What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

A friend of mine has a TL1000 Suzuki V-twin. I think it might be frightening. There seems to be something about the suspension which makes it undesirable, but nothing which could not be fixed. I rode a Z900 Kawasaki years ago when they first arrived. To me, it felt like a British 350. I was used to featherbed frames - I always seemed to be bashing myself on something. I used to race my short-stroke 500cc Triton in All-powers races against Z900 and H2 Kawasakis. They were very fast in a straight line, but hopeless in corners. My greatest fear was in entering a corner behind them, and having nowhere to go. The worst bikes I ever rode were the Honda CB750, and a Triumph Trident 750.

 
I had a TL1000. Suzuki used an "experimental" rotary damper with a torsion bar spring rear suspension. To be kind, the rear suspension was a disaster. The damper was also charged with nitrogen, with no way to check or replace the charge. The stock bike could be pushed to very violent wheel hop under breaking. Everyone I know who owned a TL bought the Bitubo replacement suspension kit, which was a normal coil over shock unit, that solved the problem. The motor had a beautiful, torquey power delivery. Then the bike was a blast to ride.
 
BritTwit said:
I had a TL1000. Suzuki used an "experimental" rotary damper with a torsion bar spring rear suspension. To be kind, the rear suspension was a disaster. The damper was also charged with nitrogen, with no way to check or replace the charge. The stock bike could be pushed to very violent wheel hop under breaking. Everyone I know who owned a TL bought the Bitubo replacement suspension kit, which was a normal coil over shock unit, that solved the problem. The motor had a beautiful, torquey power delivery. Then the bike was a blast to ride.
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When I saw the one my mate has, I thought it looked good. I think it even has 4 valves per cylinder. I was offered a Ducati Monster, but would not go there. Some people like the thought of a lot of top end power - it is a bit of a fallacy. A lot more can be done with loads of torque. My first race bike was like a bad dog - one false move and it would bite.
 
NorTriDuc said:
By after market, do you mean oem supplier? Or the aftermarket as in non oem parts?
I don’t see the aftermarket ever doing the 961 as not many were ever made or sold.
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By aftermarket I mean “after TVS” . Frankly the sooner TVS drops the 961 the better . You will then see the Asian suppliers start to let parts trickle out. I am looking to Megacycle in CA , to develop a cam for me . At least they will look into it . All I have to do is give them a stock cam , a OEM hydraulic roller lifter , and a check for $200. If they decide to move forward , then I just pay for the cam grind. It will be hard welded and ground back. Fingers crossed they will move forward.
 
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TonyA said:
I don’t see a 750 yet. I would never buy one anyway. It’s Speed Twin or Norton for me.
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Yes, I love my Speed Twin, but just saying I heard that the interceptor will have improved aesthetics, and a 750 engine.
Some who can't afford a Triumph or Norton might take a look at the Interceptor.
Its got that classic BritBike styling.
Compared to the first RE I saw - I think back in 2012, the brand has come a long way.
Not a bad looking machine at all. Overall sound quality, and readily available parts now.
 
TonyA said:
By aftermarket I mean “after TVS” . Frankly the sooner TVS drops the 961 the better . You will then see the Asian suppliers start to let parts trickle out. I am looking to Megacycle in CA , to develop a cam for me . At lest they will look into it . All I have to do is give them a stock cam , a OEM hydraulic roller lifter , and a check for $200. If they decide to move forward , then I just pay for the cam grind. It will be hard welded and ground back. Fingers crossed they will move forward.
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I’m interested to see and hear more about your cam. Have you considered having you spare head ported? Do the stock heads come from factory with valve seat angle grinds? Interesting to hear if anyone knows the cc and cfm flow numbers.
 
NorTriDuc said:
I’m interested to see and hear more about your cam. Have you considered having you spare head ported? Do the stock heads come from factory with valve seat angle grinds? Interesting to hear if anyone knows the cc and cfm flow numbers.
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I would like to get it ported , but I don’t know where to inquire. City Garage said to try Hammer performance. Whether or not there were original 3 angle grind I can’t say. But they certainly got it on the new head . I had it done when I received the head along with new valves , springs , retainers and collets.
 
Triumph make awesome bikes I know, but rarely turn my head - a little too ubiquitous now (for me) I suppose. An unfortunate symptom of their success.

This 2026 Trident I really like the look of though. Wouldn’t mind a ride given the opportunity so I’ll be watching my local Triumph dealer.

IMG_3315.jpeg




Downloaded and fed my first statement into ChatGPT, just for the hell of it. Not sure how I feel about chatting with a bot!! Think I’ll give it a miss!:oops: Seems to generally agree with you though, so basically the opposite of chatting with the wife!!

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