Norton Factory tour

Yes. So I'll don my tin hat and wait fot the flak ..

It will be nice when its finished. You didnt miss much Peter, its still very much in the development stage,  by which I mean the building . Its a huge space full of equipment, test rigs and sound proof work stations. There were a few 961 Classics ready for dispatch, but little evidence of bike building going on, and def no sign of the fabled V4. We were told to direct all questions to TVS via the NOC , presumably so they could be vetted and filtered as necessary, but after the half hour walk about, the guides warmed up a bit and were happy to chat. We were also not permitted to take photos, but to be honest there was nothing there that you wouldnt find in any manufacturing plant. 

So if the oportunity of a visit arises, I'd give it a year or so !

Comparing the shoestring arrangement of the previous set up to the new TVS set up was like chalk and cheese.

The approach of the current company with a huge investment in inspection and cleaning facilities including a clean room for assembling the engines was impressive. Quality control is obviously a key element to them.

Although there were no V4’s there were a number of Alloy frames and swinging arms in the fabrication department. There was also what looked to me to be a new clutch on a primary drive gear that looked like a 961 gear in the engine assembly area, this was interesting as it seems strange to produce a new clutch if you are only making 40 of the bikes. Maybe a new variant of the commando might appear with some much needed technical tweeks.

We also met the new Technical Director who has previously worked for Aprilla and Moto Guzzi who attended the Dinner. He made the point that their current focus is on combustion engines not electrical.

I certainly came away impressed feeling this was a serious operation that appears well-funded. We can only hope.

I think we only saw half of the building. The large unit stretched away behind. Not much signs of activity or work in progress. Seemed like a staged set-up for factory visits, very clean and tidy. No clues as to what is going to happen next. Ok, they are investing, but what have the 150 staff been doing? On furlough? Development must be being done elsewhere, in the other part of the building?

Kind of TVS to let us ‘eyeball’ their nearly finished facility and very kind of the staff involved to give up their Sunday morning for us. Very much appreciated.

No revelations, no pictures and no choice of colour if you are getting a 961Classic. Straight from the Henry Ford ‘Hobsons Coice’ manual, all forty are black! However, Henry didn't do to badly from such modest beginnings did he?

I will definately go back once the facility is fully open. Either as a prospective customer or hopefully as the 3rd place winner of the NMM Summer Raffle this year. Fingers crossed.

I have worked for small private companies and large multinationals, never under estimate the ability of a large multinational company to overspend and achieve nothing on a project. Hope I am wrong but the signs are there.