General appearance guidelines on single saddle
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 27
From: Sydney
General appearance guidelines on single saddle
Hi guys.
I'm interested to know more about the bobber seats in general. As I flick through the web site, I see lot of different shapes and sizes. And couldn't help but to wonder few things.
How did the different shapes (tracktor, police, snub nose, board track seats) come about? Was this just someone at the factory coming up with this shapes or do they actually have history and bit of heritage behind it? And do they happen to have an appropriate areas of application?
and what are DOs and DON'Ts about the solo saddle in general? I know there are few different schools of thoughts like no spring on suspended bikes,, and having too much gap beteeen the gas tank nor the rear fender is typically considered a no no. (Does this mean you have a equal spacing on either end or get a longer seat??)
Does the thickness of the seat mean something other than comfort?
When rigid mounting : Do you suspend the seat little bit to maintain the back rake Or mount it as flush to the frame as possible? (With no back rake you slide backwards when throttle is twisted?)
Again, I'm not asking anyone to tell me what I should like and yes I understand the beauty is in the eye of a beholder, but askig some genenal history behind the seats for general knowledge & wishing to learn from your experience.
Not sure if anyone looked at these solo saddles from my perspective and just maybe this might make the sticky for those of you who wants to know & get a compass on all this solo saddle business.
Thanks!
I'm interested to know more about the bobber seats in general. As I flick through the web site, I see lot of different shapes and sizes. And couldn't help but to wonder few things.
How did the different shapes (tracktor, police, snub nose, board track seats) come about? Was this just someone at the factory coming up with this shapes or do they actually have history and bit of heritage behind it? And do they happen to have an appropriate areas of application?
and what are DOs and DON'Ts about the solo saddle in general? I know there are few different schools of thoughts like no spring on suspended bikes,, and having too much gap beteeen the gas tank nor the rear fender is typically considered a no no. (Does this mean you have a equal spacing on either end or get a longer seat??)
Does the thickness of the seat mean something other than comfort?
When rigid mounting : Do you suspend the seat little bit to maintain the back rake Or mount it as flush to the frame as possible? (With no back rake you slide backwards when throttle is twisted?)
Again, I'm not asking anyone to tell me what I should like and yes I understand the beauty is in the eye of a beholder, but askig some genenal history behind the seats for general knowledge & wishing to learn from your experience.
Not sure if anyone looked at these solo saddles from my perspective and just maybe this might make the sticky for those of you who wants to know & get a compass on all this solo saddle business.
Thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Hi guys.
I'm interested to know more about the bobber seats in general. As I flick through the web site, I see lot of different shapes and sizes. And couldn't help but to wonder few things.
How did the different shapes (tracktor, police, snub nose, board track seats) come about? Was this just someone at the factory coming up with this shapes or do they actually have history and bit of heritage behind it? And do they happen to have an appropriate areas of application?
The so-called tractor seat has been in use since 1925. It is the basis for the classic police seats and others up to and including the factory Crossbones. My personal preference is for a standard 1925 seat with minimal padding. I'm tall and find the ability to move around better for comfort on trips. I use the WLA version. Basically a 1925 in brown with rivets to protect the leather from a soldiers gear. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by board track seats. There is a version of the 1925 seat that was available on K models, and some early Sportsters until the mid 60's. Essentially a narrower shorter version of the classic tractor shape. They use an entirely different T-bar. I've posted some pics of my Night Train with this type of seat.
and what are DOs and DON'Ts about the solo saddle in general? I know there are few different schools of thoughts like no spring on suspended bikes,, and having too much gap beteeen the gas tank nor the rear fender is typically considered a no no. (Does this mean you have a equal spacing on either end or get a longer seat??)
There are no hard and fast rules. In general what looks good to you is what is important. Plenty of Harley's came straight from the factory with suspension and a sprung solo. The seats are designed to have fore and aft adjustability on the T-Bar or other nose piece to get it just right for you. In current vogue is a plate of metal or plastic to cover the battery and electrics under the seat. I have my police seat on my HSS without anything covering the battery. I'd love to find a chrome battery top cover to make it just like my old Pan.
Does the thickness of the seat mean something other than comfort?
A thicker seat does not always equal more comfort. If you have long legs, you sit perched up on the rear part of the seat. I find the police type skirted seat and Crossbones seat less comfortable than a straight 1925. However, then as now, people buy seats by what is comfortable in the showroom. More padding makes some think it will be better on the road. Others don't want a seat that they sink into. Probably the worst are the Bates style from the 50's-60's. The are the shape of a puffed up tractor seat. Normally with a diamond stitch.
When rigid mounting : Do you suspend the seat little bit to maintain the back rake Or mount it as flush to the frame as possible? (With no back rake you slide backwards when throttle is twisted?)
I've always mounted sprung seats with springs in place. There are plenty of frame mount seats for those that want that. Definitely a good idea to have the unloaded seat a little high in the back to keep from sliding back under acceleration. For really short people that want the "look", the scissor type spring can be virtually flat.
Again, I'm not asking anyone to tell me what I should like and yes I understand the beauty is in the eye of a beholder, but askig some genenal history behind the seats for general knowledge & wishing to learn from your experience.
Not sure if anyone looked at these solo saddles from my perspective and just maybe this might make the sticky for those of you who wants to know & get a compass on all this solo saddle business.
Thanks!
I'm interested to know more about the bobber seats in general. As I flick through the web site, I see lot of different shapes and sizes. And couldn't help but to wonder few things.
How did the different shapes (tracktor, police, snub nose, board track seats) come about? Was this just someone at the factory coming up with this shapes or do they actually have history and bit of heritage behind it? And do they happen to have an appropriate areas of application?
The so-called tractor seat has been in use since 1925. It is the basis for the classic police seats and others up to and including the factory Crossbones. My personal preference is for a standard 1925 seat with minimal padding. I'm tall and find the ability to move around better for comfort on trips. I use the WLA version. Basically a 1925 in brown with rivets to protect the leather from a soldiers gear. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by board track seats. There is a version of the 1925 seat that was available on K models, and some early Sportsters until the mid 60's. Essentially a narrower shorter version of the classic tractor shape. They use an entirely different T-bar. I've posted some pics of my Night Train with this type of seat.
and what are DOs and DON'Ts about the solo saddle in general? I know there are few different schools of thoughts like no spring on suspended bikes,, and having too much gap beteeen the gas tank nor the rear fender is typically considered a no no. (Does this mean you have a equal spacing on either end or get a longer seat??)
There are no hard and fast rules. In general what looks good to you is what is important. Plenty of Harley's came straight from the factory with suspension and a sprung solo. The seats are designed to have fore and aft adjustability on the T-Bar or other nose piece to get it just right for you. In current vogue is a plate of metal or plastic to cover the battery and electrics under the seat. I have my police seat on my HSS without anything covering the battery. I'd love to find a chrome battery top cover to make it just like my old Pan.
Does the thickness of the seat mean something other than comfort?
A thicker seat does not always equal more comfort. If you have long legs, you sit perched up on the rear part of the seat. I find the police type skirted seat and Crossbones seat less comfortable than a straight 1925. However, then as now, people buy seats by what is comfortable in the showroom. More padding makes some think it will be better on the road. Others don't want a seat that they sink into. Probably the worst are the Bates style from the 50's-60's. The are the shape of a puffed up tractor seat. Normally with a diamond stitch.
When rigid mounting : Do you suspend the seat little bit to maintain the back rake Or mount it as flush to the frame as possible? (With no back rake you slide backwards when throttle is twisted?)
I've always mounted sprung seats with springs in place. There are plenty of frame mount seats for those that want that. Definitely a good idea to have the unloaded seat a little high in the back to keep from sliding back under acceleration. For really short people that want the "look", the scissor type spring can be virtually flat.
Again, I'm not asking anyone to tell me what I should like and yes I understand the beauty is in the eye of a beholder, but askig some genenal history behind the seats for general knowledge & wishing to learn from your experience.
Not sure if anyone looked at these solo saddles from my perspective and just maybe this might make the sticky for those of you who wants to know & get a compass on all this solo saddle business.
Thanks!
IMO, solo is the way to go.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 27
From: Sydney
I will!
thanks!
Trending Topics
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 27
From: Sydney
yeah, fell into a trap of thinking about practicality too much on my other Harley. spent 10s of thousands and ended up with the bike I didn't like. So I'm going to lean towards the "looks" more this time around on this particular customization. Can always chuck back other seat if I wanted to but as far as the solo saddle is concerned, yup "to look at".
Last edited by YammyBase; Feb 20, 2018 at 09:02 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post