Springer style seat

OR Seedman · October 25, 2016, 14:50:17 PM

regarding the seat bag....I have been looking at bicycle seat bags....smaller diameter and about 7" wide.....once I have the 2" springs in place I will take some measurements....the seat actually doesn't reach back as far as the factory because of the narrow lip at the back, so hitting the fender should not be an issue....

I also dyed the seat black last night so it matches my luggage.....turned out really nice and only cost $3.50 for the leather dye.....the dark brown color really didn't go with the rest of the accessories.....

pics with the shorter springs will be coming as soon as I get them on....

CDNRatMan · October 24, 2016, 11:27:11 AM

you going to hang a bag under the seat, will it hit the fender, or get jammed in the space?

mittico68 · October 24, 2016, 10:54:19 AM

I've changed the oem raisers with new ones from Cobra.
They are 1" higher and have a 1" of pullback. (Look here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-COBRA-HANDLEBAR-RISER-KIT-05-0640-/172350426628?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=mfm3oiLzEZZ%252B%252BYeJpzVDh%252F5aINc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc ).
While mountin' them, I've rotated down a few degrees the oem handlebar, so now it's really comfortable together with the spring seat!

OR Seedman · October 24, 2016, 10:30:58 AM

looks good...let us see more pics when you get the rail on...

I ordered a set of 2" springs in black to see how the seat height changes....my current 3" spring set up raised my seating position about 1".....I will take more pics when done...

mittico68 · October 24, 2016, 02:36:24 AM

That's exactly the same job I've just done to ma-deuce!
But my seat now needs to be covered with black leather. And there's a handrail comin' soon...
Look at pics, please.

OR Seedman · October 22, 2016, 15:36:19 PM

thanks for the compliments...I am going to get a dark brown tool bag to hang from the underside of the seat pan once I have everything else done...that should pretty much fill up the big gap that is now exposed.....

CDNRatMan · October 22, 2016, 12:24:33 PM

Very good looking just need to cover things under the seat.

Old Drifter · October 22, 2016, 12:01:57 PM

Looks great, nice job!

OR Seedman · October 22, 2016, 11:38:44 AM

Well...I broke down and got a very large brown leather pan seat (ebay..$64.95 and free shipping) along with a basic 3" spring kit. Fabricated a mount for the frame from 1/8" steel channel. Took a little trial and error, but the result is not too bad. I now need to take the steel off and have it powder coated. I used the holes in the seat brace cross-member (runs across the frame under the seat) to mount the steel channel and drilled holes for spring mounts to match the seat mounts. I am going to tack-weld the spring bolts to the steel mount before painting so I don't have to hold them if I need to work on the seat. The whole setup comes off with just 3 bolts. I was surprised how comfortable it is since the seat only has about 1/2" of high density foam for padding....I like the spring movement and I have it in a very comfortable seating position.....

HurtSoMuch · October 15, 2016, 03:18:32 AM

Quote from: OR_Seedman on October 09, 2016, 08:23:05 AM
when you say "rough on my butt", is that do to limited amount of padding on the seat? the current issue with my stock seat (besides the actual look of the seat) is that I get the classic butt-ache after about 20-30 minutes of steady riding....I am not really a fan of the massive looking Corbin seats, either....I am looking for classic old-style looks but with some comfort for day tripping.....

thanks,

it takes some time to get used to..a bit stiff..but i have been on some longer trips..and no worries mate..the butt is fine

OR Seedman · October 09, 2016, 19:21:45 PM

I have looked into having mine OEM seat redone....just not all that fond of the look...I like the look of the springer style seat, but most likely it wouldn't be any more comfortable....KnoPlace will redo my seat with a gel insert, memory foam and smoothing foam for $170...I just have to pay to ship it to them and they have a 3 day turnaround and ship back for free....

I most likely will go that route this winter and look at a different style seat cover later....

CDNRatMan · October 09, 2016, 14:17:12 PM

Well Mr. Seedman sir, I have the 2 up seat on my 800, I could not justify the cost of a new seat and all the hassles involved that I had read about on the forum. I found a local seat guy and went to him, and for $275.00 I have the original pan redone with the seat made to fit me and my idea of a proper seat, 3/4" memory foam, a section cut for jell foam, then covered with 3/4" memory foam. 8 hours in the saddle and it is awesome I should have had a backrest built into the seat for the driver, but on a road trip I use my sissy bar pack as a back rest, only issue I have is my lower back will get sore, but numb butt not since I did the seat. So perhaps look for a local seat person and have one made for yourself.

OR Seedman · October 09, 2016, 08:23:05 AM

when you say "rough on my butt", is that do to limited amount of padding on the seat? the current issue with my stock seat (besides the actual look of the seat) is that I get the classic butt-ache after about 20-30 minutes of steady riding....I am not really a fan of the massive looking Corbin seats, either....I am looking for classic old-style looks but with some comfort for day tripping.....

thanks,

HurtSoMuch · October 09, 2016, 06:21:47 AM

hi there..i got my seat from Singh..like it..was very rough on my butt..but you get used to it..helps with the springs..no mod needed..plug and play

OR Seedman · October 08, 2016, 07:30:51 AM

This goes out to any 800 riders that have installed a springer seat -

what brand did you use? Singh? Other?
any mods required to install?
how comfortable is the seat for longer rides?

I am slowly Indianizing my 800 and have started looking at different style springer seats....would like something that is functional, looks good and comfortable for extended rides...

thanks in advance....