[pozo_izquierdo]

Older seat on ’05 bike

I would like to ask the board members if anyone has experience in fitting the older model seat in ´05 bike. I currently have an older model seat (Kontour) in my bike (which Tom Russell kindly borrowed to me) and it feels a lot more comfortable than the OEM soft touch seat.

However, the seat sits higher as the base of the seat is different so it does not rest properly in the original support places. In fact, the front part of the seat bottom is resting on the tip of the gas tank.



My question is: What modifications have you done to the older seat base in order to have it fit properly on a new model bike or have you just left it as is and not worried about the seat resting on the gas tank or the back of the seat not resting on the rubber pads? To clarify my position: I’m not “height challenged” so that I’m not looking for hints for a low seat conversion. In fact the reason I like the older seat better is that it sits higher (and is wider).



Currently I’m in process of purchasing a set of older model seats from a board member and have them shipped to one of the aftermarket seat makers. I would need the information about the needed modifications in order to decide whether to buy these or not.

Now I’m not afraid of attacking the seat base with whatever suitable tool (maybe not a chainsaw) and I can do most all kind of needed modification as long as I know it can be done /makes sense.



Thanks in advance for the comments

 

[jzeiler]

Ari,

I had an early seat on my '05 for awhile and did not see it touch the tank. It cleared everything when set at the "high" position. So not sure what is happening on your set up. It looked like only a small amount near the center of the seat pan would have to be trimmed to clear the tupperware, to allow it to be set to the "low" position.

John

 

[DavidTaylor]

I have a Rick Mayer seat built on an 02 seat pan that I put on my 05 and it fits and works just fine. I, too, prefer the higher seating position and wider seat available on the older seats. The rear seats are unchanged (brought that from my 02 also, as well as the passenger backrest) so you should have no troubles using either on the 05 LT.

 

[DRothermel]

I have an 03 seat on my 05. I use it on the low position. It binds up slightly on the tupperware when in the low position. I had to trim both ribs on the seat pan to get it to sit in the low position without binding on the edge of the tupperware. I used a dremel tool to trim the seat pan. Kept trimming and trying, until I had enough trimmed off to clear. Once done with the trimming, I just covered the trimmed area with some black duct tape. It's been working just fine now for 42,000 miles on two 05's. Dick

 

[K12smitty]

Re: Older seat on ’05 bike

Does anyone know if these same modifications will allow an '02 stock seat to fit an '09 LT? The new and improved "soft seat" on my '09 sux badly. The seat on my previous '03 was much better for me and my wife. Until I can recover from the cost of the new bike and buy a KonTour, I need to do something else. An older seat is my best alternative.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[pozo_izquierdo]

Re: Older seat on ’05 bike

Hi Steve

being wiser myself after six years with the older seat on a facelift model I can confirm that the older seat does fit, but it needs the small modifications that were described by Dick.

The best tool for doing the mod is a Dremel as you need to grind off slightly from the ribs of the seat pan. You can see it when you install the seat. The good thing is that you don't need to touch the bike fairings as you would need to do when installing a new seat on an older model bike.

Good luck with your project!

Regards

 

[K12smitty]

Re: Older seat on ’05 bike

Thanks Ari. That is exactly what I needed to know.
Ride Safely,
Steve

 

[billsmith]

Re: Older seat on ’05 bike

Hi Steve

being wiser myself after six years with the older seat on a facelift model I can confirm that the older seat does fit, but it needs the small modifications that were described by Dick.

The best tool for doing the mod is a Dremel as you need to grind off slightly from the ribs of the seat pan. You can see it when you install the seat. The good thing is that you don't need to touch the bike fairings as you would need to do when installing a new seat on an older model bike.

Good luck with your project!

Regards

I have looked at many of your retro/modifications/inventions and you never cease to amaze. The one with the compressor for adding air I really like. I have that on my '85 Goldwing (package) wish I had it on my LT.
Anytime I read a post where someone is asking for help I check out your farkle site to see if I have seen it before. You are good.
ride safe :bmw: