'82 GS450 T Seat upgrade questions

[bwanna]

I want to upgrade the stock seat for as little money as possible. I'm very handy, creative and able to take on most major projects, so don't mind doing the work.

Goal:
1. Get more lower back support for both riders.
2. Improve comfort for long distance rides. (highway pegs)
3. Convert to a 'locking' seat versus the stock bolt-on.

Substitution?
- Can an "L" model seat be directly subsituted to a "T" model frame?
(Assuming the locking brack, etc. are also installed.)
- Can another size seat from same year be used, if so how much modification is needed? i.e. can a 650 seat be used on a 450 frame, size-wise.

Rebuild?
- I've been reading about DIY on the foam construction. Has anyone customized reshaped a stock seat foam and had it reupholstered?
(Was thinking of getting an old stock seat and trying to resculpt it to what I want (mustang, saddle??) - How difficult is this really?)

Thanks!!!

 

[Steve]

Ok, I see some interesting stuff here, so let's address them:

1. Get more lower back support for both riders.
First, the only way to get better back support would be to have some support that comes up to about your belt line, giving true "lower back support".
Second, ... "both riders"? 450s are rather cozy, I hope both riders come in size "petite".

2. Improve comfort for long distance rides. (highway pegs)
Highway pegs can be added to case savers. Look at the pictures in my sig for my 850 or my wife's 850.
"Long distance"? On a 450? What do you consider "long distance"?

3. Convert to a 'locking' seat versus the stock bolt-on.
That would definitly take some fabrication for the mounts, but might be possible.

- Can an "L" model seat be directly subsituted to a "T" model frame?
Can't say for sure, but probably not. The shape of the pan is different, meaning it will not sit the same way on the frame.

- Can another size seat from same year be used, if so how much modification is needed? i.e. can a 650 seat be used on a 450 frame, size-wise.
Again, can't say, I don't have both of those bikes available to check, but I doubt it.

- I've been reading about DIY on the foam construction. Has anyone customized reshaped a stock seat foam and had it reupholstered?
Yes, that has happened several times. Depending on your upholsterer, it might not be cheap, but it can give you exactly what you want.

.

 

[Guest]

I've seen an L seat put on a T model and apparently it was a straight swap... I'm not sure on the details though as it was quite a while ago so I'm not sure on the locking side of things... I've only seen my and a few other E's and an S or two and it's a whole different world. The E and S pans won't suit at all as the rear of the frames is different to the L's and T's.

As for reshaping foam, a box cutter and some 120 grit sand paper let me shape some foam for my seat quite easily. Contact adhesive in a spray can to glue the chunks together and to the seat pan, and took it to an upholstery shop for covering.

 

[bwanna]

Thanks!. That helps allot. The L model seat has a little more support.

I've seen an L seat put on a T model and apparently it was a straight swap... I'm not sure on the details though as it was quite a while ago so I'm not sure on the locking side of things... I've only seen my and a few other E's and an S or two and it's a whole different world. The E and S pans won't suit at all as the rear of the frames is different to the L's and T's.

As for reshaping foam, a box cutter and some 120 grit sand paper let me shape some foam for my seat quite easily. Contact adhesive in a spray can to glue the chunks together and to the seat pan, and took it to an upholstery shop for covering.