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961 Total loss of power any ideas, please?

Hi

I have a 2012 961 5,500 miles. I was out on it last week doing 70 mph along the motorway. I suddenly lost all power. Once I'd come to a stop I noticed that there was no display on the 'dash' just as if the battery had been disconnected. After a few minutes when the key was turned the display appeared with neutral and oil lights appearing (but not engine management one). The engine turned over but didn't fire. The RAC man established that there was no spark and no power to the fuel injection unit. One of the fuses, top right which I think may be for the  under the rear seat had blown but replacing it made no difference. 

Has anyone had a similar experience and any idea as to the way to recovery, please? Thanks.

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Knowing absolutely nothing about a 961 ,I would look around for shorts ,damaged wiring,overheated components .

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I would contact the factory Gary as it is now repairing & servicing our bikes - sounds like one of the relays has blown

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Relays, they used cheap Indian rubbish, there is a Honda reliable replacement. Number of relays depends on year. There were also fake Bosch injectors and sensors used, replace with genuine.

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Was that deliberate ploy? If so people need to be charged with fraudulent practices.

 

Royal Enfield doesn't seen to personify these problems!

 

 

John

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Yes, it was deliberate, courtesy of Garner. He stopped it when the penny finally dropped the warranty work from all the bikes that failed before the first service. There is comprehensive list of what needed changing on Access Norton. Even then you are left with  dodgy clutch pins and the incorrectly engineered mounting of the starter gear ring.

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A big hank you to everyone who gave their help. Much appreciated. Cheers

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hello these 961's were a none starter from day one  and plagued with many issues  some owners have experienced  8 MoT related Issues with the first six months of owners ship  And taking the motorcycle back to the makers did not rectify  any of these issues  But just made thing worse for the owners   so were do you go from here,                                   yours  Anna J

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What would happen if you took off all the fuel injection and electronic ignition stuff and replaced it with old school carb and points?

In the UK I would presume that the bike would then not pass the MOT???

Could you then take the bike to France/Spain/Portugal and get it registered and then bring it back home on a "temporary" basis?

Would probably mean a lot of trips on the ferry?

Just thinking.............

Mike

p.s.: What would be the outcome of getting caught riding "dirty"?

 

 

 

In reply to by Xanna_jeannett…

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"None Starter", sorry Anna you are way off the mark with that comment.  Certainly they have had their problems but I for one will never be getting shut of my Sport 961, of course I have had issues with mine but all non Japanese bikes get faults, that's a fact of life and if you don't believe me look on the forums of any European made machine.

I was talking to an old fella up at Devils Bridge yesterday and he was telling me about his brand new 650ss that quite literally drank oil. He went down to Bracebridge Street and they gave him a new set of rings to put in,which made no difference at all. My three Commandos all had major problems, the Fastback broke a cam follower at 5000 miles, the 750 Interstate ate it's main bearings at 4000 miles, and the 850 Interstate rattled it's valve guides loose at 13000 miles. The point of all this is even old Nortons weren't perfect but some people repaired them and stayed loyal to the brand because there was just something about the bike that really appealed to them, and they were quite happy to forgive the manufacturer and carry on riding Nortons, some for the rest of their life.

The 961 wasn't a 'non starter' it was a slightly flawed engine within a great chassis and running gear, much like Norton's Jubilee and Navigator, and if social media had been around in the sixties some of the Norton bikes of that time would have got a slagging off I'm sure.

Pete

Well where do I start the list is as long as a toilet roll and the engine is well  flawed with many of this Chinese parts and cast of subariu u and pistons dodgie e cam sensers and rusts before the you eyes and that's the to start with 

Well where do I start the list is as long as a toilet roll and the engine is well  flawed with many of this Chinese parts and cast of subariu u and pistons dodgie e cam sensers and rusts before the you eyes and that's the to start with yours Anna j

Well where do I start the list is as long as a toilet roll and the engine is well  flawed with many of this Chinese parts and cast of subariu  pistons dodgie e cam sensers and rusts before the you eyes and that's the to start with yours Anna j 

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Spot on Peter. People tend to look back with rose tinted specs at earlier times with the Norton models around then forgetting the technical problems experienced. I’ve had a 650ss and three Commandos (still have two) as well as my 961 Sport Mk 1 which has had few problems all of which were small and easily fixed. For handling , performance and comfort the 961 has it over all the other Nortons I’ve had.

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Anna, instead of listening to other people's comments why don't you buy a 961 for yourself and try it ,there it is.you just might like it better than the old 'bone shaker Manxman' you trailer round 

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Anna,

Can i just ask have you owned or ridden a 961 ?

Kind regards,

Ian

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        Month after purchase flew it to Nova Scotia ,3 months &  8500 miles later shipped it back from Seattle , only near miss & hic up was me filling it with diesel on arrival,soon soughted though with a friendly Canadian , yes it’s a quirky bike that’s not entirely faultless but most of us modern bike luver,s just get on with it 

hello well the bone shaker is the 961 that vibes your teeth out not my nice rare smooth Norton manxman 650 and it give a 961 a run for it money  as Buying one  ON way on mother earth would I want to buy a 961 the best modern retro is the Honda 1100ex  now that a motorcycle  mate and cost far less then a 961 and dose its job far better  NO intrest in new Nortons and is that oil running down that kick stand                    yours  anna j 

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In  case it has esaped you, this started as a serious request for help and advise by a member with a real problem. We all know that the build quality and aftersales service with Donnington Nortons often left much to be desired, but as usual you fail to address the plea for help and spoil things with your remarkable ego

You love the manxman, that is your perogative, me I think it the ugliest version of the featherbed twins by far. I don't feel the need to belittle you for your choice .

If you have any informed advise to offer Gary, I am sure it would be welome.

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Have you ridden one or not Anna ?,

Would like your views from the saddle not just hearsay.

Kind regards,

Ian

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hello the problem  my be the ECU as failed  check or replace  yours  anna j

In reply to by ian_hind

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hello now I have had first hand information from Kenny Dreer the man that created this motorcycle  and from 26 different owners one I the Usa Has his Motorcycle in bits and find it hard to get replacement parts  Second  TVR will not be building any more after all orders are completed as this motorcycle cannot pass Euro 5  and electric motorcycle will be next so the commando 961 is now obsolete like the three I have  So with its part hard to obtain it will only be fit for a window ornament but only time will tell all     but enjoy wile it all lasts         Yours  anna j  

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Talking the talk is not the same as owning and riding one, for pitys sake its a NORTON and thats what were all on this forum for isnt it !!

Come on lets have some positive vibes and keep riding our Nortons and not being negative about every little thing.

Does anyone else feel the same way about their 961 ?

Yes its quirky but rides beautifully and dont they just look beautiful !

On your original issue Gary, i spoke to Norton this week and the repair/service side of the business is due to move to Derby from Castle Donington within the next 2 weeks so even if your not local you could talk to them about your issue. I spoke to them this week and they were giving me confidence in looking after existing customers.

961

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Hi Gary,

Did you get anywhere with your issue, the thread seems to have gone cold !

Kind regards,

Ian

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Submitted by Gary Fisher on Thu, 02/07/2020

Thanks

A big hank you to everyone who gave their help. Much appreciated. Cheers

 

I assume its fixed but no details on how it was fixed, which stops it being used to add to the database for future requests of the same type. Its likely to have been a relay or a sensor. Seems odd to ask for what to look at and then not say what the fix was but at least he came back and thanked everyone.

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Yes agree John , some of these faults are quite easily traced,repaired & rectified, those fuses have been known to of cracked, relays shake loose, there’s a quick blow fuse on main battery terminal lead under fuel tank , my 2016 had intermittent starting recently & it was just the micro switch at the clutch lever was mis aligned & not making ( parked my scooter too close) & it nudged it , that’s what u get for owning a scooter I guess , & just a heads up if u have a flat battery & want a quick solution without dismantling the tank to get to battery .

          Peel back the insulated cover on the positive terminal of the starter motor, place ur red jump lead here & the black negative one on any alloy part ,foot hanger/brake pedal etc , I’ve done this & it works .

         Those mobile starter packs look ok & but jumped the bike of a transit van on this occasion 

  

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A big thanks to all those who gave their time to trying to help with my initial problem. The problem has proved extremely elusive. I still haven't got the bike back but have heard today from the dealer that he has finally got it to spark. It appears there were two squashed/ broken wires under the tank. Fingers crossed that it all works when he puts it back together. :-)

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For all of those took an interest in my plight here is an update (and a big thank you).

The bike is still with the dealer . It has been a thirteen month (so far) process of elimination carried out against the background of Norton going bust and the disruption occasioned by Covid. This has meant that there are few original spares and a delay in the supply of replacements once identified. And apparently TVS aren't as forthcoming/helpful as they originally indicated they'd be (perhaps they realised what a can of worms they may be opening?!).

As far as I understand the problem appears to lie with a component inserted between the tilt sensor and the ECU which was fitted as part of a factory refit to convert the remaining MK I E3 bikes to E4 which means it doesn't appear on the wiring diagram for the Mk I and was not required on the MK II. If any one has any details on it I would love to hear from you!

Whilst this is a tale of woe please don't feel too sad. As a  consequence of the absence of the Norton I have purchased a Kawasaki Z900RS which in truth is probably the best bike I've ever ridden and at least it means I can have some fun on the 150 mile round trip to see the 961 ! (which I do miss)

Ride safely.

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One person seriously injured, one continental owner dead after surviving the first failure but not the second time it happened. A member who returned the first bike and the second had a habit of cutting out mid bend at night with no lights. And today, an owner with a 2015 bike that leaks fuel out of the cap in bends. As much as I think it is a good looking bike, own a 961, no thanks.

Maybe Dr Robert has all the answers as he proudly owns one. I'm sure one of the directors or presidents have a direct line. 

I have similar problems with my 2016. Have been throwing parts at it, still not sparking,  Have you found anyone that has the tilt component.  Changed all relays and fuses. The tilt sensor is working, head temp sensor is working.  Thinking of purchasing a cam sensor, If anyone has this component I'll buy it also.  Good luck to both of us!!!!

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Good Morning  Gene     Sorry to hear you are having problems and much like Robert Tuck, you have asked a genuine question.  Please be prepared to have a variety of non 961 Owners tell you how bad your purchase is, why your shouldn't have etc etc.   This is the only active topic forum where on this site where the negativity outweighs the positive.   Please look at any of the other topics on this forum and you will not see anyone and I mean ANYONE berate the owner for the purchase of his/her particular bike.   That said there have been some genuine offers to assist above. I suggest that you contact Stuart Bodycote who is a invaluable resource for all 961 problems.  He is the 961 technical  representative  on here and he is also on Access Norton, Facebook etc  His company is Motorvated (The Approachable Norton!!!!!!!!!)   Best of luck and ignore the trolls.

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 Yep Graham’s on the money there , Stuart has fixed more 961,s for service & repairs than anyone else in the UK this year , so contact him , you will be glad u did. 

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The tilt switch is also used on a modern Triumph, part T2502405 (Switch , Fall Detection), copied from the the Accessnorton forum which has a list of alternative parts at the top of the "Norton Commandos (Modern)" page.

Ollie Thiel at Thiel Motorsports in Germany has a selection of parts, and has developed a number of fixes. He has also been very responsive to queries when i was compiling my list of parts.

 


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