Bad Way to Start the Day

lcrken

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Dropped my 961 this morning while rolling it off the lift. I had finished checking the head fastener torques last night, and was about to take a ride to see how the new ECU was working, but I just let it get a little too leaned to the right, and over it went, taking out my Ducati 620 Multistrada.

Bad Way to Start the Day


Too my great surprise, there wasn't any damage to the Norton except a bent right mirror, and I already have a new one on the way. Other than that, not even a scratch. I think the Ducati slowed its fall a lot.

Less luck with the Ducati. Ordered $600 in new parts to make it good again, and it will still have the new battle scars on seat and fairing.

On the good side, I've been learning how to use the tuning software for the new ECU, and have already improved the idle performance. Just need to ride it now and see how well it works compared to the old one.

Ken
 
Good, you don’t have clip-on handle bars. The right one would probably not have survived...
Don’t ask why I know, I just say that I have clip-ons:rolleyes:
 
Bad luck there Ken.

Could have been worse though, you got off lightly with the damage to the Norton at least.

And even more importantly, you could have been the object slowing it’s fall! A mate of mine had his new Triumph fall on his leg at home in his garage and break his leg badly!
 
If you haven't checked already...make sure the handlebar/clamp/clamp bolts didn't get tweaked.
 
My first action would have been to pick them up but, that's me, and they cannot fall any further.
just be careful next time and maybe have somebody to help .
 
Really hard luck....many of us has been there and it's really irritating. At least all can be fixed. Years ago I fell off at a junction because I had selected neutral....felt like a real twit!
 
If you have good health with your damaged bikes, you've lost nothing but some time and money... As norton owners we seem to enjoy the time wrenching on our bikes... Glad you didn't get hurt...
 
Dropped my 961 this morning while rolling it off the lift. I had finished checking the head fastener torques last night, and was about to take a ride to see how the new ECU was working, but I just let it get a little too leaned to the right, and over it went, taking out my Ducati 620 Multistrada.

View attachment 5948

Too my great surprise, there wasn't any damage to the Norton except a bent right mirror, and I already have a new one on the way. Other than that, not even a scratch. I think the Ducati slowed its fall a lot.

Less luck with the Ducati. Ordered $600 in new parts to make it good again, and it will still have the new battle scars on seat and fairing.

On the good side, I've been learning how to use the tuning software for the new ECU, and have already improved the idle performance. Just need to ride it now and see how well it works compared to the old one.

Ken

Ken,

Been there, done that too.

Several moments of sheer panic myself, then lifted the bike and found no damage to tank, pipes, bars, pegs, ... except snapped lever ball end.

What tuning software are you referring to?
 
My first action would have been to pick them up but, that's me, and they cannot fall any further.
just be careful next time and maybe have somebody to help .

Mine too, but the combination of bikes and lifts, plus the weight of the Norton, meant I couldn't just pick them up in the normal manner. No place to stand next to them. I ended up by using a hoist from the rafters above to pick them up. Also much easier on the back.

Probably should have waited till I had someone else to help. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have happened back when I was younger and stronger, and had better reflexes. Oh well, another lesson learned the hard way.

Ken
 
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If you haven't checked already...make sure the handlebar/clamp/clamp bolts didn't get tweaked.

Actually, after I posted the picture, I discovered that the handlebar did get tweaked a bit. I may try straightening it, or might just order a new one, if I can find a dealer who will order one for me and ship it to me. It's a long drive through Southern California traffic to get to the nearest dealer, and then I'd have to wait for it to be shipped, and go back again to pick it up. This is one of those cases where you really wish Norton hadn't stopped selling parts direct to owners. I could replace it with a universal chrome bar and new mounts, but I really like the look of original.

Ken
 
What tuning software are you referring to?

It's called SXTune, and it's supplied as a free download from SCS-Delta, the ECU manufacturers. The ECU model I'm using is their Delta 400 model. It's the one they developed to replace the older ECU that they were supplying to Norton, but Norton went back to the Omex ECU instead. It's similar to the one that came on my bike, but has some interesting upgrades. For me, the primary benefit is that it is not locked like the factory unit, so I can make changes to its configuration and mapping.

Ken
 
Actually, after I posted the picture, I discovered that the handlebar did get tweaked a bit. I may try straightening it, or might just order a new one, if I can find a dealer who will order one for me and ship it to me. It's a long drive through Southern California traffic to get to the nearest dealer, and then I'd have to wait for it to be shipped, and go back again to pick it up. This is one of those cases where you really wish Norton hadn't stopped selling parts direct to owners. I could replace it with a universal chrome bar and new mounts, but I really like the look of original.

Ken

Surely just the excuse you needed to persue the California bar option Ken...?!
 
Actually, after I posted the picture, I discovered that the handlebar did get tweaked a bit. I may try straightening it, or might just order a new one, if I can find a dealer who will order one for me and ship it to me. It's a long drive through Southern California traffic to get to the nearest dealer, and then I'd have to wait for it to be shipped, and go back again to pick it up. This is one of those cases where you really wish Norton hadn't stopped selling parts direct to owners. I could replace it with a universal chrome bar and new mounts, but I really like the look of original.

Ken
That should be no problem . Provided the dealer is still a Norton Dealer. Also , if you explain your predicament I think Norton may ship direct to you..
 
Surely just the excuse you needed to persue the California bar option Ken...?!

Did I mention that one of the features of the ECU and software is a provision for turbo boost control? Just think of all the crazy possibilities:D.

Ken
 
Mine too, but the combination of bikes and lifts, plus the weight of the Norton, meant I couldn't just pick them up in the normal manner. No place to stand next to them. I ended up by using a hoist from the rafters above to pick them up. Also much easier on the back.

Probably should have waited till I had someone else to help. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have happened back when I was younger and stronger, and had better reflexes. Oh well, another lesson learned the hard way.

Ken

I know what you mean , I`m the same ,a bit less muscle and speed. like as been said , you can replace machine parts .

I had some Triumph bars off a Speed triple and they are identical (almost /very close) to the Norton ones. Also Renthal bars are same but a bit wider .
 
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