seat to fit /7?

[nhlkats]

im looking for a more comfortable seat for my r100 /7.
i read that any /6 or /7 seat should fit a dual seat /7 - i wonder if this seat (apparently its from a 76 r60/6) will work:
http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/85/bf/11_1.JPG

[Motorman]

I used a similar seat. It was a double saddle model from MAC, when they made motorcycle seats. Reasonable cost and a HUGE improvement over the stock seat. One of the things I really hated losing when I switched to the K bike I have now.

[20774]

I thought /6 and /7 seats were incompatible. /6s have short tanks and long seats. /7s have long tanks and short seats. Then again, I could be wrong...

Kurt in S.A.

[nhlkats]

how to tell which tank i have? may not be original tank...

[James.A]

/7 and later tanks have countoured side panels where you can tuck in your knees.

[20774]

...also flush mounted gas cap. Do you have a picture of the tank?

Kurt in S.A.

[nhlkats]

http://xs71.xs.to/pics/06100/DSCN1140.jpg

[lkchris]

I thought /6 and /7 seats were incompatible. /6s have short tanks and long seats. /7s have long tanks and short seats. Then again, I could be wrong...

Kurt in S.A.

I think the hinges are different, too.

[20774]

OK, saw that picture a few days back. Yup, stock tank for a /7. I think it's been determined that a stock /6 seat won't fit your /7.

Kurt in S.A.

[PeoriaMac]

KURT: "I think it's been determined that a stock /6 seat won't fit your /7".


It will if you use a band-saw to remove part of the front of the pan. The rear subframe is the same part number (14-465 12301 268) for both the R75/6 and the R100/7. Presumably then, the hinge locations are the same...and the difference is that because the /5's have a shorter tank, the seat pan is longer than the /7's. You would have to do some re-upholstering after cutting the pan. Best way to find out ---take the tank off the bike and see how the seat fits. You might want to mark the place where the tank ends as a way to determing how much to take off.

Mac

[cjack]

KURT: "I think it's been determined that a stock /6 seat won't fit your /7".


It will if you use a band-saw to remove part of the front of the pan. The rear subframe is the same part number (14-465 12301 268) for both the R75/6 and the R100/7. Presumably then, the hinge locations are the same...and the difference is that because the /5's have a shorter tank, the seat pan is longer than the /7's. You would have to do some re-upholstering after cutting the pan. Best way to find out ---take the tank off the bike and see how the seat fits. You might want to mark the place where the tank ends as a way to determing how much to take off.

Mac

Bandsaw? So you're the guy who does that stuff to the BMWs that get stored in the barn for 18 years...

[sgborgstrom]

IMO that bucket seat thing would be an abomination on a classic "Gentleman's Express" like the one pictured.

Since the bike and the attached seat is undoubtedly well over 20 years old, I would suggest looking onto getting that foam replaced. Fresh foam and/or a gel pad and you'll be good for another couple of decades.

Steve

[PeoriaMac]

Bandsaw? So you're the guy who does that stuff to the BMWs that get stored in the barn for 18 years...


Yes, it is I. Matter of fact, I'm in the process of doing that very thing to an aftermaket /6 seat that Woodnsteel gave me many years ago. I'm going make a solo out of it, and create a rack over the rear fender with an eye toward an aux fuel tank...

Mac

[James.A]

Hey Mac, I am pleased that you are making something out of that gnarled old stump of a seat.

[cjack]

Yes, it is I. Matter of fact, I'm in the process of doing that very thing to an aftermaket /6 seat that Woodnsteel gave me many years ago. I'm going make a solo out of it, and create a rack over the rear fender with an eye toward an aux fuel tank...

Mac

Well that's easy. Back in about '74 there was a dealer from Canada, I forget his name but he used to go to some of the rallies down here in the 48, who just bungeed a 6 gallon /5 tank to the rack on the back of his /6. Of course, now days if you had a /5 tank, you could sell it and buy several fuel cells with the money.
New tanks today, in prime, list for around $750 to $875. The neat thing is that you can still get them new. Some of them.

[Motorman]

IMO that bucket seat thing would be an abomination on a classic "Gentleman's Express" like the one pictured.

Since the bike and the attached seat is undoubtedly well over 20 years old, I would suggest looking onto getting that foam replaced. Fresh foam and/or a gel pad and you'll be good for another couple of decades.

Steve

This is kind of funny to me. I understand the part about the "classic" motorcycle and wanting to keep it looking like stock, but I also understand the stock seat on those "Gentleman's Express" also sucked badly. I owned one from 76 until 93 when I bought my K bike. The seats were hard and a bit too narrow. I drove a /6 cross the country several times. It was always a study in endurance until I changed to a sculpted double saddle seat. After I changed the seat over and rode it I didn't care one little bit that it didn't have a stock style seat. It had a COMFORTABLE seat and since it was my butt on it that's what was important to me. The next owner can change it back if they want. I'd rather have comfort over aesthetics.

I have had the seat (Corbin) on my K rebuilt and I opted for more and softer padding on it. If I could get a double saddle seat to fit on the bike with the bags and all I'd have one on it.

[dlearl476]

IMO that bucket seat thing would be an abomination on a classic "Gentleman's Express" like the one pictured.

Steve

I have to agree. IMHO, when you're trying to graft a La-Z-boy onto a motorcycle, you'd be better off with a GoldWing.

[cjack]

This is kind of funny to me. I understand the part about the "classic" motorcycle and wanting to keep it looking like stock, but I also understand the stock seat on those "Gentleman's Express" also sucked badly. I owned one from 76 until 93 when I bought my K bike. The seats were hard and a bit too narrow. I drove a /6 cross the country several times. It was always a study in endurance until I changed to a sculpted double saddle seat. After I changed the seat over and rode it I didn't care one little bit that it didn't have a stock style seat. It had a COMFORTABLE seat and since it was my butt on it that's what was important to me. The next owner can change it back if they want. I'd rather have comfort over aesthetics.

I have had the seat (Corbin) on my K rebuilt and I opted for more and softer padding on it. If I could get a double saddle seat to fit on the bike with the bags and all I'd have one on it.

I think the seats BMW designed had the sport riding position more in mind like the S and RS. I put euro bars on my R75/5 in 1973 and was amazed at how comfy the bike was and how I felt a part of it instead of wobbling around sitting upright. My weight was distributed more on my thighs, etc. and my spine was straighter. Someone said on one of these forums that different parts of the world learn to sit and bend differently. If you bend more at the hips instead of the waist, your back is straighter and there is no weight on your arms and hands when in the sport position. I've never had an aftermarket seat and never felt the need for one.
Not to say that this is right and other is wrong, but at least this is a valid option to the seating question I think.

[James.A]

I think the seats BMW designed had the sport riding position more in mind like the S and RS. I put euro bars on my R75/5 in 1973 and was amazed at how comfy the bike was and how I felt a part of it instead of wobbling around sitting upright. My weight was distributed more on my thighs, etc. and my spine was straighter. Someone said on one of these forums that different parts of the world learn to sit and bend differently. If you bend more at the hips instead of the waist, your back is straighter and there is no weight on your arms and hands when in the sport position. I've never had an aftermarket seat and never felt the need for one.
Not to say that this is right and other is wrong, but at least this is a valid option to the seating question I think.

I think I am uniquely qualified to offer commentary. I own 2 R75/5's. Both with stock seats. 1 with USA bars and 1 with Euro bars. While I like the short bars when commuting(52 miles a day), I like the USA bars for longer rides because I have more options for wiggling around in the saddle. Having said this, almost any after-market seat would be more comfy, otherwise no one would buy one.

[sgborgstrom]

I had similar experience with my R75/7, the difference between USA and euro bars was huge, with the low bars everything just "fit".

But then I had a lot of fun running around on my '77 goldwing with flat bars on it too.

Steve