Norton in trouble?

I have often wondered why is it that you spend a boat load of money on a new motorcycle only to spend even more to make it work for you? Re-working the seat so it is more comfortable instead of being a vinyl covered rock! My first Commando was a Hi-Rider so I know about vinyl covered rocks! Bars, need risers to make the ride a bit more comfortable then you need longer cables and hoses. I have often thought that just because a designer can do it on paper and make it look good doesn't make it so.
I currently own 4 Norton's 58 to 74, and AJS and a Matchless along with a Suzuki V-Strom, the most uncomfortable one to ride long distance is the V-Strom and that is after having the seat re-worked.
John in Texas
No two people are like.
 
I think it's time to tie up this thread with ribbon and bow, and lock it before it goes off a cliff.
Aw c'mon, not just yet. Between "Large Air Box Drain Bottle" and this thread, I can't recall the last time so much comedic talent has been displayed on this esteemed site.
 
Aw c'mon, not just yet. Between "Large Air Box Drain Bottle" and this thread, I can't recall the last time so much comedic talent has been displayed on this esteemed site.
Stay out of this or we'll start exporting Heskeths and Frances Barnets to you as well :cool:
 
Norton in trouble?
Or this relaunch these from late 70,s early 80,s , well it is a Norton (NVT EasyRider) isn’t it ?
 
I'm guessing not everyone will understand your comment as they didn't go to School in 1802 and our American cousins will have no idea about real money. Funny, about the only thing I actually remember from School is the "send reinforcements" thing !!! Did it actually happen as was told to me by Miss Bushell or did she make it up ?
Not sure... but no doubt Miss Bushell is an honest and trustworthy lady unlike some from the media...!
 
I’m curious.
What kind of Norton do you own?
Are you always a conspiracy theorists?

Actually, in our house, I am the one to debunk the conspiracy theorists. I guess this is the perfect example of what happens when we are bored because the weather is crap, like I said just a bit of fun.

I have a 1973 Mk1a 850 which I bought 45 years ago. It now looks like a proddy racer and is out to 920 with a Maney head. Because of the next bike, it will be going back to an Interstate config later this year.

A MKll Seeley with a full blown Maney motor and TTi box track bike.

A Featherbed framed ES2 which needs work.

I also have two of the Easy Rider mopeds which we tend to have a lot of fun on, mine are the two on the left.
Norton in trouble?


Norton in trouble?


After her indoors saw Fast Eddies 961 at Mallory last year I have permission to buy a 961 but the horror stories on here make it difficult to pull the pin on one, I tend to go abroad on my modern bikes and for that I need reliability, so my turbo charged ZRX or my R1200RS BMW would be hard to replace with a 961 and I have run out of room for more toys.
 
Actually, in our house, I am the one to debunk the conspiracy theorists. I guess this is the perfect example of what happens when we are bored because the weather is crap, like I said just a bit of fun.

I have a 1973 Mk1a 850 which I bought 45 years ago. It now looks like a proddy racer and is out to 920 with a Maney head. Because of the next bike, it will be going back to an Interstate config later this year.

A MKll Seeley with a full blown Maney motor and TTi box track bike.

A Featherbed framed ES2 which needs work.

I also have two of the Easy Rider mopeds which we tend to have a lot of fun on, mine are the two on the left.View attachment 9067

Norton in trouble?


After her indoors saw Fast Eddies 961 at Mallory last year I have permission to buy a 961 but the horror stories on here make it difficult to pull the pin on one, I tend to go abroad on my modern bikes and for that I need reliability, so my turbo charged ZRX or my R1200RS BMW would be hard to replace with a 961 and I have run out of room for more toys.
That’s exactly what I thought.
You constantly post negative comments on all new Norton’s as if you have a mission.
I get you don’t care for the Atlas or Superlight or VR. But you’re constantly putting them down.
To not like the looks or styling is based on your taste and that’s fine. You don’t have to like them.

Face it, even the vintage Norton’s had problems / issues when they were newer. Show me any bike from that era that didn’t.
That goes for every brand.

Not everyone has horror stories with the 961. I personally own 2 and my only issue was the Neutral light flicker on my commando, which I easily fixed myself.
These 961 are in many ways no different then the Norton’s or any other bike from the 70-60s era.

I’d love to have a 60s Norton Atlas or Dominator. I love the looks, sounds and the maintenance that goes along with vintage bikes / vehicles.

Of all the 961 that have been sold, how many would you say have been a total flop? Maybe 1% ???
 
Ralph, if you look at this thread you’ll see that folk have happily put some decent miles on (although I don’t think we’d get far comparing the reliability to either of your German or Japanese steeds): https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/i-finally-have-6000-miles-on-my-961.23820/

But before you worry about reliability, what about the performance? With the exception of your ES2 I rather think a 961 would be fighting for last place in your shed !!
 
Nigel , how did this thread get from norton in trouble ,but not in trouble to a peter cook & Dudley Moore sketch?, it really is like Chinese whispers on ere sometimes,start chatting bout one thing ,then decends into almost the bowels of British comedy, I say almost cause u & voodoo could of taken off “Derek & Clive “, now that would be front row seats & a knock at the door from the vice squad,if u not head of “ derek & Clive “ then don’t ask me

Ha, do you remember the Joan Crawford sketch, "she could have had carpets fitted"
 
That’s exactly what I thought.
You constantly post negative comments on all new Norton’s as if you have a mission.
I get you don’t care for the Atlas or Superlight or VR. But you’re constantly putting them down.
To not like the looks or styling is based on your taste and that’s fine. You don’t have to like them.

Face it, even the vintage Norton’s had problems / issues when they were newer. Show me any bike from that era that didn’t.
That goes for every brand.

Not everyone has horror stories with the 961. I personally own 2 and my only issue was the Neutral light flicker on my commando, which I easily fixed myself.
These 961 are in many ways no different then the Norton’s or any other bike from the 70-60s era.

I’d love to have a 60s Norton Atlas or Dominator. I love the looks, sounds and the maintenance that goes along with vintage bikes / vehicles.

Of all the 961 that have been sold, how many would you say have been a total flop? Maybe 1% ???


I have had a look back through my posts on this thread and here are the positive comments:

"the carbon one looks good"

"True Norton didn't design the street, our very own ex heroin addict Henry Cole had something to do with that, I still say it looks good though."

"the V4 the Superlight and the 961s (didn't an American design that one though?) look good"

And the negative.

"the Atlas is ugly, and not a Norton but a Zongshen which makes it Chinese,"

"but to paint the V4 to look like chrome, makes it look rank to me.
that chrome thing is a classless abortion that only rappers and pimps would buy. the Atlas looks like a Hipster has designed it and their bikes look like they do because they don't have any money, so I don't see a market for that either."

So if you read my posts correctly, you will see it is only the (Chinese) Atlas and the chrome V4 I don't like and criticise.

Like you point out not liking something is personal but I don't think I have been constantly putting them down.

But as you say the 961 is in many ways like a 70s bike and that might be part of the problem, we are no longer in the 70s and the issues i have been reading about shouldn't really exist in this day and age. I couldn't comment on the total flops but the fact that the American dealers lost money on the bikes tells it own story.

I think it is brilliant that you have not had problems with your two bikes and the the others that have posted the higher milage tours on theirs is great, I also agree with Fast Eddie that for Stuart Garner to keep the Norton name alive is an achievement that I, or a lot of others couldn't do, but what I know about modern Nortons is stopping me from pulling the pin on what looks like a bargain, when they come up. Like this.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...N&model=COMMANDO&advert-type=standard-listing

8 years old and only 1300 miles. Why?
 
I have had a look back through my posts on this thread and here are the positive comments:

"the carbon one looks good"

"True Norton didn't design the street, our very own ex heroin addict Henry Cole had something to do with that, I still say it looks good though."

"the V4 the Superlight and the 961s (didn't an American design that one though?) look good"

And the negative.

"the Atlas is ugly, and not a Norton but a Zongshen which makes it Chinese,"

"but to paint the V4 to look like chrome, makes it look rank to me.
that chrome thing is a classless abortion that only rappers and pimps would buy. the Atlas looks like a Hipster has designed it and their bikes look like they do because they don't have any money, so I don't see a market for that either."

So if you read my posts correctly, you will see it is only the (Chinese) Atlas and the chrome V4 I don't like and criticise.

Like you point out not liking something is personal but I don't think I have been constantly putting them down.

But as you say the 961 is in many ways like a 70s bike and that might be part of the problem, we are no longer in the 70s and the issues i have been reading about shouldn't really exist in this day and age. I couldn't comment on the total flops but the fact that the American dealers lost money on the bikes tells it own story.

I think it is brilliant that you have not had problems with your two bikes and the the others that have posted the higher milage tours on theirs is great, I also agree with Fast Eddie that for Stuart Garner to keep the Norton name alive is an achievement that I, or a lot of others couldn't do, but what I know about modern Nortons is stopping me from pulling the pin on what looks like a bargain, when they come up. Like this.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...N&model=COMMANDO&advert-type=standard-listing

8 years old and only 1300 miles. Why?
Why do you constantly say the Atlas is “Chinese”?
It is not.

My point of the 961 being similar to a 60-70s bike, I’m meaning the Mechanicals of it. Push rod, air cooled, minimalistic design.

I have a 1992 Mustang with 6200 miles on it. I have a 2018 Mustang GT350R with 22 miles on it.
I have a 2016 F150 with less than 2000 miles on it.
Why?
Because I can.
 
View attachment 9068 That picture I posted of the easy rider belongs to my sisters neighbour,not moved since 1986,this could be the year to resurrect it & Join yer, in the mean time ,here proof u can tour abroad on a 961( 2 up for 2,500 miles out of 8,500) , Arizona desert just a few miles from Margate ,Kent ,Uk

You would be more than welcome, that picture was took at the Menin Gate a couple of years ago. Check out the faceache page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1430786790490273/

How hot does that desert get ?
 
Back
Top