Seat compatability

[monhollenj]

I'm new to riding and just recently bought my first bike. It's a 1980 XS 1100 but i hate the seat eventhough it's in perfect condition. I've seen some bikes like mine with Kawasaki Vulcan seats on them and they look great. Does anyone know what kind of work needs to go into installing a different seat like this or what I need to look for before purchasing a new seat? Thanks.

[CatatonicBug]

If you want to change the whole seat, be prepared to do some fabrication. There are no aftermarket seats (unless someone makes one as a custom one-off), and no other bikes' seats are a direct bolt-on. In fact, not all XS1100 seats swap between models/years without modification. You can easily take your seat pan to an upholstery shop and have them re-do the foam and cover for a custom fit though. Many have done that for right around $100 or so. There's a local guy who quoted me $200 for a real leather setup like that with a gel insert designed for wheelchairs.

[slow mo]

or your other choice is to go to a motorcycle show there you will most likely find a guy that does seats with memory foam!! i myself went a boat upholsterer and had a gel seat pad installed ,,it works butt not well ,,ride safe ,,slow mo!

[foreda]

1980

Is that a 1980 SG Special or a 1980 G Standard?

[monhollenj]

1980 G Standard.

[foreda]

Standard

You will be pretty much limited to customizing your own seat. If I were you, I would look for a seat pan for a standard 78/79 and build my own but keeping your existing seat if it is in as good of shape as you say. That way if you screw it up, you have something to go back to. That's my $.02