Any opinions/tips for what to do next on my 79 Special?

[JeremyL]

Thinking of cutting the seat foam down and removing that grab bar. I like the lines in the front and the way it flows but when I get to that monster seat it stops looking cool. I like the fender okay and I had a thought about getting another seat like from a harley and fitting it but I'm so picky about fit and finish I know I wouldn't be happy unless it was a perfect fit. So now I'm thinking well the stock seat has some advantages:

1) I already have it and it's free (unless I recover it while I'm at it but thats a lot cheaper then a different seat

2) I like the 2 seater look ok because I understand the amount of work it'd take to make it look perfect with a solo seat (moving fender up, maybe moving blinkers, fitting the seat, maybe cutting the end of the frame off).

But I just hate how tall the stock seat is and I hate that grab bar. Is there any reason I shouldn't remove it besides needing to "grab" the bike? Anyways, could I just shave off some foam and recover the seat and just tighten the seat down more to compensate for the missing foam? I haven't looked to see how the cover is fastened so I don't know how easy it is, whether it's stapled or whatever. I know if I cut the 33yo foam down it might cause pain while riding so maybe cut it down a couple of inches and then put a bicycle gel seat under there or something? I think the front doesn't need to be as low as the rear and would be fine just taking like an inch off the front and then maybe even 2-3 off the rear and try to blend it well.

I've went on long enough... I tend to over think things. I appreciate any ideas or opinions even if we don't agree.

[JeremyL]

Oh yeah I forgot.. I had found that the perfect example of what I'm imagining with cutting and recovering my stock seat on ebay. That place in Vietnam that sells seats has one... It's $180 or I'd already have ordered it and saved myself some hassle. With a new baby I just can't afford to put $180 on something that isn't even necessary at all. They sell just the foam and cover for around $150 but if I'm going to spend that I'll just get the whole thing. $180 really isn't a bad price considering it's an entire seat and looks like it's really done nicely, I just can't spend that much.

Anyways, here's the seat:



I might also want to mention that I NEVER carry a passenger and probably never will so the amount of cushion on the rear doesn't matter as far as comfort is concerned.

[jetmechmarty]

Your seat does not appear to be stock. I'm sure the pan is, but it's certainly overstuffed. I would probably share your sentiments on it. The grab bar would look a lot better without the overstuffed seat.

IMHO, the stocker looks good, but I like Specials.

Sargent did mine. I like the way it looks and it's comfortable. You can cut it down a bit if you use foam of higher density. Mine is close to stock, just rounder in the front.

Of coarse, mine is a SG, so it's different out of the box.

[jetmechmarty]

The economical way to handle this is to watch eBay for a stock seat. They turn up from time to time. I say this without having priced them. My Sargent redo was over $200.

[JeremyL]

Your seat does not appear to be stock. I'm sure the pan is, but it's certainly overstuffed. I would probably share your sentiments on it. The grab bar would look a lot better without the overstuffed seat.
IMHO, the stocker looks good, but I like Specials.

Oh wow lol, I didn't realize how it was SUPPOSED to look. I thought mine was normal. I think you're right, the grab bar doesn't look too bad with a stock seat... mine looks crowded like it doesn't fit the bike and it was always because of that seat. I was looking on eBay and looks like I can just get a cover for $50-60 and I might just do that.. but my seat pan is kind of rusty in spots so I'm not sure if I should or not.

[jetmechmarty]

That seat you saw on eBay WILL NOT fit your motorcycle. The SF seat is much different than that on the SG/SH.

[jetmechmarty]

If your pan hasn't turned to dust, you can fix it.

Here's help with the recover: http://youtu.be/VbwPmNrcQKU

All the information you need to recover that seat is right here on the internet!

Treat the rust on that pan and repaint it. No one will see it. I use this to encapsulate the rust, so it's gone forever.

[JeremyL]

If your pan hasn't turned to dust, you can fix it.

Here's help with the recover: http://youtu.be/VbwPmNrcQKU

All the information you need to recover that seat is right here on the internet!

Treat the rust on that pan and repaint it. No one will see it. I use this to encapsulate the rust, so it's gone forever.

I need to check the pan out good because I think some spots rusted completely through and the pan was just flaking off in some spots. But if it's not near a corner and just "break" off maybe I can fix it.

BTW: watching that video and it answers a lot of my questions! Thanks!

[crazy steve]

Believe it or not, but the grab rail is required equipment (at least in some states) if you carry a passenger (along with rear footpegs). It's probably not enforced, but that was why the rail is there....

[JeremyL]

Believe it or not, but the grab rail is required equipment (at least in some states) if you carry a passenger (along with rear footpegs). It's probably not enforced, but that was why the rail is there....

Funny you mention that because I was thinking about removing the footpegs too. Just have to make a little extra long bracket for my muffler (4-1, so just one side) and then was gonna remove the bracket and rear pegs as long as it doesn't mess with anything else... but I haven't really examined it closely to see if I can remove the bracket or not.

I checked my seat pan out and it looks like they stuck some little foam squares on the seat foam that's already there. The foam was soaking wet too and pretty nasty so I don't know if I need to replace it or not either, if it's cheap I'd rather replace it. Is it easier to buy a preformed piece (if I can find it) or just get any kind of foam and try to shape it myself?

[crazy steve]

If you remove the rear footpegs, you probably should convert to a solo seat, as I've seen LEOs enforce that part of the laws. If removing the aluminum brackets, you'll have to fab a couple of spacers at the rear motor mounts.

As far as the seat, the only aftermarket seat foam I've seen is for 'bucket' type seats or the seat kits from Vietnam, so if you can save what you have you'll be better off. One problem with most aftermarket seat covers is if they have the factory-style pattern (or other pattern) on them it's sewn-in, not heat-pressed like OEM. The stitching is a entry point for water which will soak the foam and start the rust-out process on the pan. Thoroughly de-rust your pan (if it's saveable) then heavily paint it. When reinstalling the seat cover, stretch some plastic over the foam/under the cover to keep the water from soaking the foam; that will help...

[DGXSER]

Look up some of the bikes XS11Lover has put together. He has put some very nic elooking solo seat rides together. Fit anf finish looks very good in my opinion. You can contact him for exactly what he used and how he converts it.

[natemoen]

I would say that a gel insert under a dark cover is a bad idea. The gel will heat up pretty hot if left out in the sun and if you think getting on a dark covered seat is bad enough, imagine that HOT gel under your cheeks for the next 20 min or so until it cools off!

[tom clisham]

Don't waste the grab bar

Jeremy: Whatever you do, save the grab bar. It's a 79 special only item & kinda hard to find. Sell it ir keep it, but don't waste it.

Re the law: I'm a retired cop & never heard of a law requiring grab bars. Some of the current HD seats you see will accomadate 2 people & don't have any grab bars from the factory. Some stae might have a law like that, but really, not many. It might be one of those word of mouth laws that never was, like driving without shoes.

[JasonRedbeard]

In Alabama, it actually IS illegal to ride a motorcycle without shoes, although driving an enclosed vehicle is allowed.

We have some pretty silly laws down here.