Rewinding to 2012, the first one from vietnam wasn't cheap (I can't remember how expensive, around $200), is made from very light guage sheet metal, wasn't the right shape, and feels rockhard to sit on - I was so unhappy with what an inaccurate copy it was that I opened a case and got the payment withheld from the seller, but after struggling with the language barrier between me and the seller for a while I ended up feeling sorry for him and closed the case- I could see countless hours of work in the fabrication of the seat.
The second one(older model) at $30 was a good buy as it had a chrome strip, & all the chrome buckles, screws, etc for the strap and I already had a spare gumtwo seatcover to suit. I don't mind keeping this as a spare seat for my two 500's, same with the tank.
The third one was $16 (don't ask how much I paid to ship it, I combined shipping with another part, but it was not cheap!) and needs some(lots of) rust repairs- but upon recieving it, it appears to be a later model seat
-this one is probably destined for the trash.
The last one hasn't arrived yet and yes it will need recovering, but I am just quite relieved that I finally scored the right seat that will fit properly in the grab rail like it should! These genuine ss seats very rarely come up on ebay- fourth one I've seen in three years. It was $95 + $100 shipping to Australia and I still need a cover for it.
By the time I'm done I guess I'll have spent over $500 sorting out the seat, oh well- the part you sit on is important. The fully restored concours ones sell for $650 but I rarely have that much money all at once!
