Norton trouble

Fast Eddie said:

The comments on here have been regarding the likelihood of the Chinese taking up the 961 production. In that context, the 961 is too original old skool to sell in the numbers usually expected and required by big Chinese companies.

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Might it be a "Halo" product more to draw attention and bring people to the store rather than make a profit.

BritTwit said:

Well, my dream is really a supercharged 961 Commando, but failing that, a Norton "Speed Twin" Commando 1200 assembled in a non Communist bamboo forest facility would be acceptable. The trademark would reside in British hands for possible sale to some future British startup interested in another suicidal attempt to restart the ill fated marque.

I have seen photos of a Thaiumph 1200 mill shoe horned into a Commando 961 frame already.
Cute indeed.

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I suspect this would be an exercise involving a lot work and expense to make a slow Triumph. It would be a faster Norton, in a straight line at least.

As I recall, the fellow here who tried racing a 961 for a year or so eventually gave up, then purchased a Thruxton R . He was shocked at how good the handling is, nevermind the motor.

I freely admit my bias .

I do get the desire to build a special tho.
I'm building one right now that might turn out to be terrible, or just mediocre.

Glen

MxMartin said:

The first time I saw the photo of SG signing over to the Chinese was April 1st, bear that in mind

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Already have, and if so MCN want royally reaming if they think that it was good idea to place an article like that On April 1st, some kind of sick joke that ripped off Motorcyclists and pensioners don't get - brilliant MCN, you cheap crap rag. If it is joke then the MCN and their garner loving staff need boycotting.
The Chinese 961 deal would seem to break some regulations if it was done in Dec '19 as HMRC had their WUP in place on 18th Dec, so preventing disposal of or transfer of assets.

No the info on the 961 rights sale was previously published in Feb, not a April Fool but hopefully another year or 2 in the clink for SG if the timing is after the WUP.

MAK said:

Can we just accept the 961 for what it is.
It’s not an everyday bike,use it for high days and holidays.
For a bit of showing off & being proud to ride something English.
Mine is really comfortable and have done big miles in a day two up with camping gear, obviously better without the gear.
It is more than capable.
Possibly Dominator riders should have had a test ride to judge the comfort before buying,
I wanted a Ducati Paul Smart replica but a test confirmed it is the most uncomfortable bike in the universe!

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Spot on! Not a bike for the average biker but fits into my shed with the rest no problem. As for old bikes and cars, my Landy's nearly 20 years old, Harley 17, Hinckley Triumph 14 etc. etc. and I need the mix to keep me busy. CCM was my intro to 21st century tech that impressed me and look forward to sorting out the Norton's probs if and when they arise.

Chinese are already making their own small capacity motorcycles, some are imported into the USA. . . . . Ha- ha- ha.

Exactly, Americans will buy any crap....they buy lots of HDs

I will not make any comment to that but say not enough, HD is in trouble.

So... I checked out the Norton clothing web site and got this (below).

Does this mean my collection of t shirts are now investment pieces ...?!

iwilson said:

Went rancid and I had to pour it down the drain... Raphi seemed to be doing ok last time I heard from him. Maybe he"ll pop up here.

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Now that's disappointing, i hope you had a spare. Rabbit Ranch Rose here last night, wifes choice but went down well on a warm evening.
If Raphi is passing he would be more than welcome here, if we are ever allowed out.
Motorcyle content - tidied the garage and arranged the projects this morning, getting set to sort a few of my Norton troubles. : )

Stephen_Spencer said:

Was’nt the air cooled, push rod, parallel twin the whole point? Was’nt a true retro based on original technology the aim? Were’nt we looking for that visceral experience afforded by said technology, reminding us of days when British bikes and in particular Norton ruled the roads (and the track)? If you wanted a feu-retro with a radiator disguised as an oil cooler and an EFI system disguised as an Amal carb then there is always a Thaiumph.

When did some on this forum lose sight of what an awesome bike the Norton Commando 961 is (once sorted). I’ve been riding bikes for 40 years and have never been without one for that period. I have never enjoyed, nor had more pride of ownership in any bike in all of those years. Let’s not let anti-Garner sentiment taint ownership of the 961. I ride mine with pride lads. Don’t know about you?

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Hi Stephen I think you and a few others missed my point! My point being that the design is not fit for future use in another platform. Emissions will kill it alone. So as I said why would a manufacturer be interested in buying it? Yes with a Norton badge on it they managed to sell a few thousand to the likes of you and me who liked the idea of an air cooled retro British twin, but it never sold in the kind of numbers needed to make a profit. So again why would anyone be interested in paying for the design?

This forum would have been pretty dead if it wasn't for all the faults and flaws that continued to surface after many years of production! So to reiterate the 961 appealed to a small number of enthusiasts (us), but Triumph quickly killed off its wider market appeal once they realised Norton was onto something. Their range of 'modern' Classics have sold in huge numbers and have no problems meeting current or future emissions regs.

Norton would have been well aware (although nothing would surprise me), that the 961 was running out of time and the future was in a new range of bikes based around an engine that could be homologated in multiple markets. Those who wanted a retro bike for the most part probably already had one. The lack of any meaningful improvements to the design in many years was prove of that (what fixes there were tended to be inexpensive sticking plasters rather than addressing underlying mechanical causes).

ntst8 said:

Now that's disappointing, i hope you had a spare. Rabbit Ranch Rose here last night, wifes choice but went down well on a warm evening.
If Raphi is passing he would be more than welcome here, if we are ever allowed out.
Motorcyle content - tidied the garage and arranged the projects this morning, getting set to sort a few of my Norton troubles. : )

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It was just for theatrics! My wife saw it in the supermarket a year ago and I drank it not long after - but kept the bottle! Wasn’t memorable! Unlike your Rabbit Ranch Rose!

I too have been having a clear out, the Lotus you’ll be pleased to hear departed a few days before lockdown for a 5 year overdue service! Would you believe the ride on mower got a flat tyre 3 days after lockdown and I’ve had to mow the lawns with a push mower, trying to beat 2 hours! But at least I’m getting my exercise in!

iwilson said:

It was just for theatrics! My wife saw it in the supermarket a year ago and I drank it not long after - but kept the bottle! Wasn’t memorable! Unlike your Rabbit Ranch Rose!

I too have been having a clear out, the Lotus you’ll be pleased to hear departed a few days before lockdown for a 5 year overdue service! Would you believe the ride on mower got a flat tyre 3 days after lockdown and I’ve had to mow the lawns with a push mower, trying to beat 2 hours! But at least I’m getting my exercise in!

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If you can find a bottle of Norton Pravada red wine you might be supprised how nice it is, about £14 a bottle.
The other red & white wines not so good.
But everybody’s taste buds are different as is their choice of motorcycles!

MAK said:

If you can find a bottle of Norton Pravada red wine you might be supprised how nice it is, about £14 a bottle.
The other red & white wines not so good.
But everybody’s taste buds are different as is their choice of motorcycles!

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Just goes to show age isn't everything.

iwilson said:

Just goes to show age isn't everything.

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And money doesn't always buy the best!

iwilson said:

I too have been having a clear out, the Lotus you’ll be pleased to hear departed a few days before lockdown for a 5 year overdue service! Would you believe the ride on mower got a flat tyre 3 days after lockdown and I’ve had to mow the lawns with a push mower, trying to beat 2 hours! But at least I’m getting my exercise in!

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Ouch, think of it as a fitness bonus.
I bought a new drive belt for my ride on the last day things were open, got home and found they had given me the wrong one - too short. Hoping i don't end up on an enforced fitness regime as well. First world problems though in the current situation.

Another depressing read.

So, basically, there’s nothing actually left that’s worth anybody buying ?!

Only scorched earth left behind by SG.
Hope he enjoys his game farm.

Fast Eddie said:

Another depressing read.

So, basically, there’s nothing actually left that’s worth anybody buying ?!

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Not quite true, I still have an unused seat

The BDO report is available on the London Gazette website for all to read, some big figures and suggestions that these are not the final figures.