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- Jan 5, 2014
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- 2,706
Lets not forget young Willie visiting the factory. Didn't Norton get 6 mil. pounds of the Queen's $$ ?
Norton trouble
- Thread starter MAK
- Start date
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- Jun 9, 2008
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- 1,916
Anyone heard how the court hearing went today, they were on the daily court rolls for a hearing no earlier than 1030.
As for the 961 rights allegedly being sold to jinlang, makes no odds, they might not have obtained the right to use the TM so no great deal.
As for the 961 rights allegedly being sold to jinlang, makes no odds, they might not have obtained the right to use the TM so no great deal.
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- Jan 23, 2018
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- 191
Norton was headline news on I T V 6.30 news S G refused to make a comment to the reporter about his involvement in the financial dealings of the company
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- Apr 20, 2011
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- 5,773
What do you expect him to say? You can't defend the indefensible!
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- Jul 8, 2018
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- 1,027
From a Ride magazine this month.
NORTON COMMANDO 961
They may never build any more, so is buying one now a good investment?
DREAM OR NIGHTMARE?
WHY YOU WANT ONEJust look at it — Commandos are stunning machines, with high-class suspension components that sound amazing and are as ‘Made in Britain’ as any machine gets this century. Expect sharp handling, a proper ‘classic’ riding experience and loads of torque
Pictures Chippy Wood
The Commando is one of the most iconic names in British biking
It’s part of Norton’s fraught past, present and future
Founded in 1898, Norton stopped producing its ever-decreasing range of bikes in the 1990s, though there were attempts to revive it. US Norton tuner Kenny Dreer acquired the brand and ended up making his own Commandos but the business wasn’t successful and the rights were bought by Brit Stuart Garner. Since 2010 Garner’s team has been producing re-engineered versions of the original concept from Donington. Sadly, as RiDE went to press, the firm had fallen into administration.
Don’t expect it to feel modern
Dreer’s pushrod air-cooled parallel twin can trace its lineage back to Norton’s post-war designs and although modernised by Garner’s Norton, it feels like a ‘classic’ and about at its limit producing 80bhp. Slow to rev, it’s happier thudding along at 4000rpm and feels strained as you near the redline. It’s vibey and the gearbox doesn’t like shifting gears quickly. 2015-on MkII versions are a bit better, though.
Better chassis than engine
Commandos come with varying levels of suspension, brakes and wheels, but all share decent geometry with sweet steering and feel lighter than their 188kg dry weight. All are more taut, sportier and more responsive than latter-day Bonnies when it comes to the twisties.
Taking a test ride is essential
There is a reputuion for oil leaks and engine trouble. Check all gaskets and breather pipes for leaks. A longish test ride will expose this. Some owners upgrade plugs and coils for better running so check for misfires. On early bikes also check for snatchy fuelling.
It’s a second or third bike
You’ll never find a Commando with mega mileage but there are lots of bikes with low miles on offer. Depreciation is now a big question, so go in low. If you treat is as a bike for sunny days and nonessential trips, there’s more charm than most modern retros. But more risk, too.
You’ll need to be brave — there were problems when the company was fully functioning but from now on, spares and support could be an issue. However, they will always have a value for wealthy Brit bikers.
NORTON COMMANDO 961
They may never build any more, so is buying one now a good investment?
DREAM OR NIGHTMARE?
WHY YOU WANT ONEJust look at it — Commandos are stunning machines, with high-class suspension components that sound amazing and are as ‘Made in Britain’ as any machine gets this century. Expect sharp handling, a proper ‘classic’ riding experience and loads of torque
Pictures Chippy Wood
The Commando is one of the most iconic names in British biking
It’s part of Norton’s fraught past, present and future
Founded in 1898, Norton stopped producing its ever-decreasing range of bikes in the 1990s, though there were attempts to revive it. US Norton tuner Kenny Dreer acquired the brand and ended up making his own Commandos but the business wasn’t successful and the rights were bought by Brit Stuart Garner. Since 2010 Garner’s team has been producing re-engineered versions of the original concept from Donington. Sadly, as RiDE went to press, the firm had fallen into administration.
Don’t expect it to feel modern
Dreer’s pushrod air-cooled parallel twin can trace its lineage back to Norton’s post-war designs and although modernised by Garner’s Norton, it feels like a ‘classic’ and about at its limit producing 80bhp. Slow to rev, it’s happier thudding along at 4000rpm and feels strained as you near the redline. It’s vibey and the gearbox doesn’t like shifting gears quickly. 2015-on MkII versions are a bit better, though.
Better chassis than engine
Commandos come with varying levels of suspension, brakes and wheels, but all share decent geometry with sweet steering and feel lighter than their 188kg dry weight. All are more taut, sportier and more responsive than latter-day Bonnies when it comes to the twisties.
Taking a test ride is essential
There is a reputuion for oil leaks and engine trouble. Check all gaskets and breather pipes for leaks. A longish test ride will expose this. Some owners upgrade plugs and coils for better running so check for misfires. On early bikes also check for snatchy fuelling.
It’s a second or third bike
You’ll never find a Commando with mega mileage but there are lots of bikes with low miles on offer. Depreciation is now a big question, so go in low. If you treat is as a bike for sunny days and nonessential trips, there’s more charm than most modern retros. But more risk, too.
You’ll need to be brave — there were problems when the company was fully functioning but from now on, spares and support could be an issue. However, they will always have a value for wealthy Brit bikers.
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- Jul 16, 2017
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- 42
Have you got a 961
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- Nov 6, 2015
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- 400
If you’re asking me, then yes.
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Ray
Are you referring to me?
If so, the answer is that I had one but traded it for another bike
John
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- Jul 16, 2017
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- 42
Yes sorry John did you enjoy it and do you have any regrets in trading it in was it a mark one or mark 2 cheers Ray
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- Jul 16, 2017
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Sorry site new to me was referring to Eljahara thanks Ray
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- Jul 8, 2018
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Hi Ray,
Yes I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding the bike, the conversations at bike meets etc. I do regret trading but had some issues related to the electronics which eventually compromised safety - they fixed it by replacing the ECU around June/July last year but I had lost confidence in the safety of the bike and was riding less so it made sense to trade.
Unlike others I do not have the skills to fix it myself so the option was no option really.
It was a mark 2 anniversary model
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- Jul 16, 2017
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- 42
Love the colour of yours I originally bought a white mark one from motor corsa bought it blind from eBay to cut long story short clocks had been changed didn’t match service history called norton no record of clocks being changed when I kicked up a stink was given new grey 2 seater model sold that to dealers and now have a norton 961 street no 28 hopefully I don’t have two many issues with it also have 48 Harley what bike did you end up with and are you pleased cheers Ray
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- Jul 16, 2017
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Triumphs lovely bikes had the 675 triple and had a t140 us spec was trying to download some photos but not really very computer savvy
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- Jul 16, 2017
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They look stunning you can never have two many
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- Jan 23, 2018
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- 191
apologising to every one he has let down would have been a start
Voodooo
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- Aug 10, 2016
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I always thought up until now, that the rumors I read or heard from people were people just throwing hate at Norton.
it makes me sick to know the rumors were in fact true. I almost feel guilty that I own two 961 Norton’s and to think that some people lost their money and didn’t receive a bike in return for their hard earned cash.
My 2016 Commando SF I bought new off the show room floor in California from South Bay Norton. That was a no risk buy.
My 2017 Dominator Naked I ordered and put down my $5000 USD deposit (peanuts compared to others deposits were and lost). Had I known then what I know now, I highly doubt I’d of bought my Dominator.
It’s a flat out lie for SG to say he’s a victim and didn’t know this was going on.
it makes me sick to know the rumors were in fact true. I almost feel guilty that I own two 961 Norton’s and to think that some people lost their money and didn’t receive a bike in return for their hard earned cash.
My 2016 Commando SF I bought new off the show room floor in California from South Bay Norton. That was a no risk buy.
My 2017 Dominator Naked I ordered and put down my $5000 USD deposit (peanuts compared to others deposits were and lost). Had I known then what I know now, I highly doubt I’d of bought my Dominator.
It’s a flat out lie for SG to say he’s a victim and didn’t know this was going on.