Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961

worntorn said:
2006 was the peak year for UK builds.
The VIN will show the manufacturing plant location for your bike.
The 11th digit will be a J, or a T or an M.
J is for Jacknell Road, UK
T is for Thailand
M is for Manaus, Brazil
My 955 has a J here, the Thruxton a T.

In researching this I was surprised to learn that some Ducatis are built in Thailand as well as scads of Ohlins components.
Then there's Italian Brembo with its one half million sq ft manufacturing hub in China. Seems to be the way it is in 2022.

 Glen
Click to expand...
My 2006 T100 was a "J" stamped Bonnie, assembled in the UK.
But the forged crank flywheel had "Made In Japan" embossed on it.

The whole question about - what does it mean to say made in the UK or the USA is really irrelevant.
Globalization has made it a moot point - the pendulum will never swing back to the West again.
Reduced manufacturing costs, and raw materials, lack of enforced environmental regs, low taxes, and government controlled unions make Asia the manufacturing site of first preference for companies, and financial institutions.

Startups have to go to Wall Street financial institutions for their investment cash. These institutions evaluate the startup's chances of success. If good, they receive their cash at favorable terms. The lower the evaluation, the less likely that startup is of receiving its requested amount, or favorable terms.

If that company decides to manufacture in China, or another Asian nation, they are far more likely to get favorable term from lenders. Wall Street has been part of the whole de-industrialization in the US for nearly 30 years. They show no intent to change this behavior, why should they, they're making money by the boat load.

Americans like to buy cheap throw-away s**t, so we all have a responsibility for this too.
 
Even back in the days of the original Commando many of the frames were manufactured in Italy.
The 750 and 850 Commandos are considered as British as can be, and they are ...other than the parts that aren't.
 
Voodooo said:
Yeah but you said 20% of triumph was / is built in UK and I’m not believing that. Only 2 bikes are made in the UK and I’m leaning more like they’re assembled in the UK.

They claimed my TFC was built in the UK and the book that came with the bike as it’s showing them being built are all by Asian workers.

I’m not disagreeing with your claim about 2006 955. They also said the new rocket 3 and the Daytona are made in the UK.

It’s been going on way before 2022.
Click to expand...
My understanding is that Triumph announced a return to volume production in the U.K. and that they intended to increase it to 20% ish.

That announcement wasn’t long ago, so they can’t already be there.

But if / when they do, it’s a good thing.

It’s also clever cos a mixed production footprint will return them to the situation where it’s unclear where a bike was built, encouraging folk to believe it was in Britain !
 
Does the UK have a required % British content to legally claim "Built-In the UK" for motorcycles?
60%, 75%, 80%?
 
It's claimed that the herald is 85% manufactured in the UK
I'd like to know if that's true ?
All seems odd to me that a Chinese company would do that
 
I'm just glad they are hanging in there and offering a good alternative to the usual stuff. They are also aware of a certain old guy market that others are trying for but just can't quite get right.

I went to the new bike show a few years ago and looked at hundreds of new offerings.
From a styling standpoint , there were only 3 that I could get interested in-
Two Triumphs and the 961.
My BMW riding friend ( same age as me) said the same.
We weren't at the show for very long!

Glen
 
Last edited:
worntorn said:
I'm just glad they are hanging in there and offering a good alternative to the usual stuff. They are also aware of a certain old guy market that others are trying for but just can't quite get right.

I went to the new bike Show a few years ago and looked at hundreds of new offerings.
From a styling standpoint , there were only 3 that I could get interested in-
Two Triumphs and the 961.
My BMW riding friend ( same age as me) said the same.
We weren't at the show for very long!

Glen
Click to expand...
Sadly, I have had the same experience at the IMS in NYC in recent years, before COVID.
I do see the Royal Enfields having a nice classic styling, the quality has gotten better over the years as well.
But for me, slim pickings otherwise.
 
Yes, today I would add the Enfield Interceptor to that list.
It seems to be like a less powerful version of the modern Triumph Bonnie- vintage styling, modern reliability and smooth running.
 
baz said:
It's claimed that the herald is 85% manufactured in the UK
I'd like to know if that's true ?
All seems odd to me that a Chinese company would do that
Click to expand...

baz said:
It's claimed that the herald is 85% manufactured in the UK
I'd like to know if that's true ?
All seems odd to me that a Chinese company would do that
Click to expand...
From the articles I've read, the older bikes were rebadged Chinese bikes while the latest are assembled in UK from Chinese parts. The engine comes from China fully assembled.
So the big pieces are
stuck together in the UK, according to MSN.
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
worntorn said:
From the articles I've read, the older bikes were rebadged Chinese bikes while the latest are assembled in UK from Chinese parts. The engine comes from China fully assembled.
So the big pieces are
stuck together in the UK, according to MSN.
Click to expand...
My local herald dealer is a bit naughty
He told me that the parts were manufactured in the UK
But the engine came complete from China
 
This is from their website.
Supposedly, the Brute 500 is made in the UK.
Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961
 
It might be like the Made in Canada utility trailer I recently purchased. It has Canadian Maple Leaf emblems plastered all over it and the website states" Made right here in Canada by Canadian workers"
Every component on it is marked "Made in China"
 
We should probably start a new thread to continue the "Made In" discussion.
But even the US Federal Trade Commission website has confusing rules about requirements for justifiably claiming "made in USA."
Must be able to prove more than 50% of components in your product are manufactured in the USA.
But the site also suggests that other claims could be used.
For instance, if all the parts are manufactured offshore then it can me claimed that your product was "Manufactured in the USA with imported parts", or "Assembled in the USA."
Obviously, the other two claims are just an attempt to confuse buyers.
 
I do my research to buy nearly nothing made in China. My hands are tied with televisions, radios, and phones. But I also understand and disappointed that even if it says made in USA that some of the parts are made in China.

I really hope my Dualit toaster is 100% made in England. I love that toaster.
 
BritTwit said:
Does the UK have a required % British content to legally claim "Built-In the UK" for motorcycles?
60%, 75%, 80%?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it can be easy to work around them. For example, source parts in China but route them through another company in the U.K. first and then buy them from them. Bingo, U.K. purchased parts.
 

I was tempted to add the 961 to the conversation but a part of me is hoping that door is still open .
 
Hmmmm, so heritage IS that important to the new Norton company.
They're not just talking the talk of heritage, they are investing pretty heavily in it.
Me thinks that Norton is aiming their products at those who already have a sense of Norton's past, an affinity for its history and accomplishments, and brand loyalty.
For just young buyers? Probably not.
 
speirmoor said:

I was tempted to add the 961 to the conversation but a part of me is hoping that door is still open .
Click to expand...

Did you notice the drip pans ? Maybe they should just drain out the oil , they won't be started anyway ? Wow 55 vintage Norton's purchased ! That would be a museum . And the 961 is part of that history guys .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top