Aftermarket Seat?

[covertune]

I have to admit, my least favourite aesthetic element of my '83 Maxim is the big ol' banana seat. I also think something a bit thinner and more narrow would help the bike to fit me better. I'd love to replace the seat, but don't want to spend a fortune. Can anyone recommend somewhere online I can look at ordering a different seat? Even better if it's somewhere in Canada, since shipping chargers are usually the killer.

Also, when looking at seats, do I have to find one that's exactly made for the XS400 Maxim, or are there other ones that will fit (ie. XS650, Maxim Special etc etc)

This is the kind of style I'd ideally like to have, the smooth, two-piece…

 

[ScottLuke]

Like a cafe style seat? Ebay has them, just search "cafe bobber seat".

I made my seat for less than $100. I made the base and carved out the foam, then had an upholster cover the seat with pleated vinyl for $65. Simply used a piece of cardbosrd for a jig, traced and cut-out a piece of plywood. Then used a yoga mat for the base layer of foam and covered it with foam batting from the fabric store.

 

[covertune]

No, I'm not "chopping" or altering the bike, so a cafe racer style seat won't work.

 

[rshutchinson]

You don't need to make a cafe racer style, but the only way to get a seat that you're going to like is likely to make one.

 

[new_idea]

Unfortunately I can not see the picture that you posted. I took some of the bulk out of mine by shaving down most of the foam. I have not altered my frame...yet...but until that day comes I wanted something not so "cream puff" looking. I just made a new cover for mine instead of paying someone else to do it. It definitely changed the look of the bike.