Hi-Rider Conversion

Thruxtonite · Apr 4, 2015

I've been enjoying my vintage and hinckley Triumphs for some years but have always wanted to add a Norton to my collection. The only Nortons I have come across that aren't 8-10k range are a couple of Hi-Riders. Would the bike be worth as much as an original roadster or interstate if the tank, handle bars, side covers, seat etc are changed over? One particularly near me needs a lot of work anyway so I may be interested. Thanks for any input you may have the share.

Danno · Apr 4, 2015

Keep the tank, re=work the seat and shitcan the apehangers and it's as desirable as any of these old crocks.

cjandme · Apr 4, 2015

Danno said:
Keep the tank, re=work the seat and shitcan the apehangers and it's as desirable as any of these old crocks.

+1 ..... except I would add that it might be easier to just get another seat to match the style of tank that you choose.......seats for bikes with roadster tanks are different than seats for bikes with interstate tanks. Also, since the bike needs work and is cheaper to buy, you can spend your cash on engine/carb/ignition/isolastic-suspension /brake & cosmetic up grades

, welcome thruxtonite

Danno · Apr 4, 2015

cjandme said:
Danno said:

Keep the tank, re=work the seat and shitcan the apehangers and it's as desirable as any of these old crocks.

Click to expand...

+1 ..... except I would add that it might be easier to just get another seat to match the style of tank that you choose.......seats for bikes with roadster tanks are different than seats for bikes with interstate tanks. Also, since the bike needs work and is cheaper to buy, you can spend your cash on engine/carb/ignition/isolastic-suspension /brake & cosmetic up grades , welcome thruxtonite

So true, but possibly spendy. New SS seats go for $350. I would imagine a Corbin isn't much cheaper, if at all.

Rohan · Apr 4, 2015

Danno said:
Keep the tank, re=work the seat and shitcan the apehangers and it's as desirable as any of these old crocks.

And all these cosmetic bits just bolt on, or off, and underneath the mechanicals are all the same.

SquareHead · Apr 4, 2015

Welcome!

Hobot · Apr 4, 2015

At larger Norton rallys usually a hand full of happy thick skinned factory H iRiders strutting their stuff. Hi Rider Easy Rider tank is one of the seekist sexiest from Norton. Remarkable how well HR must of sold as so many mentioned found to be de-chopered on this forum and who know how many long before this forum.

Rohan · Apr 4, 2015

hobot said:
Remarkable how well HR must of sold as so many mentioned found to be de-chopered on this forum and who know how many long before this forum.

Someone here (?) mentioned recently that in many cases the Dealers didn't order any HiRiders, they just turned up with other models.
So just pot luck what they had in the showroom to sell.

Wonder if the price was adjusted accordingly to shift em ?
Or if they really did get rushed off their feet....

Hobot · Apr 4, 2015

Hm similar to picking between a black barrel disc or silver barrel drum '72. My bud Wes '71 only changed bars and seat on his so uses the sissy bar to strap luggage on for trips but dt the sexy little tank must carry a canteen of gas in bag that half covers tank and we stop about 50-60 miles for gas no even on out of state rides. Anywho I sure wouldn't want strangers first impressions of me to be on a Hy Ryder no sir ree bob.

Danno · Apr 5, 2015

Rohan said:
hobot said:

Remarkable how well HR must of sold as so many mentioned found to be de-chopered on this forum and who know how many long before this forum.

Click to expand...

Someone here (?) mentioned recently that in many cases the Dealers didn't order any HiRiders, they just turned up with other models.
So just pot luck what they had in the showroom to sell.

Wonder if the price was adjusted accordingly to shift em ?
Or if they really did get rushed off their feet....

The Mk III Hi-Riders were sold off for a pittance. They were the last bikes languishing unsold as Norton circled the drain. I knew several people who bought them for a song.

drones76 · Apr 5, 2015

We still have a Brit Bike shop in town. He opened in '65 and is winding down now. I asked him about the Hi-Riders back in the day. He said it was easier for the dealers to order Hi-Riders, then separately order the bits for a Roadster/Interstate and do the transfer themselves before delivery to the customer. He said most of the Hi-Rider parts wound up in a nearby creek.

Hobot · Apr 5, 2015

Ok Danno and Drones - that fills me in on the logistics of dodging looking like an idiot with taste buds in toes, pick em up cheap and then conceal their genetics. I'd thot that '71 models were the end of the drug dealer pimp cycle style so extra unappealing to me if also a MKIII.

grandpaul · Apr 5, 2015

Former High Rider with basically only the tank, seat, bars & foot controls changed.

Who'd a thunk it?

Commando models are virtually identical under the skin.

grandpaul · Apr 5, 2015

High Rider tanks can be a great look...

drones76 · Apr 5, 2015

hobot said:
Ok Danno and Drones - that fills me in on the logistics of dodging looking like an idiot with taste buds in toes, pick em up cheap and then conceal their genetics. I'd thot that '71 models were the end of the drug dealer pimp cycle style so extra unappealing to me if also a MKIII.

Don't get me wrong. If I had the chance to pick up a hi-rider, I would ride it with pride. I like the odd-ball factor.

Hobot · Apr 5, 2015

Don't get me wrong. If I had the chance to pick up a hi-rider, I would ride it with pride. I like the odd-ball factor.

Ha drones easy to say w/o a photo for us to snicker at you behind your back. I've tried to sit as pillion on Hi Rider seat to know a gal behind you would have most their chest masses pressing you down to cafe style with hands over your head giggling inside at Norton's male delight insight. Ford had its Edsel too.

Thruxtonite · Apr 5, 2015

Thanks for all your feedback. So basically the frame and engine are all the same and the differences between roadster, interstate, and hi-rider are cosmetic only. Seems like if I have a lot of work ahead of me with this bike I shouldn't be too concerned because I'll end up making it into the bike I want. Thanks again.

Hi-Rider Conversion

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