Solo Seat For 79 Standard: Help!

[elgranjefe]

I've done a lot of looking on this site, especially on the "Seat Survey" thread, but still need some help.

Is there a way to convert the bench seat of a 79 standard to a solo seat, and have it look cool?

The little plastic fender on the back seems to makes things difficult.

Ideally, the seat would be at the level of the lowest part of the gas tank all the way to the back fender. As it is now, the bench seat starts low at the front of the tank and then rises back up, which doesn't look too hot.

I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks....

Jeff

[Mr.Bill]

This thread might give you some ideas.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33328

[yamahansolo]

Just buy the 30 Buck recover kit!


tto

[cywelchjr]

Nice looking seat cover. I wish that was something I could do. However some PO at some time had a REALLY nice custom seat done. It feels really nice, but there is no way a standard seat cover is going on that sucker. And since I ride pretty much EVERY day, it being my primary commute vehicle, I had to buy the material and try my hand at doing my own job. It's not really very pretty (not really very ugly either actually, really doesn't look all that bad except for the very back, can't figure out how to deal with that one spot), but it's completely functional, and still good and comfortable, and still fits my butt really well.

I may have to find an OK stock seat just to put on while I take my seat in and get it redone the right way, but I figure at this point I've got probably a couple years before I have to worry about it.

[jetmechmarty]

IMHO, the '79 standard has a nice looking stock seat. It has a bit of a cafe look. Hotwing Glass has nice cafe seats that will fit. I've had a close inspection of them.

[anarchy18]

Whats up Marty how you doing? Does this seat fit right on AS IS or what?

[jetmechmarty]

NO. That is a universal seat. You have to build a mount for it. It is just a flat piece of fiberglass on the bottom.

[mikubuilder]

I think it's doable, but it involves some fabrication

you would have to re-position TCI, replace rear fender and build a new seat...

[jetmechmarty]

That seat will fit without moving the TCI, and you can leave the fender on. The trick is fabricating a mount. In your situation over there, it might be a bit of a challenge.

[JosephM]

Fabricating a seat?

Marty. I see that said a lot - "fabrication." What does it actually mean? Cutting/welding? How tough of a job is it to do? I have an XS1100H and want that style of seat.

[jetmechmarty]

Marty. I see that said a lot - "fabrication." What does it actually mean? Cutting/welding? How tough of a job is it to do? I have an XS1100H and want that style of seat.

You might have to cut one inch square tubing and weld it across the top of your frame and bolt the seat to it. That's just one option. As they say, (whoever they are?) "There's more than one way to skin a cat."

[anarchy18]

not allowed to weld anything on the frame here in Germany i need to find a different way to make it hold. I was thinking a old ORIGINAL XS1100 seat and just cutting half off? This way it will fit right on and the German Inspectors cant do much about it Anyone have a old seat they dont need laying around?

[mikubuilder]

I guess my idea of a solo seat is a little different then you guys I was thinking more like a spring seat on a hard tail....and not an uncomfortable cafe seat

[JosephM]

Cutting the Seat

Anarchy: I tried this move and f---ed it up badly. I cut off too much foam and fiberglass seatpan. But, if I wasn't so overzealous with the cutting, it would have worked well. A few words of advice:

1. Use a hotknife to cut the foam. It is just a knife blade with heat on it. Cuts the foam like a hot knife through butter.
2. Measure carefully!!!
3. Wen cutting the seat pan, the mounting brackets are in weird places - toward the outside rear of the seat - so it ends up with an odd shape.

Good luck.

[jwhughes3]

No welding needed...

Just make an appropriate metal bracket with welded studs that mate with seat mounting points and mount seat to THAT frame in the appropriate points.

Could be a flat plate even...

John