One thing is not like the other....

City Garage · Oct 15, 2021

If I used the vin to determine how many motorcycles were between these two it would be about 25.

Did they save $10.00 by using less aluminum and going to shorter bolts??

ntst8 · Oct 15, 2021

Interesting. My guess would have been that the top one was an early, pre mass production (ha ha), type.
Mine is the lower type.

City Garage · Oct 16, 2021

The mounted one is a 2015 and lower one is from 2014. But again according to the vin 25 bikes apart

Madnorton · Oct 20, 2021

You can't trust the numbers, bikes that were sold and then rejected were then sold again as new bikes. It was rumoured they went to another country but at least one made it from Hampshire to Scotland, but was then written off.

City Garage · Oct 20, 2021

Madnorton said:
You can't trust the numbers, bikes that were sold and then rejected were then sold again as new bikes. It was rumoured they went to another country but at least one made it from Hampshire to Scotland, but was then written off.

I get that but my point was why the change in the cover. No matter if it was 5 bikes apart or 25.

Madnorton · Oct 21, 2021

City Garage said:
I get that but my point was why the change in the cover. No matter if it was 5 bikes apart or 25.

Knowing how the previous set up did things, cost, the difference in the recesses for the screws is not a change necessitated by another reason, it is just a different way to do the recesses,

Claudio · Oct 21, 2021

Maybe the supplier just changed

kommando · Oct 21, 2021

Assuming the same supplier then the casting cost of both will be virtually the same with the shorter screw version taking a bit less alloy to fill the mould. The shorter screw version will cost less to machine, likely to be a new supplier's idea when asked to drop the price a bit more to get the order.

BritTwit · Oct 21, 2021

kommando said:
Assuming the same supplier then the casting cost of both will be virtually the same with the shorter screw version taking a bit less alloy to fill the mould. The shorter screw version will cost less to machine, likely to be a new supplier's idea when asked to drop the price a bit more to get the order.

I think this is the most likely explanation.
I have the earlier design.
But must admit I think the extra definition in the cover provided by the screw recesses is aesthetically pleasing.
Just my two cents.

TonyA · Oct 21, 2021

kommando said:
Assuming the same supplier then the casting cost of both will be virtually the same with the shorter screw version taking a bit less alloy to fill the mould. The shorter screw version will cost less to machine, likely to be a new supplier's idea when asked to drop the price a bit more to get the order.

I also have the lower one in the photo , and must admit I prefer it. I don't like the casting line that seems to go around the perimeter near the bolt holes.

City Garage · Oct 21, 2021

TonyA said:
I also have the lower one in the photo , and must admit I prefer it. I don't like the casting line that seems to go around the perimeter near the bolt holes.

The casting difference is striking. To use plain english...it looks liks crap.

TonyA · Oct 21, 2021

City Garage said:
The casting difference is striking. To use plain english...it looks liks crap.

Does everything newer than 2015 have that style of primary cover. I guess I never noticed.

Stu Bodycote · Oct 22, 2021

Do you know the previous repair history of the bike with the crap looking cover, as in 2018 they started using a supplier from India, not Alucast LTD in UK. These were pretty naff, leaked and had to be rtv'd on to seal them due to distortion.

Fast Eddie · Oct 22, 2021

Stu Bodycote said:
Do you know the previous repair history of the bike with the crap looking cover, as in 2018 they started using a supplier from India, not Alucast LTD in UK. These were pretty naff, leaked and had to be rtv'd on to seal them due to distortion.

That’s progress….

City Garage · Oct 22, 2021

Stu Bodycote said:
Do you know the previous repair history of the bike with the crap looking cover, as in 2018 they started using a supplier from India, not Alucast LTD in UK. These were pretty naff, leaked and had to be rtv'd on to seal them due to distortion.

No history of repair on the primary side at all. We were the first to get into the primary side

Stu Bodycote · Oct 22, 2021

Ive worked on all model years, and the only change Ive ever known (apart from a few billet sets....gorgeous they were), was the Indian (I think Kinetic) sets that came around 2019. I said 2018 earlier, but I'm all out of whack with years lately, seems covid made my memory skip a year or something haha

cliffa · Oct 22, 2021

My early bike had the lower style cover (and interestingly the oil level screw is below the shifter shaft).

Stu Bodycote · Oct 22, 2021

Just sent that image to a lad that used to work in Engine Build after myself, and yeah, it most certainly appears to be an Indian cover. It'll be rtv'd on. They also had to cut away the inside webbing to clear the rotor.

Stu Bodycote · Oct 22, 2021

This one thats listed for a ridiculous price on ebay, is also an indian one.
Look the same as yours inside?
If anyone is thinking of buying this one, dont offer them more than £50....just aint worth any more.

2015-2020 NORTON COMMANDO 961 SPORT L/H Left Hand Engine Casing - 5260011 | eBay

ModelCOMMANDO 961 SPORT. Two Wheels For Life is a UK-based charity that works with theMotoGP community to raise funds and awareness for healthcare programs in Africa. Since their founding in 1989, Two Wheels For Life has helped to provide healthcare to over 14 million people across Africa.

www.ebay.co.uk

City Garage · Oct 22, 2021

Stu Bodycote said:
Just sent that image to a lad that used to work in Engine Build after myself, and yeah, it most certainly appears to be an Indian cover. It'll be rtv'd on. They also had to cut away the inside webbing to clear the rotor.

No rtv just the normal gasket and it wasn't leaking. We have the whole service history documentation from the selling dealer on the bike which doesn't indicate any changes to the primary or any service that requires the primary opened. It s interesting because we see numerous 961's of various years and this is the first with that cover.

One thing is not like the other....

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