Springer seat project

jmbo · September 13, 2014, 09:43:02 AM

The attached photo shows the springer seat setup for my 1500. Not sure how the 800 differs as far as the lower frame mounts. The seat is mounted well behind and well below the height of the tank. The seat is extremely comfortable and because the seat is set further back than the stock seat, I have much more leg room. The springs are a MUST. The seat has zero padding. The springs make up for that. The springs get quite a workout especially on a bumpy road. in extreme situations between the seat going down and the fender coming up the seat nearly bottoms out. That is how much the springs compress to take up the road shock.

Darth Wraith · September 13, 2014, 07:41:02 AM

I made a similar springer solo seat and the problem was the rail, not the seat pan itself. This kind of seat was used in the past on the rigid frame or plunger-type rear suspension and they were also more in front of the bike positioned - the first front 1/3 of the seat was above the rear end of the gas tank. Also, the position of the rider was aparently more higher because the tank was lower - the backbone of the frame was up between the semi-tanks and the seat support was hinged from it. Probably the solution found by that indian saddle maker os the best for VN 800.

CDNRatMan · August 10, 2014, 21:10:54 PM

I like the whole idea, but I think it should be pretty easy to find a spring and even if you have to cut it to fit, but I am sure you can figure it out, but it would look so much better.

kfoster · August 10, 2014, 21:05:56 PM

Thanks for the comments. I was kind of thinking of images like these when I decided to go with a rigid seat.

Functionally, the seat moved around quite a bit with the springs as the only support in the rear. It made it hard for me to move about in the saddle while riding. It is quite a bit more secure now.

I have to pull it all apart to paint the frame. I will experiment some with spring ideas. It would be neat to find some I could wrap around the supports to conceal them. I may move the seat up on the frame. It is a few inches further back than ideal for me. There are several mounting locations. It's a pretty long seat.

Drift1 · August 10, 2014, 20:07:37 PM

I'll have to agree with Ratman on this . Not only by adding springs to the seat for a smoother ride it also adds class in my own opinion , of course . Me personally , I would try to move the seat closer to the tank as well for a cleaner look . Here's a picture of my set up if you need a reference to help out .

kfoster · August 09, 2014, 19:20:59 PM

I've been debating the spring thing too. I lost one of the existing ones on the ride back from the welder. They would have been too big to fit in the existing space. So....I may do something with the spring thing. It would be nice to get something that would thread right around the brackets. I rode it 240 miles today and it works just fine.

CDNRatMan · August 09, 2014, 19:01:04 PM

now just my opinion but those post should be covered by a spring , if only just for looks. Paint the frame black and then some nice .....Chrome ....springs....ok said the "c" word......

kfoster · August 09, 2014, 18:50:14 PM

We figured it out and got it modified to work in the "real world". We lost the springs in the process, but I can add some faux springs if I feel like it. Here are some photos:

The previous mounting bracket was in two places at an angle to clear the rear fender as it moves up and down. Pieces of one inch steel stock were welded to join the bracket halves with the seat frame. They were tacked while the frame was on the bike to make sure that the angles were correct.

kfoster · July 23, 2014, 15:05:17 PM

Here are a few photos of the current springer seat mount that is creating problems:

It is pretty easy to identify the problem. Now....the solution may be more interesting! As you can see, the seat is quite wide and long. I think that mounts can be made that will fit seat frame directly over the second bolt on the bike frame mount. I may end up losing the springs to make this really functional. That is no big deal for me.

I am going to spend Friday morning with a man who will be able to either modify the current mounts or create new ones that will work. He is also going to work on some modifications for the two-up seat to mount a Corbin back-rest and create a tail rack to use with the two-up seat.

jmbo · July 10, 2014, 10:58:57 AM

I have a similar problem in my 1500 springer seat. I noticed a chip in my new paint on the top of my fender. There was a bolt on the bottom of the seat. I am guessing it was for a seat rail. It stuck down just enough to nick the fender after hitting a hellacious bump. Took the bolt out and so far all seems OK. However the seat came with two different length springs. In the end I may have to install the longer set. One thing I found on the Drifters is that the wheel/fender travel is much more than you find in any specifications.

greenbarn · July 06, 2014, 19:52:28 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on July 06, 2014, 16:35:08 PM
please remember what you post as it might come back and bite you on the behind young man, we have seen no pictures of the 1500 yet.......

There's been hardly enough DONE yet to TAKE pictures of so far... Until today, I got a few of a couple minor projects. Other stuff I've got done is either not picture-worthy, or it's already been covered (e.g. fork springs). So stay tuned, pics to come....

CDNRatMan · July 06, 2014, 16:35:08 PM

Quote
That is a great looking seat, KF. Nice bike. Yes, keep us posted- we like projects, especially those with PICTURES...

please remember what you post as it might come back and bite you on the behind young man, we have seen no pictures of the 1500 yet.......

greenbarn · July 06, 2014, 16:14:26 PM

That is a great looking seat, KF. Nice bike. Yes, keep us posted- we like projects, especially those with PICTURES...

CDNRatMan · July 06, 2014, 14:47:33 PM

Sorry but I have to say that seat is made for a normal person not your buffalo butt........

49Reo · July 06, 2014, 11:31:25 AM

That saddle looks like it was made for the bike. I like the look of it on there.....that being said, I would like the look of it better on MY bike.....

CDNRatMan · July 06, 2014, 09:23:13 AM

me I like it either way, it looks really nice, I have just the 2 up seat on my bike, so like that look and in most cases like the look of a solo seat to.

kfoster · July 06, 2014, 09:02:58 AM

My bike came with the 2-up seat and this Harley springer seat. I really like the way the springer seat looks, and it is very comfortable. However, the bracket the previous owner made does not have enough clearance for the rear fender. It is pretty much perfect for going to a bike night or shows, but will not work if you are really going to ride. I will be working with a friend to modify the set-up so that it really works. I've got a couple of ideas on how to do this. I will post up photos as we progress with this little project.

What makes this simpler is the fact that the springs really do not need to be functional! The bike is a soft-tail to begin with!

Here we are with the 2 -up seat: