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Italy next year

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

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Previously terry_woods wrote:

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

Hi what date are you leaving ..Ron

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Previously ronald_forsyth wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

Hi what date are you leaving ..Ron

Hi Ron no firm plans made yet other than accommodation and Rally booked, we will finalise plans in the new year, wots your ride.

T

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Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously ronald_forsyth wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

Hi what date are you leaving ..Ron

Hi Ron no firm plans made yet other than accommodation and Rally booked, we will finalise plans in the new year, wots your ride.

T

I will be sending my 961 Sport over so there will be a group of us hopefully in Italy.I can't take the time off work to make the ride down and back unfortunately. Its going to take what 4-5 days each way.. what an epic ride guys! Shouldtease the reliability questions out.

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Previously dave_sheppard wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously ronald_forsyth wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

Hi what date are you leaving ..Ron

Hi Ron no firm plans made yet other than accommodation and Rally booked, we will finalise plans in the new year, wots your ride.

T

I will be sending my 961 Sport over so there will be a group of us hopefully in Italy.I can't take the time off work to make the ride down and back unfortunately. Its going to take what 4-5 days each way.. what an epic ride guys! Shouldtease the reliability questions out.

I think I did that year before last we rode to the Ulster GP from Kent with no issues. I didn't do a major trip last year Graham was saving all his pennies for his new Domie. Time off is a big issue for me to so times gonna be tight, see you there. T

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I am surprised that Terry estimates the time for this to be 4-5 days each way. Three years ago a friend rode home from Rimini to Liphook Hampshire non-stop apart from some rests at Motorway services. I think the difference can only be down to his choice of machine. Like myself he rides a BMW RT Airhead Boxer for touring.

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I am surprised that Terry estimates the time for this to be 4-5 days each way. Three years ago a friend rode home from Rimini to Liphook Hampshire non-stop apart from some rests at Motorway services. I think the difference can only be down to his choice of machine. Like myself he rides a BMW RT Airhead Boxer for touring.

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Previously peter_holden wrote:

I am surprised that Terry estimates the time for this to be 4-5 days each way. Three years ago a friend rode home from Rimini to Liphook Hampshire non-stop apart from some rests at Motorway services. I think the difference can only be down to his choice of machine. Like myself he rides a BMW RT Airhead Boxer for touring.

Peter

I didn't estimate any time for this yet!!!! I'm used to 500-700 miles a day on long runs but on ZZR 1400 and zx12's not on 961's and anyway and not wishing to be rude "whats your point" adventure man?

Terry

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Three members from Shropshire are going maybe four, one of which will be 961 mounted. Thinking about the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing and maybe avoiding Switzerland.

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Well I am going on a hard as nails neoprene postage stamp that masquerades as a saddle on my 961 Dominator. 700 miles plus per day is not a problem normally, (on a touring or sports style bike) but 1. I don't think that the bike and/or me is built for that type of mileage a day and 2. I want to hark back to the 'suck it and see' days. No firm plans, no hotels booked (other than the site), no roads chosen. Time will be tight as this a busy period at work but if I don't do it now then when! I can carry minimal luggage, tools etc But I never listened when I was told I couldn't tour or for that matter work on a Honda SP1. No matter what happens I will have a laugh. Something will go wrong, it always does one way or another it will get sorted and anyway they are just more stories to tell. I think we are looking at three days down and three back. Frequent coffee and backside breaks will dictate. Look forward to riding there or part of the way with anyone who is up for it.

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Previously david_evans wrote:

Three members from Shropshire are going maybe four, one of which will be 961 mounted. Thinking about the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing and maybe avoiding Switzerland.

Hi

Why would you avoid Switzerland?

If you guys are passing by I would try to meet you, for example at this place (situated just on the way south next to the autobahn):

http://www.acecafeluzern.ch

I am always eager to meet other Norton enthusiasts esp. owners of a 961. So, if someone plans to come this way, let me know which day...

Raphael, Switzerland

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Going via Switzerland will save time for those in a hurry but is pricey due to the French and Swiss tolls. Using either Calais or Le havre gives roughly a 870 mile run. I live on the south coast of the UK and have used both French ports, as starting points but still found the journey to Italy, including through Switzerland, a two day ride on my Norton. Eight hours of riding per day was quite enough for my backside and wrists.

Those riders trying to avoid a Swiss soaking will find the Northern alternative via Austria difficult to navigate if you have not done it before. It can be an eyes and map ride as SatNavs and Mobiles sometimes struggle to get a signal.

The other route via France is very scenic and my favourite choice. From Le Havre it is as quick as the Swiss route but is equally expensive due to the tolls if you take the motorways. However, there are several really good non-motorway roads you can take but the town & village speed limits do add time to the journey. The ride across the French Alps towards Turin is just amazing but does test the nerves slightly.

For those brave bodies taking their 961s all the way to Rimini, don't forget that you need to consider a fuel stop around every 130 miles.

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Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

Previously david_evans wrote:

Three members from Shropshire are going maybe four, one of which will be 961 mounted. Thinking about the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing and maybe avoiding Switzerland.

Hi

Why would you avoid Switzerland?

If you guys are passing by I would try to meet you, for example at this place (situated just on the way south next to the autobahn):

http://www.acecafeluzern.ch

I am always eager to meet other Norton enthusiasts esp. owners of a 961. So, if someone plans to come this way, let me know which day...

Raphael, Switzerland

Hi Again still not sure what route we are taking but a visit to the Ace in Lucerne sounds good. Will let you know nearer the date. Regards

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Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously peter_holden wrote:

I am surprised that Terry estimates the time for this to be 4-5 days each way. Three years ago a friend rode home from Rimini to Liphook Hampshire non-stop apart from some rests at Motorway services. I think the difference can only be down to his choice of machine. Like myself he rides a BMW RT Airhead Boxer for touring.

Peter

I didn't estimate any time for this yet!!!! I'm used to 500-700 miles a day on long runs but on ZZR 1400 and zx12's not on 961's and anyway and not wishing to be rude "whats your point" adventure man?

Terry

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Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously ronald_forsyth wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

How many 961 owners are riding down next year ?

Two of us are starting off from South London, any others up for riding down with us.

Hi what date are you leaving ..Ron

Hi Ron no firm plans made yet other than accommodation and Rally booked, we will finalise plans in the new year, wots your ride.

T

Hi Terry I am thinking of a 1947 inter or 1935 inter. I live north ...I usually go Hull >>Zeebrugge saving the boring ride south ....I usually do it in 2 days. Doing 400 or 450 a day ....I always ride to my destination it is more fun ....I usually camp but this year I think my body won't pass the mot test so it maybe digs

Ron

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Not sure if my insurance is valid for Switzerland as it's not in the EU. I haven't checked the small print yet. Euros acceptable in Switzerland?

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Hi David,

I would be rather surprised when your insurance wouldn't be valid for Switzerland...

At some places in Switzerland you may directly pay with Euros, not sure if at the Ace Cafe they accept Euros though. But normally you get a much better exchange rate if you draw money from a cash machine.

If we could manage to meet at the Ace (depends on the day and time), I will buy you a drink there and can also change you Swiss Francs for the normal rate.

Raphael

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Hi all

I feel a plan coming on, the Ace sounds like a good idea and maybe a convenient meeting place for the ride into Italy, and Graham before you get to exited about mountain twisties remember your fear of heights, hehe.

Some of you mention the high cost of tolls, how much we talking here? Terry

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Just as supplementary information: theAce Luzern is closed on Mondays.

Toll for use of Swiss highways (autobahn) is CHF 40 that is max. 40 EUR for one year unlimited mileage. You get a sticker for 2016 on the border. You can pay for fuel with Euros at all petrol stations.

I don't know about French tolls, those depend on mileage...

Raphael

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If you are going thro Switzerland you don't need to pay any motorway tolls in france if you go via Lux ,its just boring free motorways. I have done this many times in a 30 year old 3 ton wagon with 60Hp ,2 very long days to northern Italy . Its entirely do-able but a deadly bore.

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Did ask today and got following answer:

Yes, you can pay with Euros in the Ace Cafe Luzern. Exchange is 1 Swiss Franc = 1 Euro, change will be given in Swiss Francs. Above 20 Swiss Francs they accept MasterCard and Maestro.

Hope this info helps...

Raphael, Switzerland

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Hi Raphael, Can you buy the toll charge fee before you get to the border or is it only there. Thanks in advance Graham

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Hi Graham

If you arrive on the autobahn A5 (Germany) resp. A2 (Switzerland) you can choose the right lane - which means the second one from the left - as indicated for buying it directly at the border crossing to Basel.

There is also one service area about 20 km before the Swiss border in Germany where you get the sticker which is also indicated on a road sign... BTW the sticker must not be visible on motorbikes but must be attached, I did put it under the air box.

Other places I do not know... Maybe on the internet you can find more information.

Regards, Raphael

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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

The info was perfect and again thanks for your help Hope to see you in May !

Hi All

January is all but gone, should those that are riding down together start to plan stuff ??

Terry

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Looks like just you and me then! But if anyone else is interested we are thinking to meet up with Raphael at the Ace Cafe in Lucerne. I think we are leaving on the 23rd, meet in Lucerne on the 24th then ride the remainder on the 24th and 25th. Drop me a message if interested in meeting up. And as for road tolls I know that it goes against the grain to pay for some things, but we are not exactly riding cheap bikes and we will need to cover a fair distance. I would prefer 'A' roads all the way but thats just not practical. The tunnel both way is less than £100 so I think we can afford to splash out another £40 on the tolls.

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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

Looks like just you and me then! But if anyone else is interested we are thinking to meet up with Raphael at the Ace Cafe in Lucerne. I think we are leaving on the 23rd, meet in Lucerne on the 24th then ride the remainder on the 24th and 25th. Drop me a message if interested in meeting up. And as for road tolls I know that it goes against the grain to pay for some things, but we are not exactly riding cheap bikes and we will need to cover a fair distance. I would prefer 'A' roads all the way but thats just not practical. The tunnel both way is less than £100 so I think we can afford to splash out another £40 on the tolls.

A tad trite not supprising you have no friendswink

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I reserved me a day off on Tuesday 24th and would be pleased to meet you at the Ace and ride a bit South with you guys! May be others might decide to join...

Raphael

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Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

I reserved me a day off on Tuesday 24th and would be pleased to meet you at the Ace and ride a bit South with you guys! May be others might decide to join...

Raphael

I look forward to it

Terry

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Hi Graham, are you still serious about riding your Dominator down to Italy? Most I've done so far on mine non-stop is about 75 miles. That's after already accumulating nearly 500 miles in total. Now that doesn't sound like much (and it's not). But the riding position is a chiropractor's dream!

The seat doesn't bother me, the wrists have improved over time as have the forearms etc. But the area of greatest discomfort is my neck. It has improved over time but 700 miles a day would be very difficult and probably very painful in my opinion without significant training! I'm in good shape, relatively young (50) and work out a few times a week.

How many miles do you have on your Dominator so far?

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Hi Ian. The bottom line is not enough miles. I am also just short of 500. This is the least I have ever put on a bike and normally I would have done this within the first week of ownership.

But I do intend to ride. Like you the saddle doesn't worry me and I've managed to sort out my neck problems. I work outside and do a lot of manual work so my shoulders and neck are used to taking a battering. My only real problem is my right hand goes numb with the vibration after as little as twenty miles so I have been practising relaxing my arm when on runs.

I know this sounds sad but where I live they have a tendency to salt the roads at the first sign of it being a it cold and I really did not want to expose the bike to too much. I will be doing longer and longer runs as the weather gets warmer.

My previous bikes included a naked Kawasaki W650 which was styled as a cafe racer and a Honda SP1. I toured on both. A naked bike obviously has disadvantages but I have covered similar mileages on both. In fact I did over two thousand miles throughout Spain on the SP1 in a week.

That said I do not think it will be an easy run. The total journey from Calais is around nine hundred miles give or take. We are meeting with Raphael at the Ace in Lucerne on the second day so the journey will take two or three days. I am not looking to set any records and as my previous post suggested I want to hark back to the old days when we only made loose plans. We will leave on the Monday so I hope will have ample time.

Fancy joining us? If nothing else it will give the bike a good shakedown

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The only place you'll find salt in New Zealand is on your food! Which unfortunately means I won't be able to join you. I used to get a bit of numbness in my right hand particularly as I tried to constantly modulate the throttle during the early part of the run-in.

I used to think I was a bit of a hard man in my Lotus Elise driving from Tuscanny to The Hague non-stop - but clearly that was luxury travel! But good to hear with more saddle time I should end up being reasonably comfortable.

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Ian excuses, excuses. By my calculations is only 12,000 miles or so and several large water masses. I promise you by the time you have ridden to Rimini you will be at one with your bike!!!

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Don't tempt me! When I moved back to NZ I shipped the Elise to Jacksonville, Florida and drove across the States to L.A. Managed a track day at Laguna Seca and did the 'Tail of the Dragon' in Tennessee. Of course being a British sports car it broke down on a number of occasions on the way which is of course essential to any memorable trip!

Valentine's today, the wife wanted Oysters who was I to argue. Great excuse for a little run out to the coast for a dozen fresh plump Clevedon Oysters. Only 50 miles round trip but felt great the whole time.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/iwilson/Norton/IMAG0071_zpszzccicfy.jpg

Attachments imag0071-jpg
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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

Hi Ian. The bottom line is not enough miles. I am also just short of 500. This is the least I have ever put on a bike and normally I would have done this within the first week of ownership.

But I do intend to ride. Like you the saddle doesn't worry me and I've managed to sort out my neck problems. I work outside and do a lot of manual work so my shoulders and neck are used to taking a battering. My only real problem is my right hand goes numb with the vibration after as little as twenty miles so I have been practising relaxing my arm when on runs.

I know this sounds sad but where I live they have a tendency to salt the roads at the first sign of it being a it cold and I really did not want to expose the bike to too much. I will be doing longer and longer runs as the weather gets warmer.

My previous bikes included a naked Kawasaki W650 which was styled as a cafe racer and a Honda SP1. I toured on both. A naked bike obviously has disadvantages but I have covered similar mileages on both. In fact I did over two thousand miles throughout Spain on the SP1 in a week.

That said I do not think it will be an easy run. The total journey from Calais is around nine hundred miles give or take. We are meeting with Raphael at the Ace in Lucerne on the second day so the journey will take two or three days. I am not looking to set any records and as my previous post suggested I want to hark back to the old days when we only made loose plans. We will leave on the Monday so I hope will have ample time.

Fancy joining us? If nothing else it will give the bike a good shakedown

Hello Guys I have decided to take my 961 sport in our works transit type van.So if anyone does have a problem there is a way to get your bike back to England! Will be great to meet up if anyone needs any spares or 961 parts or anything that might be a good idea to take I can fit in the van. Im thinking battery charger, spare fuses, tools, air pump,workshop manual what do you think? I am in Stourbridge West Midlands and hope to be at the AGM. 07711 682 342 hoping one of you is a good mechanic just in case!

Dave Sheppard

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Hi Dave Not a very good mechanic but an excellent bodger! Can normally get things to work after a fashion. Cable ties, gaffer tape and a couple of lengths of wire already packed. Terry (who is the far better mechanic) and I hope to be at the AGM as well. Are you travelling via Eurotunnel?

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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

Hi Dave Not a very good mechanic but an excellent bodger! Can normally get things to work after a fashion. Cable ties, gaffer tape and a couple of lengths of wire already packed. Terry (who is the far better mechanic) and I hope to be at the AGM as well. Are you travelling via Eurotunnel?

Hi Graham,

Ive booked accommodation at the rally site 26th-30thand I am going to see a couple of my business suppliers in Italy one near Lake Como on the way 25thand then another supplier near Rimini on the 26th.I will be goingvia Eurotunnelbut not booked up yet I need to look at that soon and plan the journeys. Happy to assist if you or Terrywant tools + bits and bobscarrying. What's your plan?

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Hi We are intending to leave on Monday the 23rd via Eurotunnel. Meet up with Rapheal at the Ace Cafe in Lucerne on the following day and ride the rest of the way on the 24th/25th. Your offer is very welcome and I may take you up on this.

Graham

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Previously graham_leblond wrote:

Hi We are intending to leave on Monday the 23rd via Eurotunnel. Meet up with Rapheal at the Ace Cafe in Lucerne on the following day and ride the rest of the way on the 24th/25th. Your offer is very welcome and I may take you up on this.

Graham

Hi Graham I will be going around then possibly a day behind you not sure yet need to plan it. Will be in touch and if we can meet up and chat at the AGM about the trip that would be great.

Dave

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Hi Dave,

I will be riding my 961SF there from Telford, Shropshire so not too far away from Stourbridge. I hope to be going with 3 others from Shropshire, 2 with bikes in a van and one other riding. We will be leaving earlier than you though, on Saturday 21st May and will arrive at the campsite on the Wednesday 25th. Would be good to meet up at the AGM though. Cool

Paul W

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I'm going with 8 other noccers and riding my Domiracer down. Going via Black Forest, Switzerland, Austria, Venice and onto the rally. Going home via central Germany and Brugge.

Should be be a great rally!

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Previously dominic_loram wrote:

I'm going with 8 other noccers and riding my Domiracer down. Going via Black Forest, Switzerland, Austria, Venice and onto the rally. Going home via central Germany and Brugge.

Should be be a great rally!

Dominic, do you already know when you will pass Switzerland? I meet up with two other 961s and will ride a bit with them to the South...

Raphael, Switzerland

 


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