Seat application cross-reference?

[Anonymous]

The seat on my '78 GS750 is not only very shredded, but since the bike had a fairing the seat is of a "touring" style. It is a big pillowy thing that won't really go with the look I am to achieve. I am looking around the local motorcycle yards and was wonder what seats from other Suzuki's will bolt right up with no mods, i.e "a 78-82 gs750 or gs110" or perhaps "none other than the same model and year", although that would be a bit disappointing. Thanks guys, Bob

[Jethro]

Bob,

I have asked many times to get some clairification on cross referencing parts with no luck. I recently needed to replace my seat on my 81 GS 1100EX and after some intensive research came to find that no other year or model from the same year would fit my rig. I've been a big help, haven't I?

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

That is not what I wanted to hear, but thanks for the input. That sure does narrow my choices.....

[dgeorge]

Bob, the only way that I've found of cross-referenceing parts is to go to http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.../shopindex.asp and look up the part number of the items and see if they match or going through the different models and trying to find the ones that have the same part #'s. It is time consuming but it does work. Hope this is some help.

[Anonymous]

Bob, though I have not done this myself, I have heard of people rebuilding a seat from the original seat pan. I believe that there have been some threads on this subject, so you might want to do a search. Presumably, a rebuilt seat could be to the form you want (within limitations imposed by the pan).

[Jethro]

Bob, though I have not done this myself, I have heard of people rebuilding a seat from the original seat pan.

This would be the route I chose. I bought a seat rebuild kit from Dennis Kirk.com and used my old seat pan. It came out great and is very comfortable. Only problem is that the seat no longer looks anything like stock (which is what I wanted). I did end up with a perfect seat on e-bay, but it cost me. Now I have a double bucket touring seat and the stock setup. Only about $340 later.

[Anonymous]

A quick search of Dennis Kirk led me to some pretty expensive looking kits, so here is my plan. The foam on my double bucket is pretty good. I am going to rip of the shredded cover on my original seat, shave the existing foam to a shape I like, and then sew up my own upholstery. I am a bit of a hobbyist sewist (or seamstress if you like) and have over the last several years made lotsa cool outdoor gear, halloween cosutmes, etc. I am going to look at as many bikes as I can to find a seat style I want to emulate and go from there. When I get done I will post some pics for you cats and kittens. Sadly I did not take a before picture, but I am sure you guys can imagine what a '78 GS750 with Vetter would look like after sitting for almost three years. I got some cool take-off turn signals on Ebay yesterday from a Yamaha R-1 for $30. Once I get a headlight and a quick coat of rattle-can on it, I'll get some pictures posted.


Just for those who do not live in Northern Colorado or Wyoming it is windy here on a Biblical scale. My hot tub cover got blown across the yard, my flagpole with Old Glory snapping proudly is toast, and there are tree limbs down all over. Probably sustained 25mph with gusts to at least 60. My w2hole house is shaking. It is a good day to spend some time in the garage wrenching.

Bob

[bgk]

GS Seats Cross-Reference

Bob,
This is sort of a sideways answer to your question. Go to the Travalcade/Saddlemen website (I think it's www. saddlemen.com). Scroll to Seats for Older Bikes Road and look up the part number for your bike for a replacement foam and cover kit. Then, see what other bikes that same part number fits. This should give you an idea of which OEM Suzuki seats should be interchangeable. Give it a try, it can't hurt!
Brion

[SqDancerLynn1]

If you want to redo the foam you can also get a pre made stock type cover from http://www.jcwmotorcycle.com It may take a little looking on there site to find it.

[Anonymous]

I have a 77 Gs750, 78 GS1000, 78 GT750 (water buffalo), and 79 GS850. The foam on the 77 GS750 seat broke down so I tried switching the seats from the other bikes. No way! They are all different. Either too long, too wide or the hinges and latches don't line up. If you can find something with the same frame it will probably fit. I would suggest a GS750 of the same or different year as long as the model is close.

As long as the seat pan is in reasonably good condition, rebuilding the seat sounds like fun. The high density foam is somewhat moldable. It is certainly easier to work the foam to fit the pan than to work the foam to fit the cover, so if you find foam and cover from another make or model that you like you may be able to easily graft it onto the pan.

If you like sewing consider making the seat cover out of old leather coats from the local Sally Ann. One coat should have enough leather to make a cover and a coat can be picked up for $10-$15. That is much cheaper than buying the same quanity of vinyl and will feel better on the tush. I have four coats lined up to be sacrificed for such a project. One brown, two black, and one PINK. Making a leather cover is one of my next projects. If you decide to do it, let us know how it turns out.

Junkman

[mdole]

Another option is to have a local upholstery rebuild you seat. Or send it to someone like Sargent to have it done. I have used Sargent in the past and had about a two-week turn around from when I shipped them the old seat to getting it back recovered. They offer lots of options so it's worth looking at their site and taking some time to figure out exactly what you want done.

http://www.sargentcycle.com/

[Anonymous]

I also had a problem trying to find a seat cover for my 1980 550E. Some of the saddlemen's or travelcade were close but no cigar. I even bought one that I thought would fit and it almost did....almost. Then I found this webite in Texas that listed a perfect fit for my bike. The website is http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com. I ordered a new cover from these folks and it fit like a glove and looked like factory original. I had it installed in under an hour and have been very happy with it. The folks were very helpful and my cover arrived in about a week. Check them out.

Kevin

[Anonymous]

I have already cut lots of foam from my Double bucket touring seat, and sanded it to the shape I want. My only choices now are to do a home upholstery job, or pay a local upholstery shop. I got estimates of $75 and up from a few shops, and the materials cost would be about $7 if I sew a cover myself. At that rate I can afford a few tries, and get the satisfaction of doing it myself. Anyone who has some upholstery sewing experience or who can point me in the direction of some tips would be really appreciated. In a few weeks I'll get some pics up for you guys. Thanks for all the help and suggestions, keep 'em coming.

Bob

PS - got the Yamaha R1 turn signals installed today and lo and behold........they blinked! and they look cool.

[earlfor]

For an odd shape such as a seat and particularly a seat that is a "one and only" shape, for a pattern, I cover the seat in 2" wide masking tape running in whatever direction is needed to allow the tape to lay smoothly.
I then use a flair pen to mark off the seam lines on the tape. Next remove the "masking tape seatcover", and cut the tape on the proposed seams. Add 1/2" all around the perimeter of each piece. The foot on my sewing machine measures 1/2" from the foot edge to the needle, so I can sew the seam with no lines marked on the fabric if I have cut the overall patterns sizes accurately. Also, be sure to tack sew an extra width to the lower edges where it will be pulled down and fastened. (it gives you something to hold onto and is removed when the seat is finished) I also wrap the foam in saran wrap just prior to installing the seatcover. Poke some holes in the sides of the foam/saran wrap to allow air to escape.
(it helps to keep the seat from soaking water.)

Earl

[quote="BobMachus"]
Anyone who has some upholstery sewing experience or who can point me in the direction of some tips would be really appreciated. In a few weeks I'll get some pics up for you guys. Thanks for all the help and suggestions, keep 'em coming.

[Anonymous]

seat application cross reference

Good technique Earl!! You are my do-it-youself hero of the day. I have several sewing machines, but none of them are heavy-duty or industrial. What do you use?

Junkman