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2016 Norton Commando 961 SF
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF Review
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF on www.Totalmotorcycle.com
Intense riding pleasure…
The Commando 961 SF was built after the successful launch of the sport. It has upside down forks and radial brake callipers with a carbon fibre front, mud guard, rear number plate hanger and chain gaurd.
All commando 961 models are available in the dual seat option and available in all colours. The dual seat option gives the rider and pillion seat as well as a single seat configuration. The easy to attach single seat cowl quickly turns the bike back into the stylish single seat form.
The proper English Roadster
NORTON
1902, the first Norton motorcycle, the ‘Engerette’, rolled out of the original Birmingham England factory. It was the birth of a marque that shapes the motorcycle scene to this day – Norton – a name synonymous with British sport motorcycling and the Cafe Racer culture. The Norton Commando, Dominator, Fastback and Manx, all enduring names in the sport motorcycle lexicon, with equal fame garnered on the race-track as Norton proved to be a dominate force in world road racing for much of the 20th century.
Norton is a premium priced motorcycle with an emphasis on the quality of materials and attention to detail; designed and engineered for superior road manners and exceptional road holding. Proudly British, each Norton is wholly crafted by British hands in Great Britain. More than 80% of a Norton’s individual parts are ‘Made in England’, and combine with some of the best components that Europe and the USA have to offer. The Norton Commando line-up includes two models, the 961 Café Racer and its stable mate the 961 Sport, both of which are available as a single or dual seat in four distinct Norton colours.
Today we embrace the passion and pride of Norton’s heritage, with our eyes firmly fixed on the future. It is fitting that the new Norton factory is based at the spiritual centre of British motorsport, the famous Donington Park racing circuit, so near the traditional heart of the British motorcycle industry in Birmingham. Our mission – design, engineer and build motorcycles that reflect the best of this iconic brand, and deliver modern sport performance in a proper British Roadster.
Proudly Made in Great Britain by British hands.
THE NORTON COMMANDO 961
colour alloy spoke wheels complete this stunning example of British craftsmanship. Engine, chassis and running gear share the same high performance com-ponents and specifications of the 961 Café Racer.
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
– Upside down Ohlins forks
– Radial Brembo brake calipers
– Carbon fibre chainguard
– Conventional handlebars
– Black anodised rims
DUAL SEAT
Dual Seat Commando 961 SF
All commando 961 models are available in the dual seat option and available in all colours. The dual seat option gives the rider and pillion seat as well as a single seat configuration. The easy to attach single seat cowl quickly turns the bike back into the stylish single seat form.
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
Norton heritage
Norton returns, the name synonymous with the British sport motorcycling culture, and a brand that added so many enduring names to the motorcycle lexicon – Commando, Dominator, and of course Norton Manx whose fame was gained while dominating world Gran Prix road racing for decades. When the first Norton motorcycle, the ‘Engerette’, rolled out of the original Birmingham England factory in 1902, it was the birth of a lineage of motorcycles that shapes the motorcycle scene to this day. It is fitting that the new factory and world headquarters of Norton are based at the spiritual centre of British motorsport, the famous Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit, so near the traditional heart of the British motorcycle industry in Birmingham. We embrace the passion and pride of Norton’s heritage, with our eyes firmly fixed on the future. We proudly continue the legacy and assume the mission of designing, engineering and building motorcycles that reflect the best of this iconic brand.
Norton Motorcycle Company is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of “fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade”. By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range. This began a long series of production of single and eventually twin-cylinder motorcycles, and a long history of racing involvement.
Norton racing heritage
The original company was formed by James Lansdowne Norton at 320, Bradford Street, Birmingham in 1898. In 1902, Norton began building motorcycles with French and Swiss engines. In 1907, a Norton ridden by Rem Fowler won the twin-cylinder class in the first Isle of Man TT race, beginning a sporting tradition that went on until the 1960s. The Isle of Man Senior TT, the most prestigious of events, was won by Nortons’ ten times between the wars and then every year from 1947 to 1954. The first Norton engines were made in 1908, beginning a line of side-valve single-cylinder engines which continued with few changes until the late 1950s .
The first Norton logo was a fairly simple, art nouveau design, with the name spelled in capitals. However, a new logo appeared on the front of the catalogue for 1914, which was a joint effort by James Lansdowne Norton and his daughter Ethel. It became known as the “curly N” logo, with only the initial letter as a capital, and was used by the company thereafter, first appearing on actual motorcycles in 1915. Ethel Norton also did some testing of her father’s motorcycles. In 1913 the business declined. R.T. Shelley & Co., the main creditors, intervened and saved it. Norton Motors Ltd was formed shortly afterwards under joint directorship of James Norton and Bob Shelley. J.L. Norton died in 1925 aged only 56, but he saw his motorcycles win the Senior and sidecar TTs in 1924, specifically with the 500cc Model 18, Norton’s first overhead valve single.
Designed by Walter Moore, the Norton CS1 engine appeared in 1927, based closely on the ES2 pushrod engine and using many of its parts. After Moores departure in 1930, Arthur Carroll designed an entirely new OHC engine destined to become the basis for all later OHC and DOHC Norton singles. The Norton racing legend began in the Thirties: Of the nine Isle of Man Senior TTs (500 cc) between 1931 and 1939, Norton won seven.
Until 1934, Norton bought Sturmey-Archer gearboxes and clutches. When Sturmey discontinued production Norton bought the design rights and had them made by Burman, a manufacturer of proprietary gearboxes.
Nortons’ also appealed to ordinary motorcyclists who enjoyed the reliability and performance offered by single-cylinder engines with separate gearboxes.
War Time effort
Between 1937 and 1945 nearly a quarter (over 100,000) of all British military motorcycles were Nortons, basically the WD 16H (solo) and WD Big Four outfit with driven sidecar wheel.
Post war
After the Second World War, Norton reverted to civilian motorcycle production, gradually increasing its range. A major addition in 1949 was the twin cylinder Model 7, known as the Norton Dominator, a pushrod 500 cc twin-cylinder machine designed by Bert Hopwood. Its chassis was derived from the ES2 single, with telescopic front and plunger rear suspension, and an updated version of the gearbox known as the “lay-down” box. More shapely mudguards and tanks completed the more modern styling to Nortons’ new premium model twin.
?Post war, Norton struggled to reclaim its pre-WWII racing dominance as the single-cylinder machine faced fierce competition from the multi-cylinder Italian machines and AJS from the UK. In the 1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, the first year of the world championship, Norton made only fifth place and AJS won. That was before the Featherbed frame appeared, developed for Norton by the McCandless brothers of Belfast in January 1950, used in the legendary Manx Norton and raced by riders including Geoff Duke, John Surtees and Derek Minter. Very quickly the featherbed frame, a design that allowed the construction of a motorcycle with good mass-stiffness distribution, became a benchmark by which all other frames were judged.
Norton also experimented with engine placement, and discovered that moving the engine slightly up/down, forward/back, or even right/left, could deliver a “sweet spot” in terms of handling. Motorcycle designers still use this method to fine-tune motorcycle handling.
In 1951, the Norton Dominator was made available to export markets as the Model 88 with the Featherbed frame. Later, as production of this frame increased, it became a regular production model, and was made in variants for other models, including the OHV single-cylinder machines.
Manx Nortons also played a significant role in the development of post war car racing. At the end of 1950, the English national 500 cc regulations were adopted as the new Formula 3. The JAP Speedway engine had dominated the category initially but the Manx was capable of producing significantly more power and became the engine of choice. Many complete motorcycles were bought in order to strip the engine for 500 cc car racing, as Norton would not sell separate engines.
The racing successes were transferred to the street through cafe racers, some of whom would use the featherbed frame with an engine from another manufacturer to make a hybrid machine with the best of both worlds. The most famous of these were Tritons – Triumph twin engines in a Norton featherbed frame.
Today, the Norton racing tradition continues, with the renowed Mick Grant managing the Norton Race Team, and the legendary Cameron Donald riding for Norton during their entries at the 2014 and 2015 Isle of Man Senior TT.
Features common to all Norton Commando 961 models
Norton is, and always will be a premium priced motorcycle with an emphasis on the quality of materials and attention to detail – designed and engineered for superior road manners and exceptional road holding. We are proudly British. More than 80% of a Norton’s individual parts are ‘Made in England’, and combine with some of the best components available.
Engine
•Fuel injected 961cc 18° Canted parallel twin
•Dry sump
•Hydraulically actuated valves
•Roller rocker arms
•Gear driven counter-balancer
•Computer controlled fuel injection
Transmission
•Cassette constant mesh five speed
•Hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch
•525 o-ring chain
Frame
•Cold drawn chrome moly 4130 steel
•Integral oil reservoir
•24.5° rake
•specially finished fork crowns
•Built by skilled craftsmen in-house
•Ohlins 36PRCLB rear shocks
•Externally adjustable for compression, rebound and spring pre-load
•Adjustable ride height
Brakes
•Front twin Brembo 320mm high carbon stainless steel discs, with Brembo 4 piston calipers
•Rear Brembo 220mm disc with Brembo 2 piston caliper
Wheels
•Front 36 spoke 3.50 x 17 rim with 120/70 tyre
•Rear 40 spoke 5.00 x 17 rim with 180/55 tyre
General Specifications
•Dry weight – 452 lbs
•4.5 U.S. gallon fuel capacity
•813mm (32in) seat height
•1420mm wheelbase
Although the new Norton 961 engines remind us of the forward canted twins of the Norton models from the 60’s and 70’s, the new engines have been designed and engineered in the 21st century. Today’s Norton 18° Canted Twin features:
· Hydraulic valve actuation
· Roller rocker arms
· Nikasil cylinders
· Dry sump
· Gear driven counter balancer
· Cassette gearbox
· 270° crank shaft
· Forged connecting rods
· Computer controlled fuel injection.
Beyond the technical specifications, Norton engines are engineered to be robust and efficient, and are designed to deliver the unique pleasure of refined British Roadster power. Hydraulic valve actuation means no valve adjustments, and that keeps the cost of maintenance low. With fuel injection and computer control, you turn the key, push the button, and happily ride away.
Chassis and running gear
The Norton reputation for superior road-holding is legendary, and continues by building a chassis of the finest materials with real world geometry and settings. Norton frames are crafted in-house at our Castle Donington factory from cold drawn 1 inch diameter, .08″ wall thickness European steel. The frame also acts as the oil reservoir for the dry sump engine. Road manners are further enhanced by employing confidence inspiring and fully adjustable Ohlins suspension both front and rear, while braking tasks are handled by premier Brembo calipers, discs and master cylinders.
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $22495 USD
Generic Type (Primary)Sport
Engine
Engine TypeParallel twin with dry sump
Displacement961cc
Cooling SystemAir
Valve trainPush rod, hydraulic lifter, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore88mm
Stroke79mm
Compression Ratio10.1:1
Fuel SystemElectronic fuel injection
IgnitionEuro 3 complient
StarterElectronic
ExhaustChrome Sports Exhaust
Drivetrain
GearboxConstant mesh 5 speed
Final Drive525 “O” ring chain
ClutchWet multi-plate
Dimensions
Wheelbase1420mm (55.9 in)
Rake/trail24.5 degrees/99mm (3.9 in)
Seat Height813mm (32 in)
Wheels & Tires
Front Wheel36 spoke 3.50 x 17″ Black Rim
Rear Wheel40 spoke 5.5 x 17″ Black Rim
Front Tire120/70 x 17″
Rear Tire180/55 x 17″
Front Wheel Travel115mm (4.53 in)
Rear Wheel Travel100mm (3.94 in)
Suspension
Front Suspension43mm Öhlins USD – Adjustable preload, compression & rebound damping
Rear SuspensionOhlins twin shocks with remote reservoir – adjustable ride height, preload and compression
Brakes
Front braking systemFull Brembo system, twin Brembo 320mm fully-floating high carbon stainless steel discs & Brembo 4 piston radially mounted callipers. Brembo front brake master cylinder with integral reservoir
Rear braking systemFull Brembo system, single Brembo 220mm disc & Brembo 2 piston calliper. Brembo rear brake master cylinder
Performance
Engine Power80PS @ 6500PM
Engine Torque90Nm @ 5200RPM
Electric
Charging System300 watt hi-output charging system
InstrumentationNorton electronic analogue speedo and tachometer
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF – www.Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $29450 CDN
FRAME
Construction – Steel tubular with integral oil tank
Front suspension – Ohlins USD – Adjustable for spring pre-load, compression and rebound damping
Rear Suspension – Ohlins twin style shocks with remote reservoirs adjustable for ride height, pre-load, compression and rebound damping
Swing arm – Twin-sided steel construction
Wheelbase – 1420mm (55.9 in)
Rake – 24.5 degrees
Trail: – 99mm (3.9 in)
Front wheel – 36 spoke – Tyre size 120/70 x 17″
Rear wheel – 40 spoke – Tyre size 180/55 x 17″
Front wheel travel – 115mm (4.53 in)
Rear wheel travel – 100mm (3.94 in)
Fuel tank capacity – 17 litres (3.82 UK gallon)
Dry weight – 205kg (452 lbs)
Seat height – 813mm (32 in)
TRANSMISSION
Type – “Cassette”, constant mesh 5 speed
Final drive – 525 “O” ring chain
Clutch – Wet multi-plate hydraulic operation
BRAKES
Front brakes – Twin 320 mm fully floating Brembo stainless steel discs. Brembo 4 piston radial mounted calipers and Brembo master cylinder.
Rear brake – Single 220mm Brembo disc and two piston caliper with Brembo rear master cylinder.
Hydraulic clutch – Brembo master cylinder with slave cylinder
POWER ASSEMBLY
Engine – Norton 961cc parallel twin, dry sump, 3 bearing – 270 degree crankshaft with gear driven balancer. Push rod valve actuation – 2 valves per cylinder with hydraulic lifters
Cooling System – Air/Oil
Bore x stroke – 88mm x 79mm
Compression ratio – 10.1:1
Power – 80 PS @ 6500 rpm
Torque – 90 Nm @5200 rpm
Exhaust – Chrome front pipes and reverse cone silencers with 3 way catalytic converters and oxygen sensors
ELECTRICAL
Instrumentation – Norton – VDO electronic analogue speedo & tachometer with Digital information Display
Charging System – 300 watt hi-output
Engine management – ECU controlled electronic fuel injection and ignition
Starter – Electric
SF Trim Package
Handle bars – Black tapered aluminum flat-style
Carbon fibre – front mudguard, rear hugger and rear plate mount
Model – Single or dual seat
Ex-Factory – Black with gold
Red with gold
British Racing Green with Gold
Silver with Red & Black
Custom colours – Designs are available ex-factory to special order
2016 Norton Commando 961 SF – www.Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £16495 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
Engine
Engine Type: In-house developed parallel twin with dry sump lubrication Compression ratio: 10:1:1
Displacement: 961 cc Exhaust: Stainless Steel
Cooling System: Air / Oil Ignition: Crank fired electronic fuel injection and multiple 2 way catalytic converters. Euro 3 compliant.
Valve Actuation: Push rod, hydraulic lifter, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore x stroke: 88mm x 79mm
Transmission
Gear box: Constant mesh 5-speed
Final drive: 525 “O” ring chain
Clutch: Wet multi-plate
Dimensions
Frame: Hand welded seamless tubular steel with integral oil tank Swingarm: Twin-sided steel construction
Wheelbase: 1420mm (55.9 in) Front tyre: 120/70 x 17″
Rake: 24.5° Rear tyre: 180/55 x 17″
Trail: 99mm (3.9 in) Front wheel travel: 115mm (4.53 in)
Front wheel: 36 spoke 3.50 x 17″ Black Rim Rear wheel travel: 100mm (3.94 in)
Rear wheel: 40 spoke 5.5 x 17″ Black Rim Seat height: 813mm (32 in)
Suspension
Front suspension: 43mm Ohlins USD – adjustable preload, compression & rebound damping
Rear suspension: Ohlins twin shocks with remote reservoir – adjustable ride height, preload, rebound & compression
Brakes
Front brakes: Full Brembo system, twin Brembo 320mm fully-floating high carbon stainless steel discs & Brembo 4 piston radially mounted callipers. Brembo front brake master cylinder with integral reservoir
Rear brakes: Full Brembo system, single Brembo 220mm disc & Brembo 2 piston calliper. Brembo rear brake master cylinder
Clutch: Brembo hydraulic clutch master cylinder with integral reservoir and Brembo slave cylinder
Performance
Power: 80PS @ 6500RPM
Torque: 90Nm @ 5200RPM
Electronics & Controls
Charging system: 300 watt hi-output charging system
Instrumentation: Norton electronic analogue speedo and tachometer
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
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