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

Voodooo said:

Nobody is saying the bike is made in China.

What is being said, is that the rights to the 961 engine is owed by Jinlang of China.

Can I prove that? No.
Look, I don’t trust anything Garner said or did, I didn’t write the news or produce it.

When you did a factory tour, did you see the engines being built piece by piece?
Were they already assembled?
I haven’t seen any proof of engines being assembled at the Norton factory. If you have pics or videos of that, please share.

Click to expand...

I certainly saw engines being built at Donnington and I didn't see any Chinese workers there, does that help.?

We should all know by now that there will never be an acceptable answer for all of us as to whether 961s are actually "made" in the UK or not. Does "made" mean a % of parts made in the UK, or assembled in the UK, or engineered in the UK.....etc, etc. We can''t turn back the hands of time, and manufacturing is just too expensive to do in the west. Asia will be doing this for us, unfortunately, for the foreseeable future.

As much as I love my 961 I have to admit, based on the behavior of Norton, it's fate is sealed. It appears Norton will just write it off as soon as the new models are selling. Their unwillingness to offer parts for sale is the tip off. Is the engine made by jinlang? We don't know, but Dr Bob did say that TVS/Norton have to pay a royalty to Jinlang for every 961 they build. To me that would mean that Norton are sourcing parts from elsewhere. Perhaps from the same Taiwanese factories that SG used.

The time is almost here for Norton to show us what the future of the Norton name will be. I know what the fate of the 961 is. Now I want to see what the future holds has in store for us.

Apparently Shaun from the FB site contacted Norton (unlikely) or picked this up from another FB thread (more likely). The below snippet from the response is interesting. No idea who this came from or when - grammar is pretty poor though.

Someone with a FB account should ask Shaun where this originated from.





Interesting to get an Indian perspective - this article is worth a read.

Stephen_Spencer said:

Apparently Shaun from the FB site contacted Norton (unlikely) or picked this up from another FB thread (more likely). The below snippet from the response is interesting. No idea who this came from or when - grammar is pretty poor though.

Someone with a FB account should ask Shaun where this originated from.

View attachment 115919

View attachment 115916

Interesting to get an Indian perspective - this article is worth a read.

Norton's First Bike In 2025: What Could It Be?

A sporty sub-500 cc roadster that adheres to Norton’s sporty genes

ackodrive.com

Click to expand...

They forgot to mention in that article, how much TVS bought Norton for

I recently spoke to a supplier of engine components who supplies TVS for the 961. The component was originally supplied to Donington until they sourced from India. TVS then re-sourced to the U.K.

So, it would seem to suggest that engine assembly is indeed in the U.K.

Papa Smurf’s factory tour video from some months ago actually takes us through the engine construction area. It shows clearly where the 961 and V4 engines are built. Along with detail of frame, swing arm, exhaust etc manufacture.



Norton’s tour video also takes you through the engine area and shows all of the components layed out, ready for assembly. It also shows multiple areas where manufacture and assembly are taking place.

It seems pretty clear that a substantial amount of these bikes are constructed/manufactured in-house and that the entire bikes are assembled here - from the ground up. I wonder which other bike manufactures build their own frames/swing arms in-house?

Made in the UK? My guess is it more than meets the legal definition. Could be wrong - often am!



Never seen this vid before I don’t think. Much more detail about engine and frame build - specifically on V4SV. Worth fast forwarding through the initial added history/promotional stuff.

Fast Eddie said:

I recently spoke to a supplier of engine components who supplies TVS for the 961. The component was originally supplied to Donington until they sourced from India. TVS then re-sourced to the U.K.

So, it would seem to suggest that engine assembly is indeed in the U.K.

Click to expand...

Do they know when it was sourced from India?

Stephen_Spencer said:

Papa Smurf’s factory tour video from some months ago actually takes us through the engine construction area. It shows clearly where the 961 and V4 engines are built. Along with detail of frame, swing arm, exhaust etc manufacture.



Norton’s tour video also takes you through the engine area and shows all of the components layed out, ready for assembly. It also shows multiple areas where manufacture and assembly are taking place.

It seems pretty clear that a substantial amount of these bikes are constructed/manufactured in-house and that the entire bikes are assembled here - from the ground up. I wonder which other bike manufactures build their own frames/swing arms in-house?

Made in the UK? My guess is it more than meets the legal definition. Could be wrong - often am!



Never seen this vid before I don’t think. Much more detail about engine and frame build - specifically on V4SV. Worth fast forwarding through the initial added history/promotional stuff.

Click to expand...

When I watched the drone Norton tour when it came out, I recall seeing one 961 engine on the bench and many V4. I really hope they keep the manufacturing and assembly in the UK

Voodooo said:

Do they know when it was sourced from India?

Click to expand...

Think it was Taiwan actually - not 100% though. I guess when SG burnt UK suppliers.

Voodooo said:

Do they know when it was sourced from India?

Click to expand...

I didn’t go that far with the conversation.

Stephen_Spencer said:

Think it was Taiwan actually - not 100% though. I guess when SG burnt UK suppliers.

Click to expand...

I’m sure they sourced from various places. The component I’m talking about (which I don’t want to name) was originally sourced in the U.K. and then moved to India by Garner at some point, then brought back to the U.K. by TVS.

Interestingly (and positively), this supplier also told me that TVS had considerably raised the bar in terms of quality requirements and in their receiving inspection from suppliers, compared to the Donington company.

Fast Eddie said:

I’m sure they sourced from various places. The component I’m talking about (which I don’t want to name) was originally sourced in the U.K. and then moved to India by Garner at some point, then brought back to the U.K. by TVS.

Interestingly (and positively), this supplier also told me that TVS had considerably raised the bar in terms of quality requirements and in their receiving inspection from suppliers, compared to the Donington company.

Click to expand...

They certainly seem to have quality as their principle focus, although anomalies are still occurring.

Watching FB, the vast majority of new 961 owners seem to be delighted with their bikes and motoring on nicely - some touring overseas. A few with minor problems quickly fixed.

But there has been a couple of ‘Friday bikes’ where owners have had multiple returns to the factory. Human error through their hand built nature? Who knows.

I'm just back from the dealer, having had my 961 serviced for the first time. While I waited heard a few snippets of info as follows.

1) TVS are still making small improvements to the 961, such as location of sensors etc, they aren't resting on their laurels.

2) The dealer had seen two of the new pre- production Nortons already. I said I thought one would be a new twin Commando, but water cooled etc, the dealer said no, they are sports bikes.

3) A little more digging and all they would say is think more Ducati V4, with the Nortons being priced between £20K and £40K.

4) The TVS built small bike will be 450cc.

5) Since I was last there in June, they had sold one more V4CR, and two more of the SV, all to customers who wanted them as 'garage art', not to ride.

6) Since they took on Norton late last year they have now sold over 50 961s. With the recent limited editions selling well.

7) They had a Trans Atlantic red/white/blue in, which had been sold, and it looked much better to me, than in photos. The red had a slight pearl in it.

8) I checked its vin number and it was in the mid 500s, while mine in in the low 300s.

9) Finally, the dealers have asked Norton to continue making the 961 for the UK, even after the new models are in production, as they feel it will continue to sell.

10) Edit to add that one new model will be an Adventure bike. No surprise, given thier popularity.

I hope they listen to the dealers, that will mean a good supply of spares for the future.

#3 isn’t a surprise
#9 hope the offer spare parts to all.
#10 wish they continued with the atlas bikes. Time will tell.

Further to my dealer visit, I had a good chat with the workshop foreman, who said of the 50 or so 961s they'd sold, only one had come back with a problem.. an air temp sensor had failed, he said this lives on top of the air box in a slight hollow. In heavy rain it could be damaged by water. The factory had since relocated it to prevent the problem. The owner of the bike with this problem regularly jet washed his bike..

I also asked him about supplying parts to Donnington era bikes. He told me when they first became a Norton dealer a couple of owners of these older bikes came in to have them serviced. Being new to Norton, they agreed, only to find the Norton factory maintenance Software didn't work with the older bikes, which limited what they could do. They also had no access to the old workshop manuals, apparently there is some copyright issue. After these problems they made the decision not to work on the older 961s. As for supplying spares to the older bikes, they have had to wait for their own spares.. my new headlight bracket to mount a flyscreen hadn't arrived in time for my service, which had been booked in 7 weeks beforehand. Meanwhile, a part may be different and item numbers also changed from the old regime. Therefore, they have to give priority to their own customers.

Bevelheadmhr said:

Further to my dealer visit, I had a good chat with the workshop foreman, who said of the 50 or so 961s they'd sold, only one had come back with a problem.. an air temp sensor had failed, he said this lives on top of the air box in a slight hollow. In heavy rain it could be damaged by water. The factory had since relocated it to prevent the problem. The owner of the bike with this problem regularly jet washed his bike..

I also asked him about supplying parts to Donnington era bikes. He told me when they first became a Norton dealer a couple of owners of these older bikes came in to have them serviced. Being new to Norton, they agreed, only to find the Norton factory maintenance Software didn't work with the older bikes, which limited what they could do. They also had no access to the old workshop manuals, apparently there is some copyright issue. After these problems they made the decision not to work on the older 961s. As for supplying spares to the older bikes, they have had to wait for their own spares.. my new headlight bracket to mount a flyscreen hadn't arrived in time for my service, which had been booked in 7 weeks beforehand. Meanwhile, a part may be different and item numbers also changed from the old regime. Therefore, they have to give priority to their own customers.

Click to expand...

Really good insights there Bevelhead. Mostly good news less the ongoing spares issue. I’ve spoken with three of the dealers recently, and as you say they are all having to wait for spares replenishment for the Solihull bikes. My guess because they’ve started selling more 961’s than initially and they’re getting used in production. At least you’re at the front of the spares queue - the Donny bikes are always gonna be at the rear!

Great news that 961 sales have lifted in such a way though (and that reliability is looking good) - that will definitely help with spares for Donny owners in the long term. Still don’t reckon there’ll retain the 961 into the future, but who knows if they keep selling.

Sports bikes, a 450 and an adventure bike. Surprised at the hint of a new big bore sports bike, with the V4SV sat there. Hopefully we’ll see some action at the NEC in due course.

Actually, pixxing off original owners is bad mojo Norton owns & good on norton vets speaking on that, or anything else, as they see fit.

It is also folly to even try to put a positive spin, on what is even obvious & evident right away, to most.

looks like mostly zip here?? wtf???

meanwhile zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The massive success of Royal Enfield has pushed other bike manufacturers in India to venture into the modern classic segment of motorcycles with engine displacement of 250-700cc. While makers like Honda and Classic Legends (owners of Jawa and Yezdi brands) have made genuine attempts to bring a change, there is no displacing Royal Enfield from the top spot.

On the other hand, TVS made a foray in this space by launching the Ronin last year, however, polarising opinions regarding its design didn’t help mitigate the competition. It seems that TVS has been forced to look at other ways to counter Royal Enfield’s supremacy.

Never will I understand why TVS Norton treats Donington bikes as the unwanted red headed step child.

Tell me why I should ever want a new Norton?

Donington bikes are now the AMF Nortons.

other folks who have their act together

How the greatest motorcycle of all time died and came back to life..​

The Triumph Bonneville was and is one of the greatest motorcycles of all time. Here's the story of how it came to dominate the 1960s, die off in the 70s and 80s, and then make one of the greatest comebacks in motorcycle history.