What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

BritTwit said:
Tony,
Doesn't most of the 961's clatter originate in the primary?



TVS could water cool the head like Harley did.
That would make the performance improvements that much more worth while, and could pass regulatory controls worldwide.
Maybe redesign the crankcases to deliberately make the engine a wet sump unit (pun intended)- eliminate external oil tank, and a better breather design.

Make me CEO of Norton and there would be a New 961 Commando - or a 1000, or 1100 maybe.
liquid cool head
Wet sump crankcases - skeletonized to save weight like modern sportbikes
Spin-on oil filter
Balancer shaft driven off the timing side of the crank
Six speed gearbox
Gear shift shaft below and behind the clutch (where it should be) like the 952 prototype
Swingarm pivot through the rear of the crankcases - lighter frame better handling.
Mono-shock rear suspension
Classic Morris Mag wheels.

New Super Commando
Above bike with a supercharger.
Click to expand...
Advancing the 961 is like beating a dead horse.
 
TonyA said:
Are any bikes made at Hinckley now ?
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Just the TFC‘s, Speed Triple and the Tiger 1200. Speed Triple and Tiger are just about to switch to Thailand if this has not already occurred. So all mass produced bikes in Thailand and specials and development in UK. 40-50 jobs lost in the UK although apparently they are hiring design engineers. Guess that’s just what you have to do to be competitive on that scale. Watch this space if Norton flourish under TVS.

Not much in the lineup to get my juices flowing for reasons discussed, although they are making some pretty good adventure bikes and the Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition Is pretty cool (sold out strait away). I would’nt climb over the Norton to get to the Thruxton TFC - but I’d certainly have an illicit fling on the quiet!:)
 
Voodooo said:
Advancing the 961 is like beating a dead horse.
Click to expand...
I would be great if they could keep making LIMITED runs of them is what I would like to see. Buyers of the 961 are not looking for super bike performance , give them a reliable , well engineered motorcycle they can enjoy and they will buy ! The 125 MPH performance is adequate for most and for those wanting a little more have stage 2 off road kits available . Norton could have had a gold mine with the 961 , its so frustrating and disappointing .
 
My most recent with the final accessories :

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
TonyA said:
I would be great if they could keep making LIMITED runs of them is what I would like to see. Buyers of the 961 are not looking for super bike performance , give them a reliable , well engineered motorcycle they can enjoy and they will buy ! The 125 MPH performance is adequate for most and for those wanting a little more have stage 2 off road kits available . Norton could have had a gold mine with the 961 , its so frustrating and disappointing .
Click to expand...
The engineering and redesigning days are done. Like others have said, this bike should not of needed any more R&D, it’s a 1970 bike with minor modern parts.

Why would Norton waste money on such a small production bike? With such small sales and ownership?

Personally, I don’t have a problem with the 961. I think they are great bikes and I accept them for what they are. Compared to other modern cafe bikes, Norton is way ahead on style, I don’t care that it’s not the fastest or more powerful. I don’t care that it may have some tid bits of issues. That’s everything you buy. Every car, motorcycle, computer, phone, toaster, washer / dryer, human has issues. It is what it is.
 
Craig said:
Haha! , neither did I earlier .... a riding buddy has a gt 800 (bmw) , think that what he calls it ... vertical twin for sure , he was digging around recently and realized that there appeared to be no on-board fuses that he could locate , he figures computer decides when wire is overloaded etc. and disconnects .... he is a bit baffled , I think his bike is 2014 , are all new bikes without good old fuses ???
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My'67 and '68 Ford Cortinas were sold without a fuse box. A fuse box on the top of the inner fender was introduced on 1970 models. I've added a few, for the electric fuel pump, stereo, electric cooling fan, etc. I'm not excited about a black box in lieu of easily tested wiring. Especially not when I think of friends who have had so many problems in the last 10 years with the battery going dead on a BMW that sits unused for a week and a half. I already wasn't one who thought Bosch is all that wonderful. The dealer said it was normal.
 
TonyA said:
What is the marketable price point in your opinion ? HD Sportster level pricing ? I doubt that can happen don't you ? I mean a Sportster here is 9 K to 12 K USD new.
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I have bought and sold numerous bikes since 1972 , as far as my price point ,I know it a bit dated but have not yet paid more than $15K cad for a bike that is quite a bit less changed to American dollars .... if I do end up with a GT1000 I suspect I will end up close to or over the number above .... still , will be last $ I spend on purchasing a MC .... .... on the 2014 GT800 BMW , no shop manuals to be found anywhere , no downloadable versions or CD or even printed .....
 
TonyA said:
My most recent with the final accessories :

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
Click to expand...
Wow! You popped for a Zed. Thats a beauty. I felt it a little high up and never tested one, only sat on it in the showroom, but that's on the maybe list. Another plus, the dealership with an excellent reputation is about 1.5 miles down the road a piece. Please give us a performance review when you get the chance. All the best.
 
I haven't ridden a Z900 but sat on a few at shows. The seat seemed a bit firm, but it'd be easy to have the seat redone by Sargent seats. It would look original, but feel like heaven.

My old Z1 specs were 83HP and 560# curb weight. Back in 1976 I had the bike up to 135 on the speedo at Pocono raceway before shutting down for turn one. The bike was still pulling. 135 on the speedo was probably 129-130 actual. I was down on the tank in racer crouch. If you have ever done 130 on an un-faired bike, you know how bad the wind blast is.

Z900 specs are so much better - 110HP and 470# curb weight, I would say it should be able to reach 140. But wind blast at that speed will be really serious. More important than top speed is acceleration. The 900 should be a really arm stretcher.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
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What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
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BritTwit said:
I haven't ridden a Z900 but sat on a few at shows. The seat seemed a bit firm, but it'd be easy to have the seat redone by Sargent seats. It would look original, but feel like heaven.

My old Z1 specs were 83HP and 560# curb weight. Back in 1976 I had the bike up to 135 on the speedo at Pocono raceway before shutting down for turn one. The bike was still pulling. 135 on the speedo was probably 129-130 actual. I was down on the tank in racer crouch. If you have ever done 130 on an un-faired bike, you know how bad the wind blast is.

Z900 specs are so much better - 110HP and 470# curb weight, I would say it should be able to reach 140. But wind blast at that speed will be really serious. More important than top speed is acceleration. The 900 should be a really arm stretcher.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
Hosted on Fotki

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
Hosted on Fotki
Click to expand...
Hey BritTwit that your old bike ? Yup , that's the one mine's modeled after !
 
BritTwit said:
I haven't ridden a Z900 but sat on a few at shows. The seat seemed a bit firm, but it'd be easy to have the seat redone by Sargent seats. It would look original, but feel like heaven.

My old Z1 specs were 83HP and 560# curb weight. Back in 1976 I had the bike up to 135 on the speedo at Pocono raceway before shutting down for turn one. The bike was still pulling. 135 on the speedo was probably 129-130 actual. I was down on the tank in racer crouch. If you have ever done 130 on an un-faired bike, you know how bad the wind blast is.

Z900 specs are so much better - 110HP and 470# curb weight, I would say it should be able to reach 140. But wind blast at that speed will be really serious. More important than top speed is acceleration. The 900 should be a really arm stretcher.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
Hosted on Fotki

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
Hosted on Fotki
Click to expand...

Yep, 1974 in Candy Tone Yellow/Green.
TonyA said:
Hey BritTwit that your old bike ? Yup , that's the one mine's modeled after !
Click to expand...

Yep, it's my old Z1, in 1974 the official color was called Candy Tone Yellow/Green.
What does Kawasaki call the color scheme on your Z900?
 
Voodooo said:
Would it be possible to get a CCM sent to USA?
Click to expand...

I’m sure that could be done, even if the factory said no, what’s stopping you buy a used one and importing it?

But if you want to use it on the roads I don’t know how you’d go about doing that if they’ve not been type approved for the US market ?
 
TonyA said:
The burning questions : Is top speed 135 , 145 or 142 MPH ? Is fuel mileage at a real 70mph 40 , 44 or 48 MPG ? Will the seat work long term or do I need to change it ?
Click to expand...
The answers are : 142 , 48 , and Yes , I need to change it to a Corbin Gunfighter and lady .

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 

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