82 xj 650; Best solution for a better seat?

Refurbing an 82 xj650 and would like to know if there is a good source for a more plush/cool seat. Or should I take the stock seat to a reapholster shop? I saw J.C. Whitney has an ok looking one for pretty cheap.... I keep seeing xj's with cool seats in pics but can't figure out where folks are getting them....

 

I got mine done by these folks: http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm
It didn't cost a lot and came out awesome. Check the pics of the white bike in my gallery.

 

SeaMaster,
I have pondered this same question and spent many hours carving seats up and adding memory foam here and high density foam there, low density here. Anyway, the big problem that I've found is the riding position more than the seat its self. The angle of the back, hips, and knees is what causes me so much fatigue. I do have many underlying musculoskeletal issues that adds to problem but that aside, I have basically created a solo seat that serves me pretty well but still needs alittle more work. The down side of that is it limits the size of my passengers. That may be an upside for some.

 

Sargent cycle did a nice job on Bigfitz's seat. Another option I found one night while cruising the net is Saddlemen. They make kits to recover your seat with new foam, and even have complete seats with new pans. Not cheap, but available.

I've wondered about their bucket seats and whether or not they are more comfortable than the stock seat for longer trips.

Here's a link:

Saddlemen

 

When I send the seat from my '83 to Sargent's I'm going to have them "fill" what little step there is so I have a nice long flat seat. The ability to move around and change ridng positions is paramount to comfort on long rides or when traveling, at least for my 6'5" frame.

 

Uh, I plugged 1982 Yamaha XJ750 into their search engine and came back with "No product matches your search criteria".

 

I just tried it and got results for Secas and Maxims...

 

What did you type?

 

Ne'er mind. I widened the page and found another "search" button way off to the right. I found them.

 

I've got the seat from a Sportster on mine. It fit perfect and looks pretty good too.

 

PainterD,

how did you mount it?

 

Painterd

that is one sweet ride there. I can only hope mine looks as good as that when I get done.

 

I bought one of the saddleman seats off an inmate here but it was worse, for me, than the OEM seat. It pushed me way too far forward so the back, hip, kne angle was even worse.

If anyone needs a cover for the saddleman touring seat I have one that only has about 200 miles of butt time on it. I used the foam form to create what i'm using now.

I am going to go to one of the custom shops that I use for some service and see if I can do something similar to what PainterD did. He has a slew of different seats that I'm going to dry fit on my bike and see if there is one that would work with minimal fabrication.

The Buff

 

Born2bla8,
The Sportster seat has a large groove in in the front of the seat pan, so I just made a short flat piece of aluminum the same width that's bolted using the rear tank mounting bolt. The seat just slides onto the aluminum tab and is bolted down to the fender in the rear. It rests on the frame rails like it was made for the bike.
There are alot of seats from other bikes that make good solo seats for these bike on Ebay. The Honda Shadow seats fit pretty well and are very comfortable. Most of the V-twin cruisers have two-piece seats, so you don't have to use the rear portion if you want a solo seat.