Carbed 961

BritTwit

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
3,933
Country flag
Pretty sure this is PhotoShopped, but I like that someone else is thinking about it too.

FCRs on a 961, Yeah that's it!

Carbed 961
Hosted on Fotki
 
This is what Kenny's 952 prototype looked like with FCRs. I'm sure you could do it pretty easily. I don't know if you could get the ECU to work properly for ignition without the fuel system sensors. Might have to just chuck the ECU and fit a separate ignition box. My preference would be to get the ignition and fuel mapping sorted out for the stock system. When it's working properly, FI is better is pretty much every way over carbs. Still, it would look pretty cool with a couple of big Amals:rolleyes:

Carbed 961


Ken
 
Just ran across this one too. I think this was actually from the original Norton site back in 2007 or so, but I can't be sure. Looks like the same bike as the one in my previous post.

Carbed 961
 
When it's working properly, FI is better is pretty much every way over carbs.

True, when they are working properly.
But since the fi ECU's are locked by the manufacturer, a carb setup will at least allow tuning.
Plus I would think a 39mm flatslide carb will flow much better than a 36mm throttle body with a butterfly valve stuck in its throat.
 
True, when they are working properly.
But since the fi ECU's are locked by the manufacturer, a carb setup will at least allow tuning.
Plus I would think a 39mm flatslide carb will flow much better than a 36mm throttle body with a butterfly valve stuck in its throat.

You're probably right. The 36 mm throttle body does seem small for the engine. I've been spoiled by the FI on my old 620 Multistrada. I added a Power Commander, and once I got it set up, it is flawless. No choke to deal with, no waiting for it to get thoroughly warmed up, no problems with altitude or humidity changes. My 961 is almost as good, once it is warmed up, but still not perfect. It's really tempting to jump into modifying the 961, but I've got more than enough other Norton projects going on, so I'm really trying to just ride the 961 for a while as is, and only work on some minor ergonomic changes for it. But it's difficult, because the 961 has so much potential for improvement.

Ken
 
The Norton 961 has 38mm throttle bodies .
 
Last edited:
The Norton has 38mm throttle bodies .

Tony,

You're right.
What I was trying to say was that because the throttle body has a butterfly valve in its throat, it flows like a 36mm smooth bore carb.
The 39mm flatslide would be an improvement, at least in all out performance.
 
Yes understood. An interesting experiment would be to set up a 961 to run with K&N clamp on filters and pick the best map and use a Power commander. See what the results would be back to back on the dyno. You would need the Power commander for sure to get the most out of it. After that one could decide if working on air box mods is worth the effort ?
 
Last edited:
True, when they are working properly.
But since the fi ECU's are locked by the manufacturer, a carb setup will at least allow tuning.
Plus I would think a 39mm flatslide carb will flow much better than a 36mm throttle body with a butterfly valve stuck in its throat.
So what we're saying is that what we really want is an ECU which we can tweak on the dyno. That is kind of what the power commander does. I wonder if it possible to get a non-locked Omex ECU which can be programmed by Joe Public?
 
Don't know about OMEX but SC-Delta will unlock the SC ECU for about $300 or so.
Ken (lcrken) contacted SC-Delta.
Then of course you'll need the interface cable and software.
Oh yeah, and a dyno.
 
This is what Kenny's 952 prototype looked like with FCRs. I'm sure you could do it pretty easily. I don't know if you could get the ECU to work properly for ignition without the fuel system sensors. Might have to just chuck the ECU and fit a separate ignition box. My preference would be to get the ignition and fuel mapping sorted out for the stock system. When it's working properly, FI is better is pretty much every way over carbs. Still, it would look pretty cool with a couple of big Amals:rolleyes:

View attachment 3976

Ken


Here's an idea that is so crazy it just might work-

Get the EFI working and keep it on there. Hollow out some old Monoblocs for covers.
Best of both worlds, look cool and run great.

I don't know how I came up with that one.
Glen:D
 
Here's an idea that is so crazy it just might work-

Get the EFI working and keep it on there. Hollow out some old Monoblocs for covers.
Best of both worlds, look cool and run great.

I don't know how I came up with that one.
Glen:D
Then what. Build it in Thailand? A Thorton Thailando??
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
Hadn't thought about building them in a different country but it could give them the quality control that's needed.
Seriously though, I wonder if there is an existing fuel and ignition system from another brand that might solve running issues?
Ducati has 270 degree engines as does Triumph.
I see that 35 mm throttle bodies have been fitted to the Domi version for an extra few hp. Would the engine handle even larger throttle bodies?

Glen
 
Someone has done similar on a modern Bonny and the change was dramatic - extra horses, about 12 of them and more mpg. Not sure if they changed the pipes and silencers as well. The bike had no engine management, it was ripped out. Seems like emission control and noise can strangle a bike.
 
On the Triumph Rat forum a member adapted a pair or 44mm throttle bodies from a street triple to work on a 904cc EFI Bonnie.
The engine had numerous upgrades like ported head, big valves, 813 web cam, etc.
The result was remarkable on the dyno.
Stock EFI Bonnie has about 54rwhp, modded motor produced 92 rwhp, and a S**tload of torque.
 
Here is one of the air box eliminators for the 1200 Thruxton. Its just a matter of sales quantity . If there were enough Norton 961's around somebody would make the kits !
 

Attachments

  • 1200 Thruxton Air Box Eliminator.pdf
    325.3 KB · Views: 538
Back
Top