Interstate or Roadster for a cafe racer...

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2015

Now then, I have to say that I have always been a fan of the Roadster tank.

Until now, I'm about to get my Interstate tank repaired and painted and thought I'd 'try it on' with the Corbin seat that Matt at cNw did for me.

And I gotta confess, even as a cafe racer, the Interstate tank really does look the part. More comfortable to sit on too as there is something for my knees to grip onto other than thin air. The Corbin is perfect too!

Waddya reckon....

Interstate or Roadster for a cafe racer...

cjandme · Oct 31, 2015

Well Nigel it seems that you never sit still when it comes to your Norton :shock: I like the look that you've got going on there. I was the lucky winner of an e-bay auction for an interstate tank years ago, that I planned to use to turn my roadster tanked mklll into an "inter back". Unlike you however, I unfortunately move like molasses with regards to my bikes and working on them.

I just don't have the time or money right now. The fire flake blue you had your roadster wrapped in looked really good to me too, will you get your interstate tank painted in that same color (with silver pinstripe and logo) to match your side covers.....might end up looking right.....I can't recall ever seeing one dressed up like that----seen black (of course) all silver, and red. But never a fireflake blue interstate tanked bike. Cj

SteveA · Oct 31, 2015

Finished in the same colours as your sidepanels/roadster tank this will look the business.

But I always did prefer the Intersate tank to the Roadster...for both looks and capacity.

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2015

Yes chaps, it will be painted the same colour as the Roadster set up so that I can swap from one to t'other easily.

trident sam · Oct 31, 2015

As a standard bike I think a Roadster wins hands down against an Interstate. However I much prefer an Interstate as a cafe racer, looks much more purposeful with the big tank.
sam

Keith1069 · Oct 31, 2015

Looks really good with that tank but are yr wrists up to it

? Just think you can go 4 hrs without stopping now! I can make an hour or so in one go with clip-ons...

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2015

Keith1069 said:
Looks really good with that tank but are yr wrists up to it ? Just think you can go 4 hrs without stopping now! I can make an hour or so in one go with clip-ons...

You need to go faster Keith so the wind takes the weight off yer wrists :wink:

Keith1069 · Nov 1, 2015

You need to go faster Keith so the wind takes the weight off yer wrists :wink:

Joking apart that's very true but it works for a while........good luck with it. There was a 'Roadholder' cover several years ago with a Cafed Interstate in black and red on the cover. That looked good.

grandpaul · Nov 1, 2015

Still one of my top 3 favorite builds...

contours · Nov 1, 2015

grandpaul said:
Still one of my top 3 favorite builds...

Love it!

Reggie · Nov 1, 2015

Nigel, one day I intend to build a Commando looking something like this. I think it looks fantastic, especially surprising when it's got so many "mismatched" parts. Fastback seats are available again from Andover Norton, I think it's got a Jap front end, so quite do-able. Possibly the seat is big enough for a passenger which was one of your issues you were looking at in a previous recent thread?

Fast Eddie · Nov 1, 2015

Reggie said:
Nigel, one day I intend to build a Commando looking something like this. I think it looks fantastic, especially surprising when it's got so many "mismatched" parts. Fastback seats are available again from Andover Norton, I think it's got a Jap front end, so quite do-able. Possibly the seat is big enough for a passenger which was one of your issues you were looking at in a previous recent thread?

Yes, I also like the 'Interback' looks. Not quite enough to want one though!

And yes, I did ask about pillion seats in an earlier thread. My Commando plans are currently in limbo, thanks to Triumph!

What? I hear you ask...

Well, the quandary is, do I buy a new 1200 Thruxton as a dedicated cafe racer and use my Commando as a dedicated 2 up comfort bike.

Or, buy a new 1200 T120 as a two up comfort bike and keep the Commando as a rortin' snortin' cafe racer??

Advice and input welcome...

zefer · Nov 2, 2015

Nigel
I am contemplating the exact same look,I have all the parts and pieces,I am up in the air regarding exhaust though.I do love the upswept pipes...Where can I get A system like yours ? NYC Norton ? I am thinking about the interstate side covers too,Matt has my bike now,I am getting the E.Start conversion along with some other service .I will not have the bike back till spring 2016 at which point I will have the interstate trim done and waiting....Just have to make a decision on exhaust.

gortnipper · Nov 2, 2015

Most of the time that is how my bike is set up - steel Interstate tank, roadster covers and a home-made solo saddle the PO did. I really like this set up, as my hi-rider tank is, well, a hi-rider tank.

I normally use UK bars with rear sets, but am thinking of changing to a drag bar. How do you find clearance with the Interstate tank and the clip ons?

A nice Corbin solo saddle would be cool. How much did that set you back?

Fast Eddie · Nov 2, 2015

gortnipper said:
Most of the time that is how my bike is set up - steel Interstate tank, roadster covers and a home-made solo saddle the PO did. I really like this set up, as my hi-rider tank is, well, a hi-rider tank.

I normally use UK bars with rear sets, but am thinking of changing to a drag bar. How do you find clearance with the Interstate tank and the clip ons?

A nice Corbin solo saddle would be cool. How much did that set you back?

Clearance is fine, the bars need moving a little compared to the Roadster, but not much.

Corbin seats are 'off the shelf' for Roadsters. But they don't sell them for Interstates anymore as there are apparently too many variations in tank dimensions.

Matt sorted me out, he takes a roadster seat, modifies to specifically suit your own Interstate tank, then gets it covered etc. I can't remember the price, but its not a cheap option.

Fast Eddie · Nov 2, 2015

zefer said:
Nigel
I am contemplating the exact same look,I have all the parts and pieces,I am up in the air regarding exhaust though.I do love the upswept pipes...Where can I get A system like yours ? NYC Norton ? I am thinking about the interstate side covers too,Matt has my bike now,I am getting the E.Start conversion along with some other service .I will not have the bike back till spring 2016 at which point I will have the interstate trim done and waiting....Just have to make a decision on exhaust.

Sent you a PM Jeff.

Hope Winnie is doing good?

ashman · Nov 2, 2015

[/quote]

Yes, I also like the 'Interback' looks. Not quite enough to want one though!

And yes, I did ask about pillion seats in an earlier thread. My Commando plans are currently in limbo, thanks to Triumph!

What? I hear you ask...

Well, the quandary is, do I buy a new 1200 Thruxton as a dedicated cafe racer and use my Commando as a dedicated 2 up comfort bike.

Or, buy a new 1200 T120 as a two up comfort bike and keep the Commando as a rortin' snortin' cafe racer??

Advice and input welcome...[/quote]

I would fix the Norton so that you can ride it longer, put flat bars or somethink on it and still have the cafe look, as for the 1200 Thruxton, yer, I have a 2013 Thruxton and love it but as soon as I seen the 16 Thurxton R, I want one, I spent a bit of money to get my Thruxton handling great but the new Rs have all the good surspention already on it, just have to wait till I see one in real.

Ashley

Interstate or Roadster for a cafe racer...

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