Roadster vs Interstate

johnm · May 25, 2020

Like several of the others I have set up my Roadster model with both tank, seat and side panel options.

Touring it has got to be the Interstate because the fuel volume of the Roadster tank is too small for NZ backcountry riding especially at weekends. But around town I use the Roadster tank because it seems to make the bike lighter and more agile to move about.

I have not tried the rearset route but definitely the Interstate needs higher bars and you sit back further.

With 20 20 hindsight I would have got a good guy I know locally in Wellington to have scalloped the Interstate tank in for my knees. It's a big volume tank and something around the 18 -20 litre mark would be good in NZ I think. My Indian made Interstate tank holds around 24 litres.

Looks wise I have always preferred the Interstate even 45 years ago.

I'm too embarrassed to say how much it costs me to get the Interstate option done - including paint but it was definitely well north of US $1000. So that may be an indication of what I at least was prepared to pay to get the Interstate premium.

This is the bike wearing it's two "hats"

swooshdave · May 25, 2020

NPeteN said:
Interstate = longer tank, shorter seat.
Roadster= shorter tank longer seat.

As long as you ain't sitting right on top of the roadster tank your ass is gonna end up in the same place.

I want to say the difference in tank lengths is a good 6-8in? Probably not much left of that Corbin.

Richard Tool · May 25, 2020

nortriubuell said:
Need to sell one, is why I ask ; as I like them both!

Got a movie recommendation for you - “ Sophie’s Choice “

gortnipper · May 25, 2020

I have a Hirider tank that my bike came with, along with a Roadster and a one off solo hump seat.

In the mid 90s I tracked down an earLou steel Interstate tank, and lopped about 3-4" off the solo seat to fit.

Fast Eddie · May 26, 2020

swooshdave said:
Um, what?

The Interstate tank is longer which means your butt is further back. Care to post pictures of the bikes side by side?

Basically it’s as NPeteN said, if you sit with your balls up to the tank on both, then yes, you’re arse will be further back on the interstate (which will definitely be the case two up).

But if you’re solo, chances are your arse won’t change position quite that much. I know that when I use a normal Roadster seat, I take up about 3/4 of it, with 1/4 of it between me and the tank being unused real estate!

With a Corbin, both seats mount in the same place, the seat position (and therefore the riders arse) is largely unchanged. The interstate tank is accommodated by hacksawing off the front of the seat, again, with a roadster, this portion of a Corbin seat actually doesn’t get used, your arse sits in the arse shaped part, the part of the seat styled to meet the tank is really only there to fill the gap.

I’ve tried to show the difference in the pics below. First pic shows the difference between the two seats. Second pic shows the Interstate seat fitted with the Roadster tank, complete with large gap:

swooshdave · May 26, 2020

Now I have this horrible picture of someone’s balls, other than my own, pressed into the tank.

gortnipper · May 26, 2020

swooshdave said:
Now I have this horrible picture of someone’s balls, other than my own, pressed into the tank.

Let me complete the picture for you in using the side stand a la Dereck.

kerinorton said:
Hey. Im only 5 '7 3/4". [ long body, short legs ]. I have to piss around finding the tag, and then push the stand forward, and while doing that, get my cock hard against the tank to get it [ my foot ] all the way. Easy peasy. [ my ass ]

Have fun

Dereck

Scout63 · May 26, 2020

I would keep the Interstate because it’s a 750 and they are just so bada#$. Both are gorgeous bikes.

Torontonian · May 26, 2020

grandpaul said:
Don't let people get closer than 5 ft!

6 ft. Be Safe.

Richard Tool · May 26, 2020

It is common knowledge that 750 Roadsters have better looking owners ...

manx850 · May 26, 2020

I have had both configurations , even with IS tank I find a gap of around 3" between myself and the tank, if you are sitting touching a ROADSTER TANK, You have to be pretty strange shape and probably uncomfortable......But it is an ongoing never ending debate...….

Lineslinger · May 26, 2020

Richard Tool said:
It is common knowledge that Roadsters have better looking owners ...

Yup...couldn't agree more agree.

Scout63 · May 26, 2020

That picture poses a difficult choice, and not roadster v Interstate. Rather roadster v eternal damnation.

Onder · May 27, 2020

Never mind that Sayton Trap...go for the real thing The Interstate!

Thanks to FE for the pix because they answer the question clearly. There is a huge difference in the two seating positions for me. I have rear sets and Im not that big so the Interstate is a long reach.

ILLF8ED · May 27, 2020

750 roadster, 850 Interstate. If I were interested in touring straight roads in the US, a Commando does not come to mind. For twisty two lane backroads, a light 750 roadster is a good weapon and better looking.

p400 · May 27, 2020

So if you are swapping Interstate Roadster and keeping same handlebars .............
Tank , seat, L/R side panels, rear grab bar? exhaust? instruments?
Not a quick change.

ILLF8ED · May 27, 2020

p400 said:
So if you are swapping Interstate Roadster and keeping same handlebars .............
Tank , seat, L/R side panels, rear grab bar? exhaust? instruments?
Not a quick change.

Tank, seat and side covers. You can keep roadster exhaust. Instruments are common between roadster and a Interstate of the same year.

I converted my ‘73 750 MkV roadster in 1985 then sold it in ‘87.

rvich · May 27, 2020

I made a solo seat for my interstate from a roadster seat by cutting a few inches off the front. I removed about three inches. I sit in exactly the same spot in regards to the foot pegs and handle bars with either tank.

kommando · May 27, 2020

illf8ed said:
Instruments are common between roadster and a Interstate of the same year.

For 74 at least the Interstate used the Veglia instruments, possibly as the Veglia Speedo has a trip meter. The Roadster kept with the Smiths, ratios etc are the same but the pods were deeper than 72/73 as the Veglia were taller than the Smiths.

ILLF8ED · May 27, 2020

kommando said:
For 74 at least the Interstate used the Veglia instruments, possibly as the Veglia Speedo has a trip meter. The Roadster kept with the Smiths, ratios etc are the same but the pods were deeper than 72/73 as the Veglia were taller than the Smiths.

Some other post mentioned Norton went to Veglia when Smiths Instruments were no longer available. In any case it isn’t necessary to change gauges when converting roadster to Interstate or reverse....unless you want to.

Roadster vs Interstate

johnm

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