Tracking down a 961's history

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Dec 18, 2020
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Hi All, I've been trying to track down the owner history, or other pertinent info about this U.S. bike. It's a 2013 and was recently bought at a Texas auction around October or November. It is showing 3900 miles and appears pristine. Anyone recognize this bike, or have another idea on how to track it? VIN is SAYCMM016DY005036. It does not appear to be in our Tracking data base. Thanks ahead of time!

 
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What information are you after ? When it was built ? Or who it was sold to originally ? You can try the two dealers in the midwest AF1 racing in Austin and MCC Chicago . Or email Norton Motorcycles , give them the VIN and see if they will help you . It looks like a 2013 , chrome head pipes , and plastic headlamp bucket. You have the latest breather mod done , oil/air separator , return side one way valve and banjo-less rocker cover. It also means you probably have the SC ecu which we now believe is a good thing. And the owner had the Norton logo on the timing cover painted and upgraded gold levers on brake with remote reservoir and clutch ? And you don't have a chain guard , it probably cracked the steel one.
 
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thanks Tony.....your observations just based on the pic are impressive and very helpful. Yes, I'm hoping to (ideally) connect with the original owner to learn more about it's history....i.e. warranty work, failures, mods etc. Your idea to check with the dealers is an excellent one. Think I'll call AF1 when they open in January. Thanks again.
 
thanks Tony.....your observations just based on the pic are impressive and very helpful. Yes, I'm hoping to (ideally) connect with the original owner to learn more about it's history....i.e. warranty work, failures, mods etc. Your idea to check with the dealers is an excellent one. Think I'll call AF1 when they open in January. Thanks again.
There should be a month and year label on the frame. There is a bit of a oil trail under the bike maybe you can ask the seller about it ?
 
He says the oil drain plug was loose and would correct it.
That’s a worry for me. If someone services something and can’t do the simple things right, like properly tighten a simple drain plug. It’s either...
1) lose drain plug
2) bad aligned or damaged o-ring in oil tank inline filter
3) not from this bike.

are you able to see this bike in person?
Does this bike have cats or decat pipes?
Know which tune it has?
 
yeah, it's nagging me too......hope to find out this week on that (and no, I have not seen the bike in person......another anyiety causing situation) I'm not sure but I think it has de-cat headers.
 
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That’s a worry for me. If someone services something and can’t do the simple things right, like properly tighten a simple drain plug. It’s either...
1) lose drain plug
2) bad aligned or damaged o-ring in oil tank inline filter
3) not from this bike.

are you able to see this bike in person?
Does this bike have cats or decat pipes?
Know which tune it has?
....or cracked a thread. I wouldn't buy sight unseen.
 
yeah, it's nagging me too......hope to find out this week on that (and no, I have not seen the bike in person......another anyiety causing situation) I'm not sure but I think it has de-cat headers.
It has Cats unless they were gutted ? You can see the cats bulge in the x-pipe .
 
At the suggestion of a couple of smart forum members, I'm flying out to Denver to check out the bike personally. Hate spending the money to do the trip, but I think the peace of mind is worth it. I really appreciate this forum.
 
At the suggestion of a couple of smart forum members, I'm flying out to Denver to check out the bike personally. Hate spending the money to do the trip, but I think the peace of mind is worth it. I really appreciate this forum.
Wise.

An early 961...with no history... and an oil slick under it... what can possibly go wrong...?
 
Wise.

An early 961...with no history... and an oil slick under it... what can possibly go wrong...?
For sure...and that's why I'm going. This might be bike number 86 for me in 55 years of never being w/o a few motorcycles, but this whole Norton deal presents an unusual set of factors. If the bike is as represented (flawless), doesn't sound like box of rocks, functions as new, and the oil leak is explained and remedied, I'll proceed. The price (and value) is attractive, but even that's hard to establish with any certitude, at least in the USA.
 
At the suggestion of a couple of smart forum members, I'm flying out to Denver to check out the bike personally. Hate spending the money to do the trip, but I think the peace of mind is worth it. I really appreciate this forum.
Well worth the outlay for peace of mind. :) :) :)
 
Well worth the outlay for peace of mind. :) :) :)
Agreed, take some time on the flight over to look at the prominent posts on this site, particularly the older ones relevant to your year (guessing you might already have done this). Might scare you a bit, but should see you best informed. There are a lot but quickly scanning the introductory post will indicate whether to keep reading and give you the chance to clarify anything with forum members. Looks in bloody good nick though :) !
 
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