New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

P- Rogers

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Hi All.
my first efforts at chatting on the forum, so I may make some mistakes!
I've just gone a purchased a 2018 Commander 961 Cafe (new, ish) to join my small heard.
always been a dream of mine to own one and the opportunity arrived and I dived in eyes closed.
very excited with the purchase and proud to say i now own a Norton Cafe. it had 78 klm on it when purchased.
I have since done 110 and hasn't been without its problems! hence me finding others having experienced similar, and how I've fortunately been able to find this forum.
I bought the bike interstate, and have since found out i have next to no support and or slow efforts to assist with my current issues.
I started to have the service light show up about 20-30klm ago and it would come and go.
Last week riding home and about when the bike had got up-to temp it stopped at the lights and wouldn't restart.
Currently it will idle but as soon as i add throttle it drops off, i can slowly add throttle and get it to about 3k but its not happy doing it.
I've since replace the cheap relays, and flushed the tank and added new fuel, checked the hoses, checked the fuel pump and that's working great, the only items i haven't done anything about are the sensors?
i have reviewed some of these posts but not in any detail and it sounds like i'm not alone.
I should also say he dealer has sent me a diagnostic cable and we are hoping to hook up via team-viewer and check the code readings to better narrow down the issue/s.
i'm far from a mechanic, but thinking its probably the TPC (Throttle position censor?) or the o2 censor and or both?
i get the feeling from the little research i've done, most have replaced the censors at some point and the relays is that correct?

Any advise would be extremely helpful, as mentioned i love the bike but would be better riding it.
Thanks in advance.
current bikes are ;
BMW R1150R rockster E80
Douglas Dragonfly 56
Norton 961 Cafe.
 
Welcome to the forum. I don’t know about the modern Norton’s but someone will chime in. Cheers Jerry
 
I think probably the best place is to have a good old read of the forum. I'm a new owner myself and I've built up a pretty clear picture of what I should do...which is replace the sensors, coil and spark plugs for a start, plus relays.

Colarado Norton works is another great resource!


TPS is a possibility, but I'd be checking the list of usual suspects first. I don't think TPS is a common one, but I'm new and stand to be corrected!
 
Hi All.
my first efforts at chatting on the forum, so I may make some mistakes!
I've just gone a purchased a 2018 Commander 961 Cafe (new, ish) to join my small heard.
always been a dream of mine to own one and the opportunity arrived and I dived in eyes closed.
very excited with the purchase and proud to say i now own a Norton Cafe. it had 78 klm on it when purchased.
I have since done 110 and hasn't been without its problems! hence me finding others having experienced similar, and how I've fortunately been able to find this forum.
I bought the bike interstate, and have since found out i have next to no support and or slow efforts to assist with my current issues.
I started to have the service light show up about 20-30klm ago and it would come and go.
Last week riding home and about when the bike had got up-to temp it stopped at the lights and wouldn't restart.
Currently it will idle but as soon as i add throttle it drops off, i can slowly add throttle and get it to about 3k but its not happy doing it.
I've since replace the cheap relays, and flushed the tank and added new fuel, checked the hoses, checked the fuel pump and that's working great, the only items i haven't done anything about are the sensors?
i have reviewed some of these posts but not in any detail and it sounds like i'm not alone.
I should also say he dealer has sent me a diagnostic cable and we are hoping to hook up via team-viewer and check the code readings to better narrow down the issue/s.
i'm far from a mechanic, but thinking its probably the TPC (Throttle position censor?) or the o2 censor and or both?
i get the feeling from the little research i've done, most have replaced the censors at some point and the relays is that correct?

Any advise would be extremely helpful, as mentioned i love the bike but would be better riding it.
Thanks in advance.
current bikes are ;
BMW R1150R rockster E80
Douglas Dragonfly 56
Norton 961 Cafe.
Hello and welcome . It is great news that you are able to get the dealer to send you the cable and have a look via team viewer. This assumes you have a laptop/connection to the internet , will be a good start . Then go from there , most of the sensors are available on-line . I am working on a list of part numbers that can be used to quickly get the information. I have never heard of a bad TPS , usually its the wires going to it breaking etc. With the electrical schematic you can check all of this with a multimeter. Because you have a newer bike , you also have a MAP sensor and member Clive says these can go bad as his did. So if you don't have a service manual you need to get one via email asap . Let us know and can email a copy of the Euro4 version that Norton offered to us for free as a download .
 
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the purchase - obligatory picture please!

Where in Aus are you located? There are a few forum members loitering in odd corners of the country.
 
I think probably the best place is to have a good old read of the forum. I'm a new owner myself and I've built up a pretty clear picture of what I should do...which is replace the sensors, coil and spark plugs for a start, plus relays.

Colarado Norton works is another great resource!


TPS is a possibility, but I'd be checking the list of usual suspects first. I don't think TPS is a common one, but I'm new and stand to be corrected!
Thanks very much Vernon, really appreciate the reply.
I'll work through the comments and I've just downloaded the TPS manual from the Colorado team extremely well layed out, that's really helpful.
the starting process may have been a contributing factor from a slow ide? i have been giving throttle when starting and the information from them is a definite no!
so i'm going to recheck those settings and see if I've been the problem.
as mentioned i changed the relays only at this point. they were very cheaply made.
could i ask what parts you replaced them with and from were? comments are use Bosch and or Honeywell but i have no product numbers or reference as what to be looking for?
Thanks in advance.
 
Have you read this thread yet?

 
Hi and welcome to our self-group with the other addicts. With a bit of effort you can learn to live an almost normal, useful and productive life. Stick with it you will get the issues ironed out and enjoy this very unique machine; you have 2018 machine which will have most of the previous problems ironed out and will probably have genuine sensors/coils etc. The only ones which may cause issues are the MAP sensor and head sensor.

First and most important questions - is it on original ECU map/ cat/ pipes/ no thermal insulators on intakes? I assume so. Yes the engine light will go on and off. Mine went on while it was warming up at the factory on collection.... It will not be a pleasant ride until these are sorted but make sure the intake is tight and all pipes are on properly. With a bit of luck your remote dealer can provide some help. Strangely another new owner mentioned the power dying when the throttle was opened.
Hot starting is always an issue. My 2017 is now up to 12000 miles and has settled down nicely but still has the occasional hot start problem. Depends how many people are watching.....

Don't be shy in posting it is great to hear your experiences and we don't worry aboat speeling or granmar!
 
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the purchase - obligatory picture please!

Where in Aus are you located? There are a few forum members loitering in odd corners of the country.
Hi Stephen, northern beaches Sydney. Manly. Sorry Stephen, i still haven't worked out how to add images yet? i'll send as soon as i work that out!!
are you east or west? would love to know of others locally and or in the country?
 
Easiest way is to become a VIP member which is inexpensive and will allow you to attach files (images) straight away; the forum is well worth it. The exchange of ideas, opinions, technical information and the occasional cutting bit of comedy is priceless!

Not in touch with the Sydney crowd but there are a smattering of owners up in the Brisbane area where the importer is - Brisbane Motorcycles. I’m on the Sunny Coast (1 of 3, I think) and there are others down on the Goldie. The importer used to be in Sydney of course, my guess is there would be a few in your area, as in other capital areas. We are talking Norton numbers though, not hordes of Honda’s of course.

Also note there is a Norton 961 Owners Australia Facebook page which will give you an idea of the spread of owners. It isn’t as technically informative as this forum but well worth joining and contributing where you can. Welcome again. Steve.
 
Thanks very much Vernon, really appreciate the reply.
I'll work through the comments and I've just downloaded the TPS manual from the Colorado team extremely well layed out, that's really helpful.
the starting process may have been a contributing factor from a slow ide? i have been giving throttle when starting and the information from them is a definite no!
so i'm going to recheck those settings and see if I've been the problem.
as mentioned i changed the relays only at this point. they were very cheaply made.
could i ask what parts you replaced them with and from were? comments are use Bosch and or Honeywell but i have no product numbers or reference as what to be looking for?
Thanks in advance.
As has been recommended, have a look at the thread from Richard at CNW, but just for you and your delectation, I went to the garage and took some pictures...like I need an excuse to go to the garage/work shop!

Iridium plugs:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Cam sensor

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

Thats the original one next to it...Bosch looks slightly different

Bosch on the left:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Coil Pack
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Temp Sensor
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Transmission vent kit
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

From CNW. The factory even used these!


I know others have used Honda relays, but I've used these..UK made and used this make without a failure for years:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Cush driver rubbers..from Talon in the UK
 
Hi All.
my first efforts at chatting on the forum, so I may make some mistakes!
I've just gone a purchased a 2018 Commander 961 Cafe (new, ish) to join my small heard.
always been a dream of mine to own one and the opportunity arrived and I dived in eyes closed.
very excited with the purchase and proud to say i now own a Norton Cafe. it had 78 klm on it when purchased.
I have since done 110 and hasn't been without its problems! hence me finding others having experienced similar, and how I've fortunately been able to find this forum.
I bought the bike interstate, and have since found out i have next to no support and or slow efforts to assist with my current issues.
I started to have the service light show up about 20-30klm ago and it would come and go.
Last week riding home and about when the bike had got up-to temp it stopped at the lights and wouldn't restart.
Currently it will idle but as soon as i add throttle it drops off, i can slowly add throttle and get it to about 3k but its not happy doing it.
I've since replace the cheap relays, and flushed the tank and added new fuel, checked the hoses, checked the fuel pump and that's working great, the only items i haven't done anything about are the sensors?
i have reviewed some of these posts but not in any detail and it sounds like i'm not alone.
I should also say he dealer has sent me a diagnostic cable and we are hoping to hook up via team-viewer and check the code readings to better narrow down the issue/s.
i'm far from a mechanic, but thinking its probably the TPC (Throttle position censor?) or the o2 censor and or both?
i get the feeling from the little research i've done, most have replaced the censors at some point and the relays is that correct?

Any advise would be extremely helpful, as mentioned i love the bike but would be better riding it.
Thanks in advance.
current bikes are ;
BMW R1150R rockster E80
Douglas Dragonfly 56
Norton 961 Cafe.
Hi P-rogers,

Looks like you have exactly the same bike as me with the same problems, the worst of the problems we have is the opening of the throttle and the damn bike dying, the only recover I've found is to close throttle and shift down..

I have changed the plugs to the ones Vernon has recommended, that did make a difference to throttle response, I've just changed the head sensor too. That has made a difference to the throttle opening and dying effect we are having, not cured it but has improved it. Cliff and others advised me to checked connection, unfortunately I can't find anything amiss on my bike yet.

My EML comes and goes I don't know why, it would be a help if we knew what's triggering it.. I really hope that you are able to communicate with your ECU with the cable he's providing.. Let us know if it's successful
 
As has been recommended, have a look at the thread from Richard at CNW, but just for you and your delectation, I went to the garage and took some pictures...like I need an excuse to go to the garage/work shop!

Iridium plugs:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Cam sensor

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

Thats the original one next to it...Bosch looks slightly different

Bosch on the left:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Coil Pack
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Temp Sensor
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Transmission vent kit
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)

From CNW. The factory even used these!


I know others have used Honda relays, but I've used these..UK made and used this make without a failure for years:
New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


Cush driver rubbers..from Talon in the UK
Vernon, not sure if you've already fitted the relays but the 0-728-13 has a diode between the relay coil connections 85 & 86 ( as you can see in your picture) making it polarity conscious. I think some folks on here have fallen foul of that subtlety as it didn't match the bikes wiring so wouldn't work.
 
Vernon, not sure if you've already fitted the relays but the 0-728-13 has a diode between the relay coil connections 85 & 86 ( as you can see in your picture) making it polarity conscious. I think some folks on here have fallen foul of that subtlety as it didn't match the bikes wiring so wouldn't work.
Not yet.hmmm..better check that! Good catch!.......ok, just had to check. this is one I took from my bike:

New to Forum, & life with a Norton. (commando 2018 - 961 Cafe)


so this was the one I was comparing with, as I did check.....I'm going to go and have a look at the others now!


and, final update, all 6 are the same....hmm, curious if others have different relays now!
 
Last edited:
Hmmm, even found this thread as well.....
 
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