Cafe Seat

[JosephM]

I have a 1981 XS1100H. As you may have seen from my other post, I botched up my seat and seatpan. I will attempt a repair, unless I find another solution. One that I am considering is this:

http://www.mikesxs.net/product/68-6909.html

Does anyone have any experience with these? What is involved in mounthing them to my bike?

Thanks in advance.

[JosephM]

Or, another suggestion?

I'd also be happy to entertain any other suggestions you might have - though, I'd prefer to avoid and frame alterations.

[natemoen]

If I remember correct, the 650 seats mount totally differently than the 1100 seats.

[JosephM]

Fabrication

When everyone says that fitting generic cafe seats to the bike "requires fabrication," what do they mean? Are we talking about cutting/welding? Molding stuff with fiberglass? My thought - forgive my ignorance - is that I would just cut around all of the hardware on my existing seatpan and epoxy it into the underside of the new seat???

[jetmechmarty]

When everyone says that fitting generic cafe seats to the bike "requires fabrication," what do they mean? Are we talking about cutting/welding? Molding stuff with fiberglass? My thought - forgive my ignorance - is that I would just cut around all of the hardware on my existing seatpan and epoxy it into the underside of the new seat???

You won't have much success mounting an XS650 seat on an XS1100. The XS650 seat is not as wide and probably a bit shorter.



Fabricating mounts for a seat like the one above means doing something on the order of welding some square tubing to your frame to mount the seat to.
There are a few seat builders out there. There are different sizes here: Hotwing Glass

[JosephM]

Sorry for the double question.

Thanks. That is what I was afraid of. Sorry - I asked the question in a different thread, too. Is there an option that doesn't involve welding?

[Eveready1100]

I'd try making up the mounts to fit the seat that then line up with the existing frame mounts. Maybe some drilling required under the seat pan. It would be stupid to go about it the other way modifying the bikes frame mounts.

[jetmechmarty]

Thanks. That is what I was afraid of. Sorry - I asked the question in a different thread, too. Is there an option that doesn't involve welding?

It depends upon the seat and the motorcycle. It could be as simple as putting some Velcro on your frame rails and the bottom of the seat, but that just isn't something I'd count on.

The simple solution is a stock seat.

[XS1100 Newbie]

On ebay, there is a company out of Vietnam that make seats for the XS1100 Special, and Standard. They are the cafe style, only a little different. They are spendy. If i remember right, it was like $189.00 for the seat, plus shipping. Came to over $200.00.

[jetmechmarty]

On ebay, there is a company out of Vietnam that make seats for the XS1100 Special, and Standard. They are the cafe style, only a little different. They are spendy. If i remember right, it was like $189.00 for the seat, plus shipping. Came to over $200.00.

That company is www.hondaclassic31.com They only have a seat for the earlier standard and the later Special. You'll have to look for yourself, but that's what I see. I don't really think that's spendy for a brand new seat that supposedly pops right on your bike.

[JosephM]

Honda Classic 31

I don't think that is too spendy if it pops right on. My understanding, though is that it is only for the foam and cover. You need your original seatpan, though - right?

[Shockman54]

this is what im planning on doing. this guy shows you how to make your own. you could even find a local welder to do it for you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT31eNdQaEI

[jetmechmarty]

I don't think that is too spendy if it pops right on. My understanding, though is that it is only for the foam and cover. You need your original seatpan, though - right?

Go to the Hondaclassic31 site. They have foam and covers and they have complete seats with the pan. They have the seat for the E, F, SG, SH, LG, and LH.