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What's the chain for?

Submitted by donald_mann on Sat, 03/05/2014
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Modern Nortons

I recently purchased a Norton Commando 961 SF. This is the fisrt Norton I have ever owned. I previously rode a Yamaha Virago, 2 BMW's, 4 Moto Guzzi's.

I am wondering what the chain is for?

Submitted by howard_thompson on Sun, 04/05/2014

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It's a built-in safety device to help stop the engine from over-revving apparently. It was found that, without the chain, it was possible to rev the engine to the point where catastrophic engine failure was likely and, moreover, it could happen in any gear. Also, the 961 being a retro design, it was felt that a chain gave several visual links to the earlier days of motorcycling. HTH.

Submitted by robert_mackenzie on Sun, 04/05/2014

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Previously donald_mann wrote:

I recently purchased a Norton Commando 961 SF. This is the fisrt Norton I have ever owned. I previously rode a Yamaha Virago, 2 BMW's, 4 Moto Guzzi's.

I am wondering what the chain is for?

You are pulling my chain! I hope.

BOB

Submitted by iain_brown on Mon, 05/05/2014

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I thought i might post elsewhere and let others know about this - i could call it the "joining link" perhaps??

You are pulling my chain! I hope.

BOB

Submitted by tim_gostling on Tue, 06/05/2014

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Gentlemen, Donald has asked a serious question in good faith & whilst there has been an attempt to answer him, I feel thereâs no need for flippancy towards a new Norton owner, he may get the impression that we donât take this seriously.

I think you will find the purpose of âthe chainâ is simply to prevent the escape of the rear wheel in the event of a failure in the axle. This shows just how far advanced the British motorcycle industry is/was as we have been using this system for years, foreign manufacturers have yet to grasp the advantages. Even F1 have only recently introduced similar tethering systems to prevent wheels flying about in the event of a suspension failure or accident damage.

Regards, Tim

Submitted by guy_manning on Tue, 06/05/2014

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I think you will find the chain is there to grease the rear wheel rim to stop it looking nice.You will need to put some horrible sticky grease on it so at speed it will be thrown off around the engine, swingarm and wheel. You will also findthat its a right B*****d to clean off. Hope this helps.

Submitted by donald_mann on Fri, 16/05/2014

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Thanks for all the chain advice! ;)

I am enjoying the new Commando but I haven't put too many miles on it because of the horrble weather we have had here. The bike handles very well. The tranmission shifts very precisely and I find the shifts very quick and easy. I haven't had any trouble with finding neutral as some have complained. I like the Brembo brakes and I don't find them grabby, but I have Brembos on my Moto Guzzis so I am used to them.

The seat is hard but comfortable. I think I would find it a bit much on a day-long ride and a gel upgrade is probably in order.

As other have noted, the unsprung footpegs are a fiddle but I am used to them now.

When I bought the bike the dealer only had an Sport and an SE in stock. I opted for the Sport because I like the chrome wheels and I wanted to keep the cost down. When I went to pickup the bike, it turns out the shop owner's 80-year old father had bought the SE and he was already putting aftermarket mufflers on it. Apparently, he used to race Norton's many years ago!!! He is quite a character and he owns all kinds of vintage bikes.

The bike looks gorgeous and I get a lot of compliments on it.

 


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