Visit to Colorado Norton Works

JimC · Nov 6, 2014

I doubt the Chinese will ever put quality before maximizing profit. Totally different mind set than the Japanese. The Chinese could care less what you think of their product, as long as they get your money. I've never had the experience, but I can well imagine it being next to impossible to hold a Chinese company liable for a faulty product that causes injury.

acotrel · Nov 6, 2014

JimC said:
I doubt the Chinese will ever put quality before maximizing profit. Totally different mind set than the Japanese. The Chinese could care less what you think of their product, as long as they get your money. I've never had the experience, but I can well imagine it being next to impossible to hold a Chinese company liable for a faulty product that causes injury.

You are obviously not as old as I am. I was brought up during the 40s and 50s. Popular belief was that the Japanese were only capable of making rubbish. We learned a very big lesson. I never believed that a Japanese two stroke would become better than manx until I raced in about 1967, and found my Triton to be completely outclassed by bikes with mediocre riders on them. I then realised the way to win was go two stroke, however I never really liked riding them. You can't feel the hair growing on your chest with those bits of garbage.

JimC · Nov 6, 2014

You are obviously not as old as I am.

Actually, I'm seventy. Probably about the same age as you. I've had business relations with both Chinese and Japanese. Other than both being Asian, they have very little in common.

acotrel · Nov 6, 2014

JimC said:
You are obviously not as old as I am.

Click to expand...

Actually, I'm seventy. Probably about the same age as you. I've had business relations with both Chinese and Japanese. Other than both being Asian, they have very little in common.

So you believe that Japanese quality is a racial thing about internalising the required discipline ? I believe anybody can manufacture quality products if appropriately led and motivated. It takes a certain mindset, and Colorado Norton Works obviously have that, so why isn't it America-wide ? I suggest our biggest problem both with you and us, is the 'cult of the individual' and a 'divide and conquer' management attitude. In Australia our politics are very divisive from top to bottom, we never discuss Employee Share Ownership or Productivity Gain Sharing or recognise the role of industrial democracy in achieving continual improvement. We only apply Key Performance Indicators to individuals, never to teams.
If you look at the worst situation - that existed in the Norton Factory in the UK, at least they had a common goal in competing in the IOM TT.
I suggest you guys should remember that production engineering and the quality ethos were invented in the US, there is no way you cannot climb to the top again.

auldblue · Nov 7, 2014

JimC said:
I doubt the Chinese will ever put quality before maximizing profit. Totally different mind set than the Japanese. The Chinese could care less what you think of their product, as long as they get your money. I've never had the experience, but I can well imagine it being next to impossible to hold a Chinese company liable for a faulty product that causes injury.

Those pesky Chinese never make anything of value to last! Only we Brits can make the quality stuff like Ramblers, Beagles and Dandys.
J

Richard Barks · Nov 7, 2014

G81 Can Cycle said:
I am fortunate enough to own a CNW build. And, as mentioned in this thread, the CNW builds are a work of art.

What is not mentioned here is the back-up you get from Matt. I have had a couple of problems with my build, nothing serious.. Matt paid to have my bike sent back to Colorado from Florida to fix the problems. No questions asked.

Matt stands behind everything he does.

And as far as polishing the inside of nuts. Well I doubt it. Matt is a perfectionist (Times 10) and polishing the inside of a nut would change
both the thread minor diameter, and possible pitch diameter, making the thread not conforming to specifications, and Matt would not allow that LOL

lovely bike ! nearly as good as my CNW Café Racer which quite frankly is the bollocks !!!!!!!!!
the man does a world class job and as for his customer service he came 5000 miles just to check my tyre pressures and oil

JimC · Nov 7, 2014

I suggest you guys should remember that production engineering and the quality ethos were invented in the US, there is no way you cannot climb to the top again.

The America that led the world in almost every statistic in the 40's, 50's and 60's was a far different country than the America of today. Our values have changed dramatically.

acotrel · Nov 7, 2014

I think you've had 'the cult of the individual' for a long time. When you do that and combine it with authoritarianism, perhaps the combination stifles creativity ? You guys were always champions of democracy, however I think you've lost the plot. I suspect we might be seeing the ultimate results of growth. In Australia we are usually 20 years behind America amd usually learn from your mistakes. Personally I am strongly biased towards stimulating growth here. Anywhere outside our 'big' cities' is almost empty. However I might have the wrong mindset. I spent my whole working life as a scientist involved in development in an engineering environment, and that is my whole perspective. Our latest government is negotiating agricultural free trade deals at the expense of manufacturing. That approach gives me a problem - I feel I've wasted my life. In the end Jim, it is people like you and I who can make a difference, we influence the young ones coming up. 'If you have a victim's mindset, you will be a victim' ?
I looked at those bikes from CNW and I can see real value, perhaps it is a way forward ?

Fast Eddie · Nov 7, 2014

Sadly, we seem to be forgetting a part of the puzzle here...

Manufacturers (in China or anywhere else) can only survive by selling crap quality IF the market buys it!

The sad fact is NOT that China makes crap quality... It is that the majority of the buying public cannot see beyond the end of their noses... And buy the bloody stuff!

acotrel · Nov 7, 2014

A lot depends on the definition of the term 'quality'. The ISO9000 definition is 'fit for purpose', and that makes both a Rolls Royce and a Mini Minor appear to be 'quality products'. A better definition is 'fit for purpose with obvious attention to detail'. As far as the general public is concerned, most don't have an appreciation of quality until they see it. I visited the Motorclassica Exhibition in Melbourne a few weeks back, and they were all there - total unobtanium. You see them at the Goodwood Revival when their millionaire owners bring them out to play. The fact is that the Colorado Norton Works does not rely on mass production and turn-over. It is obviously about high priced quality items for the discerning customer. The more of their bikes which get into circulation, the more the demand for their quality items should become.

There are only 3 photos in this topic. Does anyone have more side on photos of CNW bikes they can post here. They are very inspiring bikes.

Fast Eddie · Nov 7, 2014

acotrel said:
A lot depends on the definition of the term 'quality'. The ISO9000 definition is 'fit for purpose', and that makes both a Rolls Royce and a Mini Minor appear to be 'quality products'. A better definition is 'fit for purpose with obvious attention to detail'. As far as the general public is concerned, most don't have an appreciation of quality until they see it. I visited the Motorclassica Exhibition in Melbourne a few weeks back, and they were all there - total unobtanium. You see them at the Goodwood Revival when their millionaire owners bring them out to play. The fact is that the Colorado Norton Works does not rely on mass production and turn-over. It is obviously about high priced quality items for the discerning customer. The more of their bikes which get into circulation, the more the demand for their quality items should become.

There are only 3 photos in this topic. Does anyone have more side on photos of CNW bikes they can post here. They are very inspiring bikes.

You don't need to have Matt build your bike to be inspiring. My own bike is peppered with stuff from Matt! The quality is superb. So much so that it is difficult to stop buying stuff from him when you start!
It's not only the parts quality though, his level of service, his 'can do' attitude and general conduct is a lesson to many in the business!

worntorn · Nov 7, 2014

I have looked at his stuff and decided it is very much like Kentucky Fried Chicken, that is, it contains an addictive substance. Maybe not the secret 11 Herbs and Spices, but there is something addictive there nonetheless.

Glen

dennisgb · Nov 7, 2014

acotrel said:
There are only 3 photos in this topic. Does anyone have more side on photos of CNW bikes they can post here. They are very inspiring bikes.

Here are some additional photos we took while at CNW.

There are tons of high resolution photos of all the bikes on the CNW website in the photos section:

http://coloradonortonworks.com/

G81 Can Cycle · Nov 7, 2014

There are only 3 photos in this topic. Does anyone have more side on photos of CNW bikes they can post here. They are very inspiring bikes.[/quote]

Go to Colorado Norton Works web page (google it) Matt has Gallery pictures of all of his builds (over 100 builds)

G81 Can Cycle · Nov 7, 2014

Some posters have discussed buying CNW parts for their own rebuilds. I not only own a CNW build, I recently installed several CNW products on my 1974 Interstate. Riding the CNW has spoled me for certain upgraded features
Brembo Front Brake
Hydraulic Clutch
Comstock Head Steady
Stainless Head Oil Supply Lines
Modern Handlebar Controls
Billet Triple Clamps
Billet Primary Cover

worntorn · Nov 7, 2014

Do you happen to have a name or color code for that deep green? Very nice color.

Glen

acotrel · Nov 7, 2014

Thanks for the photos, I usually save anything Norton or Italian that looks really good on my hard drive.

G81 Can Cycle · Nov 8, 2014

worntorn said:
Do you happen to have a name or color code for that deep green? Very nice color.

Glen

Glen

Color is used of Ford's Super Duty F series trucks. It is Metallic Green Gem (I believe that is it.) The paint was done by Colorado Norton Works and they have the paint code

cNw · Nov 8, 2014

Hey all,

I wanted to thank you for all the nice and positive feedback. Makes what I do all worth while. If it wasn't for the support from Commando riders and enthusiasts from all over the world (many on this forum) I wouldn't be able to to keep building bikes and developing parts.

I really don't think there has ever been a better time to own and enjoy these machines considering the aftermarket support for parts and services. Both stock type parts and countless modifications and upgrades allows you to create the Commando that suits your personal taste and requirements just perfectly

Thanks again

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com

olChris · Nov 9, 2014

Matt... you and your buddy's have got the balls and ability to create art in this form for a "very" small market.... I hope you diversify to other iconic bikes someday.. 70's BMW, Ducati, Triumph, whatever ............

Cant get stuck in a rutt with Commandos... Your young enough with "the" ability to be bigger than one breed of M/C.. IMO! .... Wish you luck!

I just love your HR pic's also... Truely inspiring.

Edit.. Sometimes ya cant believe these pic's are of the same basic M/C... manipulation of cosmetics !!!!!!!

Visit to Colorado Norton Works

JimC

acotrel

JimC

acotrel

auldblue

Richard Barks

JimC

acotrel

Fast Eddie

acotrel

Fast Eddie

worntorn

dennisgb

G81 Can Cycle

G81 Can Cycle

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