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Bobber seat on 1981 XJ

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by philbrewer, Mar 16, 2008.

  1. philbrewer

    philbrewer Member

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    Has anyone affixed a bobber seat on their XJ? Im debating on wether or not to do this and was looking for some tips and pics if possible.
     
  2. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I've just got done installing a "bobber" seat on my XJ last week. Although I do not really need one, because I still have shocks on mine, I still wanted to do it for kicks.
    I made my own seat and installed 2" springs under it:

    [​IMG]
     
  3. 07spacker

    07spacker Member

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    how comfy is that PD? i'm looking to do something similar on mine since my rear shocks are as stiff as all get out and i don't want a big puffy seat to save my butt!
     
  4. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I guess the springs are just added cush for my ride. I don't have stiff suspension as I shortened the shocks 1" which makes it ride pretty smooth anyways. The springs I have are only 2", so there isn't alot of travel to them.
    If your bikes rides stiff, I suggest going with 3" springs on the seat or longer, to have more travel and a better ride. PD
     
  5. philbrewer

    philbrewer Member

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    PainterD do you have pictures of how the seat is attached? welds and what not? t\I think this will help a few of our bobber projects!

    I love that back shock what is that?
     
  6. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    The back shocks I am referring to are the back shocks on the bike. Mine is not a hard tail.
    OK then, the front of the seat is attached with a small pivot (hinge) so it can move up and down with the springs. The springs were attached to the seat pad with 1/4" bolts before I covered it. And the bottom of the springs just sit over a couple of rubber gromets I screwed to the frame rails.
    I took some photos of the hinge and springs, but they aren't too clear:
    This is the hinge I used for the front of the seat:

    [​IMG]

    This is the little rubber grommets I used for the spring to rest on:

    [​IMG]
    This is the springs resting on the rubber grommets:

    [​IMG]i

    The photos didn't turn out good at all. My camera close up function doesn't have flash, so I just used the normal position which doesn't take clear close ups. Sorry, but I think you get the idea. PD
     
  7. Marko

    Marko Member

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    PainterD, did you remove the airbox for this or no? Also, doesn't that plate make it difficult to get to the fuzes, or did you relocate them?
     
  8. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    OK Marko,
    The plastic plate that goes under the seat is actually about 1+ inches off the top of the airbox, so it gets plenty of air (airbox is still intact)
    The fuses have been replaced with a new fuse box (blade type fuses) and the box was re-located under the left side cover of the bike. I just have to take off the side cover to get at the fuses now. PD
     
  9. philbrewer

    philbrewer Member

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    any suggestions on where to buy bobber seats and springs?
     
  10. Marko

    Marko Member

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    I saw a tutorial on how to make a bobber seat out of an old spade-shaped shovel. I am going to try it before too long. If I can find the link again I will shoot it to you.
     
  11. Marko

    Marko Member

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  12. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    You can purchase the seats and springs off Ebay for pretty cheap. Look in Ebay motors with the word "solo seat" and you'll see a bunch of them.
     
  13. philbrewer

    philbrewer Member

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    PD, do you have a more detailed pic of the front seat mount?
     
  14. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    Philbrewer,
    The front of the seat pivots on an old door hinge I cut down and just mounted it to the bolt aht holds the tank down to the frame. Simple yet eligant!!
    I was about to make a pivot for the front of the seat (like they show on choppers) but after thinking about it, I decided to just use the hinge, which serves the purpose and looks just as good.
    If I think of it, I'll try to take some close up photos of it today for ya. PD
     
  15. philbrewer

    philbrewer Member

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    Thanks that would be great. Ill be purchasing the new seat soon and would be nice to save a few bucks on my mounting hardware.
     
  16. kevineleven

    kevineleven Member

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    My old seat mounted with a modified hasp. Held up fine.
     

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