Pictures of your Norton 961

Stephen_Spencer said:
Never (ever) brag to your riding mate about how well your Norton’s running and how it’s well worth a A$200 labour bill each year to get a qualified mechanic to give it a ‘once over’!

Preached I wisely on its first run out today since the service, when we stopped for fat-boy breakfast (after about 80km) and he proceeded to point out that I had an oil leak to the right side of the bike! DOH!!

Sure enough, I had a light smattering of oil as far back as the hugger (little or none on the rear tyre). At first appearing to emanate from the RH spark plug recess, a better look revealed it was likely from the front right of the rocker gasket! Service coincidental (mechanic did’nt touch the rocker cover).

Got home no problem. Checked and ‘lo and behold‘ the front RH (2x) rocker cover bolts took about 1/8 of a turn to nip up. I’ll test ride again shortly but suspect I’ll still need a new gasket!

Of course my mate took pictures, claimed a breakdown and sent a message to our entire group:rolleyes:! To be expected of course - I’d have done exactly the same!! I’ve said it before………………. you really need to be an enthusiast to own a Norton 961!! 🤣

View attachment 111728View attachment 111729
Click to expand...
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Never (ever) brag to your riding mate about how well your Norton’s running and how it’s well worth a A$200 labour bill each year to get a qualified mechanic to give it a ‘once over’!

Preached I wisely on its first run out today since the service, when we stopped for fat-boy breakfast (after about 80km) and he proceeded to point out that I had an oil leak to the right side of the bike! DOH!!

Sure enough, I had a light smattering of oil as far back as the hugger (little or none on the rear tyre). At first appearing to emanate from the RH spark plug recess, a better look revealed it was likely from the front right of the rocker gasket! Service coincidental (mechanic did’nt touch the rocker cover).

Got home no problem. Checked and ‘lo and behold‘ the front RH (2x) rocker cover bolts took about 1/8 of a turn to nip up. I’ll test ride again shortly but suspect I’ll still need a new gasket!

Of course my mate took pictures, claimed a breakdown and sent a message to our entire group:rolleyes:! To be expected of course - I’d have done exactly the same!! I’ve said it before………………. you really need to be an enthusiast to own a Norton 961!! 🤣

View attachment 111728View attachment 111729
Click to expand...
 
Hello Stephen , Is the rocker cover gasket of a rubber type material ? It looks like from the photo and I have never seen this before . Usually a paper/fiber material gray color or biege color .
 
TonyA said:
Hello Stephen , Is the rocker cover gasket of a rubber type material ? It looks like from the photo and I have never seen this before . Usually a paper/fiber material gray color or biege color .
Click to expand...
Hey Tony,

Yes, I thought the same but it is not rubberised but a really stiff hard fibrous gasket. Or it has hardened significantly through heat transfer/ageing.

A closer look when cooled and my failure is exactly (by way of type and location) as that shown in this thread by P-Roger’s last year. Split to the RH side of the rocker cover - a second breach forming just in front - forward edge seems displaced outward of the Rocker Cover (although I don’t think it is - more likely a manufacturing/fitting irregularity).

I’ll order a new gasket from Norton and maybe a spare one from Ollie - fit whichever one arrives first. I’ll let you know who wins the delivery/price comparrison! Lots of good info in the attached thread - gotta love this forum!

Off the road until then:rolleyes:! No big deal - this is why we have other bikes right?👍

Thread '2018 961 rocker gasket repair? advice?'
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/2018-961-rocker-gasket-repair-advice.35622/

IMG_9483.jpeg
IMG_9475.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Stephen_Spencer said:
Hey Tony,

Yes, I thought the same but it is not rubberised but a really stiff hard fibrous gasket. Or it has hardened significantly through heat transfer/ageing.

A closer look when cooled and my failure is exactly (by way of type and location) as that shown in this thread by P-Roger’s last year. Split to the RH side of the rocker cover - a second breach forming just in front - forward edge seems displaced outward of the Rocker Cover (although I don’t think it is - more likely a manufacturing/fitting irregularity).

I’ll order a new gasket from Norton and maybe a spare one from Ollie - fit whichever one arrives first. I’ll let you know who wins the delivery/price comparrison! Lots of good info in the attached thread - gotta love this forum!

Off the road until then:rolleyes:! No big deal - this is why we have other bikes right?👍

Thread '2018 961 rocker gasket repair? advice?'
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/2018-961-rocker-gasket-repair-advice.35622/

View attachment 111745View attachment 111746
Click to expand...
Good , You found the problem .
 
cliffa said:
Oh well, worth a try. When you get your new gasket, I think it would be a good idea to glue it to the rocker cover, as it’s a know weakness due to the long run without a screw. I think pliobond make a gasket glue.
Click to expand...
OK, that answers the obvious question Cliffa - why we have multiple gasket failures in the same spot. Makes sense. Thanks for the tip ref Pilobond.

I have an admission - from memory, I think I might have noticed the start of a defect at that spot. No leak though, so using my ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach I left it. A mistake in hindsight cos now I’m off the road until I source a replacement.

The point of the anecdote - this may be another to add to those ‘things to check before we ride’. If your rocker cover gasket is gonna fail it is likely gonna be at that spot, and you may well get notice. Worth a check.
 
Last edited:
Stephen_Spencer said:
OK, that answers the obvious question Cliffa - why we have multiple gasket failures in the same spot. Makes sense. Thanks for the tip ref Pilobond.

I have an admission - from memory, I think I might have noticed the start of a defect at that spot. No leak though, so using my ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach I left it. A mistake in hindsight cos now I’m off the road until I source a replacement.

The point of the anecdote - this may be another to add to those ‘things to check before we ride’. If your rocker cover gasket is gonna fail it is likely gonna be at that spot, and you may well get notice. Worth a check.
Click to expand...
Get the Ollie Thiel gaskets , he is having them made and appear to be good quality. I have some of his gaskets and this is nothing to worry about . Replace it with one of his gaskets , a small amount of gasket sealer , torque to specs and you won't have any more problems with it.
 
TonyA said:
Get the Ollie Thiel gaskets , he is having them made and appear to be good quality. I have some of his gaskets and this is nothing to worry about . Replace it with one of his gaskets , a small amount of gasket sealer , torque to specs and you won't have any more problems with it.
Click to expand...
Yep, that‘s the plan thanks Tony. The job is simple enough. Would’ve been smarter to order one as soon as I spotted the irregularity though:rolleyes:!

Pictures of your Norton 961
 
So, fettling, because I just can’t stop; wonder if there’s any medical treatment for the affliction. Pills, or maybe psychotherapy!? Am I repeating myself - is it just age or am I creeping toward madness?!:oops:

The Rizomafication of the CR is complete (I think) - reservoirs, grips, mirrors, indicators. Expensive but worth it; a once only purchase for a keeper. Yet to change anything that I can’t easily return to standard. Seat next. Thruxton fairing moving further towards the back-burner.

Anybody out there ridin’ or fettlin’? If so, remember rule No 1 - it never happened unless you post a pic!

IMG_2612.jpeg
 
it’s at this time of year I frequent Lanzarote ,best island in the canaries IMHO, & a full year on that i published this restaurant menu sporting this Norton 961 ,appears they’ve still escaped the legal department of Norton HQ for blatant disregard of paying a royalty when they’ve obviously benefited on an industrial scale financially,TVS take note
Pictures of your Norton 961
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Hey Tony,

Yes, I thought the same but it is not rubberised but a really stiff hard fibrous gasket. Or it has hardened significantly through heat transfer/ageing.

A closer look when cooled and my failure is exactly (by way of type and location) as that shown in this thread by P-Roger’s last year. Split to the RH side of the rocker cover - a second breach forming just in front - forward edge seems displaced outward of the Rocker Cover (although I don’t think it is - more likely a manufacturing/fitting irregularity).

I’ll order a new gasket from Norton and maybe a spare one from Ollie - fit whichever one arrives first. I’ll let you know who wins the delivery/price comparrison! Lots of good info in the attached thread - gotta love this forum!

Off the road until then:rolleyes:! No big deal - this is why we have other bikes right?👍

Thread '2018 961 rocker gasket repair? advice?'
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/2018-961-rocker-gasket-repair-advice.35622/

View attachment 111745View attachment 111746
Click to expand...
Quick follow up. Gaskets ordered from Ollie Thiele.

- Very efficient, emails answered same day; parts dispatched the day of payment. Arrived to my door in Aus (via UPS courier) inside of a week.
- Express post is (very) expensive, so I ordered a full set.
- Quality looks very good. Better than OEM? Claimed so on the website.
- For the rocker cover gasket on the 961, Ollie recommends dry assembly - no sealant/glue. Not sure why.

Looks like failure in this spot is relatively common; worth ordering a spare. Snail mail from Ollie is pretty cheap. Worth planning ahead like I did(nt)!:rolleyes:


IMG_9565.jpegIMG_9521.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Stephen_Spencer said:
Quick follow up. Gaskets ordered from Ollie Thiele.

- Very efficient, emails answered same day; parts dispatched the day of payment. Arrived to my door in Aus (via UPS courier) inside of a week.
- Express post is (very) expensive, so I ordered a full set.
- Quality looks very good. Better than OEM? Claimed so on the website.
- For the rocker cover gasket on the 961, Ollie recommends dry assembly - no sealant/glue. Not sure why.

Looks like failure in this spot is relatively common; worth ordering a spare. Snail mail from Ollie is pretty cheap. Worth planning ahead like I did(nt)!:rolleyes:


View attachment 112162View attachment 112164
Click to expand...
High shipping cost ! Maybe should have bought 2 rocker cover gaskets ?
 
TonyA said:
High shipping cost ! Maybe should have bought 2 rocker cover gaskets ?
Click to expand...
Came to the same obvious conclusion just after placing the order. I was just about to pen an email increasing the order when I got notification it had been processed. Not often you curse a small business for being too efficient🤣!
 

Similar threads

Shelby-Right
Pictures of your Triumph T160 or similar .
2 3 4 5
Replies
93
Views
18,683
concours
concours
BLIGHTYBRIT/SF
The embarrassing throwback pictures of your/our/my bikes & me
6 7 8 9 10 11
Replies
218
Views
52,099
BERT
BERT
CanukNortonNut
Best Adventure roads you have ridden on your Norton
2
Replies
23
Views
6,551
CanukNortonNut
CanukNortonNut
p400
Post Photos of your Norton P11
4 5 6 7 8 9
Replies
160
Views
48,463
Fast Eddie
Fast Eddie
B
  • Locked
What's your story? How did you aquire your Norton?
2 3
Replies
57
Views
8,911
grandpaul
grandpaul
Back
Top