Sluggo, I have followed the 961 forum closely since it started, in fact I was one of those who supported its creation. There are all kinds of 961s with big problems. Bushman has taken his apart to figure out what was causing all of the noise and vibration. Most owners are not capable of this, so they ride them as is or until something lets go.
There are also many electrical problems causing non-start, stall etc. And then there is the oil in the airbox issue.
The comparison to modern Triumphs is not in favour of the 961. You just get on the Triumph and ride, forget about wrenching. Change oil, change tires, ride and repeat. It almost feels wrong after a few years.
John Bloor said when he started that they would overengineer the bikes rather than produce problematic machines. He knew that the company wouldn't survive a lemon model.
There are all kinds of early Hinckley Triumphs still running around having done huge mileage with very little trouble. The AC Bonnies routinely run over 100k miles without difficulty. The Triples might be even stronger. So no comparison, or at least not one that would be helpful to Norton.
The Vincent motorcycle / Amanda Water Scooter analogy is an apples to hand grenades analogy.
Vincent had already proven themselves as a more than competent builder of motorcycles. In 1948, they built the first production vehicle of any type capable of 150 mph. It was ten years later when Mercedes managed to do the same with a car, the first on 4 wheels to do so.
Vincent completed the 1 year, 100,000 mile all-weather Tony Rose road test and other durability tests.
They set many speed records and still hold records ( unfaired motorcycle, 216 mph) .
Along the way there were many " World's firsts" including the rear suspension design patented in 1926 ( and copied by Yamaha in 1980)
There wasn't much left to prove.
So , being an inventor, Phil Vincent invented and patented the world's first personal water scooter. Some development might be expected. The basic concept was good, modern versions are plentiful.
So the Amanda was an invention, the very first machine of its kind.
In 2010, when the first 961 appeared, it was not the first motorcycle. It was not an invention.
We had mountains of knowledge from more than a century of development and the construction of millions upon millions of motorcycles, including Vincents.
Im not aware of a single " World's first" or " World's Only" on the Norton 961.
Its just a fairly standard, relatively low performance, very nice looking motorcycle trying to fill a niche market. It uses many standard parts built by others ( Ohlins, Brembo, etc)
What's clearly missing is quality control.
I'm hopeful that Norton will pull it together, but they seem to have forgotten the 961 and the 961 owners. Or perhaps they know that there is no easy fix.
The latest bikes do seem to have fewer problems than the pre- 2016 bikes ( but still oil in airbox on some?), so there is some progress.
So Norton, while you are on to the next great thing, don't forget the 961 and the owners who plunked down their hard-earned in good faith!
BTW, Sluggo, I greatly enjoy your posts, tons of good info in them.
Glen
