Author Topic: Does this make my butt look big? (better?) (Read 4020 times)

kerryb · « **on:** December 31, 2011, 10:19:52 PM »

he he ...made you look. But seriously, I made this seat cowl to get practice working metal. I thought a glove box would be nice, and I used a stock size seat pan to keep the hinges and lock on. I show a photo to my riding buddy, and he says it looks a little big, maybe out of proportion.
So now I'm asking for opinions. Do I; make it shorter (lose the door), Make it lower, put a Buck Rogers fin on it and call it funky, or keep going and don't worry about public opinion?

Pictures show without fender and with optional shortened fender

brandEn · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:29:03 AM »

It looks a bit bulky. I think if you cut a couple inches off the height it will look better.

65Ch3v3LL3 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:34:32 AM »

I think it looks a bit tall too. I like the shape, flows with the tank. Maybe pie cut the sides and just drop the overall height an inch or so.

Godffery · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2012, 03:12:58 AM »

Bloody Hell, that's brilliant!
I'm totally digging it; yes perhaps a bit tall, hard to say for sure without the seat being done yet but I suppose you could also use a slimming paint scheme, like say having the bottom 20% black or something dark?

strynboen · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2012, 03:17:27 AM »

re use a old 78 tank... ;)great ide..just lower it a bit

Steve_K · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2012, 06:28:27 AM »

Naw, it will make your butt look FAST!
Steve

kerryb · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2012, 09:12:26 AM »

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm going to try for lowering: more in front, some in rear. Maybe narrower to hug the framerails a little closer, and lose the fender to make room in the end for a cateye shape tail light.
The tricky part will be the license plate. If I hang it below the tail light I gotta make sure there is room for wheel travel.

65Ch3v3LL3 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2012, 09:25:20 AM »

Good work so far. I was planning on the same thing with my 650. I picked up 3 tanks to experiment with but I had already determined I would have to do the pie cut to make the overall height shorter.

lucky · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:08:49 AM »

You are the 2nd person that I have seen on the internet to make this modification.
I think it is great. The seat design matches the gas tank design.
A storage compartment that can be locked.

You cannot go changing things just because one person did not like it.
Many times an artist will make something and many people do not like it.
But the artist must resist changing things to meet everybody's expectations.
Then later on the people say IT looks great.

Now if people said it looked unsafe or dangerous THEN you would want to pay attention.
It did not look"too big" to me.

kerryb · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:18:13 AM »

Thanks Lucky, I am proceeding with great caution because it took many hours to get this far.
I took this idea from someone on here at least a year ago. Now I can't find the original thread to give credit due.

I would also like to find Twotired's fabulous response to "Vuah La!" (it is priceless!) Can anyone help me find it?

Steve_K · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:22:57 AM »

On the plate issue, I made my mount at a 30 degree angle and then used tubes and longer bolts to fasten the plate farther to the rear. I used fasteners that had lights in them to light up the plate for night work. Other people have mounted them on the side of the bike veritically. Not sure if it is legal that way.
I am sure you can work something that will work.
Steve

Godffery · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:25:04 AM »

As for your plate; You could do something like this : http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Cafe+Overkill/DSC+394.JPG.html it also doubles as a chain guard.
I could even make one for you if you'd like.

BTW: Got some other goodys you mingt dig: http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:37:44 AM »

I like the door access and the use of the original seat pan. While it may be a bit to tall a pic of the whole bike with the seat foam in place may make a difference. Funny thing, I am doing almost this exact same thing for my XS650. My seat pan was too rusted but am using it for a mold to make the cowl and pan from epoxy/glass.

dawdish · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2012, 07:27:23 PM »

I like your whole concept, especially that last pic. Dont ask me why but I think it looks way cool!

kerryb · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2012, 06:35:31 AM »

Ok...I think I have a new plan...(I've been cutting!) after reviewing many options and limitations.
I will lower the whole cowl about one inch, cut off the bottom at the top of the black tape line, and reshape the rear cutout to fit a new taillight lens. This still leaves small bullet signal lamps and a sidemounted license plate.

brandEn · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2012, 06:40:25 AM »

Thats gonna look much better.

65Ch3v3LL3 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2012, 06:41:47 AM »

Looks good, I think you are on the right track. As I said earlier it has the right shape just looks a little tall or heavy on the end, this should slim it down some. It's going to be great once you get the seat covered and get some paint on it. Can't wait to see it.

hapakev · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:05:37 AM »

Awesome Idea!

Godffery · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2012, 03:49:25 PM »

Better, but Looks like it's sagging a bit down hill toward the tale now?
Might want to angle it a bit up back there to match the bottom of the seat pan angle.

kerryb · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2012, 05:32:12 PM »

Yeah, it looks that way in the picture. I'll go out and play with the position a little. I'm trying to hide the frame rails that are unmolested.
Maybe I should make a fake frame loop and bolt it into the fender/turn signal mount holes. Then the cowl could end above the loop like the genuine article.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2012, 05:48:59 PM »

How does the whole thing fit you?

kerryb · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2012, 06:33:53 PM »

I think the fit will be comfortable, Those bars are close to what I've been riding, the pegs are standard position, and the seat cowl begins at a position just behind where I would sit 1-up on a stock seat. I would like to go with clipons or clubmans, but I don't think my neck would let me be comfortable for more than 20 minutes. As it is my carpal tunnel syndrome dictates a cruise lock on the throttle side so I can flex my wrist every so often to keep my hand awake. Ah.. the fruits of longevity, I'm gonna keep doing this till they won't let me anymore. I just look to my friend Ed, he is 82 years old and put 5000 miles on his old Honda rebel 250 this past season.

Godffery · « **Reply #22 on:** January 02, 2012, 07:15:50 PM »

Quote from: kerryb on January 02, 2012, 05:32:12 PM

Yeah, it looks that way in the picture. I'll go out and play with the position a little. I'm trying to hide the frame rails that are unmolested.
Maybe I should make a fake frame loop and bolt it into the fender/turn signal mount holes. The the cowl could end above the loop like the genuine article.

That might work.
Or you could keep the rear fender, just shorten it like I did with this one:
http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Thomass+Cafe+project/TTCB+032.JPG.html

kerryb · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:06:07 PM »

Too late...all done!
I knew those marker lamps from HF were going to come in handy some day.

strynboen · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:37:00 AM »

looks SEHR GUT::

Godffery · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:55:49 AM »

Now that's one good looking Cafe seat!

kerryb · « **Reply #26 on:** January 03, 2012, 06:29:02 PM »

Thanks everyone...you were an inspiration. Picking up the saw or wheel is difficult for me 'cause you can't go back easily.

The next chapter will be the build thread as all the mechanicals have been worked out. Engine runs good, brakes are good, Electrical is fun now that I've taken the harness apart and cleaned the wires and found the faults. Upholstery Will be my favorite fabric...19oz. cordura pack cloth. Cool in the heat, warm in the cold, waterproof (urethane coated) available in many colors, and I can sew it on my sears-kenmore sewing machine (just another tool in the arsenal). I did, however , find a guy who could do it in elephant hide which would be way-cool if I can justify the cost.

All for now, just for fun, kerryb.

p.s. how do I find the thread where twotired outlines the origin and correct usage & spelling of vula lah? it is priceless, you should read it!

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Author Topic: Does this make my butt look big? (better?) (Read 4020 times)