New (to me) Dominator

Vernon240

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I've just purchased a Dominator and before the day is out, I've already uncovered some interesting things, so I thought I would share, as I have a little work in front of me. This is a one owner bike, 2015 with around 5k miles on it, so happy it has been used. the owner was very genuine and all in all happy with the deal struck. The bike runs seemingly well, but no test rides, as it was a private sale. I wanted to connect an optimate lead, but note there is a white connector under the tail section. This has battery voltage, so maybe this was a standard charging connection, given the location of the battery? Not sure. I've attached a picture. Can anyone identify this? Having removed the seat cowl, I looked at the ECU. It was loose..both retaining lugs had fractured. Not great, so removed the ECU and the broken mounting lugs....and the lugs don't match the ECU! so it looks like at some point the ECU has been changed....but it looks like a bit of a bodge job. On removing the ecu, there was something rattling inside. That's not great! I had to take it apart and see what the situation was. It was actually three things...2 capacitors and one insulator. It is an SC Typhoon ECU, so I'll be having a chat with SCS next week to see if this is something they would entertain repairing, or if going with an SCS Delta 400 would be a better option.

So, an interesting into to the Norton world!
 

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Welcome to the Norton world Vernon.
Mine is a sport of similar age and on that the battery connection is the white connector as in your picture. On the sport it tucks into the rear left upper shock mount.
Good luck with the ECU, i have bought the unlocked 400 from SCS but haven't yet had it running with that fitted.
 
Thanks ntst8. My hand might be forced to get the new scs ecu, but that is ok. I’ll have a chat with them next week and see what’s what. I do want the flexibility of the new ecu, so unless it makes sense financially to repair the old one and it gives me the same functionality, that’s probably the direction I’ll go.
 
The dealer snapped the mounting lugs on my SC ECU as well. The plug is indeed a charging port. Tons of info on this site about all your problems and even ones you haven’t come across yet.... :)

The Delta 400 is an expensive upgrade (which I’ve done). But I wouldn’t bother unless you’re prepared to spend a lot of time learning about EFI and the ins and out of ECU programming. Getting the existing ECU unlocked and repaired is probably more sensible. These engines produce a lot of vibration so I’m not surprised bits have come off!

New (to me) Dominator
 
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The dealer snapped the mounting lugs on my SC ECU as well. The plug is indeed a charging port. Tons of info on this site about all your problems and even ones you haven’t come across yet.... :)

The Delta 400 is an expensive upgrade (which I’ve done). But I wouldn’t bother unless you’re prepared to spend a lot of time learning about EFI and the ins and out of ECU programming. Getting the existing ECU unlocked and repaired is probably more sensible. These engines produce a lot of vibration so I’m not surprised bits have come off!

New (to me) Dominator
Thanks, I’ll have a chat with scs and see what they say. I’ve been a long time lurker on this site, so yes, noted quite a few issues...but didn’t put me off! A great community you guys have here! I think I'm going into this with my eyes open! Good advice on the ecu. I’m relatively familiar with efi....built my own system for my small block v8. Quad throttle bodies, distributorless ignition running an aftermarket ecu. I’m still tweaking that one now and learned a lot during that process..like throttle linkage symmetry is critical (ask me how I know ) .and if you are only running one lambda sensor and you have lambda bungs in both exhaust collectors....make sure you tighten the blanking plug for the unused one before merrily heading for mot inspection and have it fall out in the local high street! so quite interested in the delta ecu...but as you say, I’ll see what makes most sense. I’ve read a few of your posts on what you’ve done. Really interesting in regards to idle. With my quad set up, I don’t run any sort of idle control valve...think it would be pretty tricky with 8 butterflies...but not impossible with some plumbing....so pretty much did what you did to set an idle....pretty much by setting it on throttle stop, once everything was synchronised. Additionally, the ecu I used had a cool feature where it could control idle on ignition advance.....if it falls a below a certain rpm, drastically advance ignition to bring idle up....then retard to normal, but you still needed the correct throttle adjustment to get a good idle when normal operating temps were reached. That works pretty well and is useful on a cold engine. Yep, given the ecu was loose, really not surprised those components fell off...with that and the vibration. I think some sort of vibration absorbing pad might be the way to go as you have there. Thanks for confirming the charging connector....I’ll sort out a charging set up! I’ll update here when I have news!
 
Many congrats of moving to the dark side but rewarding side of motorcycling, Where about are you in Kent ?, I live in Margate .
 
Many congrats of moving to the dark side but rewarding side of motorcycling, Where about are you in Kent ?, I live in Margate .
Thanks! Yep, looking forwards to riding the Norton more..and tinkering/ sorting issues. I like character in my old cars and looking for the same in a motorcycle. I’m Sevenoaks but when out pretty much head south and then along the coast, places like the seven sisters, but like Kent in general....castles and villages.
 
I was just thinking about my ecu issues due to vibration. I had these rubber vibration dampers/ bobbins in the garage and lo and behold, they fit. It raises the whole ecu/ relay/ fuse box assembly up higher, but the cowl, from the Dominator at least, still fits easily. I don’t think it will do any harm.
 

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I was just thinking about my ecu issues due to vibration. I had these rubber vibration dampers/ bobbins in the garage and lo and behold, they fit. It raises the whole ecu/ relay/ fuse box assembly up higher, but the cowl, from the Dominator at least, still fits easily. I don’t think it will do any harm.
Give it a try I say . Also , SCS should be able to fix your Typhoon ECU .
 
Give it a try I say . Also , SCS should be able to fix your Typhoon ECU .
I’ll find out tomorrow! Chatting with one of the ex Norton employees, he said they had a number of rattling ecu’s that had been swapped out under warranty....and this issue seems to have been at least a contributing factor to Norton going back to Omex. I’ve worked in electronic pcb repair before...(Electronics engineer by trade) and reworking the board doesn't look easy.....although not impossible....but if scs can’t, I’ll give it a go! I’m thinking fly leads to two new caps and then supporting them, probably something simple as some rtv.

Slight update, on closer inspection...and removing a plastic base from one cap, this looks easily doable, so I’ve ordered the parts for a princly sum of £5.00 (for that I get 2 of one capacitor, 10 of the other). I’ll detail the process, upload some pictures and see if this works....or all goes horribly wrong!
 
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That’s exactly what it feels like. Like a moth to the flame!
I know exactly where you're coming from :rolleyes: ....


 
I know exactly where you're coming from :rolleyes: ....


It is an interesting one. A mate bought a naked dominator. Had quite a few issues. Met him at the factory...the plan was, drop the Domi off first thing, do a track morning at the nearby Donington Park track, then pick up the Domi after a service and fitment of quiet (compared to the megaphones) pipes. Rust showing under the lacquer was also pointed out. A few hrs later, a call. They tried to fit new pipes and one of the mounting bosses on the frame sheared. New frame needed! We did the factory tour.....and while interesting, not overly impressed. We looked around the shop, and I remember thinking, such a pretty bike, but I’d never take a risk and buy one. Something stuck, though, as I kept looking at them (the visit was in 2017 I think) Lurked on this forum for months as well....read up on everything. When you compare what you could get for the money, there are some lovely bikes out there......but nothing is like a 961. The community here helped swing the decision though. I guess some might be upset that a bike they had delivered 2 days ago is in a few pieces now in my garage....but to be honest, I couldn’t be happier. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I’m not quite sure I can put a finger on what it is, or what itch this scratches. But it makes me smile. I look at it, clean bits, think ‘that needs sorting’ have another look...notice something else like the ht leads have ‘Norton’ on them...and smile. Funny old world huh?
 
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..and I don’t even smoke!:D The division of the business I used to work for was called the laser systems division. Was changed fairly soon after that.:D
 
I always thought the employees of Wayne Kerr electronics in London must find answering the phones very difficult.....
Once knew a Polish engineer. His first name was forgettable, his second, wankovski, etched in my memory! Not sure if that was how it was spelt, but sure was pronounced that way!
 
Well, an evening sorting out a very reluctant to return throttle. Turns out the main culprit was the grip sticking on the bar end mirror assembly. I decided to take both bar ends off..and what a challenge that was!

This really did need the services of the puller
New (to me) Dominator


and the other side was pretty similar, but used a different method of holding the bar end into the bar. Both were badly rusted in place, different size bolts were used, but was finally able to get all the pieces out.
The puller in this instanced allowed me to get better purchase on getting this out.

New (to me) Dominator

All the stuff that came out of my bars..
New (to me) Dominator
but glad both my bars look like this!

New (to me) Dominator
One final discovery..no air filter. Not great, so at the very least I need to find one!
 
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