I wanted to get a new seat cover that as closely matched the original as possible. I even e-mailed TC from Pit Replica and told him I had a 1983 GS850GD and he sent me a link of what cover to buy. I got the cover today and it does not look like my original. I am confused on where I went wrong. I googled images of the 1983 gs850g and my seat looks like most of them,yet I did see a pic of one that had a cover like they sent me but it did say Australia in the description. Was there a different seat for Australia?? I realize this would be easier with pics but my skills are lacking. Hoping an 850 guru will help me out.
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Pit Replica seat cover for GS850GD 1983
- Thread starter davegs850
- Start date
eil
Forum Sage
I'm afraid there may not be much in the way of advice unless someone can see some pics of what you're working with.
The easiest possible way to get pics up here is to upload them to imgur.com (no account required) in another browser window and then literally drag and drop the image into the same text box you type your reply into. What you get is something like this:
The easiest possible way to get pics up here is to upload them to imgur.com (no account required) in another browser window and then literally drag and drop the image into the same text box you type your reply into. What you get is something like this:
Thanks Eil I will work on learning to download pics on Sunday. The one they sent me is like the one with the orange helmet on it at www.suzukicycles.org if that helps in the mean time. You must then search 1983 gs850g sales brochure you will see the one from Australia has a different seat then the brochure from the USA.
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This is the one from the Australian brochure and this is the cover they sent me.
[SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3][SIZE=-3]
[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]This is what my seat looks like.
Steve, I believe the picture you posted is of a 1982.
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That's pretty much what an original US '83 GS850GD seat looks like.
Here's my original (minus the grab bar, which is the same as in the Australian photo):
Here's my seat after installing a seat cover from MotorcycleSeatCovers.com -- same shape, but different material (by the way, don't get the material I did -- it sucks. Get the premium plain vinyl.):
http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/order-item.asp?ColorID=1&Item=4592&Make=SUZUKI&HP=
Here's how I made an insert from Supercell foam -- original shape, just replaced part of the sagged stock foam:
Here's my original (minus the grab bar, which is the same as in the Australian photo):
Here's my seat after installing a seat cover from MotorcycleSeatCovers.com -- same shape, but different material (by the way, don't get the material I did -- it sucks. Get the premium plain vinyl.):
http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/order-item.asp?ColorID=1&Item=4592&Make=SUZUKI&HP=
Here's how I made an insert from Supercell foam -- original shape, just replaced part of the sagged stock foam:
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Click on the Australian picture which is the one with the helmet on it. The seat is completely different than the USA version. Mine looks exactly like yours.. Pit replica is trying to tell me mine is the L version for 1983. I wish I were better at posting pics but if you look at their L version at Pit replica it is much closer to a G. and I dont think it is even an L.. If we could get this straightened out it may even help members in the future.
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In the Aussie pic, it looks like the "across" lines are continuous; not separated into two areas. Plus, there are only two lines running fore and aft in the center instead of three as you see in my pic. You'll see the same in the pics Steve just posted.
So yeah, it looks like the Aussie seats were very slightly different than the US seats. I didn't even see a difference until I stared at them a while.
Is this what's bugging you? Is there any indication that the seat cover won't work, or is it just this slight cosmetic difference?
So the big question is: does it matter? I can't recall ever hearing of an 100 point 850G winning awards at a Concours d'Elegance -- unless you're trying to be the first.
So yeah, it looks like the Aussie seats were very slightly different than the US seats. I didn't even see a difference until I stared at them a while.
Is this what's bugging you? Is there any indication that the seat cover won't work, or is it just this slight cosmetic difference?
So the big question is: does it matter? I can't recall ever hearing of an 100 point 850G winning awards at a Concours d'Elegance -- unless you're trying to be the first.
Steve
GS Whisperer
What I see, Brian, is that there is a bit more of a lip between the two halves of the seat. The '82 American seat and the Aussie seat have a bit of a rise, but the '83 seat has a definite lip to define the front seat. Not enough to make it look like an L, but still not as flat as previous years.
.
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No it would not matter to me that much though I am trying to keep the bike looking as much like original as possible. I guess my biggest problem is I don't want to Start to put it on only to find it does not fit and then I am out $90. Was hoping to find maybe someone that had used pit replica for this year and model and maybe save some future gs'ers some problems. Exactly what Steve is saying is the point I am trying to get across to Pit Replica but they keep insisting that what I need is their L cover.
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eil
Forum Sage
Pit Replica's whole gig is that their covers are supposed to be replicas. I would send them the three photos that you sent to Steve and tell them you want that exact cover. If they won't budge, send the thing back and demand a refund. If they don't go for that, your last resort is a credit card chargeback.
Ah, now I see what the issue is. Several points:
1) No, the 850GL seat cover won't work at all. Very different shape.
2) The Aussie seat is indeed slightly different in shape than the US seat. It's unknown whether you could squash the Aussie-style seat into place on the US seat foam, but personally I wouldn't try.
3) The Pit Replica guys don't seem to understand what's going on. I speak, read, and write fluent American English and it took me several tries, so I guess I can't blame them...
you need a US GS850GS seat cover, not the one made for Australia.4) If you still have it, you could send your old seat cover to Pit Replica and they would indeed be able to make a 95% exact replica.
5) Or, you could order a cover from motorcycleseatcovers.com (mom & pop shop in Texas) and you would receive a seat cover that would not have the correct molded lines, and would be sewn rather than molded, but it would be the correct shape for a US GS850GD. Your butt would never know, and the bike would look great.
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Minus one on the stitched cover. I bought one of those once and tore it to ribbons when I was installing it. Compared to the Pit Replica piece, the material is thinner and the stitching allows water through.
J
Joe Garfield
Guest
I just ordered a seat cover for my '82 GS1100gz so I was interested in this thread.
The major difference between the seat covers that I see is what Sargent calls the 'division band' between the rider and passenger positions and associated stitching (see here for reference: http://www.sargentcycle.com/Custom-Seat-Services/Upholstery-Styling-Guide/)
I looked at pics of '83 GS850's online and it seems that the vast majority have a seat cover similar to what was sent to the OP. This includes most pics on SuzukiCycles.org website, including '82 and '84 bikes. Also, I went to PartsOutlaw's fische and see the illustrations show seats with the same cover stitching as what was sent by Pit Replica.
I understand why the OP wants the same seat cover - for fitment, original style, and overall aesthetics of the seat cover he previously had. However I don't think that Pit Replica sent him the wrong thing.
Is it possible the seat on the bike was from a 750T, or a different model or year? I don't see that seat pattern on many pics at all, but it does come up on a few bikes. It looks more like a 750T or an 1100gk than it does an 'L'.
The major difference between the seat covers that I see is what Sargent calls the 'division band' between the rider and passenger positions and associated stitching (see here for reference: http://www.sargentcycle.com/Custom-Seat-Services/Upholstery-Styling-Guide/)
I looked at pics of '83 GS850's online and it seems that the vast majority have a seat cover similar to what was sent to the OP. This includes most pics on SuzukiCycles.org website, including '82 and '84 bikes. Also, I went to PartsOutlaw's fische and see the illustrations show seats with the same cover stitching as what was sent by Pit Replica.
I understand why the OP wants the same seat cover - for fitment, original style, and overall aesthetics of the seat cover he previously had. However I don't think that Pit Replica sent him the wrong thing.
Is it possible the seat on the bike was from a 750T, or a different model or year? I don't see that seat pattern on many pics at all, but it does come up on a few bikes. It looks more like a 750T or an 1100gk than it does an 'L'.
J
Joe Garfield
Guest
Dave, I just sent you a PM.
Now I think some of you are starting to see my confusion and why I think the Australian version of seat maybe different than the US version. As Joe said there are pics of different seats on the web for 1983 gs850s and the parts fiche shows what I am calling the Australian version. Also the cover they sent has a hole in the back of the cover built in for the seat key and mine is built into the rear fender. I have gone round and round with Pit Replica and at one point they offered to refund me on this cover and make me one if I sent them my original. That would be more than fair. But everytime I ask for an address to send it to they just reply that they can find no record of my purchase. I originally purchased it by copying and pasting a link they sent me. Part of the problem I think is I did it on ebay as a guest. The other weird thing is I have already received a refund and still have the cover. So pretty soon I am just going to give up on Pit Replica and buy some good Gorilla Tape. I just really hate to give up on this as they receive good reviews from other members but I have found them hard to deal with.
J
Joe Garfield
Guest
Unfortunately if you were to try Saddlemen seat covers, you would get one that looks like the 'Australian' version (although that pattern is the same as many 850's, 1000's, and 1100's that were sold in the US).
Sargent would do a custom replacement cover for not a whole lot more than the Pit Replica cover, but you would lose some of the stock look.
Another option could be to modify the foam to match the shape of the other 850's that use the 'Australian' cover, although I think the Pit Replica one you have would not work.
Here is a link to a thread I started when I began looking for seat cover options - in this thread is a photo of another member's Pit Replica seat cover installed, the link to the actual 850/1100 cover for all the ones that came with the 'Australian' pattern:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?228749-Seat-covers-compatibility
Sargent would do a custom replacement cover for not a whole lot more than the Pit Replica cover, but you would lose some of the stock look.
Another option could be to modify the foam to match the shape of the other 850's that use the 'Australian' cover, although I think the Pit Replica one you have would not work.
Here is a link to a thread I started when I began looking for seat cover options - in this thread is a photo of another member's Pit Replica seat cover installed, the link to the actual 850/1100 cover for all the ones that came with the 'Australian' pattern:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?228749-Seat-covers-compatibility
J
Joe Garfield
Guest
At this point, since you got your money back maybe you could try the Pit Replica seat and see if it will hold you over while you get a new seat cover. Use a different email address and get Pit Replica to make you a new one for free 
Sargent might do a more custom look and match your exact pattern, it would be worth a phone call or email.
Can you share the link you used when you bought the Pit Replica? I might be able to use it if the only difference is the key hole (if it's actually cut for the 850g).
I guess my feeling is the Pit Replica seat might fit your seat just fine, and look like the 'other' 1983 stock GS850. If you look closely at Griffin's seat, you can see where the foam curves up to the 'lip' between rider/passenger, and it looks like it dips back down again. Also if you look at the line formed by the edge of the foam (under left thigh area), the shape of the foam looks very conducive to the seat pattern you had originally. The key hole shouldn't matter since it will get covered up by the rear faring.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x13/GriffinGang/GS1100GSeat1_zps3848eefc.jpg
Sargent might do a more custom look and match your exact pattern, it would be worth a phone call or email.
Can you share the link you used when you bought the Pit Replica? I might be able to use it if the only difference is the key hole (if it's actually cut for the 850g).
I guess my feeling is the Pit Replica seat might fit your seat just fine, and look like the 'other' 1983 stock GS850. If you look closely at Griffin's seat, you can see where the foam curves up to the 'lip' between rider/passenger, and it looks like it dips back down again. Also if you look at the line formed by the edge of the foam (under left thigh area), the shape of the foam looks very conducive to the seat pattern you had originally. The key hole shouldn't matter since it will get covered up by the rear faring.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x13/GriffinGang/GS1100GSeat1_zps3848eefc.jpg
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