes were in production. It’s not his full time job right now, but he’s looking at sourcing service parts and potentially improving the 961 platform, offering servicing and mot’s etc. He’s based fairly near the old factory in the midlands. Very helpful and approachable chap, so might be able to help some out. One customer has just had his bike transported from Wales for Stuart to MOT and sort out some niggles.

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Thanks Vernon again.
 
Thanks for all the assistance so far has been extremely helpful.
Just as an update, (still not running) still waiting for Brisbane motor cycles to respond with the Norton software to tell me the error and what that might be? i now have the diagnostic cable.
any way, with advice i have ordered and installed the iridium NGK plugs, and also the the coil pack (Bosch) , a Bosch Head sensor, Bosch Cam sensor, the only ones missing i think are the x2 O2? sensors in the exhaust down pipes ? are these also a must replace? and any advice with these and or a product number for that recommended part? Bosch ? i haven't ordered or done anything about these? should i.
Thanks in advance.
The bike does idles better (new plugs) and consistently starts second time like every other day, any throttle and it dies. I've tried to spray carby cleaner in any connection from the air box to the head to see if the revs rise and to see if it has an air leak, but this made no difference. bang the throttle and it revs like a bastard, but a normal turn, dies.
 
I can’t remember where I read this, but the topic was around TPS reset procedure.

If I recall correctly it goes like this:

1. Switch on ign, do not start engine.
2. turn the twistgrip all the way from closed, to WOT, and closed again.
3. switch off ign
4. switch on ign and start the engine as normal.

Doesn’t cost owt or harm owt... might be worth a try ?
 
Fast Eddie said:
I can’t remember where I read this, but the topic was around TPS reset procedure.

If I recall correctly it goes like this:

1. Switch on ign, do not start engine.
2. turn the twistgrip all the way from closed, to WOT, and closed again.
3. switch off ign
4. switch on ign and start the engine as normal.

Doesn’t cost owt or harm owt... might be worth a try ?
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That does seem very simple.... Does that mean if you twist the throttle slightly with the ignition on the switch fit off the tps is up the swanny?
 
P- Rogers said:
Thanks for all the assistance so far has been extremely helpful.
Just as an update, (still not running) still waiting for Brisbane motor cycles to respond with the Norton software to tell me the error and what that might be? i now have the diagnostic cable.
any way, with advice i have ordered and installed the iridium NGK plugs, and also the the coil pack (Bosch) , a Bosch Head sensor, Bosch Cam sensor, the only ones missing i think are the x2 O2? sensors in the exhaust down pipes ? are these also a must replace? and any advice with these and or a product number for that recommended part? Bosch ? i haven't ordered or done anything about these? should i.
Thanks in advance.
The bike does idles better (new plugs) and consistently starts second time like every other day, any throttle and it dies. I've tried to spray carby cleaner in any connection from the air box to the head to see if the revs rise and to see if it has an air leak, but this made no difference. bang the throttle and it revs like a bastard, but a normal turn, dies.
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I hope your cable and software works .... What was it like when you have it a handful of throttle when the engine was under load. Also were your plugs black and sooty like mine?
 
Fast Eddie said:
No it’s not only you Benrhard. And unfortunatley it doesn’t always end there, some ‘niggles’ will most likely continue / appear in future.

But when they’re sorted, and running well, they are very nice indeed. Hence, those owners happy to put the time and effort into the relationship are rewarded, and happy. Its just not a relationship for everyone.
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You have my agreement on the last point, after a run out yesterday just finished cleaning her off and checking her over. Ok, a bit clattery running at low speeds in traffic but open road, straight or bends, up hill and down dale, what a machine. Since I derestricted the silencers, which aren't any more, she runs great. Returning a little less mpg, high 40s not low 50s but the plugs look good and all's well.
 
P- Rogers said:
Hi All.
my first efforts at chatting on the forum, so I may make some mistakes!
I've just gone a purchased a 2018 Commander 961 Cafe (new, ish) to join my small heard.
always been a dream of mine to own one and the opportunity arrived and I dived in eyes closed.
very excited with the purchase and proud to say i now own a Norton Cafe. it had 78 klm on it when purchased.
I have since done 110 and hasn't been without its problems! hence me finding others having experienced similar, and how I've fortunately been able to find this forum.
I bought the bike interstate, and have since found out i have next to no support and or slow efforts to assist with my current issues.
I started to have the service light show up about 20-30klm ago and it would come and go.
Last week riding home and about when the bike had got up-to temp it stopped at the lights and wouldn't restart.
Currently it will idle but as soon as i add throttle it drops off, i can slowly add throttle and get it to about 3k but its not happy doing it.
I've since replace the cheap relays, and flushed the tank and added new fuel, checked the hoses, checked the fuel pump and that's working great, the only items i haven't done anything about are the sensors?
i have reviewed some of these posts but not in any detail and it sounds like i'm not alone.
I should also say he dealer has sent me a diagnostic cable and we are hoping to hook up via team-viewer and check the code readings to better narrow down the issue/s.
i'm far from a mechanic, but thinking its probably the TPC (Throttle position censor?) or the o2 censor and or both?
i get the feeling from the little research i've done, most have replaced the censors at some point and the relays is that correct?

Any advise would be extremely helpful, as mentioned i love the bike but would be better riding it.
Thanks in advance.
current bikes are ;
BMW R1150R rockster E80
Douglas Dragonfly 56
Norton 961 Cafe.
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Welcome to the forum and the 961 world P-Roger. You have come to the right place for advise and insight. I'm convinced that some of these guys know more about the 961 than Norton. The suggested ignition and sensor upgrade is a great step in the right direction.
 
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