Oil leaks on 961 MKII

My starter leaked from day one. Took 2 years, but Norton sent me a new one. Hasn't leaked since. Then again, I think they got tired of me "blowing my gasket". Yes. Pun intended.
 
I’ll let you guys know if the dealer comes to the party next week. I know that the CNW breather is a quality product. If no warranty cover I will purchase the CNW item, which I understand is the same as the Norton version (?). I’d like to keep the bike as standard as possible. The postage is almost as much as the item. The tyranny of distance!!!

Talking all things oil system related, I watched a couple of video’s on the oil change procedure. Both video’s showed a sump plug being of standard hex head type, which is useful as access is limited by the exhaust. Mine however, is a round sump plug with Alan Key recess. This makes access difficult because of the exhaust. Has anybody changed their plugs because of this or am I missing something? My guess that the owners in the videos may have done the same.

Long live Norton.

Steve
 
Took the Norton to my dealer today in Brisbane. Mechanic had it for a couple of hours and the oil leak is fixed. It was the Oil in Airbox fix, inline filter that was at fault. The internal ‘O’ ring was slightly dislodged. The Service Manager Shaun is going to try to order the Crank Case breather on warranty. Hopefully Norton will deliver. If not I will purchase on from CNW.

A great job again today by the dealer. Good service.

Steve
Sunshine Coast
 
I’ll let you guys know if the dealer comes to the party next week. I know that the CNW breather is a quality product. If no warranty cover I will purchase the CNW item, which I understand is the same as the Norton version (?). I’d like to keep the bike as standard as possible. The postage is almost as much as the item. The tyranny of distance!!!

Talking all things oil system related, I watched a couple of video’s on the oil change procedure. Both video’s showed a sump plug being of standard hex head type, which is useful as access is limited by the exhaust. Mine however, is a round sump plug with Alan Key recess. This makes access difficult because of the exhaust. Has anybody changed their plugs because of this or am I missing something? My guess that the owners in the videos may have done the same.

Long live Norton.

Steve


Oil leaks on 961 MKII
 
Not from AF1 but theirs should work too. This one is stainless steel from Dimple . Is the AF1 type a different colors ?
 
Not from AF1 but theirs should work too. This one is stainless steel from Dimple . Is the AF1 type a different colors ?
I bought the AF1. It's more a brassy color. Can't believe the prices of these things. My oil its still fairly new so I hope I don't forget where I stored the nugget of gold.
 
I’ll let you guys know if the dealer comes to the party next week. I know that the CNW breather is a quality product. If no warranty cover I will purchase the CNW item, which I understand is the same as the Norton version (?). I’d like to keep the bike as standard as possible. The postage is almost as much as the item. The tyranny of distance!!!

Talking all things oil system related, I watched a couple of video’s on the oil change procedure. Both video’s showed a sump plug being of standard hex head type, which is useful as access is limited by the exhaust. Mine however, is a round sump plug with Alan Key recess. This makes access difficult because of the exhaust. Has anybody changed their plugs because of this or am I missing something? My guess that the owners in the videos may have done the same.

Long live Norton.

Steve


I can 100% assure you the norton one is less quality. Sad but true. We invented the first transmission vent. It was then copied.
 
Hey Richard,

Appreciate your feedback as ever. As if on-q I have sprung another leak to prove the need for this breather, if any proof were needed! 250Km ride yesterday and the gearbox has sprung a minor leak from the grommet that surrounds the electrical cable coming from the Primary Case, adjacent to the Gearbox filler cap? When the mechanic fixed the in-line filter leak he untied and then re-secured all pipes/cables etc. In so doing this cable was pulled more tightly away from the Primary Case than it had been previously. This may have something to do with the leak.

I seem to remember reading about this leak elsewhere - can somebody please point me towards the thread in question, or provide any advice.

I am completely relaxed about these minor issues. Yesterday’s ride just reinforced to me what an awesome biking experience riding the Norton provides. The feedback this machine provides is exhilarating. I cannot see myself ever again buying a mass produced piece of Japanese plastic - no offence to anyone that owns such a bike. I find that I now have no interest. Long live Norton.

Steve
Sunshine Coast.
 
Hey Richard,

Appreciate your feedback as ever. As if on-q I have sprung another leak to prove the need for this breather, if any proof were needed! 250Km ride yesterday and the gearbox has sprung a minor leak from the grommet that surrounds the electrical cable coming from the Primary Case, adjacent to the Gearbox filler cap? When the mechanic fixed the in-line filter leak he untied and then re-secured all pipes/cables etc. In so doing this cable was pulled more tightly away from the Primary Case than it had been previously. This may have something to do with the leak.

I seem to remember reading about this leak elsewhere - can somebody please point me towards the thread in question, or provide any advice.

I am completely relaxed about these minor issues. Yesterday’s ride just reinforced to me what an awesome biking experience riding the Norton provides. The feedback this machine provides is exhilarating. I cannot see myself ever again buying a mass produced piece of Japanese plastic - no offence to anyone that owns such a bike. I find that I now have no interest. Long live Norton.

Steve
Sunshine Coast.


Hi Steve. Once you get a vent the pressure from the transmission will be gone. Then if you get a leak from the starter it’s because they forgot the seal.

Betting all will be fine after the vent.

And I agree. What a machine. As far as machines that give anaolog feedback. Like a 60’s Porsche 911. Riding a 961 is intoxicating. Tough to really pinpoint what you like most because there is so much to love.
 
Hi Steve. Once you get a vent the pressure from the transmission will be gone. Then if you get a leak from the starter it’s because they forgot the seal.

Betting all will be fine after the vent.

And I agree. What a machine. As far as machines that give anaolog feedback. Like a 60’s Porsche 911. Riding a 961 is intoxicating. Tough to really pinpoint what you like most because there is so much to love.
Ok so how much of a pain is it to replace the starter seal?
 
I have seen David Coote strip down a starter . I have only replaced the entire starter because of leaks and loud noises during starting. There are a few issues inside the starter that must be addressed. The bearing closest to the starting pinion must be a sealed type , that shaft it rides on must have a small o-ring like inner seal . And finally the starter body casting joints should be sealed with RTV in this area. This is what my last starter from Norton has . As I said in another thread , I replaced mine twice. The original Norton starter and a High Torque Chrome Harley starter both leaked . So don't go the aftermarket Harley route , unless you can strip it and make sure its all done. If you go directly to Harley and buy an OEM and pay OEM it should be leak free. BUT , if you're going to do that just buy the Norton Starter because these are now being built well with all seals leak free and smooth running.
Are both bikes doing it ?
 
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sorry for the question, is the starter Norton the same a Harley component?
If yes, which model?
 
I have seen David Coote strip down a starter . I have only replaced the entire starter because of leaks and loud noises during starting. There are a few issues inside the starter that must be addressed. The bearing closest to the starting pinion must be a sealed type , that shaft it rides on must have a small o-ring like inner seal . And finally the starter body casting joints should be sealed with RTV in this area. This is what my last starter from Norton had . As I said in another thread , I replaced mine twice. The original Norton starter and a High Torque Chrome Harley starter both leaked . So don't go the aftermarket Harley route , unless you can strip it and make sure its all done. If you go directly to Harley and buy an OEM and pay OEM it should be leak free. BUT , if you're going to do that just buy the Norton Starter because these are now being built well with all seals leak free and smooth running.
Are both bikes doing it ?
My dominator leaves a puddle of oil in the valley forward of the starter. Has since day one.
 
sorry for the question, is the starter Norton the same a Harley component?
If yes, which model?

This is the model that fits . BUT , I am not telling you to buy it ! Fitting is one thing , being happy is quite another !

Oil leaks on 961 MKII
 
My dominator leaves a puddle of oil in the valley forward of the starter. Has since day one.

Starter you have is for dry environment. Norton is in a wet environment. Only difference Internal seals like Tony said. Not a hard job. If you ride your Domi over we can take a look. Thats if you trust us. Norton (Rob) is telling people we are not to be trusted and we have not been trained to work on a 961. So you have to take your chances with us.


Although I do have an email from Norton asking us to sell them starters. Hhmmmmm...... so maybe you can trust us on at least the starter for your Domi
 
Starter you have is for dry environment. Norton is in a wet environment. Only difference Internal seals like Tony said. Not a hard job. If you ride your Domi over we can take a look. Thats if you trust us. Norton (Rob) is telling people we are not to be trusted and we have not been trained to work on a 961. So you have to take your chances with us.


Although I do have an email from Norton asking us to sell them starters. Hhmmmmm...... so maybe you can trust us on at least the starter for your Domi

I’m a car mechanic.
What do you mean dry and wet starter? Meaning marine?
I don’t think my body is capable of riding all the way to Canada on my Dominator lol.

Why the hell would Rob make such an insulting comment?
 
I’m a car mechanic.
What do you mean dry and wet starter? Meaning marine?
I don’t think my body is capable of riding all the way to Canada on my Dominator lol.

Why the hell would Rob make such an insulting comment?


Probably because Simon said to. The wet and dry part is where the starting gear is. In a car it’s usually DRY. In our Nortons is in oil. So the seal prevents the oil filling the actual starter with oil. The transmission vent is to reduce pressure pushing oil through the starter but even with the vent, it can get through by splash if you don’t have the internal seals. Harley starter works with a little modification. Meaning taking it apart and moving the position of the positive post. When Kenny Dreer designed this bike he used parts known to him. He is a Harley Drag racer hence all the Harley parts on a 961. If you haven’t noticed, because Kenny was so forward thinking, he even designed the engine cases to split in the frame meaning you can even swap the crank without removing the entire engine. Hes a smart guy.
 
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