Lowered commando

[baz]

Years ago on here I'm sure I saw a commando with lowered seat frame rails , does anyone remember this or has a link to one
I want to build a lowered commando for my Mrs to ride
Just looking for ideas
Cheers

 

[gortnipper]

Talk to Matt @cNw , I think he has done a few.

 

[EstuaryBoy]

At the risk of antagonizing (apologies in advance !)... Norvil used to offer a 2" lower frame....

 

[baz]

At the risk of antagonizing (apologies in advance !)... Norvil used to offer a 2" lower frame....

No antagonism taken
I remember seeing the frames advertised ,a full 2" lower would be good but I wouldn't buy a norvil one
I'm no stranger to modifying frames so I'll do what's necessary to get the height she needs
Cheers

 

[kommando]

The solution you need is a lower seat height but retaining the clearance to the road.

Take a frame, cut off the Frame rear loop and either reweld lower or buy and weld on a new rail. Go for 1" lower and use 1" shorter shocks.

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

Take the seat apart and cut 1" off the bottom of the foam and then rebuild.

Total reduction in seat height 2" ground clearance unchanged.

Make the seat narrower and even more effective reduction as this allows shorter legs to reach further,

 

[Onder]

Harder thinner foam on the seat works wonders. Or even better use the Ludwig "mold my butt" method. It is surprising how narrowing a seat helps with the height problem.
Seems to me that british bikes got heavier and taller toward the end of manufacture.

 

[baz]

The solution you need is a lower seat height but retaining the clearance to the road.

Take a frame, cut off the Frame rear loop and either reweld lower or buy and weld on a new rail. Go for 1" lower and use 1" shorter shocks.

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.

andover-norton.co.uk

Take the seat apart and cut 1" off the bottom of the foam and then rebuild.

Total reduction in seat height 2" ground clearance unchanged.

Make the seat narrower and even more effective reduction as this allows shorter legs to reach further,

Yes that's pretty much what I'm thinking ,I have 2 frames to play with
Cheers

 

[L.A.B.]

Short Roadholder stanchions are 21 3/4” in length compared to Commando stanchions which are 23” long.

Just fitting shorter stanchions won't lower the ride height as the damper tubes would also need to be changed/shortened or the springs changed.

 

[Torontonian]

When I bought my 70 back in 74 from Capital City Cycle , Ottawa , the P.O. was Marilyn who worked there and she was about 5'1". Her fix was to cut the swingarm's lower shock mounts off and re-drill holes into the remaining 2 support stubs. I drove it for about a year or so that way until finding a used swingarm at a swap meet.

 

[baz]

When I bought my 70 back in 74 from Capital City Cycle , Ottawa , the P.O. was Marilyn who worked there and she was about 5'1". Her fix was to cut the swingarm's lower shock mounts off and re-drill holes into the remaining 2 support stubs. I drove it for about a year or so that way until finding a used swingarm at a swap meet.

How was the handling and ground clearance?

 

[RoadScholar]

Seems to me that british bikes got heavier and taller toward the end of manufacture.

With the possible exception of the "Donor Cycles" the trend you noted has spread across, virtually, all the manufacturers in their mid and high displacement offerings. The other side of that is getting older makes it harder to sling a leg over, certainly true in my case and a prime reason I sold my 2009 Triumph Tiger 1050.

Best.

 

[Torontonian]

How was the handling and ground clearance?

Seemed fine at the time. I was young and thrilled to get such a cool machine. Hot dog pipes . Points. Got pulled over twice in the Police state of suburban Nepean Ont. and written up to get a new exhaust which I had to do. Bought and fitted an S&S 2 into 1 the next day , drove to the cop shop to show them the order was fulfilled fast. They said "We believe you." No visual inspection. My last money at the time. Shocks (Girlings) were good so never hit any bumps. 19 tooth spocket .

 

[Stpdwthflrgn]

Pedro… I remember that 2 into 1 setup back in '83. Gold metal flake paint, black bullet fairing and a custom cafe style ribbed seat with gold top.
Yeah pipes were a bit quiet but the bike looked awesome. Should upload a pic otherwise I will have to dig up photos from Cherry Beach shoot. Remember?

 

[Stpdwthflrgn]

18 inch rear wheel and shorter shocks helps.
(Changing shock mounts to lower bike means modify chainguard)

 

[Torontonian]

Pedro… I remember that 2 into 1 setup back in '83. Gold metal flake paint, black bullet fairing and a custom cafe style ribbed seat with gold top.
Yeah pipes were a bit quiet but the bike looked awesome. Should upload a pic otherwise I will have to dig up photos from Cherry Beach shoot. Remember?

Yes , fully remember. Feel free to post the photo of our bikes back then on Cherry Beach Toronto.
Oddly enough I have new hot dogs to install in my search for the perfect sound.

 

[acotrel]

There is probably a Norton part number for the weights you can tie to her ankles while she is asleep.

 

[Torontonian]

There is probably a Norton part number for the weights you can tie to her ankles while she is asleep.

06-Stretch .

 

[bentrod]

Years ago on here I'm sure I saw a commando with lowered seat frame rails , does anyone remember this or has a link to one
I want to build a lowered commando for my Mrs to ride
Just looking for ideas
Cheers

I had a thread here a while back on how I made my own seat because I am a short person. Because my upholstery skills were lacking the final product was not appealing to the eye but it was very good in terms of lowering my butt enough that I was able to plant my feed almost flat on the ground. I used a close cell foam that was very comfortable. I stripped the upholstery off and was going to redo it but never got around to it. I probably will never be riding the Commando again and the homemade seat pan has been sitting around waiting for the dumps. The seat pan fits very well to the bike, so along with a talented upholster it could be made into a good looking seat that accomplishes your needs. Your welcome to it, just the cost of shipping. PM me if your interested.

Art

 

[baz]

I had a thread here a while back on how I made my own seat because I am a short person. Because my upholstery skills were lacking the final product was not appealing to the eye but it was very good in terms of lowering my butt enough that I was able to plant my feed almost flat on the ground. I used a close cell foam that was very comfortable. I stripped the upholstery off and was going to redo it but never got around to it. I probably will never be riding the Commando again and the homemade seat pan has been sitting around waiting for the dumps. The seat pan fits very well to the bike, so along with a talented upholster it could be made into a good looking seat that accomplishes your needs. Your welcome to it, just the cost of shipping. PM me if your interested.

Art

Hi Art
That's a very kind offer but I'm in the UK so postage would be high
And I am intending to make my own , so I'll say no but thankyou
Cheers

 

[kommando]

RGM do a thin Manx style seat that fits a Commando, out of stock currently.