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Commando 961 MK1 starting issues

Submitted by ian_hind on Sat, 07/12/2019
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Modern Nortons

Hi all,

My Dad has an issue with starting his 961, the bike turns over quite well considering its quite cold and this is usually an issue with both our 961's, anyway i digress once it starts it only runs for seconds and then stops. At ignition on we hear the pump run up and we can smell that there is some fuel getting through. Just wondered if anyone had come across this issue before, i can see possibly that it will have to be interogated via a computer at Norton or a dealer.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Kind regards,

Ian

Submitted by james_fanning on Sun, 08/12/2019

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Have experienced this a few times on my Mk 1 Sport during its now seven years of life. Never really got to the bottom of the problem because it always eventually runs OK after stalling several times a few seconds after starting from cold. Never does it when engine is warmed up. What I do note however is that this has not happened so far when battery is well charged. Suggest starting with a lowish battery takes too much out of it causing a momentary voltage drop until bikes charging system takes over and in those first few moments of low voltage the sparks fail. Otherwise bike has performed really well with no major issues.   

Thanks James,

Sounds very similar to the issue my Dad is having, however his battery seems really strong but the issue sounds identical to yours. Could it be the cold weather thats affecting it, problem is now that the electronic brain is factoring in so many things at start-up. Mine had a bit of a wobble this weekend and suddenly at start-up the engine started racing away until i did a couple of HSR`s on the system (Hardware, Software reset) in other words off and on a few times.

Kind regards, Ian

Submitted by ian_hind on Wed, 11/12/2019

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Hi all,

Is there anyway yet to access the ECU and look at faults on a 961 or is it still locked down to Norton Motorcycles only ?

Regards,

Ian

Submitted by ian_hind on Fri, 13/12/2019

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Hi all,

Still struggling with my Dads 961, changed the plugs just for elimination purposes but still no good. Seems to be a fuelling issue as it starts briefly then stops every time. Any help would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Ian 

Submitted by gerald_allen on Fri, 13/12/2019

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Does the 961 have a vacuum fuel tap? I'm not familiar with the model but I had similar problems with my Yamaha SRX, the engine would fire from cold and run roughly for a few seconds and stop. After repeating this several times the engine would run a bit longer roughly, then slowly warm up and run normally. Never had the problem when starting a warm engine. After trying everything else I changed the fuel tap and no more problems. I think the cause was the engine wasn't turning fast enough to pull a sufficient vacuum to fully open the tap so fuel was restricted and so the  engine stopped.

Just a thought.

Good thought Gerald,

But the 961 has no fuel tap but might be worth looking at the pipes and QR connectors.

Kind regards,

Ian

Thanks Alan,

I have looked on Access Norton already but not actually raised a new query, will raise one with them if i don`t get anywhere today.

Kind regards,

Ian

Submitted by ian_hind on Wed, 18/12/2019

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Hi Guys,

Just to put this one to bed, my Dad ended up having the bike collected by Norton in Donington as we had no way of interrogating the ECU to check for faults.

After a day at Norton my Dad got a phone call to say it was an issue with the starter motor and they managed to swap a module from a spare starter they had (Not the motor itself).

Picked it up today and all is good, unfortunately the technician was out and i never got to chat to him about the technicalities of the issue.

Kind regards, Ian

 

Submitted by greg_cairns on Sat, 01/02/2020

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Hi guys

Just reading your concerns,I have just broken a starter shaft and was lucky to have it lodged on my gearshift and not in my primary gears, the shaft is a poor design and will not take the load of cranking the 961 over so I am asking does anyone having the same problems,if so do we have any solutions? I have a $34,000 bike that I can't ride and have been told I have to buy a new starter ($1000 Aus) Is this a problem and can I get parts from Norton after their announcement this week? We have had several shaft breakages in Australia and a lot of unhappy owners,so can anybody help us on this issue with the 961 Sport 2015 model?

Submitted by john_holmes on Sat, 01/02/2020

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Go on to Access Norton and look out for richard-7 who has developed many fixes for the 961 including the starter. The starter itself is an adapted Harley starter and best replaced with a genuine Harley starter with the same adaptions, there are loads of sub standard copies about and Norton were saving money by buying the cheapest.

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/starter-motor.29603/

Submitted by greg_cairns on Wed, 05/02/2020

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Thanks John,I have contacted Richard-7 and he and his Father are looking into it for me, they have been very helpful as Im down in Australia so am looking forward to working with Richard to solve this poorly designed shaft.I will keep you posted.

Greg Cairns Newcastle,Australia.

 


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