Author Topic: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod  (Read 1010 times)

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« on: June 26, 2022, 10:48:50 AM »
When I picked up my Le Mans it didn't have the support rod used to prop the seat up when you open it. I bought a metal rod to fabricate one since I thought it was simply a rod with a 90 degree bend on each end but now I'm thinking there might be more to it to keep it in place when the seat is closed. Perhaps the bracket in the rear of the pan requires two bends. Can someone with a Le Mans 1 post a picture of their seat pan?  Any idea of the rod diameter?  A 6mm rod fits through the bracket but it seems way more stout than I remember them being... perhaps more like 4mm or 5mm. Here's a picture of my seat highlighted where the rod inserts in the pan for reference.




Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline blackcat

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2022, 12:33:42 PM »
The rod is 4.8mm.
1968 Norton Fastback
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Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2022, 07:47:07 PM »
When I picked up my Le Mans it didn't have the support rod used to prop the seat up when you open it. I bought a metal rod to fabricate one since I thought it was simply a rod with a 90 degree bend on each end but now I'm thinking there might be more to it to keep it in place when the seat is closed. Perhaps the bracket in the rear of the pan requires two bends. Can someone with a Le Mans 1 post a picture of their seat pan?  Any idea of the rod diameter?  A 6mm rod fits through the bracket but it seems way more stout than I remember them being... perhaps more like 4mm or 5mm. Here's a picture of my seat highlighted where the rod inserts in the pan for reference.



That would be right 5mm or 3/16", I used a gas strut on my Convert seat, it pops open slowly.when I pull the catch/


72 Eldorado
17 V7iii Special
76 Convert
Half a V9 Roamer

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Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2022, 08:37:29 PM »
Thanks for the help guys... I just ordered a 12" aluminum 3/16" rod although the gas strut would be deluxe... may look into it later.
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2022, 08:37:29 PM »

Offline Motorad64

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2022, 10:04:51 PM »
Sharing a pic of my seat pan and prop rod for reference.


Offline Scout63

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2022, 10:17:42 PM »
My rod is missing also.  It never occurred to me to build or buy one. I just let the seat flop around annoyingly while I try to install the tank. You guys are so much better at this.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2022, 12:35:59 AM »
Thanks Brad... its what I suspected, there are a couple bends in the bracket. I should be able to fabricate one.
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline OregonAl

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2022, 08:35:03 AM »
Sharing a pic of my seat pan and prop rod for reference.


Any chance for a couple of photos of the prop rod in operation? I can't find any hint of one on my '77. I figured with whole seat/fender combination came off as unit only.
2010 Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic
1977 Guzzi 850 LeMans
2005 Ducati ST3
1998 Ducati 900ss/FE

Offline Dukedesmo

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2022, 10:11:54 AM »
Any help?











Will only just slot into the hole right before the seat won't lift any higher.
Le Mans II
Ducati 916
Ducati M900

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2022, 01:40:42 PM »
The following is what I came up with using a 3/16 aluminum rod (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G6J6HOM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details ). It's easily bendable using a bench vice and easily trimmed where needed. Note you want to bend the long part less than 90 degrees to maintain tension while it is collapsed in its holder (see 3rd picture). Below are the dimensions for it although I'm going to make a second attempt to make the prop about 6-7mm longer since my seat can go up a bit more and as you can see the rod flexes a bit once the weight of the seat is on it which I didn't account for. I might try to use a 5mm rod rather than 3/16" to reduce the flex but it may not be able to slide into the rear clasp.  Overall a simple job, just need to paint it.


 
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2022, 03:04:58 PM »
Dukedesmo, thanks for the pictures. Also I see you have sheathing around your taillight/signal wires. Did you add that or was it on from the factory?  My wires aren't wrapped and I was sort of surprised given they are exposed to the rear wheel spray and get pinched between the frame rail and seat sometimes. I may need to look into covering them.
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline blackcat

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2022, 03:26:38 PM »
Looks good. Do you have the spring loaded bolts for the license plate?
1968 Norton Fastback
1976 Lemans
1981 CX-100
1993 1000S
1997 Daytona RS
2007 Red Norge

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2022, 04:17:05 PM »
Looks good. Do you have the spring loaded bolts for the license plate?
Yes, they are installed on the bottom 2 plate holes however they don't provide much flex, maybe 6-7mm, perhaps I have them installed incorrectly?  With the rod I made earlier today, there is still 20-25mm of clearance between the tire and the license plate frame that would be nice to eliminate to get more height on opening the seat.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2022, 05:54:02 PM by 2WheelsUp »
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline Dukedesmo

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2022, 02:47:20 AM »


Quote from: 2WheelsUp on July 05, 2022, 09:04:58 PM
Dukedesmo, thanks for the pictures. Also I see you have sheathing around your taillight/signal wires. Did you add that or was it on from the factory?  My wires aren't wrapped and I was sort of surprised given they are exposed to the rear wheel spray and get pinched between the frame rail and seat sometimes. I may need to look into covering them.
___________________ ___________________ ___

I added the sheathing for extra protection but also because I added an earth/negative cable for the indicators as they were a bit hit/miss due to not grounding too well and there were then 3 wires to keep together so I got them all inside some (10mm?) sheathing.


Le Mans II
Ducati 916
Ducati M900

Offline OregonAl

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2022, 07:29:25 PM »
Any help?


Very helpful, I had no idea it functioned in this way.. looks like I've got a longer way to go than I thought. Yours looks great!
2010 Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic
1977 Guzzi 850 LeMans
2005 Ducati ST3
1998 Ducati 900ss/FE

Offline Curtis Harper

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #15 on: July 07, 2022, 12:47:03 PM »
More Moto Guzzi parts than anywhere.
www.harpermoto.com
1-816-697-3411
curtis@harpermotocom

Offline 2WheelsUp

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #16 on: July 07, 2022, 01:57:49 PM »
Harper's has that

https://www.harpermoto.com/support-17462750.html
Well that would have my this easy... think I'm good now but may order one anyway. Thanks Curtis.
Bruce Swan
1978 Moto Guzzi Lemans
1975 Norton Commando
1997 Ducati 748
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2017 Ducati 939 SS

Offline OregonAl

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Re: Le Mans 1 Seat Prop/Support Rod
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2022, 10:54:49 AM »
2010 Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic
1977 Guzzi 850 LeMans
2005 Ducati ST3
1998 Ducati 900ss/FE

 

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