'83 VT750 Seat/Sissy bar mods?

[TK0321]

I've been looking online quite a bit for a way to shorten the passenger seat and get rid of or at least shorten the sissy bar...just feel like its one of the only things that really "ages" this bike. I've seen some old threads about this topic but most of the people haven't been on in years. So i was hoping that maybe someone has some current experience or ideas.

I have seen several that just cut the sissy bar of at the fender rails and then cut the foam out of the rear seat and reupholstered it keeping the rear pan the same so that it still covers the ignition boxes and wiring. The only question I had with all of it was how to then attach the rear seat as it is normally attached to the top of the sissy bar.

Again I'm just hoping to find someone with some experience with it that I can maybe pick there brain on the issue.

[3prongcoolness]

I was going to do the whole cut down the sissy bar and change the seat this winter, but my bike had a one piece mustang seat. I have already cut the back rest off and i was going to attach a piece of flat aluminum to the bottom of the seat and bend it down to the fender. Then drill a hole in the aluminum and the fender and through bolt it with a acorn nut, for a nice finish. Then i found a stock seat in almost perfect condition on craglist. The guy didn't know what it went to so i got it for $60.
i will try and take some pictures tonight of what i have mocked up just to give you a idea. i still may do it but not this year i can save the money for other goodies.

[TK0321]

Thanks! That's be great.

[orlenz]

Here is how I did my 83, that bracket holding the seat on is just a fender washer, bent 90 degrees and riveted to the fender, with a screw going into the seat.

[SteveSchu]

Originally Posted by TK0321

I've been looking online quite a bit for a way to shorten the passenger seat and get rid of or at least shorten the sissy bar...just feel like its one of the only things that really "ages" this bike. I've seen some old threads about this topic but most of the people haven't been on in years. So i was hoping that maybe someone has some current experience or ideas.

I have seen several that just cut the sissy bar of at the fender rails and then cut the foam out of the rear seat and reupholstered it keeping the rear pan the same so that it still covers the ignition boxes and wiring. The only question I had with all of it was how to then attach the rear seat as it is normally attached to the top of the sissy bar.

Again I'm just hoping to find someone with some experience with it that I can maybe pick there brain on the issue.

Why do you have the two by four underneath the kickstand?

[TK0321]

Originally Posted by SteveSchu

Why do you have the two by four underneath the kickstand?

Was missing the rubber foot on the kickstand when I got it. Without it it leans way to far as it just keeps sliding outward.

[TK0321]

Originally Posted by orlenz

Here is how I did my 83, that bracket holding the seat on is just a fender washer, bent 90 degrees and riveted to the fender, with a screw going into the seat.

Did you cut the seat down yourself and just use the old seat pan? If so did you just cut it off straight at the seat level or did you shave down the seat as well. Also did you fill the slots where you cut the sissy bar off?

Thanks for the help!

[orlenz]

Yes, i cut down the stock seat pan, took quite a bit of foam off of it, and reshaped it, had it recovered, I welded aluminum strips in to fill the slots left from cutting the sissy bar off, sanded them and hit them with some metallic silver paint

[SteveSchu]

Originally Posted by TK0321

Was missing the rubber foot on the kickstand when I got it. Without it it leans way to far as it just keeps sliding outward.

The rubber foot has nothing to do with how the bike sits on the kickstand. It may be leaning over too far because internal rust INSIDE the frame has weakened that area.
Watch it.....my Shadow's frame suddenly gave out and nearly fell over at a gas station. I was lucky....I looked back to see the pump number and saw it leaning over and was able (barely) to catch it in my arms and put it on the center stand.

[jpr1968]

It could also be the wrong kickstand for the bike.