Dominator SS owner's journey

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Nov 6, 2015
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Hi all, just paid my deposit on a Dominator SS due in January. Found this forum particularly useful and civil while I was doing my research. I thought it might be interesting and useful to start a thread since there doesn't appear to be anything out there at the moment. I'm in New Zealand where according to the dealer I have one of four bikes allocated. The first arrived last week and I took the opportunity to take a close look. I took a few shots from unusual angles for anyone interested to see what is under the hood.

The bike looks great in flesh but the mirrors will have to go (I note they don't feature in any of the publicity shots...), I have asked the Dealer to inquire if the factory could rustle up some bar end mirrors as it would be nice to have something with Norton's tick of approval rather than trolling around for after market items - bit cheeky I suppose but if you don't ask you don't get (hope you're reading this Simon :lol:). The other area I'll need to address is the pipes. The bike comes with both the straight through race pipes and the road legal pipes off the Commando. The road pipes don't suit the bike imho and the race pipes are to loud for the road so I'm either going to get baffles inserted in the race pipes to 'just' meet NZ's noise legislation or get a custom set made up.

The plan at this stage is to have the bike shipped to a local dyno facility to have the engine run in, establish a baseline power figure and check the A/F ratio. May seem a little over the top but I like to take a scientific approach and it will be interesting to put it back on the dyno at some point in the future to see what the numbers look like after the engine has loosened up.

The Dominator will be sharing the garage with my 'other' mistress a Lotus Elise, when I moved back to NZ from Europe in 06 I shipped the Elise to Jacksonville and had an action packed few weeks driving across the States to LA including a trackday at Laguna Seca and some interesting interactions with the local constabulary. :wink:

Apologies for the quality I turned up with my SLR only to discover I'd left the memory card at home grrr, so had to make do with my phone. The bike isn't going to its new home for a while yet so if anyone has questions I'd be happy to use them as an excuse to visit the dealer again and again and again :mrgreen:

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
I am envious of both your bike and car!

Please keep us updated on how things go.

I love the look of the bike but you are right! . . . I see a set of Rizoma mirrors in your future. :D

The seat is very elegant looking but it may prove to be a challenge for the butt!

Look forward to more posts from you!
 
Very nice - on both accounts!

Had to log in that I too have the Lotus addiction.

The Brit bikes fit in well with my 2005 Lotus Elise and 1965 Lotus Super Seven.

Just different flavors of fun in the twisties.

Hope you enjoy the SS. I have not seen one in the flesh yet. Congrats!
 
Very cool machine.
Interesting airbox/air filter configuration.
I wonder if the valve cover breather on the Domi terminates in the airbox as on the other 961’s?
The airfilter plugs into the base of the airbox and I don’t see a drain line.
Where would the oil breather vapor/precipitate collect?
 
Actually I think the photos are quite good and I am anal about such things! Thank you for posting , keep them coming!
 
BritTwit said:
Very cool machine.
Interesting airbox/air filter configuration.

Where would the oil breather vapor/precipitate collect?

Drill a hole and install a line and plug??? How about the same view of the other side of the air filter, definitely a reason for going back. :D
 
Fred, it appears in the 9th photo that the drain may go to the airbox ala 961 but hard to see for sure?
 
Yeah, it must.
I would just like to see how the Domi airbox isolates the oil precipitate from the filter.
I like the air filter intake below the airbox. A better method of induction.
It might be a good idea to mount a bellmouth over the intake to smooth out air flow into filter.

Overall nice design though. :lol:
 
I may go back to the dealer this week so if there are any areas of interest people want to see in more detail let me know and I'll do my best to get a few shots. Mirrors are a bit of a conundrum. I don't want to have to import half a dozen variations to figure out what style suits the bike best, will actually fit and finally be fit for purpose as in being able to see what's behind me!

Just gone through the Rizoma catalogue, way, way too much choice! Personal preferences as follows.

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey


Beginning to wonder if there is isn't the slightest possibility of the stock race pipes being legal in NZ. Have dug through the legislation and it would appear the limit for a four stroke, twin cylinder, two valves per head motorcycle is 100dBA at 2,500rpm - 500mm from and 45 degrees to the side of the exhaust. However watching and listening to this video featuring the Domiracer has me thinking no chance!

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPSRiLp1lps[/video]
 
Check out CRG mirrors, the best IMHO. They fold if hit or for storage! Top quality fit and finish! AND THEY WORK VERY WELL!

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
Heading up to the dealer tomorrow will give the Dominator a good going over with a video camera. If there any areas you want the camera to linger on then let me know in the next 12 hours or so.
 
So I went back to the dealer today armed not only with the memory card for my camera but a moving pictures camera as well :shock:

Tried to get up close and personal with the bits you don't normally see.

Before you click play remember you won't get those four minutes of your life back again...

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9LJfvTPMjc[/video]

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
While checking out a local exhaust manufacturer, I found out he'd made a custom 2 into 1 for a Commando owner who'd privately imported a Commando years before New Zealand had a dealer.

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
I've heard 2-1 exhaust on a Hinckley triumph, and it changed the classic exhaust note quite a bit.
I didn't really like the sound at all.
Did the owner start the bike up while you were there?
How did it sound?
 
Sounds great on my 79 Bonnie. Not quite as deep, but what a cool backdraft during deceleration. The 2/2 just kind of cuts off. I'd love to hear it on a new 961.
 
Got a call on Friday to say the bike had at last arrived from the UK. Spent an hour and a half in rush hour traffic and arrived five minutes before the dealer closed. But got my first introduction to my new girl. Poor thing will be going under the knife shortly to remove the number plate holder. Will leave the stock pipes on until I hear the megaphones in action and decide if they are going to attract to much attention since I intend to ride the bike frequently.

Hopefully will be taking her home on Monday or Tuesday. :mrgreen:

Dominator SS owner's journey

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
Home sweet home. Picked her up yesterday and have managed 60 or so miles so far. Wrists and neck not enjoying the experience, but they don't get to call the shots! A bit more time in the saddle will sort that out. As for the saddle, no issues could easily clock up some big miles on it. Standard pipes are far too quiet and the megaphones are far too loud! So something will have to give at some stage. Wish it had come with the short sport pipes as standard. Can only wonder if they weren't around when the design was signed off.

Dominator SS owner's journey
 
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