Commando seats (2016)

sportsroof · Jun 29, 2016

Uh, yeah. Commando seats, mainly Roadster but also Interstate. Fastbacks are exempt it seems.
Here's the thing. Talking stock type stuff here, I notice in the pics of Commandos section that very few early type machines have the correct seat covers. It bugs me, I really like the early type with the big 'ribs' and the later covers (mk3?) seem the common default. Seems an otherwise authentic restoration is 'let down' by this one detail. Or am I blowing smoke out of my Peashooters?
Don't crucify me, it's just my personal taste. I'm asking.
Cheers, Martin

Danno · Jun 29, 2016

Not sure what your point is, but the correct original or restored Commando, while appreciated, is the exception rather than the rule. And taste is a matter of taste. No problems with opinions, but that's all they are. Myriad reasons for non-stock modifications, so I would be the last one to justify someone else's. Got my own issues.

There was a story in Classic Bike about a Vincent TT Replica, which was the actual name of a machine produced for customers exactly the same as the factory racers. Snooty concours judges looked down their nose at it because it was a "replica" and not the real thing. Only is was.

Brithit · Jun 29, 2016

I have a MKIII Roadster. I got rid of the hinged seat, and used a lift off seat with the 73 basket weave pattern. Just because I like it. I also like the lettering to somewhat match the tank. Just me, again. My MKIII has the red tank with silver striping and logos, so I used the stencils they sell on eBay, and got some silver vinyl paint, and bazinga, there you go. (it didn't have any logo on it when I got it) I like the gold striped Commandos to have a gold seat logo as well. I may not know what is normal, but I know what I like.

BillT · Jun 29, 2016

I like my '73 with its 'basketweave' cover - the only year for this particular design.

concours · Jun 29, 2016

R.K.Leighton can't help ya?

http://www.rk-leighton.co.uk/page1/page1.html

sportsroof · Jun 30, 2016

R.K.Leighton can't help ya?

I tried a Leighton cover, correct type ribbing but didn't fit nice, had to stuff a bit of foam at the rear part,causing a light 'hump'.
I do have an original cover with a small tear hence the Leighton cover but I got so unhappy I refitted the original.
I know it's personal taste and I'm nothaving a go at anyone. To me, any rescued Commando that's not 'correct' is better than it languishing to rot.
I guess I was just trying to gauge opinion on obviously later type seat covers on earlier bikes.
And I wonder why the early type don't seem to be offered, would have thought there was a market?
Cheers, Martin

Fast Eddie · Jun 30, 2016

I have also not been impressed by Leightons seats, but I realise many posters on here have been. To my eye, the foam is often wrong / badly shaped.

On my Commando, I used a seat from http://www.ppseat.co.uk/ and am very happy with it:

kommando · Jun 30, 2016

I bought a cover from P&P and tried to use it on an original foam, did not fit right at all, not really sure who the best one to use is. There is a third seat maker in the UK and I have one of their Racing seats which is excellent but no clue as to where Mick Hemmings sourced it from, he would only say it was UK but not P&P or Leightons. My current cover was made at Longbridge in the sewing room making Mini seats in the 80's, it fits perfectly but they could not mould the top so its smooth, I took the old cover in and they de-stitched it and replicated it using Van seat material. It includes a 10mm foam inner lining which was on the original but never seen that on other seat covers.

DevonNorton · Jul 1, 2016

Sportsroof
Might be worth contacting Andover Norton as it looks like they have a full range of seats including, I think, one covered as you describe.
I never expected to be counting 'ribs' on a seat but the one in this list (for '72 Roadster) Part No. 06.1766 may be the type you are referring to:
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-drawing/21/front-fenders-number-plate-and-seats
Perhaps contact them to see if they can supply the correct cover only?
Andy
(Currently without smoke blowing out of my peashooters)

o0norton0o · Jul 1, 2016

My bike has the basket weave cover. It's not the stock cover for a '70 commando, but that's what it has on the seat... it's not a big deal to me since I have a '73 front end with a disc brake, rather than the shitty stock drum brake that was stock for my bike. I ride my bike... I'm not a collector who wants everything stock, just like it rolled off the showroom floor. If you like the perfectly restored stock bike, that's great... Everyone has their own asthetic.

If it was up to me and I had a lot of time on my hands and unlimited funds, I'd change a lot more of the stock commando design... Whatever works for you is good...

Onder · Jul 1, 2016

I have a AN seat on mine. The execution is fine, it looks correct. But the foam is too
soft on the driver portion. The passenger portion feels a lot firmer. Now likely it is all
the same but you dont have to go far before you feel it. I have less than 2k on it.
Hard foam seem to feel better on a long ride than soft foam. Always noticed that Volvo
seats are hard compared to any USA auto but you can drive for hours in comfort.

Just my two cents.

MS850 · Jul 1, 2016

Danno said:
Not sure what your point is, but the correct original or restored Commando, while appreciated, is the exception rather than the rule. And taste is a matter of taste. No problems with opinions, but that's all they are. Myriad reasons for non-stock modifications, so I would be the last one to justify someone else's. Got my own issues.

There was a story in Classic Bike about a Vincent TT Replica, which was the actual name of a machine produced for customers exactly the same as the factory racers. Snooty concours judges looked down their nose at it because it was a "replica" and not the real thing. Only is was.

It does seems to very rare to see a fully original stock Commando, there are so many great upgrades. I have and had vintage Hondas that I tried very hard to get to original condition, not so on my MK3. Its like a '57 Chevy or '69 Camero, appears stock everywhere but under the hood.

sportsroof · Jul 1, 2016

Its like a '57 Chevy or '69 Camero, appears stock everywhere but under the hood.

Just FYI, that's sort of where I live, BUT I do like to make fire-breathers looks boringly stock to fool the idiots. My own '70 Mustang has killer 414 Stroker but looks like a stock 351W to the uninitiated. Suckers.
My Commando is mostly stock but I am not a fanatical restoration freak. More period correct (visually) so there are electronic improvements hidden from view but the flanged alloy rims are visible as they are period items.
Like I said, not knocking anyone but I think the early seats look better and look right on early bikes.
Cheers, Martin

MS850 · Jul 1, 2016

sportsroof said:
Its like a '57 Chevy or '69 Camero, appears stock everywhere but under the hood.

Click to expand...

Just FYI, that's sort of where I live, BUT I do like to make fire-breathers looks boringly stock to fool the idiots. My own '70 Mustang has killer 414 Stroker but looks like a stock 351W to the uninitiated. Suckers.
My Commando is mostly stock but I am not a fanatical restoration freak. More period correct (visually) so there are electronic improvements hidden from view but the flanged alloy rims are visible as they are period items.
Like I said, not knocking anyone but I think the early seats look better and look right on early bikes.
Cheers, Martin

No problem Martin

Its all good, hey two wheels and a engine is a beautiful thing.
Cheers also.

xbacksideslider · Jul 1, 2016

After a hundred miles, Commando seats are a PITA.
Is it the density of the foam? The thinness of the foam? The shape?
Before fitting a new cover, is there anything I can do to make my '73 Roadster seat more comfortable?

Ron L · Jul 1, 2016

xbacksideslider said:
After a hundred miles, Commando seats are a PITA.
Is it the density of the foam? The thinness of the foam? The shape?
Before fitting a new cover, is there anything I can do to make my '73 Roadster seat more comfortable?

Talk to the folks at Sargent Cycle Products. They still do custom seat upgrades and can tailor a seat with their special closed cell foam and structural foam to meet your needs.

MS850 · Jul 1, 2016

xbacksideslider said:
After a hundred miles, Commando seats are a PITA.
Is it the density of the foam? The thinness of the foam? The shape?
Before fitting a new cover, is there anything I can do to make my '73 Roadster seat more comfortable?

I had the same problem on my Interstate, old foam plus the front of the seat was very hard. The upholstery guy said it was from gas spilling down the tank. I took the seat to him to install my seat cover and new foam but ended up having him make a new seat cover to match mine. The good thing is he used two types of foam, firm and soft that made the seat a lot more comfortable but the seat cover now has stitching which water can penetrate. I wont be riding in the rain so no problem there, he also used a very high quality marine grade material. If I was going to tour I would get either a Russell Day-Long-Seat or a Laam Seat which I just had made for my Vstrom. There both near Redding Ca. and the seats do not have a stock look.

http://www.day-long.com/
http://laamseats.com/

concours · Sep 3, 2019

So, has anyone been able find a PROPER DENSITY seat foam?
The chopped mishmash OEM foam was a disaster, and, I’m afraid my Leighton’s foam is not performing well.
I have Russell Day-Longs on moderns, but I want to keep the original look for the Roadster.

kommando · Sep 3, 2019

You need a mix, hard density core with a softer cover, re-upholsterers can help.

ILLF8ED · Sep 6, 2019

sportsroof said:
I tried a Leighton cover, correct type ribbing but didn't fit nice, had to stuff a bit of foam at the rear part,causing a light 'hump'.
I do have an original cover with a small tear hence the Leighton cover but I got so unhappy I refitted the original.
I know it's personal taste and I'm nothaving a go at anyone. To me, any rescued Commando that's not 'correct' is better than it languishing to rot.
I guess I was just trying to gauge opinion on obviously later type seat covers on earlier bikes.
And I wonder why the early type don't seem to be offered, would have thought there was a market?
Cheers, Martin

I agree with you. Could not find an accurate cover for my ‘72 roadster which is the same seat used in ‘71. I found an original cover several years ago and am using that. The replacement covers even if ribbed don’t have the correct number of ribs and the material is much thinner than original. Never did like the grab strap so happy not to have that part on mine.

Commando seats (2016)

Similar threads