Norton UK Website drop 961 , Variants and Superlight from Bike listing

Fast Eddie said:
What kinda weight loss mods you got in mind? It’s a surprisingly heavy ole bus the 961, but apart from junking the stock cans and cat, plus fitting a lithium battery, there’s not a huge amount of easy weight reduction options is there ?
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The engine cases are built like a brick shithouse, and a source of much ballast in the 961.
The frame is also built from very substantial stuff.
Wait loss on the 961 can be done, but it will be expensive.

1. Swap laced wheels for BST carbon fibre units (also comes with the advantage of tubeless tire use)
2. Replace brake rotors with drilled wave rotors.
2. Replace steel swingarm with one of Ollie's Alloy unit
3. 2-into-1 exhaust
4. Carbon fibre tail section
 
As FE stated, for non ABS versions only, but fitting the BST carbon wheels so radically changes the weight characteristics of this bike owners may not feel the need to go further if shedding some weight (and improving handling) is the aim. Although I’d love to feel what difference the alloy swingarm would make.

If anyone is thinking about it, it’s well worth trying to find an owner with them fitted and try before you buy. For those guys in my area, you are welcome to throw mine around a bit to see the difference these beutifully engineered wheels make.

Carbon fibre tail section? I remember the site member who developed a rather impressive carbon fibre single seat tail unit with integrated tail light, although it sat a little high over the rear frame section from memory. Don’t think there was an option to purchase this? I would be at the front of the queue if it were. Always thought the bike would look more balanced if the alloy tank is fitted with another tail unit, like a carbon unit. My opinion only.
 
At the time, BST wouldn’t sell Norton wheels direct, they’d only supply the factory. Dunno if that’s changed with all the recent shenanigans.
 
Al's#5 said:
My dilemma now is whether to leave it as is or carry out some easier breathing and weight reduction mods.
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Love my 961 to bits still and have frequently out-handled modern high-tech bikes on the road but after trying it on the track I realise how much quicker the sports bikes are, so kind of think you're trying to prepare a carthorse for steeplechasing..... And if you've ever dealt with racehorses you'll appreciate the nice nature of a carthorse.

But.... to mix the metaphor a few more horses would be useful - maybe we could start a new Tuning thread? For example in the classic racer mags there are companies producing modified cams. Or even a simple sprocket swap?
 
Clive said:
Love my 961 to bits still and have frequently out-handled modern high-tech bikes on the road but after trying it on the track I realise how much quicker the sports bikes are, so kind of think you're trying to prepare a carthorse for steeplechasing..... And if you've ever dealt with racehorses you'll appreciate the nice nature of a carthorse.

But.... to mix the metaphor a few more horses would be useful - maybe we could start a new Tuning thread? For example in the classic racer mags there are companies producing modified cams. Or even a simple sprocket swap?
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The best decision ever was to fit carbon fibre wheels to my 961.
The difference is phenomenal..
Are there any 961 engine specialists out there .
Like Mick Hemings or Norman White that do work on the older Commandos?
 
MAK said:
Are there any 961 engine specialists out there .
Like Mick Hemings or Norman White that do work on the older Commandos?
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The closest we’ve got to that in Europe is Ollie Thiel at Thiel Motorsports in Germany.

He‘s done lots of work from fixing mechanical shortcomings to different ign and mapping, and last time I spoke to him he was fitting a set of 39mm FCRs to a 961.

He‘s not so good at PR though sadly...

Seems strange considering the number of ex Norton employees that must be around that no one has stepped up in the U.K. I assume that’s because such people probably wanted to move on to a fresh start and wanted nothing to to do with Garner et al.
 
If you have a Power Commander dealer and dyno nearby this seems a good start.

www.accessnorton.com

Power Commander V installed

Finally got the power commander v installed WOW, What a difference, totally different bike to ride . Great at low rpm around town slow speeds. Great at high rpm on open roads. Not looking for amazing HP just a nice stable running engine . Looking forward to getting out and riding the...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
Clive said:
Love my 961 to bits still and have frequently out-handled modern high-tech bikes on the road but after trying it on the track I realise how much quicker the sports bikes are, so kind of think you're trying to prepare a carthorse for steeplechasing..... And if you've ever dealt with racehorses you'll appreciate the nice nature of a carthorse.

But.... to mix the metaphor a few more horses would be useful - maybe we could start a new Tuning thread? For example in the classic racer mags there are companies producing modified cams. Or even a simple sprocket swap?
Click to expand...

I liked the 961 handling to be honest, I think it’s very stable and is therefore very well matched to its target use and market.

But on the track you really start to realise how slow it turns in and how much rider effort is needed in general compared to a modern bike.

I was amazed when I swapped mine for the Duc 1200S, the Duc felt like a motocross bike by comparison, SO light and lively, and it seemed to steer by telepathy in comparison to the 961.

I would have loved to try CF wheel on the 961, everyone who has done so raves about the difference.

None of the above is a criticism of the 961, it’s a tool for a job and modern sports bikes are too, but they are just so damned good. It’s kinda like comparing an axe to a scalpel ...
 
Very true, just about all modern sports bikes will out perform and mostly out handle the 961, but the vast and various number are mainly vanilla (in my opinion only). Same as the next, efficient, high tech machine - any gear, any speed any corner! Let the tech do the thinking (exaggeration but you know what I mean).

I guess my tastes have changed as I have aged, and maybe even since owning the Norton. Really struggle to find anything interesting or exciting about modern sports bikes. Just can’t imagine that I would have any pride of ownership and with it, the feeling that gives you when you ride.

I’ll take ‘Slow & Stylish’ every time!

F@#k I’m getting old!!!
 
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Ha! I could not agree more !

For me, the vast majority of modern bikes are just too bland and dull.

And, modern sports bikes are just too fast for me to enjoy, my brain can’t process fast enough to keep up when you try pushing them. So there’s no point in buying one for that purpose.

And riding one slowly is just so boring. So there’s no point in buying one for that purpose either!
 
Fast Eddie said:
I liked the 961 handling to be honest, I think it’s very stable and is therefore very well matched to its target use and market.

But on the track you really start to realise how slow it turns in and how much rider effort is needed in general compared to a modern bike.

I was amazed when I swapped mine for the Duc 1200S, the Duc felt like a motocross bike by comparison, SO light and lively, and it seemed to steer by telepathy in comparison to the 961.

I would have loved to try CF wheel on the 961, everyone who has done so raves about the difference.

None of the above is a criticism of the 961, it’s a tool for a job and modern sports bikes are too, but they are just so damned good. It’s kinda like comparing an axe to a scalpel ...
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There is nothing wrong with the handling but it does like a lot of rider input.
Dropping the shoulder is not enough.
As they say now “it is what it is “.
My wife’s KTM 390 would give it a run for its money.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I liked the 961 handling to be honest, I think it’s very stable and is therefore very well matched to its target use and market.

But on the track you really start to realise how slow it turns in and how much rider effort is needed in general compared to a modern bike.

I was amazed when I swapped mine for the Duc 1200S, the Duc felt like a motocross bike by comparison, SO light and lively, and it seemed to steer by telepathy in comparison to the 961.

I would have loved to try CF wheel on the 961, everyone who has done so raves about the difference.

None of the above is a criticism of the 961, it’s a tool for a job and modern sports bikes are too, but they are just so damned good. It’s kinda like comparing an axe to a scalpel ...
Click to expand...

Matches my experience too. My 961 is a comfortable, good handling, fun bike, and I really enjoy riding it. But it will never be as quick in the twisties as my Triumph Street Triple. Not that it's bad, just heavier, takes a lot more rider input to get it turned into corners, and has less power. But for a long ride, I'll take the 961 every time. It is the more comfortable of the two, being a little roomier in the ergonomics department. If I were ever to venture out on a track again (unlikely :)), it would be on the Triumph.

Ken
 
Fast Eddie said:
Ha! I could not agree more !

For me, the vast majority of modern bikes are just too bland and dull.

And, modern sports bikes are just too fast for me to enjoy, my brain can’t process fast enough to keep up when you try pushing them. So there’s no point in buying one for that purpose.

And riding one slowly is just so boring. So there’s no point in buying one for that purpose either!
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Exactly.
a 200 hp Streetfighter is WAY to much bike for me. I’d much rather have a slim, light weight 50-100 hp bike. Sometimes I regret getting the Diavel 1260s.
 
I agree Scott...

But the 961 is too slow (sorry folks) and the Atlas range ain’t what many of us are looking for. So I am really hoping that Norton fill what is basically a freaking huge void that existed between the 961 and the V4 RR and SS.

And that’s where my naked V4 hope comes in to play. I don’t want 200bhp, re tune it for massive lazy torque and 150bhp max and focus on keeping the weight (and cost) low and I think they’ll have a cracking bike.

With most of the expensive development worked already done on the existing V4s, I think it would be a very low cost way of creating a big seller.

I’ve even got a cool name for it... how about ‘Commando’...?!
 
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