Norton 961 shift linkage broke

Stu Bodycote said:
I'd imagine it to be a straight fit, but I really wouldn't waste your money. Your original rod can be drilled and tapped in the same way, and then you can fit much better quality rose joints than the standard steel and bronze one's they're using.
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Good news - the items not for me though Stu. Looks like JKal may not have access to a machine shop.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Good point FE - will be interesting to see if this is mentioned in Norton‘s response.
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Perhaps if they are reading this thread?

But otherwise I would say not. If their BOM (Bill Of Materials) shows a ‘linkage rod’ and someone orders a ‘linkage rod’ then I’d suggest they’re likely to get a ‘linkage rod’ !

The fact the new one is not a direct replacement for the old ones is something they have tried very hard to say is not their responsibility.

Its an example of the kind of things that are going to come to light as a result of the engineering changes.
 
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Clive said:
Owning a 961 without access to a machine shop - that's not going to go well.
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Why do Norton have to be so cloak and dagger! Can they not be more open and garner 😡 some goodwill. Could it be that when Donington owners wear out their bikes they might want to buy a new one.
Too much secrecy, there is a lot of choice out there.
 
MAK said:
Why do Norton have to be so cloak and dagger! Can they not be more open and garner 😡 some goodwill. Could it be that when Donington owners wear out their bikes they might want to buy a new one.
Too much secrecy, there is a lot of choice out there.
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That remains a very good and unanswered question!

We've discussed it before. I posted links to videos that MV put out detailing changes and upgrades of engine internals to their F3 800 motors.

That is so obviously the right thing to do when dealing with a niche product that appeals to petrol heads. It literally made you want to buy one… well, I did.

Sadly I believe the answer lies in Nortons failure to grasp their own market. They are so wrapped up in being a ‘luxury brand’ with pop up stores on Saville Row etc, that they have forgotten that the core (current at least) market is petrol heads. Petrol heads with high disposable income maybe, but still petrol heads.

They seem to think that petrol heads can be satisfied by placing the odd piece of memorabilia in their clothing stores in amongst the overpriced ‘luxury clothing range’ items… and meanwhile ‘back at the ranch’ such minutia as technical differences, supply of parts, catering for people who might actually ride these things, is just not (adequately) on their radar.

I realise where they are going with the whole luxury brand thing, and I believe them that this is the right direction. But they have massively over focused in that direction, and lost sight of their core market / reason for existence, and they need to redress this balance IMO… especially if they actually want to, well you know, do something radical like… SELL MOTORCYCLES.

I realise this is a long answer to a short question MAK, I’ve gone on a bit in the naive hope that Norton might actually read this stuff…
 
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Hey All,

Heard back from Geoff at Norton, here is the reply. Not a bad price, however a local member with a machine shop offered to help me out which Im grateful for!!!
Those that are interested this is the long break down of the why are bikes are so "special"


Hi John,



This is the part. The price does not include taxes or shipping



6081008_R1ROD, GEAR LINKAGE
1​
EA
51.28​
​
​




This part is for the current model (TVS) Commando and I need to attach a legal notice for you to read and accept (by telling us you do) before we can progress things.



If you decide to proceed, send me your full delivery address and telephone number (for the shippers) and I’ll place the (internal) order, confirm stock and send you an invoice. At that point you can still decline to purchase, but if you pay, we will then ship the item.

Hope that all makes sense.

The bumph:
As you may know if you have been following the Norton story, we have been working through the issues left by the previous Norton company, NMUL Realisations Ltd., and although we (The Norton Motorcycle Co. Ltd.) bought some of the assets of NMUL we did not take on any liability or responsibility for any parts or products made and sold by that company.
We have now almost completed this work and unfortunately, we have found that the parts we inherited came from a variety of sources, with very little documentation to show providence, quality standards, or important information regarding compatibility with different models. All this means that we cannot be certain that the parts would be of the necessary quality and standard to ensure rider safety. Therefore, we have taken the difficult decision that we cannot sell any parts we haven’t sourced, or tested; nor can we service, maintain or repair any bikes that we have not built. Unfortunately, this includes your motorcycle.
This isn’t a decision we have taken lightly; we have spent a significant amount of time checking the stock of parts in the hope of finding a way to support you, but it would be irresponsible of us to sell parts or service motorcycles without being confident we could guarantee your safety.
All motorcycles built and sold by us will, of course, be fully supported through Norton Birmingham, and in time a global network of Norton Customer Centres. Consequently, we will sell parts that are fitted to our own Norton Commando Classic 961 only. For the reasons set out above we will not be able to guarantee that they will fit your bike, nor that they are suitable or fit for purpose on your motorcycle.
We had hoped to find a better solution but that has not been possible due to the issues we have inherited.
 
Jkal said:
I emailed him a follow up asking about the rose joints, so we'll see.
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He will definitely sell you them if you ask.

My only point was that this is an example of how being a Donington owner means that ordering TVS parts can leave you in an unresolved situation ie you would have opened your package but be unable to fit it.

Not their fault, they have tried hard to explain that they make no assurances that their parts fit older bikes.
 
Still the same copy and paste script that they've been emailing out for around 18mnths.
The majority of the engineered parts came from Ritchie Engineering....and still do. The original rod came from Ritchie Engineering.
The rose joints are standard m6 male rose joints....less than £2 each.
And they know exactly what does and does not fit the Donington bikes, as they reviewed and redesigned the original parts.
 
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Stu Bodycote said:
Still the same copy and paste script that they've been emailing out for around 18mnths.
The majority of the engineered parts came from Ritchie Engineering....and still do. The original rod came from Ritchie Engineering.
The rose joints are standard m6 male rose joints....less than £2 each.
And they know exactly what does and does not fit the Donington bikes, as they reviewed and redesigned the original parts.
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I believe their argument is that record keeping at Donington was poor, so they are not able to guarantee that various parts will fit ALL years / versions.

Personally, I think this is a fair / logical point and position for them to take.

As I’ve said before, I think they’re trying to help, they could easily establish a system whereby you could only by parts from them by submitting a VIN number of a TVS bike.

They’re choosing not to do that, but doing so in a way that doesn’t burden them with unnecessary responsibility or work / costs.

‘Least thats how I see it.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I believe their argument is that record keeping at Donington was poor, so they are not able to guarantee that various parts will fit ALL years / versions.

Personally, I think this is a fair / logical point and position for them to take.

As I’ve said before, I think they’re trying to help, they could easily establish a system whereby you could only by parts from them by submitting a VIN number of a TVS bike.

They’re choosing not to do that, but doing so in a way that doesn’t burden them with unnecessary responsibility or work / costs.

‘Least thats how I see it.
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You accidentally spelt excuse wrong 👀😄
They're not all new staff, they're not starting from scratch here. Some of their design engineers were with Norton from near the beginning...they know the 961 from before homologation days. The info is all there for them, but it would mean a parts boy having to disturb the engineering department for each parts enquiry....which for a large company is not acceptable, and for that part of it I understand their reluctance to get involved.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Still the same copy and paste script that they've been emailing out for around 18mnths.
The majority of the engineered parts came from Ritchie Engineering....and still do. The original rod came from Ritchie Engineering.
The rose joints are standard m6 male rose joints....less than £2 each.
And they know exactly what does and does not fit the Donington bikes, as they reviewed and redesigned the original parts.
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They also don't know the skill or competance of the installer.

You can see on this forum, facebook or other places that the "best" or "right" way usually has a number of different opinions. We all know that most people installing a part incorrectly will blame the part.

These bikes weren't ever meant to be worked on by dealership style parts installers, and the redesign hasn't changed that.

Even *ahem* titanium parts can fail..............:D
 
Here is an update to my order. I'm very curious on the timeframe. So glad a member on the forum offered his skill to help!

"What will happen now is I will process this order internally and one department will determine whether we can supply the parts without depriving the production line of the things they need and another will set you up as a customer in our factory accounts. Once these things have happened, the stores will be asked to pick the parts. I’ll create an invoice and email it to you which has a simple click-to-pay tab and once you’ve paid, the good folks in stores will despatch the items."
 
He’s trying to be helpful and keep you informed, whilst providing a bit more information than required. 🤣 Looks like they are still working out the best process to deal with Donington spares requests, in all instances.

Bottom line - we can purchase any part that they have cleared for fitment to their own bike, if stock levels are sufficient that production is not interrupted. Makes sense I suppose.

He would have been better just waiting to confirm availability and then notifying of shipment, or a delay if it had to be ordered. At least we know now how they will deal with our spares requests.

Which skillful forum legend helped you out? - this is an awesome site!
 
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Jkal said:
Here is an update to my order. I'm very curious on the timeframe. So glad a member on the forum offered his skill to help!

"What will happen now is I will process this order internally and one department will determine whether we can supply the parts without depriving the production line of the things they need and another will set you up as a customer in our factory accounts. Once these things have happened, the stores will be asked to pick the parts. I’ll create an invoice and email it to you which has a simple click-to-pay tab and once you’ve paid, the good folks in stores will despatch the items."
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Sounds like someone in India is watching the purse strings to me, if purchasing is only buying in just enough stock to support production. Must be frustrating for their suppliers, if thats the case.
 
Jkal said:
Here is an update to my order. I'm very curious on the timeframe. So glad a member on the forum offered his skill to help!

"What will happen now is I will process this order internally and one department will determine whether we can supply the parts without depriving the production line of the things they need and another will set you up as a customer in our factory accounts. Once these things have happened, the stores will be asked to pick the parts. I’ll create an invoice and email it to you which has a simple click-to-pay tab and once you’ve paid, the good folks in stores will despatch the items."
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Wasting more of your time.
If you need your shift rod repaired, I have access to a machine shop (my dad owns a machine shop) I could repair it as Stu said.
Free of charge if you pay shipping.
PM me if I can be of service.
 
Jkal said:
Here is an update to my order. I'm very curious on the timeframe. So glad a member on the forum offered his skill to help!

"What will happen now is I will process this order internally and one department will determine whether we can supply the parts without depriving the production line of the things they need and another will set you up as a customer in our factory accounts. Once these things have happened, the stores will be asked to pick the parts. I’ll create an invoice and email it to you which has a simple click-to-pay tab and once you’ve paid, the good folks in stores will despatch the items."
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What a ludicrous ‘system’.

It sounds like the basics of a Monty Python sketch !

Info being passed from dept to dept like that… in 2023… haven’t TVS heard about or got an automated material replenishment process in place ?!?
 
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