Heavy sigh, seat woes.

namibchris · Nov 12, 2012

I have spent a good deal of time over the last two weeks trying to get someone at Corbin to answer a mail, fax finally had a buddy in New Hampshire call their 800 # to get a non-toll free number to call. When I called I got some girl who sounded about 15 who wouldn't shut up long enough for me to explain my issues.

I have a fastback, I dislike the butt, can live with the tank, we have no ethanol issues here in Namibia. I had hoped to buy a cafe style seat, like the look of the Corbin Gunfighter (the name sucks) but the answer I finally got out of them was it will only fit on 70's commandos with roadster tanks.

Does anybody have a referral to a seat supplier that produces a cafe style seat that will work with a fastback tank? ( I would like some modest level of butt cushion).

If not then I have two alternatives, order in a roadster tank and the Corbin seat or take the fast back seat and have it reworked locally.

Guidance will be much appreciated.

**Note to businesses of all kinds, if all you do is post an 800 number you are automatically eliminating any overseas customers’ ability to contact you except by mail or fax and if that is all done by computers you need to make damn sure your span filters aren’t costing you money

Robb2014 · Nov 12, 2012

namibchris said:
I have spent a good deal of time over the last two weeks trying to get someone at Corbin to answer a mail, fax finally had a buddy in New Hampshire call their 800 # to get a non-toll free number to call. When I called I got some girl who sounded about 15 who wouldn't shut up long enough for me to explain my issues.

I have a fastback, I dislike the butt, can live with the tank, we have no ethanol issues here in Namibia. I had hoped to buy a cafe style seat, like the look of the Corbin Gunfighter (the name sucks) but the answer I finally got out of them was it will only fit on 70's commandos with roadster tanks.

Does anybody have a referral to a seat supplier that produces a cafe style seat that will work with a fastback tank? ( I would like some modest level of butt cushion).

If not then I have two alternatives, order in a roadster tank and the Corbin seat or take the fast back seat and have it reworked locally.

Guidance will be much appreciated.

**Note to businesses of all kinds, if all you do is post an 800 number you are automatically eliminating any overseas customers’ ability to contact you except by mail or fax and if that is all done by computers you need to make damn sure your span filters aren’t costing you money

I remember a few months ago when I was looking for a seat, there was someone selling one on ebay that resembled the "gunfighter" but wasn't as expensive. I actually liked it a little better. I ended up recovering my old seat as I wanted the original look. And I agree with you on the name "gunfighter". What are we.. little kids that need to get drawn to a product because it has a bad ass name? If so, someone should come out with a line of adult diapers and call them "50 caliber ninja pants". It would draw from the same consumer pool as the gunfighter seats and people of all ages would buy them.

Robb2014 · Nov 12, 2012

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norton-Commando ... f4&vxp=mtr

mikegray660 · Nov 12, 2012

you could always order a roadster seat pan (or interstate) and cut it to length and have an upholstery shop fashion it into a shape you/your behind will enjoy - thats what i did with my custom interstate tank, cut a roadster pan down about 2" and had the foam reshaped

beefco · Nov 14, 2012

I am heavy and I like a very firm seat. I went to the local foam store sat on blocks of foam until I found the right density. I tooj the wifes electirc knife and went at it. New cover from British Bikes and all is well. I have a Corbin on my Suzuki and love it, but I had it made while I waited for it in Hollister. When they can measure you for a seat it really helps. I like Corbin. But I would not buy a seat unseen and untried. Buy a block of foam and go for it. Once you make that first cut, it gets easier. The top needs to be very smooth. The slightest ridge will bother the heck out of you in short order.

namibchris · Nov 15, 2012

So, I decided not to tear apart my fastback seat, that way if I ever sell the bike I have all the fastback kit intact. I found a beat up seat in the UK for 25 quid which I had the seller strip to the pan, which is all I really want anyway. Now its going to be tap tap tap while I wait and more then a little pissed I'm not going to have it done in time for taking a whack at most improved.

Thanks for all the help as always it is much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Chris

SteveBorland · Nov 15, 2012

Regarding the Fastback seat, it's always annoyed me thatthe rear ofthe seat is not flush with the glassfiber fairing - always thought that this would look a lot neater. The standard seat always reminds me of a fat man sitting on a stool that's too small

Or perhaps this is another example of how far sighted Norton really were - looking at the Ducati Sport classics, they have the same "feature".

Steve in Denmark

Torontonian · Nov 15, 2012

Yes to hitting the foam store and testing for firmness ,not softness. The most comfortable seats are quite firm.

swooshdave · Nov 15, 2012

namibchris said:
So, I decided not to tear apart my fastback seat, that way if I ever sell the bike I have all the fastback kit intact. I found a beat up seat in the UK for 25 quid which I had the seller strip to the pan, which is all I really want anyway. Now its going to be tap tap tap while I wait and more then a little pissed I'm not going to have it done in time for taking a whack at most improved.

Thanks for all the help as always it is much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Chris

Considering where you live you are very lucky to even had a Commando let alone be able to get parts at all.

The fact that Corbin makes a seat at all for a bike that's been out of production for *a very long time* should be seen as a positive. I would not disparage them at all.

If you want a custom seat for a Fastback you should go to a custom seat place that is local. Unfortunately for you that might be 5000km away.

kommando · Nov 15, 2012

Its the position of the 2 ears on the base that determines where the seat sits, I have an Interpol tank which lengthwise is half way between a Roadster and Interstate tank. To get a seat to fit I took an Interstate seat base and removed the ears and test fitted them until I got the right fit with the Interpol tank and then bolted the ears into the new position.

Matt Spencer · Nov 15, 2012

Very cunning . Top Marks .

gtsun · Nov 15, 2012

I'm not suprized Corbin still makes a Commando seat, after all it is what got them started and they owe there very existance to them. I have one of the real early ones & while I don't realy like the look it does work well.

beefco · Nov 16, 2012

I'm with Dave about Corbin. If you look at the production seats in their catalog, it is all high volumne late model bikes. That our Nortons still get their attention is amazing. I have an example of their early Norton work on my shelf. It is a King Queen seat. Yikes. What a thing to do to a bike.

pelican · Nov 16, 2012

gtsun said:
I'm not suprized Corbin still makes a Commando seat, after all it is what got them started and they owe there very existance to them. I have one of the real early ones & while I don't realy like the look it does work well.

Corbin has been making seats since the 70's at least. Did they make commando seats way back then?
The owner of corbin owned that black commando on their site. It went up for auction a 2 or 3 years ago.

Snorton74 · Nov 16, 2012

I heard that CNW sent a bike to Corbin for designing the Gunfighter seat.??

namibchris · Nov 17, 2012

Considering where you live you are very lucky to even had a Commando let alone be able to get parts at all.

The fact that Corbin makes a seat at all for a bike that's been out of production for *a very long time* should be seen as a positive. I would not disparage them at all.

If you want a custom seat for a Fastback you should go to a custom seat place that is local. Unfortunately for you that might be 5000km away.[/quote]

Seriously Swooshie? You guys in the OSW are spoiled by the wealth of options you have. When Lizzies Royal Post deliver it I will be taking my Welsh seat pan to an Italian furniture manufacturer in Windhoek (250kms) to have it built to spec using as many pirated photographs of great seats I can find, after I have gone to the foam rubber manufacturer to get some butt padding.

Didn't disparage Corbin’s products only their suck butt service

C

swooshdave · Nov 17, 2012

namibchris said:
Seriously Swooshie? You guys in the OSW are spoiled by the wealth of options you have. When Lizzies Royal Post deliver it I will be taking my Welsh seat pan to an Italian furniture manufacturer in Windhoek (250kms) to have it built to spec using as many pirated photographs of great seats I can find, after I have gone to the foam rubber manufacturer to get some butt padding.

Didn't disparage Corbin’s products only their suck butt service

C

If you had that option then why did you even bother to contact Corbin?

namibchris · Nov 17, 2012

C[/quote]

If you had that option then why did you even bother to contact Corbin?[/quote]

Fair question Swoosh

I went to Corbin because my option here will be expensive, it will also be a time consuming pain in the butt. It may or may not turn out well. My furniture buddies are very good but have no experience with motorcycle seats. Corbin would have been a fast reasonably well engineered option with certainty of appearance.

Chris

Heavy sigh, seat woes.

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