These period racing number plates are high quality aluminium plates, of the same design as were originally fitted to historic race bikes in their day.

They come in bare metal finish (with a plastic cover sheet over their top surface on the current batch - to protect from scratching), but can be painted in whatever colour is desired.  In the second photograph you can see I have fitted them here to my 1938 Manx Norton and painted them in classic black.

They are very nice quality and manufactured in the UK (hence not cheap), and are a strong gauge and with the correct raised bevel lip around their circumference and oval shape - identical to the original plates fitted through 1930's to 1960's.  We do sell a much cheaper plastic version - which is durable and good value for money if you are racing regularly - but these are a much higher quality version in metal and look good when painted, they set off any historic race bike restoration nicely

July 2023 Update:- Now back in stock, apologies but the price of these has risen again considerably (and we take the minimum margin we can on them) - we appreciate they are not cheap, but they are UK manufactured and the correct style and shape as was used on historic competition bikes - which is why we stock them, and at least they are still available!

- These racing number plates have the correct distinctive oval shape and bevelled lip as fitted to competition bikes manufactured from the 1930's to the 1950's -Supplied in a variety of colours. 

They are Oval shaped - with a Width at widest point of 11.5" (292mm) and Height at widest of 9.25" (234mm).  Price is Each

They are made in plastic, and therefore not of the same quality as the aluminum ones we also sell (I would call them cheap and cheerful) - but are very practical if you are regularly competing on a historic bike - as they have the correct shape and bevelled lip of older race bikes, but being plastic have some flexibility and do not bend like metal equivelants.

Also, because they are pre-coloured they do not need to be painted - therefore if you are regularly changing numbers at different races - these have the big advantage that taking the old number off will not also remove the paint! (a problem I remember well from my own racing days).

Truthfully - if you are restoring a historic bike for static or display purposes, or are not intending to change numbers often - I would advise spending the extra money and buying our aluminium versions of these - Item 0277 (both have the same shape and profile), and painting them - but these plastic versions offer good value for money, and are more durable if you are regularly competing and need something practical and durable.

Available in Black, White, Yellow, Green or Red (although the red is more of a dullish red-brown.  Red was historically used for Unlimited class in Historic Racing) .  They can also be painted over if required.

Price is each - it is normal to require 3 per bike - one on the front and one on either side of the rear wheel

We also offer plastic number plate screws and lipped nuts from this listing - see the last 3 items.  When racing, I always used these plastic screws and lipped nuts, finding them ideal for holding these plastic number plates in place . . . and cheap to replace if they break off after a knock or tumble.  We offer them in 3 screw colours - yellow, white or black.  Price is for two screws and two nuts (i.e. a pair, enough to secure one number plate)

Update November 2021:  These have been out of stock for the last six months - and sorry to say, our supplier has informed us it is unlikely we will be getting any more in the future.  We are looking at trying to find a new manufacturer - but this will be a long way off yet (possibly 8 - 12 months minimum, if we find someone).  Email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk if you are interested and wish to reserve one for the future.  Thx.

Update June 2022:  I am talking to a specialist manufacturer, but sorry to say one of our remaining patterns has gone missing in transit!!  Argggh!.  I will keep trying.

Excellent reproduction example of the classic 'Dunlop' rubber competition saddle, used on Norton SOHC Racing Internationals/early Manx Norton and other competition motorcycles of the 1930's. 

Supplied in kit form and includes a pair of our own lasercut front mounting brackets.  

This kit is UK manufactured, is of good quality and has all the parts and instructions to allow you to fabricate this saddle yourself with little difficulty.  It is of the same construction of the type I had previously fitted to my Big Plunger 1938 Manx and the kit in this form has been unavailable until recently for a number of years.

With each saddle kit we also supply a pair of our lasercut front frame mounting brackets to help give an alternative mounting bracket to that supplied with the manufacturers kit.

Width is approximately 14" across widest point.  Larger than our other competition saddle cover (item 0618) - which is overall of a slightly smaller size, as originally these rubber saddles were offered in two different sizes.  This kit is for the larger size.

(note - in the photograph of the underside of this saddle, with the parts loosely assembled - I have inadvertently placed the rear frame member upside down - it should be assembled with the saddle spring mounts curving downwards when the saddle is placed the right way up)

These are chromed saddle springs of the parallel mount type as fitted to the rigid and plunger Norton frames with the saddle mount lugs going vertical - as per International, SOHC Manx and some OHV and SV frames (i.e. check your frame does not have its saddle mounts coming out sideways at 90 degree to vertical - which needs a different spring.

They are in the correct conical shape and have a free length of approx 4.5". Price per pair

Modern replica rubber saddle cover - similar to the Dunlop competition saddle - small size.  

This is a modern replica of the Dunlop rubber saddle fitted to many Norton Competition and International SOHC models both pre and post war.  This is not a full seat - just the cover . . . which is a possible replacement for your original, if yours is perished and split.  Sorry you will have to find your own rivets - but any large pan head rivets of aluminium or copper with a rivet length of at least 0.5" should be approximately correct . . . check your own saddle frame for details.

Please note, This saddle is of the 'small' competition type - as often used on Trials bikes or some competition bikes (there was also a larger type fitted to some models on certain years see our Item 0679)  - the dimensions of this saddle cover is - 310mm at its widest point and 295mm from nose to the centre of the rear lip.

You will see in the last photograph I have placed one of these replica saddle covers on top of my 1938 Norton Racing international which is fitted with an original Dunlop rubber saddle of the same small size - as you can see they look very similar in size and shape .

Update 2022:  Many customers have enquired about the larger 'Dunlop Competition' saddle kits (our item 0679), which came with the complete kit of fabricated parts required to make a full saddle (and was larger than this version).  Unfortunately that kit is no longer available from the original manufacturer (although I am looking at options) - but the photograph of the fabricated parts of the frame in that listing might give you a good idea how to make your own 'kit' of parts for this cover - most of those being possible to fabricate in the home workshop.  And further update March 2023: Sorry, but like so many things - the price of these have risen again.  I am still pursuing our own 0679 manufacturer, but is a long struggle with nothing in sight yet!

FYI - I have asked the supplier of these smaller rubbers covers if they can also supply the complete kit - sorry but they cannot.

This is a high quality reproduction of the Pre-War racing 'Moseley Air Cushion' type rear pillion bumpad, as fitted as original equipment on late model Velocette KTT's and occasionally pre-war Manx Nortons and other 1930's racing models. 

We have had these replicated exlusively for us from a long established specialist UK upholsterer - using our dimensions, copied from an original pattern 'Moseley Air Cushion' type bum pad (as fitted to my own 1938 Big Plunger Manx Norton - see picture) - which I know was made as a small batch many years ago for a serious collector/restorer of  original Velocette KTT race bikes. 

First of all - I am sorry these are not cheap - but we cannot compete with offshore 'mass produced' bum pads, and the long established UK upholstery company is a specialist manufacturer, who only make in small quantities (we cannot get the price any lower than it is) - we have priced these the lowest we can to make manufacturing them viable -.  With all that said, as you would expect - the quality is very nice and the design is based on an original 'race type' bum pad, including red piping - so will definitely be a an eye catching focal point of any sports or racing 1930's - 40's restoration.

It should be noted - just as the original 1930's design for this bum pad type - this bum pad does not have a steel frame.  Instead, as part of its construction, the base material has two strengthened flaps which are attached directly to the mudguard - using 4 small 1/4" BSC hex bolts with 'Pan type' stainless washers under their head to spread the load.  This was how this type of bum pad were originally fastened to the mudguard and gives the bike a very period 'racing' look, as many competition bikes of that era used the same fixing for bum pads. 

We supply each bum pad with a pack of 4 : 1/4"BSC x 7/8" stainless steel bolts/nuts, with the correct style 'Norton curved' heads, complete with pan washer (which fit between bolt head and seat mounting flap) and a normal washer (for under the mudguard).  Note - we also sell the same pack of 4 bolts in our fastening section - Item 1098.  We do not punch the holes in the flap - because we do not know what width of mudguard the customer will be fitting this bumpad to - but these bumpads do look excellent on the rear Sports/Racing mudguards we also sell (Item 307 and 305R).  Punching the holes is a simple task - and can be done with any 1/4" or 6mm punch with the flap sitting on a piece of wood or alloy.

The original design had a zip to insert the 'air bladder' - which is not required on our type - as these used normal 'seat sponge' instead.  However, if you look at the photo of the underneath of hte bum pad you will see there is a velcro fastener, so the insert shape can be amended to suit your bike, if required.  Note also, that in the photos of the bum pad on the wooden surface, the sponge does not look overly filled - this is because the bumpad in the photo is lying flat - but when fitted to a mudguard, the curve of the mudguard will push the centre of the bumpad out to give it a more 'filled' effect.

The vital dimensions are as follows:

- Length of main rectangle of pad:                  250mm

- Width of main rectangle of pad:                   165mm

-  Width of the two mudguard securing flaps:  145mm

- Height on shallow end (unfitted):                   90mm

- Height at deeper end (unfitted):                   130mm

Update June 2022:  We are only having these made in small quantity batchs, therefore, dependent on demand, we may need to take a reservation with a deposit between batch's.  Currently, they are in stock

Background to this design of Bumpad:

As many customers know - trying to find period design sports or racing 'bumpads' as fitted in period to 1930's-40's race and sports bikes is very difficult.  I have spent many years looking for genuine pads that look correct on a competition bike - with very little luck! They are nearly always split or have just broken apart or got ripped.

The bum pad listed here is based on an original pre-war manufacturers design and was called the 'Moseley Air Cushion'.  The original pre-war design was original fitment on late 1930's Velocette KTT race bikes - see the period factory pictures of a MkVIII Velocette fitted with this design of bum pad.

The original design had a rubber air bladder inside it, which could be pumped up.  It had a small zip on its saddle facing side to facilitate this.  Very few of these original bum pads have survived - but approximately 30 years ago I found a very tatty and rotted example in a friends old barn . . . but the rubber bladder had perished and the cover had rotted . . . therefore it eventually got thrown away by the owner (something I have always regretted).  a few years later though, another friend (and serious collector of Velocette race bikes) had a small batch of these bumpads made - and I was able to purchase one for the 1938 Big Plunger Manx Norton I was restoring at the time - see photo.

Since then, I have often been asked by people looking at the bike - where they can get a bum pad like that?? - so after many years of searching for the original manufacturer, we have now spent some months discussing a batch - and taking dimensions, which have been replicated here.  The only major difference to the original design is the lack of air- bladder, (and zip to insert it) and we have made the shallow end fractionally deeper, to make it more suitable for fitting to both Rigid and Plunger Norton sports models (you will notice on the original version fitted to my Big Plunger Norton, it required a steeel insert under the bum pad to obtain the right height - these bum pads have been trial fitted on a similar model, to get the most likely height).  Not a cheap item - but definitely an unusual and period looking item that will help any sports/racing restoration.

Note: if this bum pad is showing out of stock - it can still be ordered, as we have them made in small batches to order (availability should be within 4 - 6 weeks between batches).

This is a high quality reproduction of a typical 1930's-40's black 'bum pad' as commonly fitted to many Pre-War sports or racing bikes.  This type is 'Wedged' - i.e. slightly higher on one end than the other, and typical of the type fitted to competition bikes in period.  This bum pad has a steel frame and like most bum pads of the period, the frame has 4 extending tabs that allow it to be bolted to the mudguard.

In the accompanyning photographs we have shown one of these bum pads loosely placed over one of our Sports/Racing C-Section Rear mudguards - Iand I believe 1/4" hex bolts would be perfect for mounting it to this type of mudguard - I always use that size.  Note: on a narrow rear mudguard such as in thie picture - it may be better to gently 'tweak' the tabs so they better match the arc of slimmer racing mudguards - but this is easy to do and I have always had to do this when fitting similar bum pads to my own Racing Bikes.  

Price is Each

This is a high quality reproduction of a typical 1930's-40's black 'bum pad' as commonly fitted to many Pre-War sports or racing bikes.  These come to us from a specialist UK based seat manufacturer - however, I believe that they actually have the bum pads manufactured offshore - and this is reflected by the very reasonable price these are offered at. But please do not be misled by that - we believe the quality of material and manufacture is as good as any we have seen made in the UK.

(Note:  regular customers might remember we were offering an almost identical bum pad pre-Covid, which was fully manufactured in the UK.  Although they too were excellent quality . . . we could not warrant the huge difference in price - when the build quality and material quality of this bum pad is virtually identical to that ot the far more expensive type)

As with most 'Wedged' type bum pads - as well as being used with the slightly higher end at the rear (i.e. so a racing rider could slide backwards off the saddle, and rest against the bumpad) - they can also be turned the other way round if desired, and used as a pillon pad - although as with most 1930's sports type pillion pads - they may not offer a pillion rider much comfort!!

These bum pads have a steel frame and the dimensions are shown below - but when fitting these to sports motorcycles in the past (which may have narrow mudguards) - I have found the eyelets of the frame can easily be 'tweaked' to match the 'C' profile of whatever mudguard you have fitted.

The vital dimensions are as follows:

- Length of main rectangle of pad:                  260mm

- Width of main rectangle of pad:                   160mm

-  Centre Width of the mounting holes of the steel frame:  90mm

- Height on shallow end (edge of frame to centre of sponge at top):        76mm

- Height at deeper end  (edge of frame to centre of sponge at top):        100mm

Background to this design of Bumpad:

I have the same design of bumpad to this fitted to my 1938 Rigid framed Racing International (see the bike in the lower left corner of the accompanyning photograph) - although that bum pad was manufactured approximately  25-30 years ago - these are close to identical.  Although this bum pad does not come with mounting screws - we do sell suitable stainless steel 1/4" BSC hex bolt sets in our Fastenings section.

Pack of 4: 7/8" long x 1/4" Stainless Steel BSC bolts (with plain heads - no writing on them), and these bolts have the special 'Norton type' curved head, popular for various fastenings on Norton single models 1930's/50.s. These come with nuts fitted and one pan washer and one normal washer per bolt - all in stainless steel.  Ideal for mudguards and attaching racing number plates and upholstery etc.  Price is for a pack of four. 

Manufactured in UK and nice quality

Like our other stainless steel fastenings - these 7/8" x 1/4" BSC bolts do not have writing on the head.  However, these bolts also have a lovely gentle ''domed' head - of the type that were originally fitted to many areas of Norton single models. 

These are the ideal size for using on mudguard fittings, attaching number plates etc - and we have also supplied them with one pan washer and one normal washer (both in stainless), which are ideal for mudguards and upholstery - we supply the same bolt set with our fabric attached bumpads 

This is a high quality reproduction of the small type of bum pad/rear mudguar squab, commonly fitted to 1920's to 1930's sports and racing bikes.  It is smaller than a typical 'Pillion' pad of that era, but would provide extra comfort for a solo rider, as well as giving a very period sports bike look. 

 Price is Each 

These come to us from a specialist UK based seat manufacturer - however, I believe that they actually have the bum pads manufactured offshore - and this is reflected by the very reasonable price these are offered at. But please do not be misled by that - we believe the quality of material and manufacture is as good as any we have seen made in the UK.  The black vinyl looks excelent quality and the stitching is neat and even.

Although I have not fitted one ot one of my own bikes yet - they look so nice I am trying to think of a project to put one on!

These bum pad/squabs have a solid curved plate underframe, with two central mount thread holes (approx 160mm apart - see photo) - so they can be mounted to the centre line of any width mudguard - although I would suggest suggest if fitting them to narrow 1920's style mudguards, you might want to also glue a small amount of heavy sponge rubber under each side, to hide any obvious gap. 

The vital dimensions are as follows:

- Length of main rectangle of pad:                  250mm

- Width of main rectangle of pad:                   130mm

-  Length between central ounting holes of the steel frame:  160mm

- Height on shallow end (edge of frame to centre of sponge at top):        50mm

- Height at deeper end  (edge of frame to centre of sponge at top):        80mm

These DOHC Manx Norton type seat cover kits are professionallly hand manufactured in the UK - using a genuine 1950's Manx Norton Seat pan and cover as templates.  The kit consists of the hand stitched cover, with correct red beading and accurate black vinyl, Foam kit, pop rivets and some drawing templates taken from original DOHC Manx Norton seat pan. 

The starting point for this kit was an original DOHC Manx Norton racing seat - which I purchased at a Stanford Hall Founders day relay - and is a fantastic time capsule seat.  It is very rare to find original, unmolested seasts, the autojumbler selling it told me it had belonged to an old retired friend who raced Norton's in the 1950's, and this had sat in his shed since then.  I would estimate it is of the type fitted in the early - mid 1950's and is almost identical to the one fitted to my own 1955 DOHC Manx Norton.

Unfortunately, the original seat cover was too far gone to be used - but did provide a great template for it to be replicated by a UK based specialist vehichle upholsterer, who has done a great job of replicating the cover just as the original.  The kit also includes good quality upholstery foam panels, again, taken from the original (poor condition) originals.

The cover kit also includes wide head pop rivets, which is how the original covers were secured.  The accompanyning photographs shows the original Norton seat pan, with new pop rivets fitted - which should give customers buying this kit the approximate positions of the rivets - if they do not have a seat pan of their own and have to fabricate one.  Note though - in the photograph, our recovered seat use normal pop rivets - the kits will include the proper wide head pop rivets, which are more correct for seat covers.

Finally, I decided against having made the complete seat unit - as fabricating the pan with the distinctive 'bowl' shape rear hump, fitted to earlier DOHC Manx Norton's, was prohibitive.  However, I did try and replicate the dimensions of the original seat pan - and have included these dimensions on A3 paper drawings, supplied with the kit, which should give anyone wishing to create a similar pan a good start.  Again, I have included photographs of the original seat pan here.  You will note that original seat pans had a curved front area, where the DOHC oil tank filler would be.  I would think this would be very difficult to replicate - but instead could be fitted with automotive rubber window beading or similar on the seat pan sheet, which would substitute to stop the cover getting frayed in that area.

Kit consists of the following (as per second photograph):

1. Seat cover ready to fit, complete with red beading and original finish (crocodile like) vinyl coverng, exact replica of original Norton item

2. 2 x Heavyweight foam pieces for base and seat hump - dimensions copied from original (but dissolving) Norton items

3. 2 x Grey lightweight foam pieces.  One fits over seat pan and sides (to stop chaffing on side - as per originals, almost totally disentegrated)

4. Wide pan rivets x 40 - similar quantity to original, and wide pan type to avoid splitting cover - see photos of my own finished cover on original base pan

5. 2 x Autocad drawings on A3 Paper - giving approximate dimensions of original Norton seat pan - in case you do not have original pan and want to fabricate one for this cover kit yourself.  Note original pan was in steel, not alloy

6. CD with approximately 20 photographs of original seat before cover removed, base pan once cover removed and in primer and complete - to assist with fabricating a pan, along with the drawings.  These are higher resolution than the listing shown here 

Final point.  I only have limited numbers of this kit (at time of writing - May 2020 -  6 kits, of which one already reserved) - and although not cheap, the upholsterer has regretfully told me he does not wish to do any more in the future, as they just took too much time and effort to make (he works for professional race car teams upholstering their seats as his main business) - so once this batch has gone, that will be it! - Therefore, as I do not have alternatives at the moment ..  . if you really want a nice quality kit based on the original . . . reserve one now, I cannot see me doing all this again!