Commando seats and side covers

[SteveBorland]

Last night I did a test fit of the tank and seat I swapped some time ago.
Looking at it from the side, it seems that the seat is from a 750S, and it does not match very well with the Roadster side panels, leaving a triangular gap between them.
It seems that either I'll have to change the seat for a true Roadster, or find the earlier side panels.
Comments anyone? Please excuse the messy workbench

 

[ILLF8ED]

The early “s” and roadster side panels will not fit on the later frame as the mounts are different. You will need the later roadster seat….or an after market such as Corbin.

 

[Craig]

Go for a Corbin !

 

[SteveBorland]

The early “s” and roadster side panels will not fit on the later frame as the mounts are different. You will need the later roadster seat….or an after market such as Corbin.

OK, but then what is the seat I have right now? The mounting ears just have a vertical slot rather than a dogleg as my Interstate seat had.
Other than the odd shape to the front, it fits fine on my 850 MkII frame.

Personally I don't care too much for the Corbin type, and they are rather expensive over on this side of the Pond.

 

[Fast Eddie]

The gap doesn’t look good to my eye Steve.

I got a roadster seat from P&P Seating in Birmingham U.K. and was very pleased with it. Can‘t seem to find their web site though…

 

[L.A.B.]

OK, but then what is the seat I have right now?

The early Roadster had the same seat and panels as the 'S' type as it was basically an 'S' type with a low-level exhaust system.
The LH panel was the 'fixed' panel containing the ignition switch and a removable RH panel for battery access, both had the central oil tank so as ILLF8ED said the early panels won't fit (at least not without modifications to the mounting brackets etc.).

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/70Norton.pdf

" "S" & 1970 ROADSTER"

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

The mounting ears just have a vertical slot rather than a dogleg as my Interstate seat had.

"SEAT, "S" & "R" TYPE"and '70 Roadster.

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

 

[SteveBorland]

The gap doesn’t look good to my eye Steve.

I got a roadster seat from P&P Seating in Birmingham U.K. and was very pleased with it. Can‘t seem to find their web site though…

Yes, my feelings exactly. I've pinged P&P, let's see what they say.
Know anybody who is looking for a S seat (and perhaps has a Roadster to swap)?

 

[MichaelB]

Looks like a SS seat from 71. Part #06.2336
They taper at the tank.
Change it out to a Roadster seat, you'll be fine.

 

[rweb]

I recently bought a Roadster seat from Classic Bike Shop UK and am very happy with it. Ref # 103001.

 

[Stephen Hill]

Purely a matter of taste of course, but I always thought the later seat and side covers looked better.
Since you have the side covers and they match your tank, I'd go for the later seat.
Unless you have the central oil tank and want to go for originality.

 

[L.A.B.]

Looks like a SS seat from 71. Part #06.2336
They taper at the tank.

The 'SS', however, had the later side covers so if an SS seat then there shouldn't be a gap.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/1971Commando.pdf

 

[SteveBorland]

I've been looking around for a MkII Roadster seat, and I've had an offer for a MkIII seat.
Question is, how much work is involved in converting the seat to a MkII, or the frame to the MkIII fittings?

Replacement seat ears can be had from RGM, so I _think_ is just a case of removing the hinges and attaching the new ears, but before I go down this path, are there any other differences?

Converting the frame to the MkIII type hinge is I think a bit too much work for a small benefit, but I am always open to other opinions.

 

[L.A.B.]

I've been looking around for a MkII Roadster seat,

There are 750 MkII (06-1766) and 850 MkII (06-5234) Roadster seats although the difference is the cover pattern (and strap on the 750 seat).

I've had an offer for a MkIII seat.

Replacement seat ears can be had from RGM, so I _think_ is just a case of removing the hinges and attaching the new ears, but before I go down this path, are there any other differences?

There's only one hinge that bolts to a bracket on the underside of the Mk3 seat pan. The RH vertical forked ear could either be kept or replaced with the matching RH angled slot item.

 

[Mart UK]

I'm currently running a 750 interstate seat and tank on my 850 mk3 Roadster. All I did was unbolt the hinge. So the position of the brackets must be the same to be interchangeable, if you unbolt the hinge from the frame, or from the seat.

The luggage frame from Andover isn't compatible with a hinged seat, so it comes with their bolt on bracket, to convert the mk3 seats back to hooks on the left. They sell that bracket separately, I think.

 

[ashman]

The legs will cover that gap when riding

 

[SteveBorland]

Still faffing about looking for a better seat. For some reason, there seems to be a shortage of non MkIII Roadster seats at prices under £200.
There is a seat available with a rear "race" hump which looks quite good

Has anyone actually used this type of seat? I'll be most interested to see a photo of it on abike and to hear reports of how comfy (or otherwise) it is before buying it.

 

[SteveBorland]

I've had one of those fitted for about 5 maybe 6 years. I had to slightly fettle the ears to get it to fit and the Logo wasn't quite in the centre of the seat. However, the snugness of the nose of the seat where it joins the tank is perfect. I've looked at getting a standard saddle and would prefer one as I very occasionaly take the Mrs on the back but most Commando saddles I have seen have either a gap at the tank or just don't sit right height wise.
...and I certainly wouldn't want a Corbin, they look too "Horsey"
Comfort wise, I'd say ok but I've never ridden more than 200 miles a day on it.

Thanks for the photo, you have a very good looking bike there. It's just what I was hoping someone would post.
I'll probably go for this seat, see how it turns out

 

[gortnipper]

I really like the look of this seat. I would happily trade my roadster seat for it.

 

[trident sam]

I've had one of those fitted for about 5 maybe 6 years. I had to slightly fettle the ears to get it to fit and the Logo wasn't quite in the centre of the seat. However, the snugness of the nose of the seat where it joins the tank is perfect. I've looked at getting a standard saddle and would prefer one as I very occasionaly take the Mrs on the back but most Commando saddles I have seen have either a gap at the tank or just don't sit right height wise.
...and I certainly wouldn't want a Corbin, they look too "Horsey"
Comfort wise, I'd say ok but I've never ridden more than 200 miles a day on it.View attachment 94520

I like your front guard, looks like a Harris T140/Norton Rotary with adapted bracket ?

 

[trident sam]

it looks very similar to me