1983 GS1100E Seat Splitting

[posplayr]

Any way to stop this? My original seat is not ripped yet 8-[ , but it will look like this soon as I can see the stress at the seam .

I guess I could always remove the cover and try to back up the seam with more material that distributes the stress out across two or more panels.

I'm wondering if anybody already did this (before or after a rip) and how it worked out.

Posplayr

[zuzu]

That is a common place for the seat on the E series to rip. I replaced mine with one from B&H specialties. Here is there Link http://motorcycleseatcovers.com/
You could take the cover off and use some kind of iron on patch to help reinforce it. But the cost of a new one is not bad and there are made great.

[posplayr]

I'll keep them in mind

The seat was replaced by the PO with a very low milage (5K miles ???) original seat which is not perfect, but it is a 9 of possible 10 except for the ever widening stressed seam. for $65 I can always replace it, I wont always be able to get an OEM seat. I'll post the results later.

Posplayr

[Redman]

First bike I had with seat comming apart like that, I first patched with vynal repair from outside, then later tried to fit a piece of vynal material inside throught the opening, then later took cover off and made patch from underneath, and fussed with it several times over a couple years, then got an aftermarket replacement seat cover. ANd then I said, doah, should have just replaced it long time ago.

Then on next bike as soon as it started to split, I just used vynal repair as a short term fix (to save the foam from water damage) and replaced the seat cover a lot sooner than I did on first bike.

Yah, I see, you are wanting to keep the original OEM seat. YAh, patch it from underneath. I used vynal repair stuff and a piece of vynal that I got from a fabric store.

[mustangflyr]

Seat Splitting

Contact T.D. Bash at coolretrobikes.com and try not to use the seat until it's repaired as the material will stretch making it harder to repair.

[bonanzadave]

I think every 82-83 does that. There was a nice orig seat come through here via ebay a while ago and I think it went for over $400. I did mine with Travelcade.

http://www.saddlemen.com/skinsfirst.html

I stretched mine too tight so I may do it again.

[zuzu]

The seat was replaced by the PO with a very low mileage (5K miles ???) original seat which is not perfect, but it is a 9 of possible 10 except for the ever widening stressed seam. for $65 I can always replace it, I wont always be able to get an OEM seat. I'll post the results later.

Posplayr

The seat covers from B&H Specialties look Very Very Close to the OEM cover. Here is a Photo of my new cover.

[posplayr]

ZuZu

Looks like you retained the OEM passengers strap. Now that seat look nice. \\/That is not the seat in your signature; it seems more scooped out for the seat. Also a very nice look. I think I like it better.

Posplayr

[zuzu]

The seat that is on my bike in my signature Photo, is a Corbin aftermarket seat. I like the Corbin when riding around town, you sit lower in the saddle. The original is more comfortable on the longer trips.
I am thinking of taking the Corbin seat into an upholster and have some custom padding done, as I like the way I fit on the bike with the Corbin seat better then the OEM one.

[bwringer]

Jethro's writeup and pics from his 1100E seat cover replacement:

http://bwringer.com/gs/seatcover.html

[Mysuzyq]

I am thinking of taking the Corbin seat into an upholster and have some custom padding done, as I like the way I fit on the bike with the Corbin seat better then the OEM one.

Interesting....I really liked the look of the Corbin, but when I finally put a brand new one on my bike last season, I did'nt like the ergonomics with it... in my case,it put the lower body in more of a 'sit-up' cruiser stance, which did'nt work too well with the lower handlebars that I run, which puts the rider in a slight lean-forward posture (I am 6'....if you are shorter or taller, it will no doubt change the seat/peg/bar relationship). For looks (and cornering too, perhaps due to the lower CG) it's hard to beat the Corbin though!
I put the stock seat back on after a few days (I had hoped to store it)I have 17,000 miles on my bike, so it is still in good shape for now, but like Posplayr, I know the seam-splitting issue is only a matter of time. That cover looks great, BTW....I think if not for the layer of extra foam that they feature, that gives a slighly 'raised' effect, it would look virtually stock.
I may put the Corbin up for sale in the 'Parts' section at some point....have'nt decided yet.
At the recent Toronto bikeshow, I picked up a small bottle of "The Last Glue'...(think SUPER super-glue.)..they usually have a booth at most car/bike/boat shows, ..it would be interesting to try a seam repair with this ...it's really amazing stuff.

http://www.thelastglue.com/home.html

Tony.