I am contemplating the purchase of a Commando 961 early next year, so I have subscribed and will be watching with interest. Just across the river from you in W-s-M.
Welcome to the channel. Let me know if you do get one, I’ll be interested to see what you think. I’m heading to Williams Norton near Bristol tomorrow to have a look around. Norton owner’s club, we’re doing a breakfast run to check out the bikes 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial I had an 850 Commando mk3 over 40 years ago, before I was married and ...well, nostalgia. I visited the Norton stand at Motorcycle Live and filled out a form to test ride a bike from the factory, but that seems to have come to nothing, so, now the weathers improved, I am going to ride up to Williams to have another sit and possibly arrange a ride. My preferred buy would be a used bike with a few miles on the clock, but as I said, the money will not be available until the end of the year (pensions and all that), so plans might change between now and then.
I have just purchased a 2015 with 2014 miles on her. Not been used in 4 years. Corrosion on the rear swingarm and heel guard on right hand side. Chain guard snapped off. Oil leak from inline filter ( but I've noticed not all models have an inline filter ? Other than than she just needs a good clean and polish as all the shinny was dull. Fitted radial master cylinders Micro indicators Bar end mirrors Tail tidy with a nice pressed metal 5x7. Managed to get a decat link pipe from Krazy Horse.
Fantastic! So many of these bikes don’t get ridden. Doesn’t sound like there’s too much wrong, a few bits and pieces to sort. Just in time for Spring! I hope you enjoy riding her. Thanks for your comments. Cheers 👍🏻
Hi David, I’m just waiting for some half decent weather to make that episode! Hopefully in the next few weeks. I just bought a Givi dry bag to go in one of the panniers. Makes it easier to take stuff out of the pannier. So I’ll review that at the same time. Cheers.
Oh, l was hoping for a video detailing the broken gearbox analysis on your 'Dominator ' You have said you're back on the road with another gearbox fitted but have not mentioned much about this subject or bike which l think many 961 owners would be interested in. I see you've mentioned a 'chipped gearbox tooth' on an answer but no photos or about what caused it and did its companion on the other shaft show any sign or clues. Perhaps the people who did the gearbox swap hadn't got the time to start a forensic analysis but l think an opportunity missed.
Hi there, I’ll see what I can do for a future video on this topic specifically. When I put the Domi in for the gearbox to be swapped over I’ll speak to the mechanic, see if I can get some photos etc of the damage caused. I’m not mechanically minded myself so I do have to rely on what my mechanic says and can show me, but I’ll certainly see what I can do. Thanks for the comments and feedback, I’m always on the lookout for topics for future videos 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial Aah, l see well its good to know where ones limits are and when to pay out for someone who does it for a living. It will probably be too late now but thanks for the reply. Id like a 961 but as you say elsewhere a network of enthusiasts is required due to obvious reasons.
Just a minute, in one answer in the 'Short' video (and elsewhere) you say the 'Dominator' is 'back on the road' then you say its still to be booked in to be done. Why is this??
Some. eBay, Access Norton forum and 961 owners on Facebook parts do come up from time to time. The TVS factory did indicate to me they would sell spares to Donington bikes but it depends what they have in stock. Clearly they’re more supportive of their own bikes.
Yes that’s me. That was on my 961 Dominator, chipped gear tooth caused a complete lock up. Managed to locate a replacement gearbox, it’ll be fitted in the next few months 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial Ah ok. Thanks for being honest, this is the trouble with Norton, in a nutshell, their reliability or lack of. I am very tempted by the new 961 but worry that its just waiting to go wrong, because it will go wrong and then you are more or less on your own sorting stuff out. I will follow your videos with interest though.
Thanks for the channel, helped me to finally order a new 961 SP today..
That’s fantastic! I hope you enjoy, let me know how you get on with it 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial Get it in a week or so when its registered. Too wet to ride a demo, but the noise tipped me over the edge lol...
@@Merch131ho they do sound amazing
@@NortonUnofficial Make an interesting comparison to my own Norley, Norton frame, old Harley engined special..
BTW with their discount of £2024, at paid £15K which felt ok for a hand built bike, with such high end components.
I am contemplating the purchase of a Commando 961 early next year, so I have subscribed and will be watching with interest. Just across the river from you in W-s-M.
Welcome to the channel. Let me know if you do get one, I’ll be interested to see what you think. I’m heading to Williams Norton near Bristol tomorrow to have a look around. Norton owner’s club, we’re doing a breakfast run to check out the bikes 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial I had an 850 Commando mk3 over 40 years ago, before I was married and ...well, nostalgia. I visited the Norton stand at Motorcycle Live and filled out a form to test ride a bike from the factory, but that seems to have come to nothing, so, now the weathers improved, I am going to ride up to Williams to have another sit and possibly arrange a ride. My preferred buy would be a used bike with a few miles on the clock, but as I said, the money will not be available until the end of the year (pensions and all that), so plans might change between now and then.
I have just purchased a 2015 with 2014 miles on her.
Not been used in 4 years.
Corrosion on the rear swingarm and heel guard on right hand side.
Chain guard snapped off.
Oil leak from inline filter ( but I've noticed not all models have an inline filter ?
Other than than she just needs a good clean and polish as all the shinny was dull.
Fitted radial master cylinders Micro indicators
Bar end mirrors
Tail tidy with a nice pressed metal 5x7.
Managed to get a decat link pipe from Krazy Horse.
Fantastic! So many of these bikes don’t get ridden. Doesn’t sound like there’s too much wrong, a few bits and pieces to sort. Just in time for Spring! I hope you enjoy riding her. Thanks for your comments. Cheers 👍🏻
The discoloured downpipes are a real eyesore on those bikes imho of course.
Thanks for your feedback. I try to keep on top of it, I use Mothers metal cleaner but it takes ages - and I'd rather be riding! Cheers
Your video just popped up on my phone, looking forward to seeing "my" panniers in a future episode👍
Hi David, I’m just waiting for some half decent weather to make that episode! Hopefully in the next few weeks. I just bought a Givi dry bag to go in one of the panniers. Makes it easier to take stuff out of the pannier. So I’ll review that at the same time. Cheers.
Thanks for the interesting content.🙂
My pleasure, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel
Look fwd to your reports. Cheers!
Thanks so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it.
Oh, l was hoping for a video detailing the broken gearbox analysis on your 'Dominator ' You have said you're back on the road with another gearbox fitted but have not mentioned much about this subject or bike which l think many 961 owners would be interested in.
I see you've mentioned a 'chipped gearbox tooth' on an answer but no photos or about what caused it and did its companion on the other shaft show any sign or clues.
Perhaps the people who did the gearbox swap hadn't got the time to start a forensic analysis but l think an opportunity missed.
Hi there, I’ll see what I can do for a future video on this topic specifically. When I put the Domi in for the gearbox to be swapped over I’ll speak to the mechanic, see if I can get some photos etc of the damage caused. I’m not mechanically minded myself so I do have to rely on what my mechanic says and can show me, but I’ll certainly see what I can do. Thanks for the comments and feedback, I’m always on the lookout for topics for future videos 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial Aah, l see well its good to know where ones limits are and when to pay out for someone who does it for a living.
It will probably be too late now but thanks for the reply.
Id like a 961 but as you say elsewhere a network of enthusiasts is required due to obvious reasons.
Just a minute, in one answer in the 'Short' video (and elsewhere) you say the 'Dominator' is 'back on the road' then you say its still to be booked in to be done.
Why is this??
The first 6 months, you opened your garage and thought..." am I in Heaven? "... I live in the Midwest USA and I see more purple unicorns than Nortons.
Hopefully that will change, I think TVS have the ambition to take the brand global again, but it will take time.
@@NortonUnofficial when it goes global...send me a John Player replica. Ride safe!
Take you 5 days to get out of Wales at 20mph but otherwise fair play mate.
lol can't argue with that one! Cheers
great 😁
Thanks for your feedback 👍🏻
Nice! Which generation/era Commando is this?
Thanks a lot for your feedback, I really appreciate it. It’s a first gen Commando, Mk1 produced at the Donington factory. 2015 model year.
Are there spares available for the garner produced models ?
Some. eBay, Access Norton forum and 961 owners on Facebook parts do come up from time to time. The TVS factory did indicate to me they would sell spares to Donington bikes but it depends what they have in stock. Clearly they’re more supportive of their own bikes.
Weren’t you the chap whose gearbox locked up? If so what happened about that.
Yes that’s me. That was on my 961 Dominator, chipped gear tooth caused a complete lock up. Managed to locate a replacement gearbox, it’ll be fitted in the next few months 👍🏻
@@NortonUnofficial Ah ok. Thanks for being honest, this is the trouble with Norton, in a nutshell, their reliability or lack of. I am very tempted by the new 961 but worry that its just waiting to go wrong, because it will go wrong and then you are more or less on your own sorting stuff out. I will follow your videos with interest though.