El Dorado Seat Change

[Clydeman]

Curious to know if the accessory touring saddle for a California 1400 Custom, or the stock seat from a 1400 touring model will work on a new El Dorado 1400. Spent some time yesterday looking at that bike for the first time and I really like it. The passenger seat is unfortunately the size of a postage stamp. Thanks for any input.

[Zoom Zoom]

Yes, but you cannot use the grab rail off the Eldo. You either reinstall the bolts to hold down the fender or add a grab rail off a Touring or aftermarket.

John Henry

[Clydeman]

Thanks , John Henry

So, except for the grab rail, the touring seat is a straight swap on the Eldo?

[Zoom Zoom]

That is correct.

On another note, which may or may not be a consideration for you. Should you decide to have a rear rack you may be limited by using a seat off a different model. The additional bracing for a factory rack would not work around the fender on the Eldo unless you use the one designed for it. (Which is also the mount for the pillion seat.) H-B does make a grab rail/rack combo, but it does not have extra bracing for the rack which is cantilevered off the back. I would personally be very leery of putting much weight on that rack.

As for the seating, I have to agree that the pillion is pretty small. Since I have not had a passenger on mine, I can't comment on the comfort of it. For the rider, the stock seat is as nice as I have ever experienced for a stocker. I added the factory gel seat to mine and it is even a little better. There is also a gel option for the pillion, but again, I know nothing of its comfort level.

John Henry

[elvisboy77]

As others have said, there are options.  I decided to get the Corbin 1400 touring for my bike (around $550)plus their driver backrest ($250 approx), and the Hepco becker Cali 1400 touring back rest and rack ($450).  There is a guzzi shop in Texas, AF1racing that sells the 2017 California Touring rack with backrest for about $1,000.  There is another shop I think in Cincinnati that had the same thing for less. In the end, the Hepco was cheaper, Moto Machines is the importer, and it is really a nice unit, really stout, the rack is big enough to be functional.

I am excited to get the Corbin and try it.  I am pondering buying a used stock Touring seat, there is someone on here that is thinking of selling a used one, PM if interested and I will give you his name.

 

[Clydeman]

Thanks for all of the info, Gentlemen.  Sure appreciate it.