Off My Rocker Box

BOBBREEKS

BOBBREEKS

Joined
Feb 9, 2023
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Hi Team, I'm just about to drill my rocker box cover to re-instate the MK1 Banjo bolts for breathing, in an effort to reduce the oil in the airbox syndrome.
(I'm taking the crankcase breather up top and hoping that the oil will drain down to the sump, and breathing from the left hand side to a catchtank before the airbox).
First, does any one have a spare rocket box cover for sale? (I know, but you have to ask). Preferably an early one with the holes already in place.
Failing that optimistic enquiry, does anyone have the dimension/position of the M14 banjo bolt holes. I ask as there is a lot going on behind that cover and I'd rather like to avoid interfering with the rocker gear, and I don't want to guess unless I have to.
Thanks everyone.
 
BOBBREEKS said:
Hi Team, I'm just about to drill my rocker box cover to re-instate the MK1 Banjo bolts for breathing, in an effort to reduce the oil in the airbox syndrome.
(I'm taking the crankcase breather up top and hoping that the oil will drain down to the sump, and breathing from the left hand side to a catchtank before the airbox).
First, does any one have a spare rocket box cover for sale? (I know, but you have to ask). Preferably an early one with the holes already in place.
Failing that optimistic enquiry, does anyone have the dimension/position of the M14 banjo bolt holes. I ask as there is a lot going on behind that cover and I'd rather like to avoid interfering with the rocker gear, and I don't want to guess unless I have to.
Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...
First off to answer the last, and not to judge but if you are worried about that and are looking for someone to provide you with dimensions, then I would think twice about the operation you are doing if you can't look and confirm where you need them.

also, you were already given advice about this on another thread??

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/oil-in-the-airbox-breather.37323/page-2

Did you go through all the other steps to actually confirm you need to do this as you never responded to the other thread about checking over other common issues?

You could actually make things worse by opening up the rocker depending on how your bike is venting already along with other possible issues.
 
City Garage said:
First off to answer the last, and not to judge but if you are worried about that and are looking for someone to provide you with dimensions, then I would think twice about the operation you are doing if you can't look and confirm where you need them.

also, you were already given advice about this on another thread??

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/oil-in-the-airbox-breather.37323/page-2

Did you go through all the other steps to actually confirm you need to do this as you never responded to the other thread about checking over other common issues?

You could actually make things worse by opening up the rocker depending on how your bike is venting already along with other possible issues.
Click to expand...

City Garage said:
First off to answer the last, and not to judge but if you are worried about that and are looking for someone to provide you with dimensions, then I would think twice about the operation you are doing if you can't look and confirm where you need them.

also, you were already given advice about this on another thread??

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/oil-in-the-airbox-breather.37323/page-2

Did you go through all the other steps to actually confirm you need to do this as you never responded to the other thread about checking over other common issues?

You could actually make things worse by opening up the rocker depending on how your bike is venting already along with other possible issues.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your input.
 
Incredible successful cure to the issues with my 961, inspite of advice along the lines of, "fill the oil tank up with as little oil as you can get away with", "guilt can be assuaged by using the mark 2 dipstick which tells you your new lower oil level is just fine", "oh and if that doesn't work add some new pistons rings and barrel... maybe", or "just use a litre bottle to catch the oil instead of the 20cc eye wash container fitted by the factory", inspite of all the help gleaned from hours pouring over frequently asked questions about "why is my airbox full of oil?" I have finally cured the problem.
I sold the bike.
Undoubtably the best looking but sadly the worst motorbike I have ever owned. And that's about 75 in the last 48 years. So my heartfelt advice to anyone struggling to cure this issue is to cut your losses and buy something that was designed and built correctly.
Thanks to everyone.
 
BOBBREEKS said:
Incredible successful cure to the issues with my 961, inspite of advice along the lines of, "fill the oil tank up with as little oil as you can get away with", "guilt can be assuaged by using the mark 2 dipstick which tells you your new lower oil level is just fine", "oh and if that doesn't work add some new pistons rings and barrel... maybe", or "just use a litre bottle to catch the oil instead of the 20cc eye wash container fitted by the factory", inspite of all the help gleaned from hours pouring over frequently asked questions about "why is my airbox full of oil?" I have finally cured the problem.
I sold the bike.
Undoubtably the best looking but sadly the worst motorbike I have ever owned. And that's about 75 in the last 48 years. So my heartfelt advice to anyone struggling to cure this issue is to cut your losses and buy something that was designed and built correctly.
Thanks to everyone.
Click to expand...
You’re that upset about some oil in the air box that you sold the bike?
I mean all bikes, cars, tractors, boats, etc all have some issues.

I never had 75 bikes in my lifetime, but I’ll bet you that the 961 wasn’t your worse.

What’s on your list of next bike?
 
BOBBREEKS said:
Incredible successful cure to the issues with my 961, inspite of advice along the lines of, "fill the oil tank up with as little oil as you can get away with", "guilt can be assuaged by using the mark 2 dipstick which tells you your new lower oil level is just fine", "oh and if that doesn't work add some new pistons rings and barrel... maybe", or "just use a litre bottle to catch the oil instead of the 20cc eye wash container fitted by the factory", inspite of all the help gleaned from hours pouring over frequently asked questions about "why is my airbox full of oil?" I have finally cured the problem.
I sold the bike.
Undoubtably the best looking but sadly the worst motorbike I have ever owned. And that's about 75 in the last 48 years. So my heartfelt advice to anyone struggling to cure this issue is to cut your losses and buy something that was designed and built correctly.
Thanks to everyone.
Click to expand...
That’s unfortunate. But get it, sometimes you just reach that point where you think ‘this ain’t what I thought it was’.
 
BOBBREEKS said:
Incredible successful cure to the issues with my 961, inspite of advice along the lines of, "fill the oil tank up with as little oil as you can get away with", "guilt can be assuaged by using the mark 2 dipstick which tells you your new lower oil level is just fine", "oh and if that doesn't work add some new pistons rings and barrel... maybe", or "just use a litre bottle to catch the oil instead of the 20cc eye wash container fitted by the factory", inspite of all the help gleaned from hours pouring over frequently asked questions about "why is my airbox full of oil?" I have finally cured the problem.
I sold the bike.
Undoubtably the best looking but sadly the worst motorbike I have ever owned. And that's about 75 in the last 48 years. So my heartfelt advice to anyone struggling to cure this issue is to cut your losses and buy something that was designed and built correctly.
Thanks to everyone.
Click to expand...
Very sorry to hear that Bob. You fixed the oil in the airbox, but what made you sell it?
 
BritTwit said:
Sold due to disillusionment.
It has happened to me in the past.
Click to expand...
We get that all the time. Customers come in and state they just want the minimum repairs to sell whatever. We tell them the repair is what it takes to fix the problem nothing more nothing less. Many times they don't want to fix it or its an excuse to try to get a cheaper fix. Like Scott said everything comes with lots own issues.
 
I suspect the Norton may possibly not have been the right bike for Bob from the start - maybe.

Good luck with finding a great next bike - sure is a lot to choose from!

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City Garage said:
We get that all the time. Customers come in and state they just want the minimum repairs to sell whatever. We tell them the repair is what it takes to fix the problem nothing more nothing less. Many times they don't want to fix it or its an excuse to try to get a cheaper fix. Like Scott said everything comes with lots own issues.
Click to expand...
The introduction of the 961 held great promise for Norton fans, and it was beautiful, which perhaps prompted folks to idealize the bike's possibilities. Then when the multitude of issues arose, the bloom was off the rose, so to speak for many. Most expected a Norton with modern reliability, and few if any problems, like the new Triumphs.
The reality hit them hard.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I think his point is that selling the bike WAS the fix…
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Ah yes, sorry, I just re-read the post.

Interestingly one of the guys on the Facebook page reported extreme oil in the airbox, and it turned out that there is a gauze filter on the oil pickup for the scavenge in the sump which was clogged. Clearing it immediately fixed the issue.
 
cliffa said:
Ah yes, sorry, I just re-read the post.

Interestingly one of the guys on the Facebook page reported extreme oil in the airbox, and it turned out that there is a gauze filter on the oil pickup for the scavenge in the sump which was clogged. Clearing it immediately fixed the issue.
Click to expand...
Interesting.
That mesh strainer is quite small.
I wonder just how much metal was in that clog?

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