GS850G seatcover for a GS1000EC seat-pan

[noobie]

Hey, I'm back!

I've been comparing the 850 and the 1k and they seem pretty much identical physically.

I need a seat cover and the only supplier in Austria is Louis where I could get a good seat cover for 40 EURO (the only other options are in the US where the taxes and the shipping would get me broke). But they have only for the 850.

Can anyone guarantee me that these two bikes have the same size seats? Can I put the seat cover of a 850 on the seat-pan of a 1000?

Does anyone have access to both an 850 and 1000 and please measure/compare those two seats (the flat type, not the steeped) and tell me if they are the same size and shape?

All help would be greatly appreciated.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. noobie,

I think Mr. salty_monk put an 850 cover on his 1000. It fit, but was very tight. It even ripped in one spot but Dan repaired it and it looks fine. This is not a guarantee, I'm just passing along the information. Perhaps heating the cover with a blow dryer can help you stretch it into place. Good luck.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bwringer]

I'd just have a local upholstery shop make a cover.

If you still have the old one or a photo of one, they can make it look very close.

Find some people riding vintage bikes and ask around.

[salty_monk]

I don't think it's an 850/1000 issue it's a difference between the 78/79 1000 & the 80+ 1000 of maybe just the difference between an E & a G.

Whatever my Saddleskins cover (Z1 enterprises) didn't fit my E that well (front corners too square on the 78 pan) but looked like it would fit the 801000G perfectly.

I did get it to fit but it was a struggle & I damaged it in the process. I also had to glue it down to the foam to get it to hold the form properly.

Dan

[SqDancerLynn1]

My guess would also be the difference between a "G" & "E" I know the seats themself do not interchange

[salty_monk]

What confuses is that the seat cover I bought was meant to fit the 1000E... I just checked & they don't list it as that any more though!

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=3278

I would think in Slovenia it has to be cheaper to pay someone to custom cover it surely?

How's importing from the UK?? http://motorcycleproducts.co.uk/cata...5_437_443.html

[noobie]

Thanks guys for all your help!

I did have the seat dressed by a local upholsterer, that's why I'm now looking for a mass-production seat cover

The ***** (self-censure is a wonderful thing) made a true atrocity out of it and it was hard to get ahold of him because he never held up to the agreed times to meet with him - was rather drinking with his pals in a bar. I'll post a pic as soon as I get to the garage so you can see what I mean. Half of it is my father's fault cause he hired the guy and instructed him to choose real leather instead of vinyl, didn't stretch the leather over the seat and sewed in squares with a thread... Which all comes to is that the bike isn't rain-worthy with that seat cause rain would get to the foam and then everything would rot in there. I don't plan on riding in rain, but sometimes you don't get to choose.

It's noon here now and I spent until late last night searching the web. Found a whole new original seat for the E at a parts dealer for 100 EURO (around $150) - is that expensive? It even has the grab bar.

salty_monk: thank you very much for your help.

Will keep you posted.

[noobie]

ok, here is the horrible seat.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. noobie,

That seat actually looks pretty good! But you are right about the leather. It's no good in the rain and if it's not properly fitted will start to sag and stretch in places.

Perhaps you could remove the cover, place a waterproof cover over the foam, then replace the leather cover, fitting it properly. You may be able to treat the leather to make it more water resistant, but be careful so that it does not become to slippery.

$150 for a new OEM seat? That doesn't seem too bad, if it fits in your budget. Is it "new old stock"? Or a replica? I've paid $50 for a used seat.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[noobie]

$150 for a new OEM seat? That doesn't seem too bad, if it fits in your budget. Is it "new old stock"? Or a replica? I've paid $50 for a used seat.

It's new old stock, original, no replica, it's 95 EURO in our money, considering that the cheapest seat cover would cost me at least half that (count in shipping and customs too) and then there's the cost for the cover to be installed,...

I think it's a pretty cheap option. I've already sent the dealer an email asking for more photos from different angles and especially a photo of the underside of the pan to see if it matches mine. Am also glad it has the grab-bar because I've been looking for that thing everywhere.

The thing is, we're restoring this bike completely and if we've already doing it right, then this old seat would be a real eye-sore.

Here's the photo of how the bike looks now (only the seat and the tank - which seems to still be in original state - were put on for trial, otherwise that's the current state - still waiting for the rear Sport Demon so we can put the rear tire, rear shocks, etc. on).



The bike was in an awful state so this is practically from scratch-rebuild. Thankfully my father, with whom I'm doing this project, is a mechanic so he knows his stuff.

[noobie]

Update: decided against the seat. The pan was formed completely differently and it has a different way of rigging it on the frame. Will stay with the ugly thing.

Did all 1000E have the seat attached to the frame on the left side, while the right side had a lock and could be lifted while the left was still attached to the frame? Cause mine is like that and the seat I wanted to buy is supposed to be shoved under the gas tank and then attached in the back part.

[salty_monk]

Yes... all 1000E have as you describe. 1000G too.

[salty_monk]

Just saw your pics... You can make that one work!

Take your cover off & "clingfilm" your foam (kitchen wrap, Glad wrap) & glue it, that will waterproof the foam.
If it is not stretched out enough you could add a little more foam to the bottom (very easy to cut a flat piece the same shape as the pan when it's only 10mm or so high).
When you re-fit, stretch it a bit more before you attach to the pan. Make sure it's warm when you do it. I had to use a hairdryer on my Vinyl one...

You can also use spray glue on the top of the foam before you fit the cover to help hold it tight.. I had to do that too & you probably will with plastic under there....

You have plenty of potential there! Should be your cheapest way....

[noobie]

Hey, salty_monk, thank you very much for all your advice, it's greatly appreciated.

And may I say you've got a real beauty there, the black front fender fits. How does she handle?

I've only ridden mine once (500 meters or so to get the Certificate of Conformity) and on a road made of concrete blocks that don't fit together well anymore, so don't really have an idea. When we dragged it home from Holland the engine was leaking oil at the gaskets, the brakes worked just barely and screeched like a banshee when pressed (which is why I didn't dare go faster than around 20 kmh), the engine was running weirdly,... so couldn't really take it for a spin at the nearby parking lot before taking it apart.

[Nessism]

On OE automotive seats they use a plastic sheet over the foam which reminds me of the thin plastic cover placed over dry cleaning when you get it back. Acts as a fluid barrier but wouldn't help keeping a leather seat cover from getting distroyed by rain.