Norton trouble

To date, a very happy 961 customer but starting to wonder if I've bought a load of trouble, not new to that I suppose. Took years sorting an original Rocket 3, only to be outdone by 'Japcrap', at least in a straight line. This summer will be 50 years of biking, started with a 3 speed Bantam, lots of brit bikes a handful of Japs and 1 American, bought the 961 to realise the dream of taking a bike to the IoM. Loads of planned and failed attempts, various bikes. Realising that it's not totally British, suppose my 06 Scrambler is the nearest I have to that, but with the history, a near perfect bike to go on. Feeling a bit cheated at the moment but here's hoping it turns out reliable enough for the trip. So far, nearing the 1st service, all is good.

If you had a proper vintage Commando you could make any trip no problems. And if you break down along the way there'll be about 50 lads to stop to help. Just how many miles each way is it for you to the IoM?
 
If you had a proper vintage Commando you could make any trip no problems. And if you break down along the way there'll be about 50 lads to stop to help. Just how many miles each way is it for you to the IoM?

I went to the TT on a 350 LC all the way from London so, despite what people say about 2 strokes.. . . . . .it was the Steam Racket Boat service who dumped me off at Liverpool at 2am in the morning what spoiled my holiday, but luckily I only had 50 miles to ride to immediate family relations for a bed for the night.
If you have a long way to come over the pond, you might be better off flying over to Heathrow, getting a train to London and hiring something like a 1litre bike to take to the Isle. You just have to ride it back to the shop at the end of your holiday.
 
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If you had a proper vintage Commando you could make any trip no problems. And if you break down along the way there'll be about 50 lads to stop to help. Just how many miles each way is it for you to the IoM?
You're probably right but having grafted to keep old brits roadworthy in the past, have bikes from this century now. So far trouble free.
 
You're probably right but having grafted to keep old brits roadworthy in the past, have bikes from this century now. So far trouble free.
my Cali has done 700 miles so far, 550 by me, and I am off to the NOC European rally in southern Portugal in May, via Santander ferry. So far, no problems, and oil was good on first service, so pretty confident. And anyway, I ran in my totally rebuilt Fastback in 2002 by riding it from London to the top of Norway and back in 20 days, 4400 miles, and an unforgettable trip.
 
I went to the TT on a 350 LC all the way from London so, despite what people say about 2 strokes.. . . . . .it was the Steam Racket Boat service who dumped me off at Liverpool at 2am in the morning what spoiled my holiday, but luckily I only had 50 miles to ride to immediate family relations for a bed for the night.
If you have a long way to come over the pond, you might be better off flying over to Heathrow, getting a train to London and hiring something like a 1litre bike to take to the Isle. You just have to ride it back to the shop at the end of your holiday.
Yes, had my share of oil burners, some crackers and experience of the old 'Island Princess', definitely needed sea legs for her crossing. New ferries are a dream in comparison. Luckily I'm only a couple of hours, cross country, from Heysham so no worries there, done the trip a no. of times but always 4 wheels. Now to decide TT or Classic.
 
my Cali has done 700 miles so far, 550 by me, and I am off to the NOC European rally in southern Portugal in May, via Santander ferry. So far, no problems, and oil was good on first service, so pretty confident. And anyway, I ran in my totally rebuilt Fastback in 2002 by riding it from London to the top of Norway and back in 20 days, 4400 miles, and an unforgettable trip.
Yes, time to commit, worry is that every time I've booked it in the past my bikes let me down. Time to break the rule!
 
Yes, time to commit, worry is that every time I've booked it in the past my bikes let me down. Time to break the rule!

Don't take this the wrong way, but you need a better mechanic !
I rebuilt the Yamaha lc myself, thrashed it over the mountain on mad Sunday, and all I had on the Island was a slow puncture because I forgot to say "Hello, Fairies" when I went over Fairies bridge when I went over to Castletown. . . . . . .
 
.... and all I had on the Island was a slow puncture because I forgot to say "Hello, Fairies" when I went over Fairies bridge when I went over to Castletown. . . . . . .

Never forget to greet the fairies...
My Commando harness caught fire the next day after I hadn't.
Norton trouble
 
Don't take this the wrong way, but you need a better mechanic !
I rebuilt the Yamaha lc myself, thrashed it over the mountain on mad Sunday, and all I had on the Island was a slow puncture because I forgot to say "Hello, Fairies" when I went over Fairies bridge when I went over to Castletown. . . . . . .
Have a few success stories ref bike builds myself just never coincided with the TT. Fingers crossed this will be the year. I'll remember to greet the fairies.
 
If you had a proper vintage Commando you could make any trip no problems. And if you break down along the way there'll be about 50 lads to stop to help. Just how many miles each way is it for you to the IoM?
My love of the 1st Commandos, ridden but never owned, was1of the reasons for getting the 961 while I can still ride. The trips not the problem, a couple of hours across to Heysham that's all!
 
Recently I read somewhere that BSA had gone belly up.
Boy Scout America :)
 
Actor to play SG: Vinnie Jones, in Locked stock and two smoking barrels, the CNC Cut......
Na, too old, too ugly, too...............vinnie can kick his way out, but couldn't charm his way out of a paper bag! :(
 
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