What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Danno said:
Is that a Featherbed with the cradle removed? Or a proprietary look-alike?
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Got the image of this awesome machine from the ‘Return of the Cafe Racers website’ - one of my favourite bike porn sites! If ya want inspiration for that cafe racer build this is the place to go. Lots of beautiful examples from many marques. Source your parts, find a bike builder from the site and away you go. All you need is a huge bucket of money!!:oops:

www.returnofthecaferacers.com

JMC Norvin Cafe Racer

Peas and gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, Sonny and Cher. It seems some things are just made to go together. Take the Norton featherbed frame for instance,
www.returnofthecaferacers.com www.returnofthecaferacers.com
 
I’m liking this a lot - borrowed from the FB site. Not really a 961 as Stu pointed out, rather a full custom with a 961 engine. Pretty cool machine though. Not the best ‘none Norton Norton’ but still worth a read.

0FAC54E6-8788-44AB-9042-A1CEF01EADC4.png80C0D5FB-0E6D-4DF4-8097-D56108BC6EB8.png8807385B-F55B-4225-A597-6304A750246D.jpeg0F238777-D6FD-428E-925C-973BEA25CC82.pngB1132EA9-B0EA-40D4-B496-26C9B2E055B1.pngWhat’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
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Pretty slick work indeed.
Dumping the stock EFI for Mikuni 38mm flatslides.
I would've used 42mm units, or 39mm Keihins myself, but hell of job just the same.

Great article, thanks for sharing.
 
Think this is a great thread, if you‘re a bit ‘one-eyed’ like myself! It gets you to look at other marques a little more critically.

I think this bike had real potential, less the styling disaster (my opinion only) that is the fuel tank!! Could have designed around that radiator better also. Did’nt sell though, so discontinued. I’m guessing the polarising styling was the principle reason!

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Think this is a great thread, if you‘re a bit ‘one-eyed’ like myself! It gets you to look at other marques a little more critically.

I think this bike had real potential, less the styling disaster (my opinion only) that is the fuel tank!! Could have designed around that radiator better also. Did’nt sell though, so discontinued. I’m guessing the polarising styling was the principle reason!

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I like them. Biggest single you could buy.
 
I had the chance yesterday to ride the Harley Sportster S 1250. I wanted to share my experience with it during my test ride. Voodooo said it scoots and that's an understatement . This must be a perspective issue then because I don't have something like that to compare to. So here goes , the engine is smooth , very strong and torque is massive . It is a real pleasure to drive and experience that strong torque and power ! I really think they have a great power plant with this REV Max . What is so great for me is when this motor is in the correct chassis , its going to be perfect for me. When I was trotting down interstate at 75mph the motor and chassis felt like I could ride this thing forever. Now , I don't ride evey bike that comes out , so my perspective is narrow . But when compared to the 3 bikes I have : Z900RS , XR1200 , Norton 961 . And others I've test ridden , this HD power plant is a winner .
 
TonyA said:
I had the chance yesterday to ride the Harley Sportster S 1250. I wanted to share my experience with it during my test ride. Voodooo said it scoots and that's an understatement . This must be a perspective issue then because I don't have something like that to compare to. So here goes , the engine is smooth , very strong and torque is massive . It is a real pleasure to drive and experience that strong torque and power ! I really think they have a great power plant with this REV Max . What is so great for me is when this motor is in the correct chassis , its going to be perfect for me. When I was trotting down interstate at 75mph the motor and chassis felt like I could ride this thing forever. Now , I don't ride evey bike that comes out , so my perspective is narrow . But when compared to the 3 bikes I have : Z900RS , XR1200 , Norton 961 . And others I've test ridden , this HD power plant is a winner .
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You mentioned how impressed you were with the powerplant many times… but not the bike as a whole… was this deliberate ?
 
No doubt it a great engine , though it is not best liquid cooled unit around …. and anything from the MoCo always ends up way over weight as a complete cycle …. I’ll stick with my a/c 2V 400lb Duke’s ….
 
TonyA said:
I had the chance yesterday to ride the Harley Sportster S 1250. I wanted to share my experience with it during my test ride. Voodooo said it scoots and that's an understatement . This must be a perspective issue then because I don't have something like that to compare to. So here goes , the engine is smooth , very strong and torque is massive . It is a real pleasure to drive and experience that strong torque and power ! I really think they have a great power plant with this REV Max . What is so great for me is when this motor is in the correct chassis , its going to be perfect for me. When I was trotting down interstate at 75mph the motor and chassis felt like I could ride this thing forever. Now , I don't ride evey bike that comes out , so my perspective is narrow . But when compared to the 3 bikes I have : Z900RS , XR1200 , Norton 961 . And others I've test ridden , this HD power plant is a winner .
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Tut tut Tony, you broke the No.1 cardinal forum rule! No photograph of you sat on top of the exotica (well Harley anyway) with a big cheesy grin on yer dial! Put yourself in the naughty corner for half an hour - and no looking at your Norton while you’re doing it!
 
TonyA said:
I had the chance yesterday to ride the Harley Sportster S 1250. I wanted to share my experience with it during my test ride. Voodooo said it scoots and that's an understatement . This must be a perspective issue then because I don't have something like that to compare to. So here goes , the engine is smooth , very strong and torque is massive . It is a real pleasure to drive and experience that strong torque and power ! I really think they have a great power plant with this REV Max . What is so great for me is when this motor is in the correct chassis , its going to be perfect for me. When I was trotting down interstate at 75mph the motor and chassis felt like I could ride this thing forever. Now , I don't ride evey bike that comes out , so my perspective is narrow . But when compared to the 3 bikes I have : Z900RS , XR1200 , Norton 961 . And others I've test ridden , this HD power plant is a winner .
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Tony, are you contemplating ditching your Sporty for the S 1250?
 
Fast Eddie said:
You mentioned how impressed you were with the powerplant many times… but not the bike as a whole… was this deliberate ?
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Yes deliberate. The Sportster S is a power cruiser , with littte rear wheel travel and modest lean angle 34 Deg .
The Nightster 975 is a more agile bike but not as much power or torque. But its not for me in this chassis , Put it in a modern incarnation of an XR1200 say an XR1250 S and I'm sold. I don't think most people realize how fast this bike is , they are getting in the 10 sec quarter mile times. This is a great motor , try it for yourself. .
Craig said:
though it is not best liquid cooled unit around
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What do you mean by best ?
 
TonyA said:
I had the chance yesterday to ride the Harley Sportster S 1250. I wanted to share my experience with it during my test ride. Voodooo said it scoots and that's an understatement . This must be a perspective issue then because I don't have something like that to compare to. So here goes , the engine is smooth , very strong and torque is massive . It is a real pleasure to drive and experience that strong torque and power ! I really think they have a great power plant with this REV Max . What is so great for me is when this motor is in the correct chassis , its going to be perfect for me. When I was trotting down interstate at 75mph the motor and chassis felt like I could ride this thing forever. Now , I don't ride evey bike that comes out , so my perspective is narrow . But when compared to the 3 bikes I have : Z900RS , XR1200 , Norton 961 . And others I've test ridden , this HD power plant is a winner .
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I like that revmax. I don’t care for how small the sportster S is.
You’re right, in the right chassis, it’ll be an awesome bike.

I’m not into the Pan American bike looks wise, but you need to ride that once Tony.

I would take this custom Pan America bike over a cvo Harley
 

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Craig said:
No doubt it a great engine , though it is not best liquid cooled unit around …. and anything from the MoCo always ends up way over weight as a complete cycle …. I’ll stick with my a/c 2V 400lb Duke’s ….
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Nobody makes the best of anything.
One thing about the Revmax is it’ll go further between service intervals than any Duc. Not to mention, Harley has the dealership network unlike any other motorcycle brand here in the USA.

I have a 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260s and it’s blazing fast for a muscle cruiser and can embarrass many crotch rockets.
My local ducati dealer is the countries highest selling Diavel and X Diavel dealer in the USA. But when I need parts it’s still a wait.

I’m with you on the L twins, the V4 might have a few more hp, but the L has slightly more torque lower in the rev range. But they say the new Diavel v4 will be lighter since it’s going without the trellis frame.
 
Tony & Voodoo , I’m sure Harley is a convenient brand to own with its great dealer support network ! …. there is only the one Ducati dealer on our east coast ( Moncton New Brunswick) bout and hour & 15 from my home …. never go visit and don’t buy parts from them …. do all my own service/repair work , usually get parts from a place in France ( DesmoRacing) less $ and quicker , believe it or not I found/find Ducati easier to work on than other brands , just kinda make sense to me ,been riding Ducati now almost 15 yrs , if you pay attention to detail not much goes wrong , I avoid the modern over powered Nanny featured bikes as I’d never understand all the electronics …. I just never got into the Harleys , tried one back in early 80’s , maybe that why ….
 
TonyA said:
Yes deliberate. The Sportster S is a power cruiser , with littte rear wheel travel and modest lean angle 34 Deg .
The Nightster 975 is a more agile bike but not as much power or torque. But its not for me in this chassis , Put it in a modern incarnation of an XR1200 say an XR1250 S and I'm sold. I don't think most people realize how fast this bike is , they are getting in the 10 sec quarter mile times. This is a great motor , try it for yourself. .

What do you mean by best ?
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I would try it, I believe you!

But I share your thoughts about the limitations of the whole package, and add one… I’m just over 6ft and the new Sporty is TINY !
 
Craig said:
Tony & Voodoo , I’m sure Harley is a convenient brand to own with its great dealer support network ! …. there is only the one Ducati dealer on our east coast ( Moncton New Brunswick) bout and hour & 15 from my home …. never go visit and don’t buy parts from them …. do all my own service/repair work , usually get parts from a place in France ( DesmoRacing) less $ and quicker , believe it or not I found/find Ducati easier to work on than other brands , just kinda make sense to me ,been riding Ducati now almost 15 yrs , if you pay attention to detail not much goes wrong , I avoid the modern over powered Nanny featured bikes as I’d never understand all the electronics …. I just never got into the Harleys , tried one back in early 80’s , maybe that why ….
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I get the harely dislike. I bought my first one in 2021. Still not much of a fan of them.

My point being, if you take long trips on a Harley, parts are plentiful if you need them. I to do my own service.

That’s not so for a ducati. No matter how prepared you are, if you need a ducati part you’ll be waiting., Or stranded.
 
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