Solihull is back in business?

BritTwit said:
Yeah, Bobby mentioned that since it takes 2 to 3 and half years to introduce a new bike, Norton will be offing it's existing products - the 961 and V4.
Does he mean just the 40 961's that the factory promised to customers with previously unfulfilled orders, or will they take new orders for the 961?
That was a very interesting interview, but I think it leads to new questions.
After the 40 961's are built, does Norton put the 961 out to pasture?
If not, do they produce the 961 motor, or source it elsewhere? (Jinlang?)
Will the motor be refined/re-engineered like the V4 to correct deficiencies?
Tune in next week for the next installment of the Norton Chronicles.
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He said that the 961 is currently ‘under investigation’ regarding viability as part of their ‘10 year product plan’.

So, perhaps there is a chance it may make a re appearance.
 
Interesting quote from the 44 teeth site:
44T: How much can you say about future models?

RH: We have a defined product plan, which goes on for the next 10 years, but you have to consider that developing new bikes takes two to three years. At the moment, of course we have decided to reengineer the V4SS, which is now the V4SV. And we are also in the final phases of the Commando 961 development. So that is what we are concentrating on at the moment.
 
Not sure whether i understood correctly but in one of the videos they were next to the parts store and said something about being 30% of the way through QA on the stock? I took from that, rightly or wrongly, that they needed to complete that process before using (or selling?) the parts they had inherited.
 
As Norton are setting new benchmarks for cleanliness and quality, I will have to up my game quite a bit If the new facilities are the norm. I think I’ll start by polishing my SF a bit more often, checking the oil and tyre pressures each time I use it, sweeping the garage floor, putting the rubbish out, cleaning my kit and most definitely polishing my boots.
Don’t want to look like a Norton owning scruffy oik now, do I?
 
Sort of a contradictory statement, Rolls Royce is premium product, but not a large volume car manufacturer, Considering they need to make money premium will not tick that box when it comes to motorcycles, whether he likes it or not volume will make the profit.
 
cliffa said:
o_O Took me a while to see what you meant. :D

Are they Spondon trolleys I wonder?
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They're the same engine dollies that I used to use when in engine build.
To be honest, to me, the Bennetts video shows a VERY modern facility with nothing but the future in mind. I doubt you'll see much more of 961 stuff out those doors. But, I'm ready to stand corrected...see where we're at in 12mnths time.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
They're the same engine dollies that I used to use when in engine build.
To be honest, to me, the Bennetts video shows a VERY modern facility with nothing but the future in mind. I doubt you'll see much more of 961 stuff out those doors. But, I'm ready to stand corrected...see where we're at in 12mnths time.
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They appear to have quite a pile of stock that they are QA checking, only about 30% done so far. I’m guessing its mostly 961 parts and if 80+% passes, that‘s still a lot of bike bits/spares. Notwithstanding a couple of complete crash rebuilds, perhaps an extended 961 production run to use them up?
I’m up to the NEC on the 4th Dec for Motorcycle Live and I’ll pose the question to them. If they havn’t made an announcement by then.
 
StuartSF2015 said:
They appear to have quite a pile of stock that they are QA checking, only about 30% done so far. I’m guessing its mostly 961 parts and if 80+% passes, that‘s still a lot of bike bits/spares. Notwithstanding a couple of complete crash rebuilds, perhaps an extended 961 production run to use them up?
I’m up to the NEC on the 4th Dec for Motorcycle Live and I’ll pose the question to them. If they havn’t made an announcement by then.
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They'd probably need to run an answer through a team of lawyers before reciting it to you though haha
I dont know, but if I was a multimillion dollar company that had just bought a high end market brand that had gained a bad rep over recent years....would I want to associate myself with that previous custodian to the brand by continuing their old model range? Or would I keep my eyes on the future, and start as I mean to go on?
Obviously this doesn't help you or me at present, as for us, 961's is where its at....but we're such a minority in the biking community.
 
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Stu Bodycote said:
They'd probably need to run an answer through a team of lawyers before reciting it to you though haha
I dont know, but if I was a multimillion dollar company that had just bought a high end market brand that had gained a bad rep over recent years....would I want to associate myself with that previous custodian to the brand by continuing their old model range? Or would I keep my eyes on the future, and start as I mean to go on?
Obviously this doesn't help you or me at present, as for us, 961's is where its at....but we're such a minority in the biking community.
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If the opportunity presents, I thought I’d ask Dr Bob himself as he is part of our 961 owning minority.
 
ntst8 said:
44teeth website has an interview, www.44teeth.com/norton-motorcycles-a-new-era .
Under future models it is reported that the 961 is in the final stages of (re)development.
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I wish they would clarify "development."
Is it?:
1. Fixing the most problematic 961 components so the "40" they produce to satisfy old orders have acceptable reliability.
Or
2. Re-engineering the 961 with the expectation of using it in future models, not simply to build/complete the "40."

It's nice to know more, but there is still so much more we need to know.
 
BritTwit said:
I wish they would clarify "development."
Is it?:
1. Fixing the most problematic 961 components so the "40" they produce to satisfy old orders have acceptable reliability.
Or
2. Re-engineering the 961 with the expectation of using it in future models, not simply to build/complete the "40."

It's nice to know more, but there is still so much more we need to know.
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Looks like you bought a 2020 Speed Twin ? How you liking it ?
 
There isn't going to be a lot of the new V4's out there over the coming 1-2 years but us 961 lot will be buzzing around as well as the 40 new ones. It would be sensible to keep us brand loyal by helping with parts right now and in the future.
 
The impression I got that is the engine has been redeveloped and is under going tests for approval processes.
Thing is, no matter who visually designed the 961, it is good looking bike, so makes sense to carry it on for awhile.
I would not be surprised if they are checking through 961 parts, they have been stung on quality in the past, some owners did the quality control with severe accidents. Ask around the Midlands, I suspect many companies have parts on the shelf made but unpaid for, or still have the drawings - Alucast did casting for them. When I started at AN I was mistaken a few times as working for Garners outfit, the words aimed at me were not 'welcome, come and have a cup of tea' but more of torture until I paid the money he owed them.
 
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