My GS1000L Project - Upholstery mods, etc.

[Regent]

Simple mods to my first bike, and the overall upholstery scheme is a work in progress, so try not to freak out at the seat just yet lol. It's an L model, and it'll be a bagger in the end, so the seat will be proportional. I have another complete seat to use for a sportier version of this bike somewhere down the road.

I thought I'd be done with the upholstery the first month.... but a few issues needed tending to beforehand, sapping my budget and time:

Helmet / Jacket /Gloves
Reg / Rec and Stator :x
Vesrah Clutch Springs
Pirelli Sport Demon rear tire
Wires, Plugs and Caps
Brake Pads all around
New(er) Chain and Sprockets from my parts bike
Slip Streamer Sport Shield
Mirrors
Grips (3 tries to get that right)
Engine Guards (Old ones were used and re-welded.. now I don't like these...)
Horn to wake the dead (Stebel Nautilus) :shock:
Countless hours scouring GSR Forums 8-)

I'd like to thank the members of GSR for making the repairs / troubleshooting on this bike a LOT easier for a first time owner, with the awesome resources available here!

Pic taken soon after purchase:

[Regent]

4 Picture limit...... so here's the rest:

The bony seat the PO had was killing me - I had to dismount every 15 miles and stretch out a bit... hard as a rock and too low, narrow, and WAY too far forward for the riding position. I did some research on seating ergonomics, and the "tractor seat" style provides the best support, so here's the restyled version, of the seat shown in the previous pic.

First phase of the upholstery project complete - A throne upon the GS!









The bags will go back on this weekend, so I can do a custom backrest that bolts flush to the trunk, after shoring up its attachments to the rack.

BTW, I'm really wanting to ditch the huge bugeye signals in the front... Anybody know where I can find some slightly smaller, rectangular chrome ones?

Thanks,
Geoff

[txironhead]

Should'a named the thread "J-Lo ass on a GS!"

I can see how it will blend in once it's a full bagger. I bet the significant other is going to love that seat....good luck getting her back on a plain cruiser seat!

As far as the lights go, go down to your local stealership and ask if they have an Emgo lighting catalog. I've got one, but it requires a tax ID#. Plenty of smaller rectangular lights, from chrome to black and carbon fiber, in many sizes and stem lengths. JC Whitney has a pretty decent selection, too, I've ordered their 2" chrome bullet lights before and they look and work great. Plus, you can get them in single or dual filament.

Looks like your bike is going to be very nicely built for long hauls. People may laugh as they pass you on their CBR's, but you can laugh at them while they're hobbling around the rally in pain.

[Regent]

Should'a named the thread "J-Lo ass on a GS!"

L0L!
I shaped the Badonkadonk Seat with the bags in place, then removed the bags after patterning the seat, to do the rear tire / chain / brakes. I put the seat on the bare bike, and it was comfortable as hell - I can use the front of the seat through the curves, sit upright with my knees at near 90, or lay back in the saddle and get some great back support holding the ends of the grips. Practically a 2 wheel recliner! However....

For some reason, the pics most definitely make the seat look like an abomination, but trust me, it looks better in person, even on the naked bike. Having the rear signals off the bike isn't helping the perspective any.. but it is too big for the naked bike.

I needed the seat position 3-4" farther back. A ride as a passenger in a Suburban that ended in a totaled truck and the loss of 4 snowmobiles left my hips and back in less than optimal condition this Spring when I started riding..

I added 1/2" high density foam over the entire front of the seat. At 6', I'm still comfortable at a stoplight, sitting up front or in the bucket. Next, 2" of foam on the back end, to bring the saddle closer to the trunk, and leave reasonable pillion seating space. Then I stacked 1.5" of foam on the pillion and shaped it a bit. Then 2" on the sides of the rear to get the hip support for the bucket, and tapered it to the rear.

Anyway, I welcome all comments, as this will be my permanent work log for this project, and I look forward to changing your opinion upon its completion.

I have a great parts bike with only 12k on it, so all the chrome is in awesome condition compared to what I currently have on the bike. I have lofty goals for the Winter, but it's too early to boast...

Geoff

[Zooks]

I'm a cafe racer fan (and always will be) so I have no comment.

Anyway, enjoy!!! It's your bike and your arse that is sitting on it. If you enjoy it that's all that matters.

[pickardracing]

So what did you do with the old seat?

[snowbeard]

that's dang fancy upholstery work!! I have a similar combo of vinyls, but nowhere near the style.

it'll hide well with bags too, so no worries that it's HUGE

[Regent]

So what did you do with the old seat?

The finished product is the old seat, shown in the first pic, with foam added over all, and then cut / sanded to shape. Then I patterned the cover from the foam.

I have another seat on the parts bike, which is the same style as in the first pic. Has some stitching on it, but the same awful shape / seating position. I'll use that one to make a custom sport seat.

I'd like to be able to drop the bags, cruiser seat, windshield - and have a different set of bars to slap on there as an option, to go with the sport seat.

Edit:
I see now why you asked about the original seat. I reworded the relevant post to clarify. It's customized, not custom made.

[pickardracing]

I really dig the first seat. Maybe a little lower profile in the rear but I like it.

Hell of a lot better than the stock look. Wish i couldve grabbed it from you.

[Regent]

What does your seat look like? Post a pic with it on the bike if you have one.

[pickardracing]

It's the stock ugly L seat. Stepped jobbie-doo.