| Author | Message | ||
     Hugie03flhr |
I had a medium height seat that came with my bike. I didn't like it very much and the jelly was being pushed out the vent hole under the seat. It looked like slim coming out. I really have been experiencing pinched nerves and blood flow in the family jewels area. I looked into a very very expensive Adventure touring seat from saddleman but they had nothing for me. So I'm looking at their picture and I though, I can make something like this... If I screw it up, no big deal. I didn't like the seat anyway. I could have sold it but there was nothing out there for me to buy. So here is my first attempt ever at building a seat.     | ||
| Ourdee |
Drag queen seat? How does it feel? I rode further forward on mine. | ||
| Hughlysses |
That's a 2006 "low" accessory seat. Let us know how your modification works out. I bought an identical seat a few years back that had some heat damage. The vinyl covering over the rear was sort of blistered looking and had a permanent impression from where the triple tail had been folded down when it was damaged. The front vinyl was a little wonky looking as well. I had it recovered by a local shop and got it back last week. Not sure if he left the gel in place or replaced it with foam. It looks nice, but I haven't had a chance to ride it yet. I'll post up some pics and a ride report when I get a chance. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
  My brother said it looks like a maxi pad but hey, it was cheap and it works. Very comfortable and it smoothed out nice in the sun. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
 I staked the bolts with a chisel after cutting off the excess and grinding smooth. It comes very close to the ECM, so I'm looking close for any rub marks. So far so good but before I go on a long ride, I'll steal some play doh from my daughter and see how close it really is to any wires or hardware . | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I forgot to add a few details. Staple gun was bought at harbor freight for $23 and works on 120psi air, 12mm 3/8 stainless staples. I bent the stainless steel plate up on both side too relieve some of the tension on the seat cover. I used stainless steel hardware to hold the plate except for the large washers used under the seat. Emory cloth was used to smooth out all the edges and give it that final brushed look. I was going to polish it but I didn't want to put that much work and then have it fail on me. Final note; if I had to do it again. I would have made the same size hole in the padding but I think I would have made the plate 1/2 inch thinner. I hope this helps anyone trying to do this mod. I hate it when I see something I want to copy and the little details are left out. This took about 2 hours to do and I took my time. Power tools make this a quick job. Air stapler, bandsaw, bench grinder, drill press, 20 ton press, screw drive, ratchet, 11 mm socket and Emory cloth. It seemed very comfortable on the 10 minute ride. | ||
| Slash6 |
The factory seat on my '09, even with a sheepskin and comfort kit gets pretty warm. Appreciated in the winter but not so much in warmer weather. I wonder if the stainless bolts and washers will not conduct a lot of heat to the metal plate. I'd listen closely for any sizzling sounds. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Slash6, I guess I'll find out today. The comfort kit does a pretty good job at keeping the heat out. Also my butt barely touches the plate and the idea of this channel is to allow airflow, blood flow and not pinch my nerves off. If the bolts start absorbing heat, I can spray some lizard skin or something similar to reflex heat away. | ||
| Tootal |
The idea of your design is valid. I was thinking of doing something similar but instead of a plate pulling the seat down I was thinking about making an actual slot in the seat that would allow water to channel out the bottom. The slot would do what you're doing plus get rid of rain water trying to hydraulic through my rain pants! | ||
| Teeps |
At first I didn't understand what I was seeing. Then it dawned on me...  | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Tootal, I was going to do that but it may not work with a used seat cover. If the padding is too thick, you won't be able to staple it down or maintain the staples hold in the plastic. Second, if you cut the seat pan and pull it through. It will hold but you also exposed your ECM to the elements and the heat will free flow out that hole. Teeps, that's exactly the reason. Why I did it. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I rode about 40 miles today. It was very comfortable and to my surprise, the plate didn't get hot or even very warm. It was about 85 today and I was in heavy traffic at time. To the point the fan was staying on when I stopped. The seat starts off a little stiff and then it starts to squish to a perfect form of my butt without touching my tailbone or family jewel area. I don't even think I touch the metal plate but now I can really feel the jell layer working on small bumps. All and all this project exceeded my expectations! I was also pleasantly surprised from heat and use, the plate settled in around the seat cover and looks almost factory made. No wrinkles with a perfectly flush transition to the plates edges at all points. | ||
| Tootal |
You are correct, you wouldn't be able to do it using a stock seat cover, I was going to have it recovered after making mods to the pan which would include a drain of some sort to keep the under seat area dry. This was all just a thought probably realized during a long ride in the rain with a wet a$$! Another way to do it would be to have a slot shaped in a T that would do what your mod is doing and also allow water out by putting a slot across the rear of the seating area going from side to side. Water would just run out both sides. Once again, you would have to have it custom covered. I like what you've done and do believe it would really help on a long ride. I have the tall seat and still could use some similar relief! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Teeps, Mount that taint denumber to your ULY. You'd be the first. | ||
| Teeps |
You funny Electra' I ride a bicycle also, so any padding on any moto seat thicker than 1/4" is like riding on a cloud, for me. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
You got me thinking I should drill a hole and glue a tube in the plate. Then run it down through the frame. I'm afraid I'll screw it up .... Because so far this went too smoothly and you know what they say if it ain't broke LOL | ||
| Ourdee |
If it feels good, it's time to leave it where it's at. Next time make it longer with three hold down bolts. Use a hollow bolt for the front one. Buellology is getting more than one use out of a part. A tie down drain bolt. | ||
| Tootal |
After I posted above I thought the same thing! Put a hole and a drain in it. Putting the hole in a bolt is also a good idea. We may perfect this yet! These things usually get perfected sitting around the campfire at TWO sipping moonshine while Vern steals our fire wood! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Hugie, Thanks for the seat idea. I need to mod my Air Zepplin seat on my 97 Electraglide and I'm thinking that your idea should be incorporated. Good job. By the way, adjustable air bladders in the air zepplin seat are not that comfortable to me at least. Air is hard when it has no where to go and you sit on it. I'm going to add foam over the air bladders and let all the air out of the bladders and work your idea in there also. Actually I've seen what you've done on stock harley seats but never gave it much thought until now. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Electraglider 1997 , I'll be doing my 03 roadking soon. I have the aftermarket Harley seat that is getting flat. So I'll fluff it up and screw a plate down the center. I can't see spending $600-$700 on a saddleman adventure seat went we can do the same thing. It may not look as pretty but it gets the job done! |
