650 Superlight

  • Thread starter Thread starter Voodooo
  • Start date Start date
I realize that CF has very good technical stats when new, but what happens when it ages ?
Plastics tend to age badly, especially when subjected to sunlight. In the case of carbon fibre, it's mainly the epoxy resins that deteriorate with UV.

Long before CF showed up in the motorcycle and car markets it was available and in use in the racing bicycle market.
It hasn't always aged well.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2311816/carbon-fiber-bike-accidents-lawsuits
Paints and resins now have UV protection. Like everything, future development and technology bring advancements.

It also depends on the type of carbon fiber.
 
Glen that article seems to be making the point that CF is failing more because it’s being poorly and cheaply made by some companies and states that when made properly it’s strong and safe.

My own bicycle is steel, but I’ve a few friends who are serious cyclists (unlike me) and in their world CF is very much still the ‘go too material’.

One friend has just retired his old bicycle with CF frame and forks with over 100,000 miles on it. He reckons steel or alloy would have been retired sooner.

Bottom line is that CF is not for everyone I agree. But when it comes to my SL, then in my eyes it is simply impossible to have too much of it !
 
My issue might be that Ive been burned by latest greatest materials a couple of times now, which has made me very skeptical of miracle coatings, materials etc.
I was sued over failure of a miracle construction material in the 90s, acrylic stucco.
The manufacturers had already been sued out of existence, so the owners went after me ( building contractor) even though their architect had spec'd the stuff.
Over my 28 years in building there were a lot of new heavily hyped products that had great promise but ended in litigation ( PolyB, EPDM rubber, al. branch wiring, radiant elec heat etc).
So Im watching and reading with CF.

Are CF wheels permitted in GP racing?
Last I checked they were not, although that was a couple of years ago.

Glen
 
Last edited:
650 Superlight
 
I want to stop talking about this CF chassis now until I understand the potential financial impact ...
 
Scott are you thinking of joking that elite society... and ordering a SL...?
I wanted an Atlas Nomad. But now I think I’ll wait patiently until the Superlight becomes more developed.
I’m NOT interested in the supercharged version if that ever becomes available, but the carbon framed naturally aspirated Superlight would be awesome.
 
When The dealers get the bikes over here we can start to plan . There hasn't been any new Norton's over here in a while . AF1 or Indian of Los Angeles ?
 

It’s true. I was told that by Stuart when I had a good long chat with him at the NEC show last year.

However, he also said he expected it to be rather limited, special, and therefore “very expensive”.

I LOVE the idea of a blower. But, if these bikes really are over 100bhp (they claim 111bhp with the race pipe) then I’m very inclined to forego the idea of the blower in favour of the lightest possible +100bhp bike.

I love how Norton are ‘tickling our fancies’ by exploring the niches within the niche and not just banging ‘cookie cutter’ fodder.

Keep it coming boys !!
 
It’s true. I was told that by Stuart when I had a good long chat with him at the NEC show last year.

However, he also said he expected it to be rather limited, special, and therefore “very expensive”.

I LOVE the idea of a blower. But, if these bikes really are over 100bhp (they claim 111bhp with the race pipe) then I’m very inclined to forego the idea of the blower in favour of the lightest possible +100bhp bike.

I love how Norton are ‘tickling our fancies’ by exploring the niches within the niche and not just banging ‘cookie cutter’ fodder.

Keep it coming boys !!
I agree 100%
I love naturally aspirated, high reving, light weight.
I’ll take that over additional weight, and power anyday.
 
Now re-reading Stuart's response, seems like he is indicating a SC option will be available on the the Superlight.
I would be more inclined toward the Atlas Nomad concept with more normal riding position.
Space is tight around the motor as is, hard to see where they would shoehorn a SC in with its related plumbing.
But can't wait to see one.

All these different 961 configurations, along with customer configurations, supercharged versions; reminds me of how Duesenberg made unique models for all of the wealth celebrities back in the 1930's.
 
Now re-reading Stuart's response, seems like he is indicating a SC option will be available on the the Superlight.
I would be more inclined toward the Atlas Nomad concept with more normal riding position.
Space is tight around the motor as is, hard to see where they would shoehorn a SC in with its related plumbing.
But can't wait to see one.

All these different 961 configurations, along with customer configurations, supercharged versions; reminds me of how Duesenberg made unique models for all of the wealth celebrities back in the 1930's.

The Atlas range looks busy around the motor. But the SL ‘packaging’ is essentially the same as the V4... minus the rear cylinders... so there’s a perfect space for a charger. Seriously, there’s a honking great space behind the cylinders! Norton have been working on the charging concept behind the scenes (with some gov funding I believe) so I’d say it’s highly likely to happen.

IIRC a figure of around 175bhp was floated for a charged 650. Seems a lot for an upright off roader, but ideal in a SL chassis, for those that want 175bhp that is.
 
That article is positive, as far as converting CO2 in the environment into a stable material.
The process mentioned is a laboratory process, so it remains to be seen if it can be scaled up efficiently.
Of course carbon fiber powder is still a suspected carcinogen so, if we are going to build more everyday stuff out of it.....
 
Back
Top