Hello from Norton Factory

miss-information?

We already have one of those, the esteemed AJD...

And as for your: 'intension'

Relax, Man.....

Yours (tongue in cheek)

CBC

Previously simon_marshall wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post to introduce myself, and help explain my intensions here on NOC message board.

My name is Simon Marshall and I am one of the small team of Design Engineers here at the Norton Factory at Donington Hall, UK. Iâve been with the company since early 2012. There is a lot of positivity about the brand and the bikes here on the forum, which is great to see, but there is also some miss-information floating around. My intension here is to give an official factory response to some of the threads on the forum and help make sure the correct info is available to those who need it / want to listen to it.

Just a heads up however, Iâm only able to help out with 961 Commando and Dominator models that have been built here at the UK factory since 2010, so please donât ask me anything about sourcing parts for your 1955 Norton, I wouldnât even know where to start !

Hello Simon,

What a great idea should have been done years ago. Good luck to you and your team.

Den Bourne.

Previously simon_marshall wrote:

My intension here is to give an official factory response to some of the threads on the forum and help make sure the correct info is available to those who need it / want to listen to it.

This is very welcome and overdue. There have been some horror stories posted regarding Donington Hall. I am interested in inner workings, gossip, etc.

Simon........would it not be a smart move to have knowledge of models from all of the production years? I would have though that owners of the 2008 to 2010 models would need just as much support, if not more, in view of manufacturing and reliability problems that occured in those particular years. By setting a cut-off date you may already be building suspicion in the minds of owners of these Nortons.

Previously Phil Hannam wrote:

Simon........would it not be a smart move to have knowledge of models from all of the production years? I would have though that owners of the 2008 to 2010 models would need just as much support, if not more, in view of manufacturing and reliability problems that occured in those particular years. By setting a cut-off date you may already be building suspicion in the minds of owners of these Nortons.

Hi Phil,

From The Norton Motorcycles web site:-

The first Commando 961SE was delivered in 2010 and the success of the Commando 961 sees Norton Motorcycles return to production.

What bikes do you mean ?

Regards

Tony

I should remind Anna that Norton had to rely on Reynolds tubing for featherbed and Commando frames because producing them was beyond them and that, like everyone else, they relied on Lucas for electrics and , Amal for carbs, much else was bought in.

This does not diminish our esteem for the marque or our love of it.

Previously charles_bovington wrote:

I should remind Anna that Norton had to rely on Reynolds tubing for featherbed and Commando frames because producing them was beyond them and that, like everyone else, they relied on Lucas for electrics and , Amal for carbs, much else was bought in.

This does not diminish our esteem for the marque or our love of it.

Yes but silencers made in house has was the down pipes and all the tin ware and not much in the way of plastic products has for machine tools they old worn out tooling and sometimes needed a plank of wood to operate them but The Norton workforce was all skill men and women they had to be , yours Anna J

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously charles_bovington wrote:

I should remind Anna that Norton had to rely on Reynolds tubing for featherbed and Commando frames because producing them was beyond them and that, like everyone else, they relied on Lucas for electrics and , Amal for carbs, much else was bought in.

This does not diminish our esteem for the marque or our love of it.

Yes but silencers made in house has was the down pipes and all the tin ware and not much in the way of plastic products has for machine tools they old worn out tooling and sometimes needed a plank of wood to operate them but The Norton workforce was all skill men and women they had to be , yours Anna J

Anna, why in the name of the almighty can't you just wish Simon well in his new roll and hope for success for Norton's in the future.

Is it perhaps a Yorkshire trait?

We all know that Norton of old suffered from a massive under investment in machine tools and other equipment and standards of production were consequentially lower than would be accepted today but we love them nevertheless.

I bet Simon is now keeping his head well below the parapet. I hate to think what impression of the NOC he has gained. It can't be a good one.

I for one wish him the best of luck in his role at Norton and am looking forward to see the company prosper. A modern version of a Manx would be a nice idea...

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously charles_bovington wrote:

I should remind Anna that Norton had to rely on Reynolds tubing for featherbed and Commando frames because producing them was beyond them and that, like everyone else, they relied on Lucas for electrics and , Amal for carbs, much else was bought in.

This does not diminish our esteem for the marque or our love of it.

Yes but silencers made in house has was the down pipes and all the tin ware and not much in the way of plastic products has for machine tools they old worn out tooling and sometimes needed a plank of wood to operate them but The Norton workforce was all skill men and women they had to be , yours Anna J

Anna you should really go take a look and get the inside info on the new Norton company. It is not badge engineering and there is a real desire to source from the UK. Mr Garner is a real anglophile, you may be suprised how hard they try in a world of corporate compliance and consumer power. He makes his money doing other things; then ploughs it into making modern takes on iconic motorcycles. If you live near Doncaster, I'll take you! Jon

Oh dear Jonathan, you may have opened a can of worms there. She has already been, hence her opinions......

For my part, I wish the company well, and to achieve every success.

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Hi all,

Well, thanks for the warm welcomeâ?â?already I can see there is a need for an official factory input here.

I can confirm (both by looking at our VIN records, and being sat next to Mr Simon Skinner who was the very first employee to the new Norton back in Feb 2009) that we produced our very first Commando 961 bike in early 2010.

I can safely say that there is plenty of engineering happening here at Donington Hall, starting with our team in the design office who are responsible for the design and spec of every nut, bolt, washer, casting, forging and even safety warning labels you see on the current range of Norton Motorcycles. With regards to the assembly plant notion, we have a team of highly skilled welders fabricating all of our frames, foot controls, swing arms, Dominator exhausts, and Aluminium fuel tanks in house that would beg to differ, as well as every engine and motorcycle being hand built.

Currently approximately 80% of the motorcycle is UK sourced and with the new Government funding that is helping us design a new range of motorcycles that figure will increase, which is the premise behind the funding, re-shoring skills and increasing UK jobs.

But please, anyone is welcome to see for themselves and join us here on a factory tour at our production facility nestled in the 26 acre woodland grounds of Donington Hall.

As for any typos / spelling mistakes, Iâm an engineer so correct spelling isnât my strongest area; please give me a brakeâ?....

Welcome onboard Simon ! Looking forward to your input from inside Norton,

Best regards to all at Donnington,

Chas

Welcome onboard Simon ! Looking forward to your input from inside Norton,

Best regards to all at Donnington,

Chas

I'll second that! (And remove the second 'N' from Donington)

Regards

Roger

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Hi all,

Well, thanks for the warm welcomeâ?â?already I can see there is a need for an official factory input here.

I can confirm (both by looking at our VIN records, and being sat next to Mr Simon Skinner who was the very first employee to the new Norton back in Feb 2009) that we produced our very first Commando 961 bike in early 2010.

I can safely say that there is plenty of engineering happening here at Donington Hall, starting with our team in the design office who are responsible for the design and spec of every nut, bolt, washer, casting, forging and even safety warning labels you see on the current range of Norton Motorcycles. With regards to the assembly plant notion, we have a team of highly skilled welders fabricating all of our frames, foot controls, swing arms, Dominator exhausts, and Aluminium fuel tanks in house that would beg to differ, as well as every engine and motorcycle being hand built.

Currently approximately 80% of the motorcycle is UK sourced and with the new Government funding that is helping us design a new range of motorcycles that figure will increase, which is the premise behind the funding, re-shoring skills and increasing UK jobs.

But please, anyone is welcome to see for themselves and join us here on a factory tour at our production facility nestled in the 26 acre woodland grounds of Donington Hall.

As for any typos / spelling mistakes, Iâm an engineer so correct spelling isnât my strongest area; please give me a brakeâ?....

Hi Simon

A big welcome to the site from a happy and content 961 owner please ignore the trolls and keep posting.......Terry

... and another welcome from a satisfied Sport model owner. Justwent through its first MOT last week - no problem ,and compliments from the tester who reckoned it was aquality bike. Changed silencers back to the originals (have the louder twin ones fittednormally) thinking they woulddo an emissions test butneedn't have bothered as it turned out - the guynever looked at the exhaust system.

Previously roger_jordan wrote:

Welcome onboard Simon ! Looking forward to your input from inside Norton,

Best regards to all at Donnington,

Chas

I'll second that! (And remove the second 'N' from Donington)

Regards

Roger

Thannks Roger,

Chas

Hello Simon and welcome to the forum. I think it will be really beneficial to the club to have an insider view and the knowledge of the modern machines. I only own the older Nortons but I hope one day to add a modern incarnation to my stable. There is some nescience amongst one or two members, especially one who you have already come across, but we have put up with that person for years and does sometimes add to the humour.

Hello Simon. good luck with future ventures. Norton could do with making a big touring bike. also on the faster bikes frame options for the taller and smaller rider alike. just a thought. Baz

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post to introduce myself, and help explain my intensions here on NOC message board.

My name is Simon Marshall and I am one of the small team of Design Engineers here at the Norton Factory at Donington Hall, UK. Iâve been with the company since early 2012. There is a lot of positivity about the brand and the bikes here on the forum, which is great to see, but there is also some miss-information floating around. My intension here is to give an official factory response to some of the threads on the forum and help make sure the correct info is available to those who need it / want to listen to it.

Just a heads up however, Iâm only able to help out with 961 Commando and Dominator models that have been built here at the UK factory since 2010, so please donât ask me anything about sourcing parts for your 1955 Norton, I wouldnât even know where to start !

Hello.

Please can you:

1.Upload a dynamometer chart for a standard 961 showing rear wheel horsepower?

2. Advise what the expected standard oil consumption is for a standard 961?

3. Advise whether it is necessary to drain oil from the aorbox after "a good run" if so why and what constitutes a "good run"?

Thanks very much.

Hi Simon, you must feel like Daniel in the lion's den. I am sorry for that but thanks for trying to make contact and getting rid of what does appear to me to be [deliberate?] mis-information. It's a pity so many of us are firmly rooted in the "good" old days. I must say however Anna J's electric suggestion does have some mileage in it [especially bearing in mind the state of the atmosphere] but not to an emerging company - get established first then evolve.

Keep up with the good work you have started, don't be put off by the Luddards but adopt meaningful comment.

Roger

Previously charles_scouller wrote:

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post to introduce myself, and help explain my intensions here on NOC message board.

My name is Simon Marshall and I am one of the small team of Design Engineers here at the Norton Factory at Donington Hall, UK. Iâve been with the company since early 2012. There is a lot of positivity about the brand and the bikes here on the forum, which is great to see, but there is also some miss-information floating around. My intension here is to give an official factory response to some of the threads on the forum and help make sure the correct info is available to those who need it / want to listen to it.

Just a heads up however, Iâm only able to help out with 961 Commando and Dominator models that have been built here at the UK factory since 2010, so please donât ask me anything about sourcing parts for your 1955 Norton, I wouldnât even know where to start !

Hello.

Please can you:

1.Upload a dynamometer chart for a standard 961 showing rear wheel horsepower?

2. Advise what the expected standard oil consumption is for a standard 961?

3. Advise whether it is necessary to drain oil from the aorbox after "a good run" if so why and what constitutes a "good run"?

Thanks very much.

Charles

Why do you keep barking up the same tree when you have no intention of buying 961....check your posts... ??????

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post to introduce myself, and help explain my intensions here on NOC message board.

My name is Simon Marshall and I am one of the small team of Design Engineers here at the Norton Factory at Donington Hall, UK. Iâve been with the company since early 2012. There is a lot of positivity about the brand and the bikes here on the forum, which is great to see, but there is also some miss-information floating around. My intension here is to give an official factory response to some of the threads on the forum and help make sure the correct info is available to those who need it / want to listen to it.

Just a heads up however, Iâm only able to help out with 961 Commando and Dominator models that have been built here at the UK factory since 2010, so please donât ask me anything about sourcing parts for your 1955 Norton, I wouldnât even know where to start !

Simon,

Nice to hear from you, I received my SF in April this year after waiting 35 years since first being smitten by a 750 fastback. It was worth the wait and has pride of place between my other steeds, one German and one Jap. The speedo was replaced following electronic gremlins and it recently received a TSB14 kit. It will probably spend the next few months, except for sunny dry days, tucked up under cover. However I will ride it up to Donnington next year for a factory tour.

Thanks for taking part in this forum, I trust not too many people will make it too onerous an undertaking for you.

See you at the NEC

Stuart Peach

Hi Simon,

This is a truly great idea which can only benefit the new Norton company. I own a 2014 961SF and the support from the factory has been excellent. My bike has had it's share of problems but it's how you deal with those problems that is important. Communication on all levels is vital to keeping happy customers and I hope this input will only add to the support the factory can give. I wish you the best of luck

Paul Watkins

Simon, many thanks for being the brave man that puts his head over the parapet. Im a Sport owner and love the thing, even its little quirks.

Id take some of the posters on this particular forum with a pinch of salt though, youll soon get to know which ones....

Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously charles_scouller wrote:

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Charles

Why do you keep barking up the same tree when you have no intention of buying 961....check your posts... ??????

Perhaps Simon will change our minds.

Previously Jonathan Soons wrote:

Previously terry_woods wrote:

Previously charles_scouller wrote:

Previously Simon Marshall wrote:

Charles

Why do you keep barking up the same tree when you have no intention of buying 961....check your posts... ??????

Perhaps Simon will change our minds.

Factual answers would be helpful, as it seemsthe value of used 961s has fallen significantly and they are nowapproaching affordability for me.

Several 961 owners on this forum do appear to be over sensitive to objective criticism of 961's, or even pertinent technical questions - which remain unanswered by the factory spokes person.

I'm surprised by the silence so far, especially when Simon Hargreaves stated his intention is to, ".....make sure the correct info is available to those who need it/want to listen to it."

On a more positive subject, how many 961 owners are interested in joining, possibly and so far, four other Norton riders at a track day at Cadwell Park next year? Contact me via personal message or the "Five Riders Req." thread,

Regards, Simon.

I have been forced to moderate this conversation heavily due to misuse of the message boards and have decided to lock it.

To those who have complained, I am on the case but cannot offer a 24/7 moderation service so some undesirable postings will remain on the site for a few hours or more until I can remove them.

Webmaster