Newbie question Interstate vs roadster

Sawsall · Sep 14, 2008

Could someone point me to somewhere that can explain the diferences with pictures (or do it here) between a roadster and an interstate...

L.A.B. · Sep 14, 2008

The basic differences between Roadster and Interstate models were: fuel tank, seat, side covers, grab rail and "cigar" muffler/silencer exhaust system on the early Interstates.
Disc front brakes were introduced on the first Interstate models (1972), and the majority of '72 Interstates had the high power Combat engine.

http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Commando.htm

http://www.nortonownersclub.org/models/ ... etail.html

BillT · Sep 15, 2008

Interstate has a 25 liter fuel tank, where the Roadster has an 11 liter fuel tank. Fiberglass tanks are 1 liter less capacity for each model. Seat and side covers are different due to the different tanks. I guess the grab rail is different because the seat is different.

I would imagine a well-tuned Interstate should cruise well over 300 miles on a tank.

mikegray660 · Sep 15, 2008

BillT said:
Interstate has a 25 liter fuel tank, where the Roadster has an 11 liter fuel tank. Fiberglass tanks are 1 liter less capacity for each model. Seat and side covers are different due to the different tanks. I guess the grab rail is different because the seat is different.

I would imagine a well-tuned Interstate should cruise well over 300 miles on a tank.

provided its not fiberglass and leaking all over the place from ethanol fuels! :cry:

Sawsall · Sep 15, 2008

Alrighty then... I have a Roadster

Thanks Guys!

TehYanx · Oct 3, 2013

This was actually something I was wondering about. Sorry for the necro bump. I wasn't sure if the serial/vin # could shed some light on it.

drones76 · Oct 3, 2013

TehYanx said:
This was actually something I was wondering about. Sorry for the necro bump. I wasn't sure if the serial/vin # could shed some light on it.

Serial number will certainly determine the model year. I do not think it will determine the model.

kommando · Oct 3, 2013

The basic motorcycle was common to both, so you can dress 72 and later bikes as either by swapping parts, nothing on the frame or its identification numbers differ so unless you look for clues like the later Interstate mainly being fitted with Veglia clocks and not Smiths ( nothing was 100% on items like this, if they were short of one type the other type got fitted) no-one will be the wiser. A lot of Hi-riders end up being converted to either spec.

Matt Spencer · Oct 4, 2013

This is A

Um .

Jed · Oct 4, 2013

Mk3 seems to be mostly interstate except for the hi rider and JPS colour scheme roadster
I have never seen the JPS colour scheme on an interstate
Is this the way it is?
There are MK3 roadsters around in black & red etc but I wonder if they were available like that?

Matt Spencer · Oct 4, 2013

one that was originally White , is liable to have had something to do with These Chaps .

Jed · Oct 4, 2013

pretty effective image to boost recruitment numbers!

Time Warp · Oct 4, 2013

Matt Spencer said:
This is A

Um .

The original Interstate before there was one when it had one of these ?

FastFred · Oct 5, 2013

I have had both. The roadster (I have now) is prettier but the interstate is also a very handsome bike, very British looking. I may need a nother interstate at some point...

ntst8 · Oct 5, 2013

FastFred said:
...The roadster (I have now) is prettier but the interstate is also a very handsome bike, very British looking. I may need a nother interstate at some point...

Now there's a challenge if i ever saw one, eye of the beholder etc.
A minority i'm sure but some of us do prefer the interstate, and it doesn't hurt being able to see a petrol station and ride past it :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Newbie question Interstate vs roadster

Sawsall

L.A.B.

Moderator

BillT

mikegray660

Sawsall

TehYanx

drones76

kommando

Matt Spencer

Jed

Matt Spencer

Jed

Time Warp

.......back to the 70's.

FastFred

ntst8

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