I'm looking for feedback on ideas. Would you wrap a seat to hide the frame, or snug a small seat into the frame and keep the frame exposed. I've got a friend that will build me a seat for some vapor honing on his bike. The guy is really talented with stitch work and custom seats.
This is a stripped down bike build. Nothing in the bike is not "needed", or very minimal, of course I'll regret all that, but it is what it is.
Not a fan of that type of seat, but............I'd keep the frame exposed.
Find a Giuliari seat or replica.
The OG version hasn't been made since the early 80's, but there has been no better aftermarket RD seat made, ever.
HVC Gunfighter Seat is a distant second.
Brat style seats ..... well, not my favorite. Uncomfortable and without a bum stop or enough padding to sink into, you end up sliding around a lot. Feels sketchy and disconnected to me.
Jim is right. Here's a pic of a genuine Giuliari seat.
Looks best in my opinion if the bottom of the seat and the bottom of the tank are all on line. So if that is the final tank position, Id say cover the frame
Here's another example of a Giuliari seat. This is my sons bike.
I'd keep the frame exposed with this type of build. Use any color you want.
Quote from: Jspooner on December 01, 2019, 11:16:34 PM
Here's another example of a Giuliari seat. This is my sons bike.
WOW! that is the seat I had on my 350 back in 79-80. I always wondered were it came from. To bad it is not made any longer. I would get one.
There are some very good Giuliari replica seats out there. I have one on my 75 RD that was made in Vietnam. It was a bolt on. Check EBay.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rpN9r7kw/20180211-152205-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Cb7vshF)
I think I will. Thanks. Now have a name for it.
yeah, that seat tim has is comfy, ive ridden that bike a few times.
:clap:
Thanks guys for the feedback. One of the reasons I didn't want one of the seats mentioned is that they just look to big for what I was looking for. I like the look of that type seat, but in a smaller style. Maybe more slender so it hugs the frame a bit. It doesn't help that I played around with the tail and I kinda like the exposed look as well. I shorted up the back a bit to snug up the look. I keep thinking bassani was on to something when they made their pipes a mile long. I'll probably end up tucking the seat inside the frame, then keep my eyes open for another seat to flip in on longer rides or after I agree with most of you guys. Lol
Here is a picture of the street fighter. Its definitely firm but not uncomfortable.
It's a really good question.
Seat shapes cover every possible combination of edges and round and yet there is rarely one that is just the right shape and fits. Tanks I can usually work out what looks right but seats are a PIA. I end up making thinner or wider or longer or whatever to get the shape that looks right to me.
For the RD series there are lots of alternatives. For example I like TZ shaped seats but they only work with a long tank and if I want a shorter tank, then the TZ seat no longer works - even if it's stretched a little.
With stock 350 tank, the seat needs to be a little rounded to work with the tank shape and needs to be longer than say a TZ seat or else the bike looks hacked down.
What I do is to get a couple of decent side pictures and print them out and go to town with sharpies or crayons until I get the size and shape right and then work that into something 3 dimensional.
You could also try to copy the Seat that others suggested and shrink it slightly in every direction and see what works for you.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RD250-RD350-DS7-R5-Cafe-Racer-Complete-Motorcycle-Seat-3405/293360502771?fits=Model%3ARD350%7CMake%3AYamaha&hash=item444da607f3:g:FnAAAOSwN4Fd5tGr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RD250-RD350-DS7-R5-XS1-XS2-Complete-Seat-Metal-cowl-and-tool-holder/303389236857?hash=item46a3685e79:g:guUAAOSw5fJd5tGr
I have two rds, one with a nice seat and one with a terrible seat. Man, what a world of a difference when it comes to riding l. :eek:
Quote from: quocle603 on December 05, 2019, 07:11:57 AM
I have two rds, one with a nice seat and one with a terrible seat. Man, what a world of a difference when it comes to riding l. :eek:
Would you mind expanding your statement going life what makes one so much better than the other?
This is the ebay one I like, hump in back not too big like some. --- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Texavina-seat-1976-1977-Yamaha-RD400-low-profile-dual-passenger-seat-CODE-L4076-/112425917848?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
Quote from: RDFL on December 05, 2019, 07:55:17 PM
This is the ebay one I like, hump in back not too big like some. --- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Texavina-seat-1976-1977-Yamaha-RD400-low-profile-dual-passenger-seat-CODE-L4076-/112425917848?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
That's what I have on my RD. Go to texavina.com. They have a good selection of seats for many bikes including RDs.
Good price and good quality.
FYI, there is a stitched pattern on the top of the seat. It doesn't show up in this shot.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191206/f1ca26e8e3e89c03a5005a3f495bfc05.jpg)
Texavina Question....
I have a Vietnam seat (I forget the seller) I like the Look but the filling is horrible, hard "pool noodle" foam. What's inside the Texavina?
I have a quote for $150 to reshuffle mine locally, I may do better just buying a new soft seat outright...
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff131/aaaltered468/E0F276D5-0603-4127-825C-F6ED176B4977.jpg) (http://s239.photobucket.com/user/aaaltered468/media/E0F276D5-0603-4127-825C-F6ED176B4977.jpg.html)
This may work without the chrome trim and find a way to wipe the lettering off.
https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm (https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm)
Chuck
Quote from: AAAltered on December 06, 2019, 09:04:56 AM
Texavina Question....
I have a Vietnam seat (I forget the seller) I like the Look but the filling is horrible, hard "pool noodle" foam. What's inside the Texavina?
I have a quote for $150 to reshuffle mine locally, I may do better just buying a new soft seat outright...
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff131/aaaltered468/E0F276D5-0603-4127-825C-F6ED176B4977.jpg) (http://s239.photobucket.com/user/aaaltered468/media/E0F276D5-0603-4127-825C-F6ED176B4977.jpg.html)
I don't have much to compare it to, but haven't had an issue with comfort on it. I've put over 100mi on it in a single day and have been fine. I'm only in my 30s so that might factor in lol. It's definitely not as soft as the stock seat. I do feel more vibration through it but that's about it.
I feel like the lower and firmer seat give me better control of the bike.
Quote from: SUPERTUNE on December 06, 2019, 09:13:10 AM
This may work without the chrome trim and find a way to wipe the lettering off.
https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm (https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm)
Chuck
I like that. I may get it and just have it recovered. I wanted / Want a seat a can bring some of the tank color to the back of the bike like a 78
This Texavina seat actually looks pretty good :clap:
https://texavina.com/1973-1975-yamaha-rd250-rd350-solo-cafe-racer-motorcycle-sport-seat-saddle-sku-s5061/
From what they say, it's a bolt on and go affair, which certainly is a bonus in my book. Janky wooden or cobbled up welded seat bases really are the downfall of trying to make a random seat fit the RD frame.
Looks exactly like what I have. works good no issues. I just want something more café looking and that I can bring some of the tank color back with.
i have one similar, going to have the foam reworked and recovered locally, its fine but a bit 'square' at the thighs
Quote from: paul1478 on December 06, 2019, 10:13:11 AM
Quote from: SUPERTUNE on December 06, 2019, 09:13:10 AM
This may work without the chrome trim and find a way to wipe the lettering off.
https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm (https://www.treatland.tv/SACHS-top-racing-RED-long-seat-with-buddy-strap-p/sachs-top-r-red-long-seat-6007.htm)
Chuck
Nothing beats the 78, if you can find pan I might part with a cowl. --- (http://i.imgur.com/70ITdRi.jpg) (https://imgur.com/70ITdRi)
I like that. I may get it and just have it recovered. I wanted / Want a seat a can bring some of the tank color to the back of the bike like a 78
is the 78 seat pan different? I have a 76 one and would LOVE to get a 78 seat.
Yeah, back is different to bolt cowl on, hinges, latch all same.
The 78 is the prettiest one, I am biased of course though
If you want to use fender with 78 seat will need 78 fender and taillight mount too. but looks best just to eliminate fender. -- (http://i.imgur.com/Utr1QNw.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Utr1QNw)
Looks even better to french the taillight into the tail section.
Wasn't the wide variety of lighting choices (small enough) for that in early 90's when I made simple bracket for the stock light.
If frenching in a taillight, use a Banshee tail light...looks like a RD400 but compact and only a single bulb.
https://www.ebay.com/p/1411836333?iid=163862190621 (https://www.ebay.com/p/1411836333?iid=163862190621)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71DPEMJjVwL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Chuck