I've noticed there are 3 different pillion seats fitted to 16H's, there's the solid foam one, there's the one that I've got on my bike with a pivot point at the front and springs at the back, and the one pictured here with springs at the front. On the WD Norton site it only shows the 2 different ones and not this one with the springs at the front.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

I can't see the springs at the front that you talk of Horror. I've zoomed in and to me it looks like mine with the springs at the back. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Dave is right on this one. Considering that he's no spring chicken either, he's still got quite good eyesight !



Jan is quite well informed on the two steel frames varieties on Nortons.

The first pillions were the Dunlopillo type, introduced in 1941, but these were discontinued due to the rubber shortages. They were followed by the front-sprung type. As far as I can tell, this was a 1942/43 saddle and from then on, the rear-sprung type were used.

Rob seems to have missed the change on his website.

So much for me zooming in on that picture. It all becomes too pixelated to see the springs Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Well I don't like to cluck about it but I noticed it a few years ago in the picture on the inside cover to the WD16H maintenance manual. To start with I thought it was artistic licence on the drawing as the bike also has a black exhaust, then I noticed it on a few original pictures. The bad news for us aspiring rivet counters is I've got the wrong seat on my bike.... I'll be awake all night worrying about it now

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Hi Dave,

Since I have an addictive obsession for pillion seats I have (had) quite a few in the last years.
Like with other suppliers pillion seats have been produced by several manufacturers.
Here are some different examples;

Front springs and patent no;


Front springs without patent no;


front and rear springs Lycetts;


The Lycetts with front springs on my Norton;


And a rigid one;


This is what I have that looks like the 'Norton ones'. Of course there are many more variations.

Regards, Sven

email (option): snvosselman@gmail.com

Your quite right about more variations. I have one that looks like the front spring version but also has springs at the back. Sorry no photo tho.

Thanks for that Sven, the rigid one looks like a painful ride After looking closely at pictures of bikes from the same contract as mine (C11082), my bike should have the springs at the front. I must admit I thought they were Triumph pillion seats when I've seen them for sale. Even looking at war time pictures you can't tell how much of the bike is correct and hasn't been rebuilt, as the forum pictures proves. Thanks for showing these Sven

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk