I have a 2004 883 but I am putting on a new tank off of a 2004 1200. The guys at Harley said I needed a new seat since my current one will not work.
I called my dealership but they were USELESS in telling me what I needed to know.

Anyway...... Will this Stock Harley seat work with the new tank?

It came off of a XL
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...373&rd=1,1

 

I'd say that should fit. You might ask the seller to verify the seat came off of an 883, not an 883L. The reason for the different seats, is the 883L seat is more narrow at the gas tank.

 

Actually, I think it's the length of the tank. If you have a 3.3 gallon tank.(peanut) the length is different from the 4.5 gallon tank. The 883L has a peanut tank on it. So if you are putting on a peanut tank, you should be okay. I make sure that the tank size of the bike the seat came off of is the same as the size of your new tank. I have an 883L seat on my 1200 roadster. One other thing to be aware of is your height. The 883L seat pushed me forward about an 1 1/2 closer to the front of the bike. It was very uncomfortable for me being 5' 10". I took it to an Upholsterer and she cut the seat back an about an 1 1/2, put a little more foam in for comfort and embroidered a Spade on the back of the seat.

 

I don't think the seat will fit, I'm almost 100% sure that Sportsters with 4.5 gallon tanks didn't come with a stock solo seat.

 

are you putting on a 4.5gallon tank in place of the 3.3gallon thank if so the one there on e-bay won't fit. you will need a seat from a 883 custom or a 1200 custom bike. the seat is shorter in front for the 4.5 gallon tank.

 

Ah, they're shorter? I always thought they were wider. And I still thing they are a bit wider, but probably also shorter.

Here is part of where I get that thinking...

From the Sundowner Bucket seat there are 2 different seats for the 04 - 06 Sportster. Here are the descriptions for fit:

51507-04

Fits '04-'06 XL883C, XL1200L and XL1200C models.

51509-04

Fits '04-'06 XL883, XL883L, XL883R and XL1200R models.

Now if it's just a matter of length, why would it make a difference on a 2 up bucket seat? I think it's the same rear finder on all of those bikes. Is it because the tank comes back further on the backbone on the 4.5 gallon bikes??

I just thought it was because of the 3.3 gallon tank being so much more narrow at the base...

Dunno, just asking the question..??

 

Amy, I have a stock seat from an 05 1200C in my garage. PM me if your interested. It's not a solo seat....it has a little backseat. Let me know if you are interested.

 

The difference in the seats is the legnth from the front mount tab to the very front of the seat, where the foam stops. Ask the seller if his wife's bike had the small narrow 3.3 gallon tank, or the wider 4.5 gallon tank. You have to match the tank to the seat. The rest is the same. If his wife had a wide 4.5 gallon tank, then you're fine.

 

Also, the seat you have now will work, if you want to mod it. It's easy to do. What you would need to do is take an inch or two out of the front of the seat. Simply remove the outer cover, cut out some of the foam, and reattach. You may need cut some of the base, but that's just one extra easy step with a small hand saw. Worst case scenario, if you screw it up - you were planning on buying a new seat anyways.
Let me know if you've got any questions, Amy. I'vegot both a 3.3 and 4.5 tank that Iswap back and forth quite a bit depending on what kind of ride I'm doing. I've got both seats too and swap them around.

 

Thanks everyone, I didn't bid on the seat, actually I forgot about the time it was ending.

Thanks Heather, but I really do want a solo seat (I think).

Despite all the complaints, I think I am going to go ahead and purchase the barebones seat. I love the way it looks and once I get all the paint work finished on the bike it will lookawesome. Besides if I don't like it, there's always ebay.

I will also eventually purchase a more fluffyseat to change out with that has some sort of backrest if I ever decide to do another long road trip.

But Thanks everyone you were all alot of help,
Amy