Pictures of your Norton 961

[TonyA]

Nigel of the Abbreviated Auspuff commands and it shall be so;
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Did you notice the MOTUL oil sticker ?

 

[Clive]

Thanks Clive.

Good pics. I particularly like those admirably styled, and clearly not too long, exhausts!

Summary for me is (as already expected) there’s no design change upgrades for these final 40.

The mirror mounts are beefed up. Probably more because they are cheaper and easier to make than addressing any fracturing issues...

Don't remember my exhaust clamp ring being polished. And yes Nigel I looked at the oil cooler clearance but if you remember the fix was shorter pipes to pull the cooler back...

 

[Fast Eddie]

There were at least 3 contributory factors with the oil cooler angle Clive:

1. Incorrectly routed hoses, or hoses too long, push the cooler forwards. I shortened mine to ‘pull’ the cooler back, but I’d argue that’s not a very robust engineering solution on its own (putting pipe joints and fragile alloy coolers under tension don’t seem right guv).
2. Some bikes have the cooler bracket welded on at an incorrect angle.
3. There was mention of a bottom bracket being introduced by the factory to positively hold the cooler in the correct orientation. Def the ‘correct’ engineering solution in my mind. This clearly hasn’t happened.

 

[TonyA]

You could market them in Germany as Halb DUNKel Nobs..... You see what I did there?

To bring this madness to an end I paid a visit to our National Motorcycle Museum (but I guess you worked that out) in Solihull. Norton have donated number 1 of the new 40 Commandos as a raffle prize to help their constant fundraising program. I have just renewed my yearly membership which is only £29 and allows me to drift in and out when I like - especially nice to pop in early over the weekend for browse and a bacon and sausage sandwich. Highly recommended - have a go at the raffle on their web site

https://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk

. Hopefully Norton will continue to support this great museum which is located in an area which was home to so many motorcycle marques.

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Hello Clive , Will this intake be a long term modification for you then ?

 

[Al's#5]

Hello Clive , Will this intake be a long term modification for you then ?

I don't know what all the fuss is about but looking at those HYD oil reservoirs theyve gone backwards. Still, that's what happens when you mess with perfection. Just back from a weekend blast on mine, Bilsdale and onto Ryedale out and moor road home. Running a dream, a mist of oil around the trans breather but hell, can't complain.

 

[TonyA]

I don't know what all the fuss is about but looking at those HYD oil reservoirs theyve gone backwards. Still, that's what happens when you mess with perfection. Just back from a weekend blast on mine, Bilsdale and onto Ryedale out and moor road home. Running a dream, a mist of oil around the trans breather but hell, can't complain.

 

[TonyA]

I don't know what all the fuss is about but looking at those HYD oil reservoirs theyve gone backwards. Still, that's what happens when you mess with perfection.

Hello , I don't know what you mean about the reservoirs and going backwards , Can you explain ?

 

[Al's#5]

I don't know what all the fuss is about but looking at those HYD oil reservoirs theyve gone backwards. Still, that's what happens when you mess with perfection.

Hello , I don't know what you mean about the reservoirs and going backwards , Can you explain ?

The Classic #1 shows clutch and brake reservoirs as per the Cafe Racer as was, mine are the more discreet black type. Neater in my opinion.

 

[lcrken]

Well, if you want to have the advantages of modern radial master cylinders, it seems you have to have the remote reservoirs. Anybody know if they make a radial master cylinder with built-in reservoir? I've never seen one.

Ken

 

[Al's#5]

Well, if you want to have the advantages of modern radial master cylinders, it seems you have to have the remote reservoirs. Anybody know if they make a radial master cylinder with built-in reservoir? I've never seen one.

Ken

I'll have to ride carefully now, I hadn't realised that my calipers were old school.

 

[Clive]

Hello Clive , Will this intake be a long term modification for you then ?

Well I'm liking the midrange pull so it's staying for the moment. Tried some bigger injectors - they were stupidly cheap Chinese knock-offs - but the bike just didn't want to know so may look for some second hand Bosch ones to try. Haven't checked oil catch yet now I have oil separator back in place but expect it to be better. Thinking of a bit of a cover over it mainly to get the Commando and 961 logo back on!

Currently distracted sorting out a few issues with my recently acquired Kwacker track bike.......

 

[BLIGHTYBRIT/SF]

“ custom cafe “ Bexhill East Sussex , well equipped bike stop, trendy joint , good food ,worth a visit

 

[RVR961]

I've not been on for a while, but have been keeping up to date with all the goings-on.
Thought I'd post these pics from yesterday at Goodwood Breakfast Club meeting. First one for a while and all was good.
Loads of great cars there and a few bikes. Met a lovely chap with an 'original' Commando and he was very complimentary about the 961.

 

[TonyA]

Well I'm liking the midrange pull so it's staying for the moment. Tried some bigger injectors - they were stupidly cheap Chinese knock-offs - but the bike just didn't want to know so may look for some second hand Bosch ones to try. Haven't checked oil catch yet now I have oil separator back in place but expect it to be better. Thinking of a bit of a cover over it mainly to get the Commando and 961 logo back on!

Currently distracted sorting out a few issues with my recently acquired Kwacker track bike.......

Once you sort out the rear wheel spray , oil discharge catch , air box temp mounting , rain protection for filters and some side covers there may be no reason to go back ? This is going to be my approach .

 

[lcrken]

I'll have to ride carefully now, I hadn't realised that my calipers were old school.

We're talking about radial master cylinders (clutch and brake) here, Al, not calipers. But I suppose the same argument would apply to radial calipers vs. the old school styles. Personally, I've ridden classic bikes with "old school" brakes that work just fine for me, as well as modern bikes with the latest technology. There is some difference in the feel/feedback at the lever, and I do like the more precise feel of the modern stuff, but unless you're riding at the limits of traction on a race track, I don't think it's significant. Certainly not enough to make any difference in how I ride on the street. At my skill level, it probably wouldn't make a significant difference on a race track either. Upgrading an older bike to the latest stuff is probably based at least as much on the bling factor as on function, but that's fine with me too. Nothing wrong with a little bling.

Ken

 

[MxMartin]

Norton have donated number 1 of the new 40 Commandos as a raffle prize to help their constant fundraising program.

I'm ever an optimist so I bought a few tickets... a Sport would suit me far better

 

[BLIGHTYBRIT/SF]

Another 150mile blast on the 961, ended up at leysdown isle of sheppey, this is site of the UK , s first aviation flight by the “ Shorts brothers” the 3 of them are still here in the background

 

[EstuaryBoy]

Another 150mile blast on the 961, ended up at leysdown isle of sheppey, this is site of the UK , s first aviation flight by the “ Shorts brothers” the 3 of them are still here in the background View attachment 80442View attachment 80443View attachment 80444

Wasn't Roe the first to fly in the UK??

 

[peebee]

Look like Aliens to me.

 

[peebee]