flat seat for 81 xs400 special

yQshl

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Hi all, new member here. Thanks to everyone here I was able to get my bike running great. Now i'm on to doing to some mods and firsi thing i want to do is the seat. I'm really interested in a flat seat that looks factory. I found this seat:

http://www.motorcycleseatsdirect.co...wder-coated-modified-seat-pan-1981-1983-4194/

Does anyone have this seat or something similar that can impart some experience/knowledge with it?
 

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At $300 after shipping I'm kind of hesitant to drop that much on a seat but it sure does fit all that I'm looking for. Any cheaper alternatives out there?
 
Got any pics of that unupholstered seat, turtle? If I only needed a solo seat it wouldn't be a problem but I have female friends that always want to go riding. I guess that's not a bad problem to have :D
 
So finally decided to make my own seat this weekend. I don't park my bike at home and so any work I need to to do had to be on the street. Been putting it off because I dont have battery operated tools but was able to borrow some from a buddy. Seat height much better for me. Passenger also likes sitting lower. Tail light is coming but in the meantime zip ties will do :bike:
 

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Yep, cut of the crossbar towards the back middle and the two hooks in the front. And drilled two holes in the middle bar to attach the seat. That's it. No other frame work.
 
Battery stayed where it was. the front of the seat basically sits on the battery.
In the middle of the seat the two bolts hold it to the frame. What i used were two long bolts and three nuts on each bolt. The first nut to hold the bolt onto the wood seat pan. The second nut sits right on top of the cross bar and the third is underneath the cross bar to hold it on tight. And towards the back the seat just sits right on top of the turn signal mounting points
 
Finally got my flat seat done! Thanks for all the info yQshi. I ended up using a cheap skateboard and a foam exercise mat i picked up from Walmart. Used spray adhesive to attach the foam (4 layers). Had a local upholsterer sew a diamond pattern with green thread that matched my new paint job. Then wrapped the vinyl myself. It's not perfect, but I think it turned out pretty good. Total cost was $60(US) just for the materials. Then had to pay the upholsterer of course.
 

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