Conversion of Special seat to cafe seat

[NotDeadYet]

I have an 82 Special that has the original stepped Special seat on it. The bike is otherwise modified to look more like a streetfighter, so the Special seat looks odd on it IMO. I want to try to convert to more of a cafe style seat (or even to fit a flat, standard style XS seat on it if it would fit). The problem with modifying the Special seat, is that the seat pan steps up in the back to clear the rear fender, so removing much foam from it seemingly would make the passenger portion painful. Any suggestions?

[GaryF]

HEY NOT DEAD YET
I HAVE AN IDEA!!
How about selling me that seat therefor saving an original piece of equipment
from being altered, and taking that money and finding a seat close to what your looking for
I have the foam I'm just looking for a good pan or a whole seat for my sf
just an idea
let me know

[DGXSER]

Couple interesting ideas here. One, I thought the XS Special was last made in 81? Two, are not the 81/80 seats different than the 79 seats including on the specials??

[CatatonicBug]

Couple interesting ideas here. One, I thought the XS Special was last made in 81? Two, are not the 81/80 seats different than the 79 seats including on the specials??

I believe you are correct on both counts. Especially the first one.

[NotDeadYet]

Sorry, it is an 81. Will a 80-81 standard seat fit on a Special?

GaryF, if I can find an alternative, I may consider it. The existing Special seat is very clean.

[GaryF]

And I just checked you are right on the second one also

[bikerphil]

Will a 80-81 standard seat fit on a Special?

No, not without extensive modification. The tank is a different length and the sidecovers are different and will interfere. 79 Special all by itself because of the location of the tail light. 80-81 Specials should interchange.

[madmax-im]

Phil the tank on this bike is a standard one put on it by the original owner...this was my '81 Streetfighter... Hey Drew!

Awww such a pretty bike!

[DGXSER]

That looks like the 78-79 seat plastic in back, what year seat is that Madmax? Or is it an 81 special seat with a cowel in place of the grab bar?

[madmax-im]

That looks like the 78-79 seat plastic in back, what year seat is that Madmax? Or is it an 81 special seat with a cowel in place of the grab bar?

Not sure there but the original owner swapped out that tail so it might be from an '81 Std...nonetheless Drew does have the original tail sections as it came with the bike...including the seat rail

[NotDeadYet]

Hey, Ben! Loving the bike, even if I am going deaf from the Kerker!

Yes, I think the cowl from a standard is screwed on to the back of the original 81 Special seat.

[madmax-im]

What???

Hey, Ben! Loving the bike, even if I am going deaf from the Kerker!

Yes, I think the cowl from a standard is screwed on to the back of the original 81 Special seat.

Drew is correct the cowl is attached to the seat...
Ha! I am already deaf without the hearing aids so life begins at 90... decibels that is I do believe there are baffles that could deaden the sound a bit..not sure if they're still in there..I'm no expert on Kerkers but I do love the sound...LOL I am glad you are happy with it...I know everytime I look at my pics of it ..I think I must have been nuts to sell...but at least it is appreciated for what it is...