Matt, I'm sorry but what do any of these three posts have to do with the subject "The next new Norton..." ?
Just hoping they might get it right . Rather than a plastic toy with bells * whistles . KTM Road ?? Twin looks like the only one thatd look at a corner , with a bit of drift on .
Dont wanna have to disown Norton too .
Cannt see a overweight barge have lineal ancestry relateing to Norton, myself . However if people only wanna shiney pose trick , thats alright for them if theyre paying for it .
How Many Commandos Did N . V. throw out over a decade or so . as in IN THE MARKET ? 30.000 ? .
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Id think the new C.E.O. , with his expeiance with Lotus & ferrari , would be capable of coming up with a machine to take on all comers in its class .
But if its a TWIN , A full megawattie balls out indistructable top line full race option is where you start . Like the Chinese. At The End ! .
Detuned for a Road Spec super sport , further ' cheapened ' for a ' sport ' derivative . Plus a no ( expensive ) frills ' Grande Touring ' volume production version.
Which allthough dimensionally the same ( in the powerplant ) would maybe not where youd start for developing the Full Race outstanding record performance model .
Thus the more budget oriented volume ( for profitability ) derivitive would eshew the exotic materials & specifications . Being the Massey Furguson output unkillable
ignorant peasants derivative .
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Triumph has its Flagship Rocket III , with the TT600 having been a world leading top line cutting edge ' class leader ' . But ultra exotic machinary tends to be mega tight tolerance unobtainium material exotica .
When you consider Lamboughinis's were built by a Tractor Manufacturer , as a ROAD CAR , as a snubb to Ferrari , you can get a bit of ' engineering ' context .
Top Line British Competition Machinary tended to be hand built cottage industry stuff , in World Terms .
Norton could almost be considered akin to Maseratti traditional ( 60s ) market sector .
Top Line Luxury Grtand Touring , derived from Race Track and Grand Prix on track mechanical development and proving . Prior to our unfortunate current preceedings .
With the twin , personally , further divestment of investiture in a disjointed conglomeration of parphenalia seems detrimental to a healthy outcome .
Give it to gardner he dreamed big . Tho a british version of a italian design ( Now we're getting hypocritical considering the previous discourse ) The V - 4 may well be
a relevnt and competant machine . And a safe bet . If we consider its teething irreegularities to be indicative of hurried underdevelopment rather than and great design
or executional flaws .
Thus it ' Has Potential '
My veiw is the 961 is irrelevant . Bearing in mind U S Enginneers built a 8 1/8 second P II Norton around 67 / 68 from offcuts of experimental classified materials
integrated with experimental race componentry that was too expensive for series production , buy their top engineering shop men , in ' recreational ' time . Awaiting
completion of testing of the naval componentry manufactured in the remote development facility . Before Packing Up . Seems Hobot mightve lucked out when the
' Recreational Vehical ' was returned to the Local dealer ! .
THUS , a 73 Commando built from exotic materials ( Chrome Molly Frame & Fork legs etc , and top spec. alloys would by virtue of its lesser mass be more than a match for a 961 .
Given brakes & Trans to match , with fuel injection & Id think hydraulic Lifters in there . Definately more ellegant , which isnt a term Id apply to a 961 regarding disjointed as more apt ,
As for 961 performance - is it anywhere proven . Consider a std 750 Dunstall likely has better top end , even if it dosnt have a six speed. yet . Thus a DFV derivative like everything else
these days , is gunna doit . And you could use it as a stationary engine . Engine Plates on C'case ( & Trans ) extremities . With a few output / input shaft bearing supports incorporated .
Even if its a non adjustable trans securing , with a grotty hydraulic self sadjusting tensioner that VF camchains and the like suffered . So if a BELT is capeable the Dry Clutch advantge follows .
Simplicity , lightness , fitness to purpose . Like some Lotuses . Virtually a parrallel twin Duc. After all they copied Nortons 74 frame & used the two front cylinders ofofa DFV .
While the poms dithered procastenated and soothed their shattered dispositions whilst British Industry & the Economy Colapsed . at the behest of the politions . Not mentioning Duncan Sandys
The Parlimentry Tea Lady , or the continual reversal of Govenment Directives , Guarantees , Promises & Financial directives .
Sober Up . Trust No One . Dont waste time on white elephants . Get Foggarty or the like to wring the V4s neck , for evaluation , pre production . Then Its GAURENTEED O.K. & authenticated .
If the 961 handles similar evaluation , it mightnt be a dead loss . But as a Triumph 650 Four Speed manadged 100 mph lap around 68 , Hailwoods 114 or whatever'd be the goal . Tho 120
faired a fair cop . Or it aint no performance . Williams did 107 in 73 on a 750 . The circuits no less than 8 mph better by now , being less demanding on the chassis & road holding .
Stanley Woods lighting up the rear , clutchless out of a bend over 50 years ago as inspiration . No Guts No Glory .
Perhaps they should copy the Velo ,
or the huskey
If the 961 is proven , let us know . Otherwise we dont know its any better. Particularly if they disalowed brakeing .
The V4 may well be ' it ' , with a good kick in the guts . Diversification of resources would br detrimental to the Co's health .
If they want a Twin, they want it cutting edge . And pull it back tenologiclally for a all round enntry level work horse .
Or has one off you run a 861 through a quater mile . Lotus'es reputation was crippled once, too .
arrivederci
