Seat grab rail attachment

I've just installed my new seat grab rail with attaching brackets/fasteners, both from Andover Norton. They are both very nice parts. Am in the process of converting my 1973 Hi-Rider to roadster trim. In the fastener pack they include both 7/8" long and 1 1/2" long through bolts. I used the shorter set of bolts and they were adequately long. Can someone tell why the longer bolts may be needed?

There are two different styles of grab rail. One has 4 tabs welded to the bottom of the tube (uses the short bolts). The other has 4 sections of (for lack of better term) square tube. This style would take the longer bolts. I believe the latter type is not an OEM Norton part, but seem to be relatively abundant.

Example of the latter style.

Ron L said:

I believe the latter type is not an OEM Norton part,

Click to expand...

Yes it is OEM. The 'commonised' 064978 rail in your picture replaced the two different rails for the Roadster and Interstate but is no longer available from AN.
This rail also used different clips without the captive nut.

L.A.B. said:

Yes it is OEM. The 'commonised' 064978 rail in your picture replaced the two different rails for the Roadster and Interstate but is no longer available from AN.

Andover Norton - (USE 06.3819 ROADSTER 06.3632 I'STATE) - 06.4978

(USE 06.3819 ROADSTER 06.3632 I'STATE)

andover-norton.co.uk

This rail also used different clips without the captive nut.

Andover Norton - CLIP - GRAB RAIL TO FRAME (plain - without nut) - 06.3798

CLIP - GRAB RAIL TO FRAME (plain - without nut)

andover-norton.co.uk

Click to expand...

Hmmm.... 50 years playing with these bikes and still learning things!! Thanks Les!

Yes, the commonised (Norton's name for it) rail was supposed to have been introduced around May 1973 according to Service Release N3/54, however, the two separate rails were still listed in the Mk2/2A supplement so 064978 doesn't appear until the Mk3.


The commonised rail can be slid along the seat rail to suit either the Roadster or Interstate seat.

L.A.B. said:

Yes, the commonised (Norton's name for it) rail was supposed to have been introduced around May 1973 according to Service Release N3/54, however, the two separate rails were still listed in the Mk2/2A supplement so 064978 doesn't appear until the Mk3.


The commonised rail can be slid along the seat rail to suit either the Roadster or Interstate seat.

Click to expand...

And I thought it was adjustable on my '76 for luggage! That's temporary until I can get proper saddlebags.