New Bike day for me

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Bevelheadmhr

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May 8, 2013
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My new 961SP arrived today, makes an interesting comparison to my other 'Norton'...

New Bike day for me
 
This evening the sun finally made an appearance, so I went out on it for the first time, as didn't even take a test ride. Its a strange bike really, like a Harley crossed with a modern superbike. Brakes are very powerful, suspension excellent, sounds great on the over run and handles well with super quick steering.. at least compared to what I'm used to riding. Vibration isn't really a problem, just lets you know there's a big air cooled engine working below. Feels like it could do with higher gearing, as it'll pull easily from 25mph in top gear. Something to consider in two years time, when its out of warranty. I only went on a few local back roads, did 35miles, hopefully tomorrow will be dry and I can do more miles.. want to get it to 500 miles for its first service by the end of the month.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
This evening the sun finally made an appearance, so I went out on it for the first time, as didn't even take a test ride. Its a strange bike really, like a Harley crossed with a modern superbike. Brakes are very powerful, suspension excellent, sounds great on the over run and handles well with super quick steering.. at least compared to what I'm used to riding. Vibration isn't really a problem, just lets you know there's a big air cooled engine working below. Feels like it could do with higher gearing, as it'll pull easily from 25mph in top gear. Something to consider in two years time, when its out of warranty. I only went on a few local back roads, did 35miles, hopefully tomorrow will be dry and I can do more miles.. want to get it to 500 miles for its first service by the end of the month.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your new bike (and the old one actually), and thanks for the feedback - Please keep it coming. Did you buy it from the factory or one of the dealers?
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
Bought it from a dealer, Oakmere Motors in Northwich. Price was £15K, as there is a dealer contribution of £2024.. no doubt next year it will be £2025..

Made a quick video of my first impressions..
Click to expand...

I hope you have many trouble free and enjoyable miles on your new bike. Once you get more miles on the engine ,fully run in you should find the gearing about right.
 
Last edited:
Bevelheadmhr said:
Bought it from a dealer, Oakmere Motors in Northwich. Price was £15K, as there is a dealer contribution of £2024.. no doubt next year it will be £2025..

Made a quick video of my first impressions..
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to do a first day review. I echo Tony’s best wishes. It’s great to hear it from somebody who obviously knows the history of Norton and the 961 rather than some of the other reviewers who have no clue.
 
TonyA said:
I hope you have many trouble free and enjoyable miles on your new bike. Once you get more miles on the engine ,fully run in you should find the gearing about right.
Click to expand...
I am assuming TVS Norton are using 18T front and 50T rear like mine.
 
Lovely looking bike and I am sure you will enjoy riding it.
I picked up my Cafe Racer from the factory in Solihull in January and I've now done 2000 miles including a trip to the TT. No problems at all so far. TT was fun. Loads of exotic bikes everywhere but the Norton was always the one that attracted most interest when parked up.
 
For day 2 dodged the rain showers and did another hour or so on the bike. Slowly getting used to it, no longer looking for a non existent 6th gear. One thing I have noticed is that the engine braking is much stronger than I expected. Even in the higher gears, rolling off the throttle slows the bike quicker than I'm used to. Usually no need to touch the brakes into a corner, just ease off the throttle, then roll on the power as you pull out of the curve. A reminder that your riding a big near 1000cc twin after all.
 
Quick question for those who know.. I was talking to the dealer today about how long the first 500 mile service would take, as I'd have to wait around in the meantime. I was surprised when he mentioned that the exhaust system had to be removed during the service. Seems odd, is this done to access the sump plug?
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
Quick question for those who know.. I was talking to the dealer today about how long the first 500 mile service would take, as I'd have to wait around in the meantime. I was surprised when he mentioned that the exhaust system had to be removed during the service. Seems odd, is this done to access the sump plug?
Click to expand...
It may be that the shop removes the exhaust pipes to avoid spewing oil from the sump, all over the pipes.
Other than that, I can't see why one would need to pull the exhaust during the service.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
Quick question for those who know.. I was talking to the dealer today about how long the first 500 mile service would take, as I'd have to wait around in the meantime. I was surprised when he mentioned that the exhaust system had to be removed during the service. Seems odd, is this done to access the sump plug?
Click to expand...
Yep, just had a look at my TVS and there is insufficient gap between the bottom of the sump plug and the cat box to get a tool in there. It will only be a five minute job to loosen the box, support, and silencers to slide them back and out of the way................unless the system is still hot of course :confused:.
If it was a hexagon nut instead of a socket and the plug was three or four millimetres shorter, then that would let you drop the plug out and with a special shaped drip tray keeping the oil off the box the zorst could be left undisturbed. (Mm I see my next project coming up):rolleyes: . I will post pics if and when it's done.
Just ring Tom and tell him you want a refund. 😁
 
That's a fair point - mine is an early donnington bike. Maybe the later cat'd versions have this issue
 
peebee said:
Yep, just had a look at my TVS and there is insufficient gap between the bottom of the sump plug and the cat box to get a tool in there. It will only be a five minute job to loosen the box, support, and silencers to slide them back and out of the way................unless the system is still hot of course :confused:.
If it was a hexagon nut instead of a socket and the plug was three or four millimetres shorter, then that would let you drop the plug out and with a special shaped drip tray keeping the oil off the box the zorst could be left undisturbed. (Mm I see my next project coming up):rolleyes: . I will post pics if and when it's done.
Just ring Tom and tell him you want a refund. 😁
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, seems a simple issue that could be corrected at the factory to make servicing easier.
 
I bought a pair of R&G paddock stand bobbins for the bike, which arrived today. These were advertised as for the 961, and yet looking at the swingarm, there are no threaded holes to mount them. Did the earlier models have such mounts?
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
I bought a pair of R&G paddock stand bobbins for the bike, which arrived today. These were advertised as for the 961, and yet looking at the swingarm, there are no threaded holes to mount them. Did the earlier models have such mounts?
Click to expand...
The Donington 961 Commandos definitely have the mounts.
Can't imagine that Norton wouldn't include them on the New 961s.
Not cool Dr. Bob!
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
I bought a pair of R&G paddock stand bobbins for the bike, which arrived today. These were advertised as for the 961, and yet looking at the swingarm, there are no threaded holes to mount them. Did the earlier models have such mounts?
Click to expand...
I think Su Bodycote said the TVS bikes do not have the threaded bosses . If I am not mistaken , there should be hollow ends on the rear axle . Can you use these with a large bolt inserted on each end to lift from ?
 

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