What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...

Bevelheadmhr said:

It was indeed, a fellow Ford Capri fan lol.

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I've got a Sierra

Stu Bodycote said:

I've got a Sierra

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Cozzy ???

Yes chap. First photo was taken in Germany a couple of years ago, used for a mates wedding. I actually took a 5hr detour and dropped in on Thiel Motorsport whilst there too.

Nice one Stu

Fast Eddie said:

Nice one Stu

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Cheers...had it 23yrs now. Used to be my daily driver too.
Running approx 450bhp, so it's still fun to drive even by modern standards.

Toms Capri has a V8 and X pack...

...I have an ex-btcc T4 turbo with cut back blades and a ported wastegate...along with wheel spin in 3rd...

According to the MD in a recent MCN interview, Norton sold just over 350 bikes in 2023, a mix of 961 and V4s and expect to sell a few more than that in 2024. The first bikes of the new ranges will be unveiled at the NEC in November, with sales starting in early 2025. With the remaining models all available by early 2026.

I would be interested in a new Norton, but only if they either supplied spare parts for my 2018 961 or released the drawings for the 961 so others could make and provide the spare parts. I am not asking the impossible, but if neither happens, they can not rely on me as a future customer. Doubt I am alone in that thinking, but if so or just a few, then it matters not to them.

Apologies, if this has already been aired extensively.

Welshrugby said:

I would be interested in a new Norton, but only if they either supplied spare parts for my 2018 961 or released the drawings for the 961 so others could make and provide the spare parts. I am not asking the impossible, but if neither happens, they can not rely on me as a future customer. Doubt I am alone in that thinking, but if so or just a few, then it matters not to them.

Apologies, if this has already been aired extensively.

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I said exactly to a fellow owner at the TT. If they "opened the door" to existing owners I'd definitely be in the market for one of the new models they eventually release

I'm sure TVS Norton would be happy to make money selling spares to SG era 961's, so why don't they? Because they are busy now making those parts for their own bikes, no doubt in small batches. While bought in parts will have to be ordered from suppliers with a minimum order quantity / value. It's clear that until the current 961 ceases production all available parts will be prioritised to production or spares through their dealers. If they produce a total of say 500 961's, then Norton have to decide how much stock to carry to service those bikes over the next ten of fifteen years. They don't know what the demand may be for the SG era bikes, even on here folks don't know how many were produced. As a new business, they have to concentrate on their current production. Maybe that'll change when the 961 is phased out. A lot of companies sell off their old stock to a third party, who then supply the market.

Looking at the parts lists on here, giving the part numbers of items such as the starter motor, a lot of common service item are available, even alloy replica tanks are being made by TAB2.. at a price. In time, if there is demand, I'm sure parts will become available.

Bevelheadmhr said:

I'm sure TVS Norton would be happy to make money selling spares to SG era 961's, so why don't they? Because they are busy now making those parts for their own bikes, no doubt in small batches. While bought in parts will have to be ordered from suppliers with a minimum order quantity / value. It's clear that until the current 961 ceases production all available parts will be prioritised to production or spares through their dealers. If they produce a total of say 500 961's, then Norton have to decide how much stock to carry to service those bikes over the next ten of fifteen years. They don't know what the demand may be for the SG era bikes, even on here folks don't know how many were produced. As a new business, they have to concentrate on their current production. Maybe that'll change when the 961 is phased out. A lot of companies sell off their old stock to a third party, who then supply the market.

Looking at the parts lists on here, giving the part numbers of items such as the starter motor, a lot of common service item are available, even alloy replica tanks are being made by TAB2.. at a price. In time, if there is demand, I'm sure parts will become available.

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Went to the not widely publicised open day yesterday. For £30 me wife and grandson charity donation . In return free beer pizza live band and factory tour. Had to choose between test ride or factory tour due to lunch time arrival . Settled on the 3.30 factory tour as can guess the reworking on the 961 is making it a smoother bike . I’m going to buy one anyway so I’ll find out soon enough! Positity and enthusiasm is what I got from the tour and people I met. They made around 400 bikes last year and will do 500 this year Uk only. So already production is already way beyond what Donnington was able to achieve. If you consider Stuart Garner had 10 years at it and made only 2,000 bikes? Anyhow 961 only has Max 18 months left so if you want in better be this year. They will carry 10 years worth of parts. The fixturing for the V 4 is definitely properly engineered . New fixtures for the new models already being received and they are going to be making much more use of the existing V4 tooling. The expansion from 500 bikes a year to 8,000 means reworking a lot of what they have put in place . More factory space is going to be needed. It’s an impressive place human scale and realistic aside from the ridiculous clothing and tat.prices and range. I have no inside knowledge other than putting 2& 2 together and seeing with my own eyes a proper planed expansion. I’ll not get rid of my 2011 961 as it’s lovely and will in the long term hold it’s value as there really won’t be more than 3,500 of them of all variants ever manufactured.

Hiring Richard Arnold is a pretty significant move, to say the least - can’t imagine that was cheap! Shows the clear intent to go global though.

A few extra snippets in the Visordown article covering that, including the first time we’ve heard a figure put on the funds spent re-engineering/defivering the 961 and V4 @ £2.3 Mil.

Worth a quick read.

Stephen_Spencer said:

Hiring Richard Arnold is a pretty significant move, to say the least - can’t imagine that was cheap! Shows the clear intent to go global though.

A few extra snippets in the Visordown article covering that, including the first time we’ve heard a figure put on the funds spent re-engineering/defivering the 961 and V4 @ £2.3 Mil.

Worth a quick read.

Ex Man Utd CEO Joins Norton at ‘Crucial Moment’ in Brand’s Rejuvenation

Richard Arnold joins the Norton senior leadership team and is set to bring a ‘wealth of commercial experience’ to the Solihull-based manufacturer

www.visordown.com

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Proof positive.
A stick & ball sport CEO.
Like hiring a farmer to sail a ship. Talent & experience in a TOTALLY UNRELATED FIELD.

concours said:

Proof positive.
A stick & ball sport CEO.
Like hiring a farmer to sail a ship. Talent & experience in a TOTALLY UNRELATED FIELD.

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The ‘field’ you refer to is finance/business I believe - not football or motorcycles. He probably knows as little about bikes as he did about football when he took over at Man U. But he does have ‘talent & experience’ in business and finance, on a global scale. Let’s see how he performs.

Yes he knows finance but not in a good way.


walked before he was kicked by potential new owner

kommando said:

Yes he knows finance but not in a good way.

Manchester United: How 'scavenger' Glazers bought club - and left Old Trafford 'rusting' and in a 'mess'

Chants of "Love United, hate Glazers" are regularly heard at Old Trafford and news the owners are exploring a sale will delight many fans. Sky News tells the story of the Glazers' time at United and explains why they have attracted criticism from supporters and one of their own players.

news.sky.com

walked before he was kicked by potential new owner

Man Utd: Richard Arnold to leave role as chief executive ahead of Jim Ratcliffe buying stake in club

Manchester United confirm chief executive Richard Arnold has decided to step down; Patrick Stewart will take over as interim CEO with Arnold continuing to provide transitional support until the end of December; Arnolds departure comes as sale of minority stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe nears

www.skysports.com

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These articles relate to the shenanigans of the owners, the majority of which occured prior to Arnold reaching the top job in 22 it seems. Don’t see any criticism of his business acumen - the complete opposite in fact.

There’s always more to these stories than meet the eye, depending on where we get our news from and how we ‘choose’ to interpret it of course.


I guess we find out whether Arnold is a good hire by his (and Norton’s) achievements in the future. On pitch results aside, Man U seem to be doing quite well financially - in a ‘good way’ ya might say!

If he was that good why did they not keep him? or maybe he was not happy dealing with their finances and jumped ship quick.

Madnorton said:

If he was that good why did they not keep him? or maybe he was not happy dealing with their finances and jumped ship quick.

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Or you could read the articles mate. Maybe a better question might be,……. if you have worked your way to become the CEO of the second biggest football club in the world game, what likelihood that you are a dud as is being insinuated? Only time will tell of course - we can only hope that he’s a raging success right??

I’ll give you vintage boys credit though - at least you’re consistent!