Good job mate. Great to see an unusual bike being used, not just a garage queen! I think, between our trip and this one, you've probably done more milage in 2 trips, than most owners do in a year?! 😁 Good review too, great information. Ok, so, what's next? 🤔
Thanks for this video. I have a new 961 Cafe Racer with a fly screen and its actually not too bad at 80mph. I can easily maintain this for a few hours without needing any orthopedic surgery ! The issue with the wire wheels is easily solved by having them converted to tubeless. The carbon wheels are really nice but unfortunatly BST don't make them for the newer ABS equipped bikes. Another useful mod is to convert all the bulbs to LED. Improves visibility and hopefully they will last longer. An H4 LED main bulb improves the headlight performance no end. Regarding tank bags, SW Motech also do a ring that fits. I shall be taking my Cafe Racer to the IoM this year which will be interesting....
Nice looking bike. I did the NC500 on a CB1100ex with no issues. It has higher bars than yours so your instincts are sound I think. I had a givi rack on the back and two soft bags one on top of the other. Highly recommend a screen if your doing the miles.
Is this a Garner or TVS 961? I ask because the problems you have i.e relatively high oil consumption and vibration plagued the Garner built bikes - which is surprising for a 270 degree twin with balancer shafts. The oil consumption is comparable to my 1975 Mk3 Commando (1,000 miles/pint) which benefits from silicon carbide cylinder bore coating, modern spec. pistons and rings and valve guide bore to valve stem at the correct tolerances. One 961 owner claimed his bike was a licence saver due to the vibration being so bad he didn't go above 70mph. My 50 year old 828cc Interstate will cruise at 80mph all day with no discomfort from vibration. I can only conclude the 961 was a bad design from the start. The Hinckley Triumph twins don't seem to have theses problems.
Hi I am really pleased you have a solution for hanging panniers on the 961, please can you let me know where you had them from and the model of GIVI panniers you have used Iain Bentley
Hi Iain, they were custom made. I bought them from a 961 owner who bought them second hand from another 961 owner a couple of years ago. If you are looking for a rack best place to check is accessnorton forum or the 961 Commando owners group on Facebook. The Givi panniers are monolock system so any monolock panniers will fit, I have the 30 litre Trekker Dolomiti panniers. Cheers Jonathan
First I heard of it. I do know of 961 owners in The Netherlands, Italy and Germany, as well as America. And other UK owners have ridden their 961’s into Europe.
Nice to see a Norton being properly used. Interesting video thanks
Thanks for your feedback. Yeh she’s no garage queen this 961, sadly too many are
Good job mate.
Great to see an unusual bike being used, not just a garage queen!
I think, between our trip and this one, you've probably done more milage in 2 trips,
than most owners do in a year?! 😁
Good review too, great information.
Ok, so, what's next? 🤔
Thanks mate, I appreciate it
Thanks for this video. I have a new 961 Cafe Racer with a fly screen and its actually not too bad at 80mph. I can easily maintain this for a few hours without needing any orthopedic surgery ! The issue with the wire wheels is easily solved by having them converted to tubeless. The carbon wheels are really nice but unfortunatly BST don't make them for the newer ABS equipped bikes.
Another useful mod is to convert all the bulbs to LED. Improves visibility and hopefully they will last longer. An H4 LED main bulb improves the headlight performance no end.
Regarding tank bags, SW Motech also do a ring that fits.
I shall be taking my Cafe Racer to the IoM this year which will be interesting....
Thanks for your comments and the extra tips, very helpful. Hope you have a good time at the IoM, that’s on my bucket list
Thank you for sharing sir
Thanks for sharing
Nice looking bike. I did the NC500 on a CB1100ex with no issues. It has higher bars than yours so your instincts are sound I think. I had a givi rack on the back and two soft bags one on top of the other. Highly recommend a screen if your doing the miles.
Hi thanks for your comments and feedback, much appreciated. Ride safe 😎
Is this a Garner or TVS 961? I ask because the problems you have i.e relatively high oil consumption and vibration plagued the Garner built bikes - which is surprising for a 270 degree twin with balancer shafts. The oil consumption is comparable to my 1975 Mk3 Commando (1,000 miles/pint) which benefits from silicon carbide cylinder bore coating, modern spec. pistons and rings and valve guide bore to valve stem at the correct tolerances. One 961 owner claimed his bike was a licence saver due to the vibration being so bad he didn't go above 70mph. My 50 year old 828cc Interstate will cruise at 80mph all day with no discomfort from vibration. I can only conclude the 961 was a bad design from the start. The Hinckley Triumph twins don't seem to have theses problems.
Hi
I am really pleased you have a solution for hanging panniers on the 961, please can you let me know where you had them from and the model of GIVI panniers you have used
Iain Bentley
Hi Iain, they were custom made. I bought them from a 961 owner who bought them second hand from another 961 owner a couple of years ago.
If you are looking for a rack best place to check is accessnorton forum or the 961 Commando owners group on Facebook.
The Givi panniers are monolock system so any monolock panniers will fit, I have the 30 litre Trekker Dolomiti panniers.
Cheers
Jonathan
Would you mind posting if you find a brand of bar risers that fit the 961? Cheers
Hi, yes I will do
I was informed that the Norton Commando 961 cannot be ridden outside of UK ? ..is this a thing ?
First I heard of it. I do know of 961 owners in The Netherlands, Italy and Germany, as well as America. And other UK owners have ridden their 961’s into Europe.