Picking up my 961 tomorrow-It’s back and I’m Smiling

trident sam said:
I should (hopefully) be picking my new California up from the factory very soon. I reckon as soon as I get it home I'll be checking every connection I can see, and then take the tank off and check under there. If I want to break down I've got other bikes very capable of it :)
sam
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let me know when you get it it. I was with John at the Caldy TOMCC show on mine. Be good to see another locally. Cheers. Mark
 
I do think it has a lot to do with trying to make this bike meet the euro 4. I had my initial running problems as you know but now after the pipes, decat and remap, it is an absolute pleasure to ride. I am at approx. 790 miles in and who knows, some issues may arise but i am now not expecting them. Bighty Brit is 12K miles plus, thats another 6 years for me. When Euro 5 arrives, I think the Commando is probably history as an air/oil cooled machine. A modern appreciating asset hopefully.
 
Like Sam, my intention was to re-do all connectors, grease them, re route, check, fiddle, etc.

All my connectors were sound and they were all greased. Much to my pleasant surprise, there was nowt to do.

Caning it on the track recently created vibes that blew the headlamp bulb (countermeasure for that is an LED bulb). But still no connector issues.

So, I think you’re right Sam, go through the nest of wires, front to back, and check the lot.

My guess is that they’ve got some new operators and the lack of Toyota style ‘standardised work’ means that there’s enough slack in how to do their job that these kind of operator error issues creep in.
 
Picking up my 961 tomorrow-It’s back and I’m Smiling
Welshrugby said:
I do think it has a lot to do with trying to make this bike meet the euro 4. I had my initial running problems as you know but now after the pipes, decat and remap, it is an absolute pleasure to ride. I am at approx. 790 miles in and who knows, some issues may arise but i am now not expecting them. Bighty Brit is 12K miles plus, thats another 6 years for me. When Euro 5 arrives, I think the Commando is probably history as an air/oil cooled machine. A modern appreciating asset hopefully.
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Hi ya Richard , I’m at 15,158 miles & climbing ,Guy I spoke to at the anniversary launch was on 18,000 on a older sport ,he was a I.A.M. Observer from Oxford using it whilst mentoring associate members on advance riding methods for their test.
 
Eljahara said:
Thanks Gary,
Had a very positive and constructive conversation earlier today with Rob, warranty manager at Norton, with a positive outcome - bike being returned to me later this week. Problem was a poorly fitting spade connector causing the bike to cut out, as many have said - 50p problem.
Looking forward to joining the mad grinning crew!
John
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Great news, this way u end up with ur first choice bike, tough few weeks though
 
Hi Jan,not making excuses for the factory but i has owned several hand made cars including the best from Italy and Germany the last one was an AMG SL Mercedes which was the worst and most unreliable car i have ever had the misfortune to own a total nightmare.I now am on my second Range Rover and have never had one single issue with either so stick with the Norton I adore mine and it never stops making me smile i love it.
 
I was beginning to think I was just unlucky, but apparently not. My brand new 961 Sport anniversary (#38) managed just under 70 miles from leaving the factory before the ECU light came on this morning 200 yards from home and stayed on. Is this a record or has anyone managed fewer miles?

No matter, I bunged it straight back in the garage and went out on my Ducati, which hasn't missed a beat from new.
 
My came on at less than 30 and ran poorly until I had it decated etc. Now just under 800 and running superbly. Had a blast around Uppingham area today, fantastic roads and several conversations about the bike from admirers.
 
TimS,
Phil j managed 5 miles - see earlier in the thread. I recommend giving Norton a ring and see if you can speak to Rob Jameson, once you can speak to someone the issue will be solved fairly quickly
John
 
Welshrugby said:
My came on at less than 30 and ran poorly until I had it decated etc. Now just under 800 and running superbly. Had a blast around Uppingham area today, fantastic roads and several conversations about the bike from admirers.
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Welsh,
I am up to 400+ so ready to book first service. When you say decated do you mean had the cat converter removed? I have the shorties and am not sure about getting them fitted - what difference does it make? Like you, I think it is running poorly, surging and wanting to go... very rough at low speed/low gear - like it is misfiring (does this sound familiar.)
John
 
Cat converter removed yes. Mine kept cutting out when coming up to junctions and when pulling in the clutch to change gear unless I kept tweaking the throttle. What's your model again, its a 50th I can see, is it the cafe or sports?
If cafe, it came with the decat pipes and shorties or longs depending on what you specified. When fitted and the remap done, you will love the bike, sounds glorious especially when slowing down, pops and crackles galore.
 
I would love it to run a bit more smoothly so an ECU tune is on the cards at service. I live VERY close to the Essex police traffic HQ so would prefer not to draw their attention with loud pipes, hence why I had the long fitted at build. It sounds like the shorts sort some of the issues but noise wise?
John
 
Eljahara said:
I would love it to run a bit more smoothly so an ECU tune is on the cards at service. I live VERY close to the Essex police traffic HQ so would prefer not to draw their attention with loud pipes, hence why I had the long fitted at build. It sounds like the shorts sort some of the issues but noise wise?
John
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Mines a Euro 3 2016 bike , decat pipe & shorties,a different bike after the the 500 mile service, b4 it had the long standard pipes & catalytic pipe under engine,awkward to ride at low speeds as u know ,I’m up essex way on 13th May late pm near lakeside if u about , ur welcome to try it & compare to yours, & re the noise , they are louder than Standard ones , but not loud enough really to draw attention ,it ain’t like a 4 into 1 yoshi pipe on a Japanese 4, & nothing like a Harley with aftermarket straight thru pipes, I think I’m right in saying that all the 961,s seem to run & breath better with the decat pipe & the straight thru short or long pipes
 
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BLIGHTYBRIT/SF said:
Mines a Euro 3 2016 bike , decat pipe & shorties,a different bike after the the 500 mile service, b4 it had the long standard pipes & catalytic pipe under engine,awkward to ride at low speeds as u know ,I’m up essex way on 13th May late pm near lakeside if u about , ur welcome to try it & compare to yours, & re the noise , they are louder than Standard ones , but not loud enough really to draw attention ,it ain’t like a 4 into 1 yoshi pipe on a Japanese 4, & nothing like a Harley with aftermarket straight thru pipes, I think I’m right in saying that all the 961,s seem to run & breath better with the decat pipe & the straight thru short or long pipes
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Thanks,
Appreciate the offer - I am going to go along to the NOC local meet this week so might be able to get a comparison with a decat otherwise the ACE in September?
How does the removal of the cat work with the warranty?
 
Eljahara said:
Thanks,
Appreciate the offer - I am going to go along to the NOC local meet this week so might be able to get a comparison with a decat otherwise the ACE in September?
How does the removal of the cat work with the warranty?
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Well it is norton part remember , they make,supply & sell it, doesn’t affect it at all
 
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Don't sell the standard pipes or cat after fitting, just in case Sir Hugo Arsewipe gets his private small member bill through parliament and we have to fit them prior to future mot's.
 
Welshrugby said:
Don't sell the standard pipes or cat after fitting, just in case Sir Hugo Arsewipe gets his private small member bill through parliament and we have to fit them prior to future mot's.
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Problem is that we also have some major d**kheads who ruin it for the rest of us. Out on a ride today I saw lots of other motorcyclists enjoying a ride in the sun. Also saw one complete nob ‘ed wheelying at high speed on a fireblade with frightened motorists swerving out of his way - we all get tarred with the same brush..
 
Picking up my 961 tomorrow-It’s back and I’m Smiling
Picking up my 961 tomorrow-It’s back and I’m Smiling
Eljahara said:
I would love it to run a bit more smoothly so an ECU tune is on the cards at service. I live VERY close to the Essex police traffic HQ so would prefer not to draw their attention with loud pipes, hence why I had the long fitted at build. It sounds like the shorts sort some of the issues but noise wise?
John
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American cops were cool with me when they gave me a tug in Bath NYS ,just wanted to chat bout the bike ,in fact they kept revving the throttle themselves cause they like the sound,then a few hours later they tracked me down to my motel & gave me a police escort in their Dodge round to hang out with the local Branch of the American Legion ,all cause they’d never seen a 961, still not got over it. I’d like to think the essex rozzers have more to worry about that a couple of stainless pipes
 
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