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Anniversary models

Submitted by alan_coath on Thu, 08/03/2018
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Modern Nortons

Just a question which owners of anniversary models might be able to answer. Do these bikes still have a badge on the yoke saying "Hand built at Donington Hall"? It doesn't seem clear from the brochure I picked up.

Submitted by alan_clarke2 on Sat, 10/03/2018

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Previously alan_coath wrote:

Just a question which owners of anniversary models might be able to answer. Do these bikes still have a badge on the yoke saying "Hand built at Donington Hall"? It doesn't seem clear from the brochure I picked up.

Hi Alan, I've just picked up my anniversary Sport and mine doesn't say "handbuilt at Donnington Hall" the "dashboard" for want of a better word is now black and mine says 9/50. The new California may say something different because I seem to remember the Yoke and dashboard on them is polished alloy.

Cheers Big Alan Clarke, Shenstone Branch Sec.

Attachments dscn0529-1-jpg

Submitted by alan_coath on Sun, 11/03/2018

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Many thanks for reply Alan. That's interesting since Norton have always made a big thing about the hand built aspect of the 961 and I personally thought the badges looked good and gave the bike even more kudos.

I'm curious now as to why Norton have done this, after all the 9/50 is etched at the top and there is still plenty of space for the badges where they were. I might check it out with the factory.

Cheers Alan

(I hope you are liking your shiny new machine by the way. I've taken delivery of various new bikes over the years and it's always a special moment you never forget.)

Submitted by alan_coath on Mon, 12/03/2018

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I've contacted the factory and they say none of the anniversary models have the badges. The recesses in the alloy, where you could place these labels, have also now gone.

This is a real shame and, although to some it may seem trivial, to me it's actually quite a big deal.

Submitted by clive_astley-mynd on Sat, 17/03/2018

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As an only-just-pre-anniversary CR owner I rather agree - originally I thought the top yoke 'badges' looked a bit cheap but I like having them. The decision to omit them was probably taken with not much thought.

Sets me thinking there could be some sort of 'like to have' official thread and voting system that the factory can see where they judge the popularity of any changes/ potential changes. Market Research?

Submitted by alan_coath on Sat, 17/03/2018

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Previously Clive Astley-Mynd wrote:

As an only-just-pre-anniversary CR owner I rather agree - originally I thought the top yoke 'badges' looked a bit cheap but I like having them. The decision to omit them was probably taken with not much thought.

Sets me thinking there could be some sort of 'like to have' official thread and voting system that the factory can see where they judge the popularity of any changes/ potential changes. Market Research?

Brilliant idea Clive! I would support that.

I believe the situation with the badges is something to do with the use of Dominator yokes/clock surrounds on the anniversary models. I'm not sure though whether new standard models will revert to badges, will try to find out from dealer next week.

Submitted by alan_coath on Sat, 17/03/2018

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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

The press slated the badges on first release. This may be the reason

I wonder if that was to do with the wording on the badges or the actual quality of them? I personally think the wording was great and really set the bike apart from "ordinary" machines. I'm sure quality could have been sorted if there was anything wrong with it.

A new standard bike, ordered by someone who didn't like carbon fibre I believe and didn't want an anniversary model, is due to arrive at my local dealers next week, so I'll get to see if the factory has reverted back to badges.

 


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