Norton Seats

Status
Not open for further replies.

jumpmaster

Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
2
Another new guy signing on. I've got a 75 Interstate that I bought in 1979. I'm the 3rd owner - 2nd owner sold it to me after having it only 3 months. It's been in running condition maybe a third of that time - I'm too cheap to pay others to do much of the necessary work on it, too poor a mechanic to do repairs quickly & correctly on the first try, & spent significant time out of the country over the years. Anyway, its now a "twenty-footer" (looks great from 20 feet, but get closer & you see the wear, etc.) that I put a couple of thousand miles per year on. I'm trying to get it ready for a "saddlesore" (1k miles in 24 hrs or less) early next summer. My question for the group is - does anyone have any authoritative information on "king & queen" seats on Commandos? I bought one from a guy in the UK who claimed he got it from a closed dealer's old inventory. I've never seen one in a factory picture or brochure, but its built on a stock 75 seat pan & the leather pattern looks factory. Was this a factory option, possibly? I've seen one other on ebay, & I've seen a couple on Triumphs but they didn't look like factory products. It is definitely more comfortable than the bench stock seat, both for me & my regular passenger. Any info to satisfy my curiosity would be appreciated.
 
Welcome to the forum. Feel free to post pics of what you have. We love to view Nortons and Norton bits.

The closest thing to a king-queen seat was the HiRider model, with its ape hanger handle bars and sissy bar. Regarded by most as the ugly duckling of Commandos. It had padding in the back for the passenger but the rider endured thin padding for the sake of (ugh) style.

The Interstate (touring Norton) had probably the most comfortable seat. I replaced the foam rubber in my Roadster seat a year or two ago and it made a world of difference. But 250 miles a day is my limit (old age, sore back, need beer).
 
jumpmaster said:
Another new guy signing on. I've got a 75 Interstate that I bought in 1979. I'm the 3rd owner - 2nd owner sold it to me after having it only 3 months. It's been in running condition maybe a third of that time - I'm too cheap to pay others to do much of the necessary work on it, too poor a mechanic to do repairs quickly & correctly on the first try, & spent significant time out of the country over the years. Anyway, its now a "twenty-footer" (looks great from 20 feet, but get closer & you see the wear, etc.) that I put a couple of thousand miles per year on. I'm trying to get it ready for a "saddlesore" (1k miles in 24 hrs or less) early next summer. My question for the group is - does anyone have any authoritative information on "king & queen" seats on Commandos? I bought one from a guy in the UK who claimed he got it from a closed dealer's old inventory. I've never seen one in a factory picture or brochure, but its built on a stock 75 seat pan & the leather pattern looks factory. Was this a factory option, possibly? I've seen one other on ebay, & I've seen a couple on Triumphs but they didn't look like factory products. It is definitely more comfortable than the bench stock seat, both for me & my regular passenger. Any info to satisfy my curiosity would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

you occasional see these "king/queen) on EBAY - a couple of times a year - looks like a interstate seat on steroids with dual ass pockets - i have never seen them go for much $ ( no one wants them) -
 
>>you occasional see these "king/queen) on EBAY - a couple of times a year - looks like a interstate seat on steroids with dual ass pockets - i have never seen them go for much $ ( no one wants them) -<<

I picked one up on E-Bay a little while back for $125. In new condition.
Not real pretty for sure but I'll put it on when I can convince my wife to go on the back. :wink:
 
Thanks for the responses. I'll be darned if I can figure out how to post pictures on this forum, though. Tips? I've got one piture of the seat I bought & one of my bike - with the stock Interstate seat on it.
 
Hi There and welcome to the Forum.

I have a roadster. It was terrible due to having to fill with fuel all the time so I fitted my interstate tank. I fitted an interstate saddle to go with the tank and it was extremely un-comfortable and looked terrible. I sent it to an uplholstery professional called Rich Maund in Virgina (a great guy) and he stripped it down to the base and made me a new saddle with modern foam. I am extremely happy. He did not charge me much! I am so happy with his work I will go out and take some better shots of the bike with this saddle and make a web page at my site just for him. This talent is hard to find these days! He said if anyone mentions my forum he will give them a discount. PM me for his contact info. I will have a page up here for him in a few weeks. Here is the saddle he made:
Norton Seats


On a side note-- Did a 70 mile ride today and my bike runs and handles great. I keep looking at the 961, but think I am content with what I have. Maybe after I win the lotto...

cheers--Jerry
 
I run a Corbin "gunfighter" seat and find it very comfortable. The padding is firm, but that's the ticket. You'd think soft foam would be more comfortable, and it is, for an hour or so, then you start getting "hot spots." The Corbin is comfortable all day, and all of the night (apologies to Ray Davies...)
 
trouble is a corbin gunfighter wont fit with interstate tank,so that option was out for me
 
Making seats isn't rocket science. If you already have a pan you can get some modern foam of different densities and shape it how you want. You can make a way more comfortable and functional seat than one of those king & queen jobs!! I'll bet you have an upholstery shop close by that can make you a nice cover. I have been pretty amazed at the quality of seats people make for themselves.
 
mikegray660 said:
nortonspeed said:
Jerry Doe said:
trouble is a corbin gunfighter wont fit with interstate tank,so that option was out for me
Click to expand...

Holland Norton Works (http://www.hollandnortonworks.eu) supply handmade Corbin look-alike seats to fit an Interstate tank as well as a Roadster tank.
Click to expand...

for €797 - yikes!!!
Click to expand...

I know, that's with all special one-off parts :shock: So please let me know of an altenative Corbin quality look-alike to fit an Interstate tank :!:
 
while not a "corbin" seat i had my local guy make this with denser foam on an interstate seat pan - was about $300 including buying the pan

Norton Seats
 
mikegray660 said:
while not a "corbin" seat i had my local guy make this with denser foam on an interstate seat pan - was about $300 including buying the pan

Norton Seats
Click to expand...

Much better than the huge original Interstate seat but still not like this:

Norton Seats
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top