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Installed a cafe seat - '78 GS550

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    Installed a cafe seat - '78 GS550

    I installed this Hot Wings Glass cafe seat to lower the seat height for my daughter. Good quality, looks good, is pretty comfortable, and weighs a lot less than the old steel fender. I'm not sure about that tail light, but it works and was easy to install, and I already had it.
    Now I wish I'd kept my rearsets and clip-ons.

    I also have installed Renthal Superlow bars. Reduces vibration a bit, not that there ever was too much of that.

    I'm saving the old seat and fender for future use.


    Seat lifts for access to tool kit and other stuff.
    Last edited by Guest; 04-10-2012, 11:06 AM.

    #2
    Very nice look.

    Comment


      #3
      I have to agree with the Bobs...very nice.
      1982 GS1100GL (Sold :()(Retrieved!:pray:)
      1978 GS1000C (Sold, to be revived by Chuck)
      1979 GS1000EN (Parts Whore)
      1979 GS1000C (Collecting Dust)
      1980 GS750E (Sport-Touring Build...Someday?)
      1981 GS750L (Abandoned Project...maybe?)
      1982 GS750E (Collecting Dust)
      1983 GS750T (This is becoming a problem...)
      1981 GS650GL (Parts Whore / Cafe Donor)
      1981 GS550L (Cafe Project)

      Comment


        #4
        Nice one Bob, really suits the lines of the bike too.
        1982 GS450E - The Wee Beastie
        1984 GSX750S Katana 7/11 - Kit Kat - BOTM May 2020

        sigpic

        450 Refresh thread: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-GS450-Refresh

        Katana 7/11 thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...84-Katana-7-11

        Comment


          #5
          Thanks for the complements. I actually think the seat is a little long for this bike, but to shorten it, I'd have to shorten the frame, and then I'd be unable to return to the previous seat and fender. Here's how it would look with a few inches lopped off the front. What do you all think?
          Last edited by Guest; 04-10-2012, 01:45 PM.

          Comment


            #6
            I guess the real question is, do you ever intend on 'returning' to stock? If it's at all possible, I'd stay stick with it the way it is. It doesn't look all that bad the way it sits, but I do agree it does look a little better shortened.

            Do you have a link to the seat? I may look at one for my own project.
            1982 GS1100GL (Sold :()(Retrieved!:pray:)
            1978 GS1000C (Sold, to be revived by Chuck)
            1979 GS1000EN (Parts Whore)
            1979 GS1000C (Collecting Dust)
            1980 GS750E (Sport-Touring Build...Someday?)
            1981 GS750L (Abandoned Project...maybe?)
            1982 GS750E (Collecting Dust)
            1983 GS750T (This is becoming a problem...)
            1981 GS650GL (Parts Whore / Cafe Donor)
            1981 GS550L (Cafe Project)

            Comment


              #7
              The few inches don't really make that much difference. In my opinion leave it the way it is. It looks great. But then again I'm not a fan of really short little cafe seats. I like the length of the rear end on these bikes. It looks balanced.

              Comment


                #8
                I'll have to ponder it. Here's how the bike looked with the previous seat and 550L fender:

                That seat and fender sure are heavy, compared to the cafe seat. Cutting the frame would save a few pounds, too.
                Last edited by Guest; 04-11-2012, 04:41 PM.

                Comment


                  #9
                  I reckon the problem is actually the tail light... change to an integrated one in line with the rear of the seat and I think you'll find it changes the whole look...
                  1982 GS450E - The Wee Beastie
                  1984 GSX750S Katana 7/11 - Kit Kat - BOTM May 2020

                  sigpic

                  450 Refresh thread: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-GS450-Refresh

                  Katana 7/11 thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...84-Katana-7-11

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Shortened Hotwing Glass seat - pics

                    I shortened the Hotwing Glass Road Race 3 seat I got for my 550. Provides a more snug seating position, and cut a few more pounds off the frame. Not much room for a tail light under there, though.


                    Comment


                      #11
                      Actually that does look a bit better Bob, nice work
                      1982 GS450E - The Wee Beastie
                      1984 GSX750S Katana 7/11 - Kit Kat - BOTM May 2020

                      sigpic

                      450 Refresh thread: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-GS450-Refresh

                      Katana 7/11 thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...84-Katana-7-11

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Looks good! I just finished installing mine today (a custom job with frame chop). I'll post pics in my cafe build thread later today.

                        I'm going to try and squeeze a low-profile tail light under the end of the seat, but it'll be a little tight when the suspension compresses.

                        Comment

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