S type seat vs Roadster

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Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Gents,

AN list an S type seat and describe it as 'similar to the Roadster but flatter'...

Looking a the pics, it looks the same as a Roadster but with thinner foam. And it looks nice, I'm wondering if one fits nicely on a Roadster...

So my question is: is the base the same? I thought S types had a different angle at the front, with the base coming up higher where it meets the tank.

I'll ask AN, but would also appreciate input from you learned folk on here...
 
My 'S' seat is definitely wider and flatter (my 'S' has roadster pipes) The side panels angle up a little more than the later roadsters, so I would assume the seat is angled up a little to match. I can provide more closeups if the side shot is not enough. This fits up fine against the tank whether "S" or roadster. I am not aware of any changes to the frame. The seat base has two sheet metal tabs that slip over the aluminum hand-nuts at the top of the shocks, which I think is common to the two. I will sent pics of the seat bottom later, if nobody beats me. Oh, yeah -- mine has "Norton" stenciled on the back, but its faded and not visible in the picture.

S type seat vs Roadster

S type seat vs Roadster


Ted
 
Thanks Ted, it looks like the base must be different, there would definitely be a tapered gap between seat and side panel on my bike, which isn't what I'd want.

Lovely looking S type you've got there. Gotta ask though... If you have an S... Why forego the iconic exhaust system?
 
The Roadster side panels are less pointed at the front than the S type. The S type panels come closer to the cutout in the bottom rear of the petrol tank. Many "rare" ebay bike sellers make this mistake and many suckers fall for it.
 
Eddie:

I bought the bike in 1974 when I was a senior in HI-school. It was not iconic yet, and I liked the roadster pipes better back then. Also, it was a pain getting burned, servicing the left side, and the bracket kept breaking. However, I do still have all the parts, including mufflers with rattling internals

Ted
 
gripper said:
The Roadster side panels are less pointed at the front than the S type. The S type panels come closer to the cutout in the bottom rear of the petrol tank. Many "rare" ebay bike sellers make this mistake and many suckers fall for it.
Click to expand...

Hi.
You are talking about 1971 onward Roadster side panels.
The 1970 Roadster has the same side covers of the Stype 1969/70.
Ciao
Piero
 
gripper said:
The Roadster side panels are less pointed at the front than the S type. The S type panels come closer to the cutout in the bottom rear of the petrol tank. Many "rare" ebay bike sellers make this mistake and many suckers fall for it.
Click to expand...

However, except for the low-level exhaust system, the 1970 Roadsters were basically identical to the 'S' type.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... Norton.pdf
 
The seat on my '70 Roadster is the same as the S model. Much more comfortable than the later, taller seats. A later model seat fits my bike, but I have not looked for any difference in the seat pan. Now, I'll have to see if I still have the later model seat...

Greg.
 
The seat pans are different. The "S" and early Roadster seat pans are flatter, had a loop with bumpers at the rear, and an opening at the front for the frame tube. I'll see if I can get a pic of the early vs later seat pans when I get home tomorrow, as I've got both.

RSR
 
As others have said, the seat changed in 1971, not between models in 70. I'd like to see the different seat pans too, RSR. Might have something to do with going from the central to side oil tank too, not sure.
 
I also really like the look of the "S" style seat. Mostly the flatter profile as opposed to the Roadster seat which resembles an an anaconda that swallowed a piglet. I took the saddle to Jon Revilla (The Seat Guy) and had him cut a few inches out of the foam at the rear and make the height uniform front to back. I'm very pleased how it turned out and I think the proportions are better for the bike. Since my seat foam is pretty stiff the comfort seems unaffected. I would have cut the entire seat down another inch or so but then I would have cut off the "Norton" logo at the rear, requiring the cover to be cut and re-stitched, which wasn't in the budget. And now my grab rail is a tad high. Oh well. Esthetics...

Before:
S type seat vs Roadster


After:
S type seat vs Roadster
 
I like the look of the 69/70 seat as opposed to the banana seat from 71 on. Can't speak to if it's more comfortable or not.

S type seat vs Roadster
 
DogT said:
I like the look of the 69/70 seat as opposed to the banana seat from 71 on. Can't speak to if it's more comfortable or not.

S type seat vs Roadster
Click to expand...

Sitting that strap for a couple hours is not comfortable. Otherwise the S seat is good for 500+ mile days.

Greg
 
I know some like to cut off that strap, I've never had an issue with it. I suppose if you cut it off, the girls hold on to you tighter though.
 
I've always thought the saddle looked a little naked without a strap, useless as it is.
Mine was removed before I got the bike but it leaves behind the noticeable divot where it compressed the foam.
 
No one ever complained. It also keeps your girlfriend tight against your back.
 
Well, I haven't located the later seat, but I took two shots of the underside of my 1970 Roadster seat:

S type seat vs Roadster


S type seat vs Roadster


Hope this helps someone.

RSR
 
Ever since the demise of the "nice, flat British saddle" as P. Egan referred to it, seatmakers like Corbin, Sargent, Saddleman and others have gotten rich replacing what passes for modern motorcycle seats.
 
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