Topic: CB500: Brat-ish seat on factory pan?

[Goldbug]

I am kind of digging the simplicity of a flat-ish, low profile seat. I could cut my rear fender bracket off, or even everything aft of the shock mounts, but I do not want to cut my frame at all. I was wondering if anyone knew of anyone who made a brat-ish style seat either on the stock pan, or some other means, without cutting the frame at all. I'd really like to see pictures. So far my searches have not quite yielded what I am looking for.

Thanks!

[Bakeoff]

That rear fender stay is pretty high.  Getting a nice low seat going while retaining that might not be possible.  My thought on stuff like this is anything I can cut off, I can weld back on if I chose to.  You'd probably be better off selling a stock seat pan and making a few bucks off it anyway. 

[Goldbug]

I think you are right about the height which is why I was hoping someone else had done this before, so I could see it and come to a conclusion. I think if I do cut it I will try to cut the welds only so it can be put back on later.

[Bartender29]

I had the same thoughts when working on my 74 CB550.  I was able to leave the high rear fender mount in place and did a very minimal amount of frame cutting rearwards. After that I went the usual cardboard template to metal pan to foam to upholstery route.  Ended up exactly as I wanted.  Hope this helps.

[greenjeans]

Dang bartender - that seat is just about perfect.   Welll done.   Any more photos of the build ?

[Coyote13]

+1 million?  ^^^


And a little more info on your air cleaner setup?  Looks pretty crazy

[paulh1282]

Bike looks great. Glas to see what the seat looks like. I was thinking something like that on my bike untill I do the full cafe convertion on it.

[Bartender29]

I always start these projects with intentions of photo documenting each bit, but once things get rolling the camera falls to the wayside. It happens without fail. I do have a few pictures of the seat pan in the making though, so I cam post those if you like.

As for the air cleaner, it's a compromise between wanting a very minimalist look and not wanting to use pods. The boots and air box are stock, allowing for air to be stabilized some before hitting the carbs. The filter is an autozone special; a 3" adapter plate that I riveted to the airbox and them ran liquid gasket around to air seal it. I can take close up pics if you want.

While the seat isn't as flat as many brat style bikes, the minimal hump does allow for me to stash the regulator/rectifier and a123 battery pack beneath it, so that's a bonus. In case people are curious about the battery, it's been on the road for 1000 miles already and no problems whatsoever.

Again, sorry about the lack of photos, and about the thread hijack.

[Coyote13]

No apologies needed man, I'm the same way with the camera.  That really is a killer bike though, you did a great job.


Unrelated sidenote: that front fender rules.

[Bartender29]

Front fender is super simple. Draw the shape you want on the stock fender,

Take a cutting wheel to it, smooth it on a wire wheel. Doesn't have to be perfect, because you finish it with black auto trim, again, from autozone.

[Goldbug]

Thanks for the pics. Can you fit two people on that seat?

I cut my front fender the same way.

[Bartender29]

I guess it'll depend on what 2 people. It pretty much rules out any girl above a size 2, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. In all seriousness, it'll do for 2 up now and again, but it's definitely not what you want if your wife wants to ride with you all the tjme