Single Seat

[cus]

G'day Everyone,
I'm thinking of putting a single sprung saddle on my '63,
I'm not quite sure if it will look OK or not, can't seem to see
any pics on the net of anyone doing it (probably for good reason).
In the parts book it shows a single seat with special springs that
bolt onto the seat adjusting threads in the frame that are about 81/4 inches
apart. Has anyone already done this or have a picture,
thanks,
Cus

[LJ.]

It certainly looks good on the rigid frames and I can't see why it would not look good on the swinging arm frames. Have a go you've nothing to lose.

I seem to recall a photo of a UK police bike that has a single saddle thus allowing for more room for the radio equipment on the back. So long as the battery area and top of mudguard is all neat and tidy it should look really good.

[tombeau]

Hi,
I had a sprung saddle for a while.
Here's some pics.

Cheers,
Iain

[cus]

Thanks for the replies,
I'll see if I can borrow one & fit it up,
I have the valanced guard so will look a bit diff.
from yours Tombeau, but have the 4g tank,
so gave me a bit of an idea,
I have a s/r pan, so it wouldn't be a big drama
to swap back.

regards, Cus

[Rocket Racer]

another option depending on the look you're after, would be a replica dunlop competition saddle. These were used on period trials bikes and have a nice minimalist look compared to the clunkier road saddles.
They come as a kit so a bit of stuffing around in putting together. I got mine from John Bugden motorcycles in Cheltenham, the freight to NZ doubled the price but worth it for the look I wanted.
Mines on a rigid race rig so lowered and no springs fitted, so probably a little too firm in that format for road use and doesnt give any impression of fitting to a swing arm model.
but with springs I'm thinking of putting one on my 55 swing arm a10...

[Taffy]

hi,check out snowbeards spitfire on you tube
taffy

[cus]

Thanks for the replies,
Have gone away from the single seat idea.
With the springs, the seat sits way too high, you could
muck around without springs, but I've gone off the idea a bit,
just didn't look right with the 4g tank.
regards, Cus

[tombeau]

You do need to use short springs. A lot of people use the springs meant for the seats on plunger/ rigid bikes. This does look daft as the seat sticks up at the back.
The other possibility is a Bates type seat.
Cheers,
Iain

[LJ.]

Your certainly correct with that Iain! I currently have short spings on my plunger B33 which means the seat is chaffing the mudguard, I really need the longer ones that cus has. Shame he is so far away as we could have swapped. The short springs do not look bad though, it is a very low sit making the handle bars quite high. I'll see what the ride is like first before I change them.