50th anniversary Cafe Racer

I had lusted after a Norton for several years but was put off by the price. Mind you I had never seen one in the flesh and when you do that and see the quality and the fact that they are hand built in the UK with 83% UK parts, its makes you re-consider. Add to that they had this limited edition 50th Anniversary model with £4500.00 of extras thrown in, that tipped it for me on the day.
 
I was really looking forward to picking it up but two daughters who can drive have gone back to uni, wife doesn't like driving motorways and the weather is bound to be inclement/shit so don't want to be cleaning it after a ride home. I did go see it during the build so did enjoy that. So having it delivered probably by www.thebikemovers.co.uk

Try and get my first 500 done and then get the short pipes fitted, remap, probably decat and maybe replacement reservoir pots fitted (hate those placcy ones)
 
Looking good! I spoke to Olivia on Tuesday and it would seem that my 50th Cafe is now built :)
 
The embroidered Norton logo on the seat back is a nice touch.
Lovin' it.
 
Welshrugby said:
I had lusted after a Norton for several years but was put off by the price. Mind you I had never seen one in the flesh and when you do that and see the quality and the fact that they are hand built in the UK with 83% UK parts, its makes you re-consider. Add to that they had this limited edition 50th Anniversary model with £4500.00 of extras thrown in, that tipped it for me on the day.
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Great News , I hope that Norton can sell many more in the future. I also look forward to the V4 being ridden and rated as well.
 
MxMartin said:
Looking good! I spoke to Olivia on Tuesday and it would seem that my 50th Cafe is now built :)
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I think they are waiting on a delivery of those little bar end mirrors so I guess like me you will get yours maybe next week or the week after, exciting eh
 
Britfan60 said:
That is freaking gorgeous. Love that titanium.
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Yes, i hope it looks good when all the bits and pieces are back on, I did wobble and wonder whether I should have gone for the black but I think it will look good. Several guys at the Norton factory said they preferred it
 
Welshrugby said:
I think they are waiting on a delivery of those little bar end mirrors so I guess like me you will get yours maybe next week or the week after, exciting eh
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Yep, Olivia explained that it was just the bar end mirrors stopping Norton from ticking all the boxes. Excited is an under statement!
 
I am hoping for a delivery before March (with or without the bar end mirrors) so I can measure up parts for a rear thumb brake conversion (disability) and have the bike registered on the road for 1st March, an XX18 plate has a wider margin for trimming down than an XX67 lol
 
March, corr blimey, can't wait that long, hoping next week. Can you explain the rear thumb brake conversion thingy. I have a black and white 7x5 plate all ready with a private plate (wot a poza)
 
Welshrugby said:
March, corr blimey, can't wait that long, hoping next week. Can you explain the rear thumb brake conversion thingy. I have a black and white 7x5 plate all ready with a private plate (wot a poza)
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Got a call today, the mirrors are in stock, my bike has had it's pdi and according to the mechanic 'is running sweet' (and so I should think so lol). It will be picked up from Norton Friday and delivered Friday/Saturday!

I smashed up a 750 Commando some 40+ years ago and I can no longer operate a right side foot brake. I usually make a left side brake adaption but last year I put a thumb brake on my bike (becoming std for a lot of circuit riders/stunt riders) and it gives me enough leverage/feel to be useful on the road, so I shall be doing the same on the 961. On a Cafe I can mount the brembo lever on the left fork leg and run a hydraulic hose down to the ABS. I think I can get away with using a larger reservoir for the clutch and this will also feed the thumb brembo.
 
MxMartin said:
Got a call today, the mirrors are in stock, my bike has had it's pdi and according to the mechanic 'is running sweet' (and so I should think so lol). It will be picked up from Norton Friday and delivered Friday/Saturday!

I smashed up a 750 Commando some 40+ years ago and I can no longer operate a right side foot brake. I usually make a left side brake adaption but last year I put a thumb brake on my bike (becoming std for a lot of circuit riders/stunt riders) and it gives me enough leverage/feel to be useful on the road, so I shall be doing the same on the 961. On a Cafe I can mount the brembo lever on the left fork leg and run a hydraulic hose down to the ABS. I think I can get away with using a larger reservoir for the clutch and this will also feed the thumb brembo.
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Hard core, man. Glad you're still riding. Effin hardcore.
 
MxMartin said:
Got a call today, the mirrors are in stock, my bike has had it's pdi and according to the mechanic 'is running sweet' (and so I should think so lol). It will be picked up from Norton Friday and delivered Friday/Saturday!

I smashed up a 750 Commando some 40+ years ago and I can no longer operate a right side foot brake. I usually make a left side brake adaption but last year I put a thumb brake on my bike (becoming std for a lot of circuit riders/stunt riders) and it gives me enough leverage/feel to be useful on the road, so I shall be doing the same on the 961. On a Cafe I can mount the brembo lever on the left fork leg and run a hydraulic hose down to the ABS. I think I can get away with using a larger reservoir for the clutch and this will also feed the thumb brembo.
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Hi - good news about your bike. When I got my 961 I was amazed at how small the foot brake pedal is - it seems difficult to put any pressure on it and when operated by itself does not seem to offer much retardation. Reading a random bike review recently it implied that with ABS the rear brake is of no practical use any more. Seems a bit difficult for us older riders to get used to but I find the front brakes excellent. I wonder what others think. Regards Clive
 
Clive said:
When I got my 961 I was amazed at how small the foot brake pedal is - it seems difficult to put any pressure on it and when operated by itself does not seem to offer much retardation. Reading a random bike review recently it implied that with ABS the rear brake is of no practical use any more. Seems a bit difficult for us older riders to get used to but I find the front brakes excellent. I wonder what others think. Regards Clive
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Certainly most modern rear brakes are pretty useless on their own as anchors. I usually only touch the rear brake if I need to adjust my approach into a corner or use in combination with the front if I need to stop in a hurry. I am surprised that the review dismisses the rear brake if ABS is fitted, my 'other' bike has ABS and I feel a lot more confident in using the rear without it locking on me. Most of the time I only use the front brakes, the rear brake being just a legal requirement. 80% front, 20% rear seems to be about the norm for me :)
 
I forgot to ask Clem this but does the new 50th model have an alarm or at least an immobiliser? I am going to use an Abus Granite X68 disk lock and the 16mm Pragmasis chain which should be enough I hope.
 
I don't think it has an alarm/immobiliser. I'm going to invest in some of those blank 12 bore tripwire 'alarms' for my garage :)

As an update, my Cafe will be with me tomorrow afternoon... unregistered but that shouldn't stop me from sneaking in a quick half-mile run up the lane lol
 
Up the lane, have you gone for nobbly tires and now its a 961 scrambler. There's no crime in lincolnshire so you should be ok. Had a call today and mine is just awaiting a road test so I think Friday next week I should have it. Sorted my multi bike insurance with carol nash. 1000 miles pa on my V7 and same on the Norton, something like £270 for both inc breakdown
 
Perhaps catch up with some of you chaps at the Norton bbq nights during the summer. I am normally a lone rider and don't cover too many miles, but if the weather is good this year, Donnington Hall could be on my radar
 
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