new seat

[kjoslin]

I'd like to put a new seat on my 80 special. I'd like something a little "fancier" than the stock seat. I saw this kit on Dennis Kirk. Has anyone out there bought this? Comments? Other ideas?

thanks,

Keith

note: this is my first attempt at posting a link to a pic! Hope it works.

[planedick]

I got one

It's really comfy and just the thing for really hard excelleration. Keeps you from sliding back when you can't grip that slippery tank with your knees. Very handy for these power machines.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Keith,

That's the Travelcade bucket seat, and like Dick said, it does keep you IN it, but IF you are of any stature then you might find that it crowds you up against the gas tank too closely!? He stated that he found it comfortable, but I've got a skinny/boney butt and the padding seems a bit stiff for me! I put it on only because 7 years ago, I didn't have a good OEM seat pan, didn't have access to this site and the knowledge base, didn't know about custom seats by Sargeant and others recently mentioned in recent threads!

I'm still using it, but I would like to get a different one in the future. IF you have the OEM metal pan in decent shape, then for close to the same price for the JCW new one, you could get yours redone, reshaped, etc.! JAT! YMMV!
T.C.

[kjoslin]

Hey Dick & T.C.;

I don't have the "stature problem", being only 5'6". This seat does look like it might help me reach the ground more firmly, but may sacrifice comfort as you say T.C.
I wonder if it's any LESS comfortable or cushioned than a stock seat. Mine is ok for 100 miles or so and longer with my sheepskin.

I appreciate the advice from both of you. My seat pan is in good shape so I'll take your advice T.C. and shop around before I decide.

Keith

[skids]

It does take a while to break-in the foam. I would recommend that you build-up the foam just a bit, right in the front, to keep you away from the tank. If you do it later, you will wish that you did it initially!

[wa407mpp]

seat

Check out the seats made by Diamond, you can special order them to your inseam and weight ,so they fit your height or lack of and the foam padding is mixed for your weight and the covers are without raised seams so you can ride them all day. I've had a single king for over 10 yrs. and it still looks like new and I can put in 16+ hr. days no problem.

[79XS11F]

I have a similar style seat that still makes use of the tail cowl. It's pretty comfy but does put you higher up then the stock seat.
Rob

[petejw]

I bought a similar seat,
the seat looked to bulky on my naked bike,
so i cut the foam from the edges and got it recovered.


King queen seat.


The seat after the foam has been trimmed and recovered.

I find the seat 2 b really comfortable compared to the stock seat.

[planedick]

Reshaping

I did reshape mine a little. I removed the cover then I used my 4" disc grinder to make a little deeper pocket near the back and removed some from the sides near the front to make it easier to reach the ground then put the cover back on. Pretty easy to custom shape it.

[fredintoon]

Hi Keith,
I put one of those JCW conversions on a spare seat pan I had for my XS650. My motivation was to stop my wife sliding off the pillion part of the stock seat. Well, it did that OK but there's a price to pay.
Your arse is fixed into that bucket like a ball in a detent. No way can you slide back if you are riding solo without having to sit on that nasty narrow ridge between the front & back buckets. And for someone with an arse as big as mine, the front bucket is a pretty snug fit. Comfort? My son borrows my JCW double bucket to put on his XS650 when he's carrying a passenger but swaps it for my stock seat if he rides alone. (his seat cover is all torn and I must press him to go buy a Saddleskin of his very own.)

[kjoslin]

thanks Fred, I didn't think of that. If it's not comfortable, then you have no place to go to relieve the hot spots.


I just want something a little showier than my stock seat. I'm painting my bike and thought it was time for an upgrade.


Keith

[Kurt]

Pete. Are those bicycle pegs for highways? That's a great idea!!

[petejw]

Hi Kurt,
Yeah they are, i bought them from a bike shop,
they bolt onto the axles for bmx bikes, i welded
up a steel bracket attached them to the engine/frame mounts,
they were solid mount but i didnt really like the look of them, when i got engine guards i had 2 take them off and put hwy pegs on.

[skippy344]

Airhawk cushion?

I am thinking about buying an Airhawk cushion for the Packmule.

Bob, the "XS God" Jones had one at our last rally to Talimena... Man that was an excellent rally... sorry, my ADD kicked in there.

Anyhoo, he says it makes all the difference, eliminates the hot spots as the air moves from chamber to chamber.

They sure are pricey, though. I have a "banana seat," the kind we used to have as kids on our bicycles. It has a sissy bar incorporated into the seat. Look at my rally pics and you will see what I'm taling about.

Well, after about 100 miles, I'm starting to feel it, and the duration just goes down from there. Next stop will be 70 miles, then, 50, then 30. You know what I'm talking about.

I am hoping the airhawk will eliminate this. Or, I could just ride Kermie...

greg