Major shock as first Norton rolls out the factory!

At long last the news we have been waiting for, the first Commando rolled (or perhaps was ridden?) out of the factory at the end of last month, at the same time they appointed a distributor for the Benelux countries the press release stated:

“Norton are pleased to announce the appointment of Blom Motoren as their Benelux distributor.
Blom Motoren are now taking orders for the new range of 961 Commando bikes and currently have a Commando 961SE on display which you can arrange to view by appointment.”

This is good news but why you need an appointment to view a bike is beyond me I’m afraid. Hans Mijnders from the Nederlands club was going to see the importer last week so looking forward to his photo’s and his view on the operation.

Hans Christian Brekke from Norway reports that a friend of his is hopefully taking delivery of his in July in time for it to be on Display at the Lucas Rally this year http://lucasrally.com/index.php?pageID=81&page=english__version

Stuart Garner was at the NOC AGM and did a good presentation I’m told, explaining that the next five bikes will leave this week then build up to 20 per week. Let me know when you hear of anybody who has taken delivery but more importantly how the thing goes (that is if anyone is actually going to use them!)

So if 5 leave this week, by Stuarts own calculations then I expect the initial 961SE order to be filled by the end of July then I suppose the others will start to come on stream. Norton according to Garner are also developing a watercooled bike and they are hoping the rotary roadbike will happen also although they will not be at the TT this year but hope to compete in 2011

Keep me posted with any snippets!

NOC AGM

I proposed our former chairman Peter Cocks for the Chairman’s post, he was unfortunately beaten in the ballot and Norman Lorton our former Secretary who is now the Chairman, Peter Wright has taken over as Secretary and Chris Grimmet is still involved in the EC in some other capacity. Lets hope these guys can keep the club on track although with some of the nonsense they have come up with lately I have my doubts. The good news is that the £17 surcharge for non members was scrapped and it will be left up to organising branches I believe on how they deal with non NOC members. There will no doubt be a full unbiased account in Roadholder soon.

Personally I’d like to thank Peter for trying to help anyway and apologise for my gross stupidity in not attending (I got the dates wrong…..ooops)

Oh and because of a clash of personalities the EC decided to sack Peter Scratchard as the Vice president after several decades in the club, hmm

Rogart

We organised a meeting at Rogart in the Highlands around 50 miles north of Inverness last week which unfortunately was the same weekend as the AGM in Birmingham. Glorious weather beamed down on us all weekend and the 15 attendees all seemed to enjoy the run in both directions. For most this was an over 400 miles round trip. On mainly quiet and dry roads, what a difference to be riding on nice roads in nice weather. The accommodation was excellent, two disused railway carriages and an old bus have been converted to a very agreeable sleeping and eating place, a good pub nearby also. The place would be handy for anyone travelling to the far North of Scotland and an ideal stopover for the most northerly point in the UK mainland John o Groats (about 70 miles away).

Tech Tip

Since I aquired my 71 Fastback I’ve been tryig to get it sorted out, when I first ran it the bike was lumpy and running rich (its running a single Mikuni) , a check revealed a very badly adjusted carb and a needle jet 10 sizes too big, I changed everything back to the best settings and decided to put a new slide in I had lying around, a 3 cutaway instead of a 2 ½ (a leaner cutaway).

Hours of fiddling away and re checking everything was to no avail, the thing ran really rich, much worse than before. I was at my wits end and decided a new carb would be the answer so called motocarb in the UK to order one, Steve the owner said just before I send you this can you check the slide is in the right way round? I replied that the slide can only go in one way, to which he replied ah yes but you get Left hand and right hand carbs and the slides are different!

Job done, the nice people (not!) at Allens (who I used to deal with) had sent me a Left hand slide for my Right hand carb . It was so obvious when I looked and saw that the cutaway was facing the engine instead of the air cleaner.

I’ve spoken to several people who never realised so thought I’d pass on yet another tale of my idiocy to you in order you don’t make the same mistake!

New Nortons for Sale

The former Norton importer in Belgium died a while ago and there is an auction for his stock which includes the ex Peter Williams space frame Norton and 11 new Mk 3 Commando’s still in the crate. Here then is an opportunity to own a proper new Norton. Details at http://www.troostwijkauctions.com/uk/motorshop-podevyn/01-13018/

Just be careful with the bidding as there is a 17% buyers premium to be added to the price then 21% VAT to be added so the total added is 41.57%, you “bargain” MK 3 Commando at £10000 actually will cost £14157 (just an example) I’ve registered but I’ll be watching the prices carefully. It’ll be interesting to see if there are any real bargains at the end of the day

Events

Next up next month is

Scottish Classic Club Gathering Glenfarg Hotel, Glenfarg 25^th April

Heid o the Glen Rally May 29^th – 31^st

A combined Sidecar and Classic Rally organised by Norrie Milton at Glen Clova, well worth a visit, contact Norrie on Norman.milton@tesco.net for details

Don’t forget the International in Spain (hopefully see some of you there!) and the Begonia at the end of August

And finally

Been speaking to my good friend Hessel Agema from Holland, he is going racing with his 500cc Domiracer this year and has been getting it prepared for some European races. He had an Interspan Ignition which was sent back to Interspan in England for repair. They are at Terrence House, 24, London Rd, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 4LQ , they don’t answer the phone or E mail and Hessel is desperate to get his ignition back so if you are nearby or know the guy, knock on his door and ask what he is playing at!

Similarly a friend from Ireland has his Trident in Mansfield at a engine builder who is doing the deaf thing as well, I have his address if you can help

I suppose the moral of the story is don’t deal with anybody you cant get to quickly to solve issues like this in person!!

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli

March 2010