New to the world of Norton

lfoggy · Sep 11, 2023

Took a tour of the new Norton factory in Solihull last week followed by a 3 hour test ride of a Commando 961. After a lifetime of Japanese sports bikes I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved it. Factory tour was very reassuringas as well. Put down a deposit on a cafe racer in silver, for delivery in the new year. Planning a trip t the TT with it in 2024.
Any tips, or recomendations for must-have mods?
One thought I had is that the wire wheels come with decent tires but with inner tubes? Is that a problem and can they be converted to tubeless?

StuartSF2015 · Sep 12, 2023

Congratulations on becoming a 961 owner. However, with wire wheels your stuck with innertubes. The spoke holes in the rim would let the air out. For tubeless tires, you’ll need cast/carbon wheels. Perhaps an option on your purchase? Chat to the factory about your options.

lfoggy · Sep 12, 2023

Thanks for the reply. This morning I spoke to the company in Birmingham that manufactures the wire wheels for Norton. They tell me they can convert them to tubeless quite easily. Basically they seal up the spoke holes with some kind of flexible filler. £135 per wheel.....Worth it I think.

TonyA · Sep 12, 2023

lfoggy said:
Thanks for the reply. This morning I spoke to the company in Birmingham that manufactures the wire wheels for Norton. They tell me they can convert them to tubeless quite easily. Basically they seal up the spoke holes with some kind of flexible filler. £135 per wheel.....Worth it I think.

Good find. I have also read about a sealing tape they wrap around the inside of the rim to cover up the spoke holes.

TonyA · Sep 12, 2023

lfoggy said:
Took a tour of the new Norton factory in Solihull last week followed by a 3 hour test ride of a Commando 961. After a lifetime of Japanese sports bikes I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved it. Factory tour was very reassuringas as well. Put down a deposit on a cafe racer in silver, for delivery in the new year. Planning a trip t the TT with it in 2024.
Any tips, or recomendations for must-have mods?
One thought I had is that the wire wheels come with decent tires but with inner tubes? Is that a problem and can they be converted to tubeless?

Wow ! A 3 hour test ride is fantastic. You should have really got to know something about the bike in 3 hours ? How was the vibration going down the highway at 70 mph in your view ?

lfoggy · Sep 12, 2023

TonyA said:
Wow ! A 3 hour test ride is fantastic. You should have really got to know something about the bike in 3 hours ? How was the vibration going down the highway at 70 mph in your view ?

The Commando had a quite pleasant low frequency vibration that I could always feel but was never uncomfortable, during my test ride. Very different to the tingly kind of vibes you get with a four cylinder engine. Doing 70mph on the motorway was fine, 80mph probably maximum comfortable cruising speed. Didn't test top speed but guessing around 100mph, maybe slighlty more. Looking forward to getting the bike in early 2024.

TonyA · Sep 12, 2023

OK , Sounds like mine . 120 mph should be achievable , mine will easily.

74ok · Oct 6, 2023

lfoggy said:
Thanks for the reply. This morning I spoke to the company in Birmingham that manufactures the wire wheels for Norton. They tell me they can convert them to tubeless quite easily. Basically they seal up the spoke holes with some kind of flexible filler. £135 per wheel.....Worth it I think.

There are utube vids out there, for diy folks. Might be some legality & or ins scenarios to consider. I'd think mismatching tires & tubes may also be problematic. I wouldn't assume a tire calling for a tube, is fine without.

kommando · Oct 6, 2023

74ok said:
Might be some legality scenarios to consider.

Much more likely to be an issue with insurance as an undeclared mod or if there was a accident involving tyre deflation etc.

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Oct 7, 2023

kommando is spot on there , in the UK we are obliged to tell our insurer of any modifications, that can include a rack/panniers/ or even stickers ! Crazy get out loopholes we certainly have

74ok · Oct 7, 2023

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
kommando is spot on there , in the UK we are obliged to tell our insurer of any modifications, that can include a rack/panniers/ or even stickers ! Crazy get out loopholes we certainly have

I think 'Crazy get out loopholes' means ~ reasons to deny a claim

New to the world of Norton

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