SEAT GURU'S???? GS 1000 with a flat seat?

[BADJACKSON]

I have 78 1000 with a stepped seat. I have seen pics on the Internet of GSs with flat seats. My questions are, are there different brackets for flat seats? Are they OEM seats? I bought 2 different OEM seats that happen to be identical. One has no rubber pads & one has Suzuki rubber pads. The one without is marked as a KZ Z-1 900 seat. They don't quite fit, so I was wondering if maybe I just need different brackets.

Not mine.

Thanks

 

[BADJACKSON]

Here are the 3 seats I have. The one on the L is marked as a KZ Z-1 900 seat (written in Sharpie). The one in the middle is IDENTICAL to the "KZ" seat, but it has Suzuki rubber pads in it. And the one on the R is the Stepped OEM Suzuki (ugly) seat.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Here is the top view. Only my stepped seat has any factory markings (sticker). It also has the same Suzuki rubber pads as the one in the middle.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated. I want to change the look of this motorbike, but I really don't want to cut the frame...
If I could make one of these flat seats work, I don't think I would have to cut the frame.
Thanks

 

[trtsmb]

If I recall, the flatter seats are for the E models. You'd have to compare the frame of an E to your L to see how you would have to change things to accommodate a different seat.

 

[Frank Z.]

Sounds like you're looking for a '78 C model (flat) seat to replace your E model stepped seat, yes? I would suggest that you sell those two Z1 seats on ebay, as they bring big $$$... esp. in the condition they're in, judging by your photos. You might post to the parts wanted section here the need for a C or '79 S model seat.

Good luck!

 

[BADJACKSON]

I don't really know what model I've got. It's just a 1000, no letter identifier. I KNOW it's not an L. It's either a C or an E.
The one Z-1 seat is damn near NEW! Here is mine with the "rough" Z seat on it.

It almost lines up perfectly... almost.

 

[tkent02]

Whatever it takes do it. The flat seats are way more comfortable than the ones with that silly step.

 

[Frank Z.]

I don't really know what model I've got. It's just a 1000, no letter identifier. I KNOW it's not an L. It's either a C or an E.
The one Z-1 seat is damn near NEW! Here is mine with the "rough" Z seat on it.
View attachment 42407
It almost lines up perfectly... almost.

E model, aka "Skunk"

 

[BADJACKSON]

Mine is NOT an original Skunk. Mine was maroon originally I think. It didn't have a tank.

 

[steve murdoch]

I would say that the 2 flat seats on the left are from a GS550/750 from the early years. '77-'79.
The metal strip along the bottom makes me think E models but some of the E models are stepped.
A check in the Photo Gallery should get you sorted.

 

[BADJACKSON]

Ok, thanks!

 

[BADJACKSON]

Alright, more seat help needed. I now have 3 bikes and none of them has a flat seat. I have 4 seats, and the 2 that go to the 850 & the 1000 are both stepped. The 2 flat seats I have are identical & are a perfect fit for the 750. But the brackets are missing and the frame mounts are on the wrong side.
I need:
1000 seat or seat pan (flat)
850 seat or seat pan (flat)
750 brackets or seat/pan

Are there any bikes that use interchangeable seats with any of these bikes?

Thanks

 

[Darkspeed]

I'm trying to figure out the seats across models too. I am trying to get an original step seat and grab rail for a 1978 gs1000e and not having any luck. If you figure it out or want to sell that one on the right, let me know. As for finding a flat seat that is OEM and fits..
Gs1000s is all I know but good luck finding one of those.

 

[chuck hahn]

The seat in that first thumbnail of the bike look like a 77 750 seat patter, the aluminum trims would be indicitive of the 78 750E stepped seat. Kinda a frankensteined together seat in my opinon.

 

[rudeman]

The two on the left in the first pic are from a GS750; the metal strip usually means 750E but 750Es had stepped seats. That suggests some mix matching in the past. The seat on the the right is from a GS1000. Suzuki made the flat seat, spoke wheeled GS1000 for all three years of the US production run of the chain driven GS1000; the GS1000C/N/T (C=78, N=79, T=80 model years). The flat seat was also available on the 1979 GS1000SN. The stepped seat was available on the "E" model GS1000; GS1000EC/EN/ET. That is not the original cover, BTW, and, yes, that one is fugly. The GS1000ST had a stepped seat with diamond patterned upholstery and firmer foam. Regardless of whether it was flat or stepped the seat pans are the same. It's the foam and the upholstery that differs. Oh and "L" ,model seats are a completely different animal.

I like the stepped seat. It puts the passenger up a little higher when riding pillion. I only sit on the forward half anyway.

As far as getting a flat seat...all you need to do is carefully trim the foam to shape and recover it with a cover of your choice. probably only cost about $90 total.

 

[47mouth]

As far as getting a flat seat...all you need to do is carefully trim the foam to shape and recover it with a cover of your choice. probably only cost about $90 total.[/QUOTE]


What rudeman said. If you don't want the seat rail from the ugly stepped one I would be glad to take it off your hands!!!

 

[mattfeet]

I have a GS1000C flat seat (1978) that I'd sell for the right price. It's in MINT condition.

 

[BADJACKSON]

What is your price? Do you need a stepped seat in return?

 

[BADJACKSON]

Is a 78 1000C seat pan the same as a 78 1000 pan????