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    Back seat gone?

    Ok, so at my age, I don't think I'd let a lady friend ride on the back seat, just a fall over while getting off the bike might result in a broken knee, hip or back. Plus, I would never allow a rider without good safety gear.
    So should I go ahead and mod my bike into a single seater for better handling?
    19
    Don't hesitate to modify to single seat
    21.05%
    4
    maybe keep the seat as is, for whatever reason
    47.37%
    9
    I need to keep the seat for passengers
    31.58%
    6

    The poll is expired.

    Last edited by Buffalo Bill; 01-25-2016, 07:13 PM.
    "Only fe' collected the old way, has any value." from His Majesty O'Keefe (1954 film)
    1982 GS1100G- road bike, body, seat and suspension modded
    1990 GSX750F-(1127cc '92 GSXR engine) track bike, much re-engineered
    1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane; hooligan bike, restored

    #2
    How can removing a seat result in better handling?
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

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    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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      #3
      Originally posted by Nessism View Post
      How can removing a seat result in better handling?
      When it's attached to a passenger.

      1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
      1981 HD XLH

      Drew's 850 L Restoration

      Drew's 83 750E Project

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        #4
        The Kat / track bike I assume?
        sigpic
        When consulting the magic 8 ball for advice, one must first ask it "will your answers be accurate?"

        Glen
        -85 1150 es - Plus size supermodel.
        -Rusty old scooter.
        Other things I like to photograph.....instagram.com/gs_junkie
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          #5
          I don't ride passengers but keep the back seat. It's where I bungee my knapsack when I do an overnighter. It then doubles as a backrest.
          1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

          2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

          Comment


            #6
            Ed, measure it's weight so you'll know.
            "Only fe' collected the old way, has any value." from His Majesty O'Keefe (1954 film)
            1982 GS1100G- road bike, body, seat and suspension modded
            1990 GSX750F-(1127cc '92 GSXR engine) track bike, much re-engineered
            1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane; hooligan bike, restored

            Comment


              #7
              I am with Nessism on this one. If the back seat hurts handling because it's attached to a passenger, the simple answer is "do not attach a passenger".

              If you are removing the seat to save weight, you will have to balance how much of the seat you removed against how much your extra tail fairing will weigh. That is, unless you are using a Sawzall and just cutting off the back of the frame, too, as you won't be needing that, either.
              If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by dorkburger View Post
                The Kat / track bike I assume?
                Remind us of the bike model; maybe a pic.
                1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Buffalo Bill View Post
                  Ed, measure it's weight so you'll know.
                  You are the one with the seat, not me. How about you measuring the weight and then posting up the info here? Also detail how you would go about "back seat gone".
                  Ed

                  To measure is to know.

                  Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                  Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                  Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                  KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Well, I'm looking for opinions about modifying classic bikes in general, the old moral frustration.
                    I never found a proper seat for my GS1100G, plus I've slowly been working on improving it's handling over the years.
                    There is a lot of steel, plastic and seat foam behind the riders butt that can go away. Specifically I'm considering cutting the 9" passenger seat out, and moving the tail section forward, plus a lightweight seat pan.
                    "Only fe' collected the old way, has any value." from His Majesty O'Keefe (1954 film)
                    1982 GS1100G- road bike, body, seat and suspension modded
                    1990 GSX750F-(1127cc '92 GSXR engine) track bike, much re-engineered
                    1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane; hooligan bike, restored

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Hmm. One of the nicest things about those bikes is the nice long, wide seat that allows the rider to scrunch around and change positions from time to time; even my cushy-looking Wing is lacking in that area. Of course, you're looking for a better handling machine, which is a different goal altogether.

                      I certainly wouldn't want to lose that advantage, but it's not my bike and it's not my behind...
                      and God said, "Let there be air compressors!"
                      __________________________________________________ ______________________
                      2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, 2004 HondaPotamus sigpic Git'cha O-ring Kits Here!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        That's a good looking bike Bill. It seems to fit you well also. No disrespect but I think you are crazy to think chopping up the backside of that thing will improve anything. I can't stand the way the so called cafe guys chop off the rear end of the bike. Looks like a stink bug with a miserably uncomfortable seat.

                        Ed

                        To measure is to know.

                        Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                        Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                        Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                        KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Improve the handling by cutting weight? You'll never even detect the benefit of paring the seat weight. In addition, you'll need to find a way to keep the dirt/water/mud off your back as it slings off the rear tire. Not to mention the overall unbalanced appearance of an abbreviated seat.

                          I would focus on something with more tangible benefits like raising the rear of the bike a little to quicken the steering. Maybe a fork brace to tighten up the front end a bit; made a noticeable difference on both of my GS1000's. Fresh/good tires would help too.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Don't waste the time cutting the seat / rear end off. It's a lovely bike you've got there. The weight savings is minimal, compared to the work involved.

                            What most certainly WILL improve the handling is getting some rear shocks on there that aren't completely sacked out. Perhaps some that are slightly longer than stock to quicken up the geometry. I had 14" Ikons on my 850G and they transformed the way the bike steered. Some fork springs and heavier fork oil also help out a lot. And then to match your new found nimble-ness, throw on stainless steel brake lines. All of a sudden your GS will brake and handle much better than it used to.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Not to mention the crime of cutting up a perfectly good seat and tail section...
                              My Motorcycles:
                              22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                              22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                              82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                              81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                              79 1000e (all original)
                              82 850g (all original)
                              80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

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