Norton vs Motad Shorties

Britfan60

Britfan60

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Opinions or comments welcome. Do the welds on the Motads look like this? Frankly, compared to the SBN pipes I have on my bike, this craftsmanship sucks.
 

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I agree.
The welds look like what you would expect from welding school trainees.
That kind of quality has to be embarrassing for them.
I'd send them back, and tell Norton to try again.
 
I understand they just set up to manufacture the pipes in house, but where is the quality control and or supervision? These pipes are expensive yet looks home made. I'm going to send them back. Too bad the shipping is 50 bucks each way. Glad its not just me being nit picky.
 
Being new to the process of manufacturing something (anything) is no excuse for shipping poor quality. It's a valid excuse for a slow ramp up, for high scrap rates, etc. But NOT for shipping poor quality to paying customers.

You are definitely not nit picking. On looks alone these should be returned, but I would also be concerned that welds that look so poor, may also be structurally poor, i.e. poor penetration etc because it is fair to assume that these were not welded by a competent / confident welder.

My hypothesis is that Norton deemed these unfit for fitment to a new production machine... so you got them instead! I realise that sounds bad, but not as bad as the thought that these ARE acceptable to production !

Whatever the reasons, you are totally right to 'reject' them, and in doing so, send a clear message to Norton that they have fallen short of the mark.

However, before you post them back why not communicate via phone and email, send these pictures and state your case. They might say "sorry, keep those for now and we'll send 'proper ones' later".
 
No Fast Eddie. I don't want them or the drama that goes with it. One weld is so bad, not only does it look like it will crack, there is a small hole that looks like it would leak exhaust from it. No. I'd rather live with my small scrape on my current pipe. Shipping to the States costs a small fortune too.
 
I would think that Norton would want to retrieve those pipes and quickly destroy them to prevent the further dissemination of any information about them.
The factory could simply say that they were shocked and appalled at the quality of the pipes, and that the responsible individual(s) had been disciplined.
Then find and hire the guys from Motad who lost their jobs and have them produce the exhausts.

Or just contract with Staintune to build them properly and be done with it. :)
 
You know, fellas, I don't take pride in putting it out there in public. I love my Norton. But yet I feel, if somebody at the factory gets a little egg on their face, they try harder to make amends and put out a better product. I tried so hard to see some of the Motads up close to check the seams but I can't zoom in on the posted photos. I question myself about being too picky so I needed the reinforcement. I just hope all goes well for their return. Shipping is 50 US each way so that's a loss right there.
 
I am very confident that Norton will make this right. Perhaps this was a Motad pipe and not a Norton pipe?? Is there any logos?? Or packaging???
 
richard-7 said:
I am very confident that Norton will make this right. Perhaps this was a Motad pipe and not a Norton pipe?? Is there any logos?? Or packaging???
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I doubt it Richard.

Norton already told Britfan that the reason for the long delay in delivering these was due to them making them in house now.

Besides, Motad had been making pipes for a VERY long time. Go to any bike meet and you'll see lots of their products being used, old and new.

I've never seen a Motad pipe look like that. Ever!
 
richard-7 said:
I am very confident that Norton will make this right. Perhaps this was a Motad pipe and not a Norton pipe?? Is there any logos?? Or packaging???
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The nicer pipe of the 2, that wasn't that nice, was wrapped up nice in a foam wrap and Norton tape. The "ugly" pipe was not wrapped up, like someone may have unwrapped it to say "should we really send this POS out?" No. They are that bad. Burn marks on the bike side as if it matters that the public doesn't look that closely. A big tab tacked on saying " not intended for road use" or something like that. I should have posted more photos. I'm not going wait and see if they can make a better one. What if that would come back unacceptable too? I'll work something out. Sure hope they don't make their engine covers in house next. Still waiting 3 1/2 months for that too. No estimate on delivery.
 
That's so disappointing. I was just going to order the short pipes. It's even more disappointing since I put off ordering the Motads from Krazy Horse last year to save up for them. :(
 
One more pretty photo. Sent the photos to Norton. They agreed. These should have never been shipped out like that and will oblige with a refund.
 

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Interesting to see Stuart Garner on the BBC news last night. The item was about the low unemployment numbers and Stuart was saying how they are struggling to recruit people with the right skills.
 
TonyA said:
I wish someone would give these Zards a try !

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norton-Commando ... 2358260946
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Those are cool looking pipes, but that unfinished look on such an elegantly styled bike....Whatever floats yer boat. Partially why I'm sending these shorties back. Also, it appears to be all one piece. No clamps. Have to take the whole system off for an oil change? Try em, Tony. Take one for the team. :mrgreen:
 
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