Eldo solo seats

[dxhall]

The last box of new parts arrived today and the Eldovert should start going together next week.  I’m thinking seats.  Has anyone recently compared the solo seat from Cycle Garden to the one from Harper’s?   I’m wondering who makes these, and if they come from the same place.  I don’t think Moe at Cycle Garden is in the back room sewing up seat covers.  I wonder where he gets them.

[bigbikerrick]

I believe the cycle garden seats are made for Moe by Travelcade, or Saddlemen. Unfortunately they have some type of exclusive agreement with Moe,and wont sell them direct. I dont know who makes Harpers seats. I have used 3 different seats on my 73 eldo,and have stayed with the newer springer seat from MG cycle. It is a very comfortable,high quality seat. I have had mine for 3 years and love it!
 I replaced the 3" spring that it comes with with a pair of 2"  aftermarket harley springs, just to lower it a little. It works perfect for me!
Rick

[bigbikerrick]

Its a nice looking seat, IMHO.
Rick

[ampm7]

When I bought my Ambo it had a funky solo seat so when I started restoring the bike I put on the spring seat from MG Cycle and it did not fit as I think it was made for the smaller tank. So, I shortened it. It worked very well but unfortunately, after awhile with my back problems I just had a terrible time mounting the bike. The springs definitely help in absorbing bumps but it does raise you up about 3" but you could as mentioned before go to 2" springs as it just takes more time to fiddle with the bolts/install. I decided to replace the seat with Moe's solo police seat (made by a firm in SoCal I believe), it is made very well as all of his products are. It is much better for me and Moe might have some left but I think I bought one of the last one's. The only problem that I have with riding the Ambo is that it needs higher bar risers no matter what seat-at least to me. It seems with riding the Ambo vs the 2016 Eldo is that you sit atop the Ambo such as a beach cruiser but you sit down in the Eldo.     

   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I have a Harper's solo seat on my V700 and like it very much. Enough that I kept it when I sold the bike it was originally on. Most comfortable seat I've ever sat on. 

[bigbikerrick]

Like AMPM7 states, the springer seat will sit you up a little higher,if you dont use the 2" springs. My eldo still sits lower than my Griso with a corbin seat. I have a 30" inseam, and it makes a difference for sure. 
Rick.

[Dave Swanson]

Cycle Garden seat on mine.  I actually went back to the stock seat though. 

[Turin]

Harpers seat for me. Totally happy with it.

[LesP]

The bike I have has a Harpers seat (The seller swapped seats (CG) out after the sale)

Is it comfortable, don't know but have to ask why are the seat studs placed at imperial centres/centers on a metric bike ?

To get the seat on the bike, you have wrench one side of the seat as the studs drag down the inside of the frame slots.
Maybe I got a Monday frame with 271 mm centres. (seat centres 268 mm)
Its not hard to imagine how a seat with a 3 mm (1/8") difference goes steel on steel  .. I ended up machining pedestals to raise the rear so the studs go through the frame lugs just enough to get a fastener on........... Pushing it flush with the frame lugs was a sure recipe for cracking the base (more)
After that it was straighten the front lugs and deepen the slots.
Other than that it went well. 

[mtiberio]

Back in 1979 I had one of unknown source. I picked it up after I crashed and destroyed the harley solo saddle that the bike came with. I didn't like the fact that the guzzi solo was higher.



My current EldoVert came with a Harpers solo saddle, I didn't like the height or the slight crown of the profile, so I sold it and went to a "harley" solo saddle from china via ebay. I am 5' 9" with short legs for my height.

[mtiberio]

The bike I have has a Harpers seat (The seller swapped seats (CG) out after the sale)

Is it comfortable, don't know but have to ask why are the seat studs placed at imperial centres/centers on a metric bike ?

To get the seat on the bike, you have wrench one side of the seat as the studs drag down the inside of the frame slots.
Maybe I got a Monday frame with 271 mm centres. (seat centres 268 mm)
Its not hard to imagine how a seat with a 3 mm (1/8") difference goes steel on steel  .. I ended up machining pedestals to raise the rear so the studs go through the frame lugs just enough to get a fastener on........... Pushing it flush with the frame lugs was a sure recipe for cracking the base (more)
After that it was straighten the front lugs and deepen the slots.
Other than that it went well. 

Ovalize the hole in the frame? An abomination to some I know, but that is what it takes to fit a Harley saddle.

[LesP]

Ovalize the hole in the frame? An abomination to some I know, but that is what it takes to fit a Harley saddle.

Except it was a seat made for a Loop framed Moto Guzzi going onto a Loop frame Moto Guzzi as far as I know.
It is the same seat as in Turin's picture. (Great looking bike)

Filing holes in a perfectly good frame is not going to happen, I would modify the seat before that happened.
With some pushing and wrenching it fits.

It better be good in service though... It came with the bike packed up with 'lots of washers after the Cycle Garden seat was swapped out.
We will put down to the frame being out.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I’m still using the original Ambo solo saddle with 3” springs which squat down nicely under my 230# load.  Seat pan has “Venice” written on it in yellow grease pencil, as in Venice Division LAPD. It’s been recovered at least twice, probably more. Last time by a woman (AKA biker chick) with a sewing machine in the living room of her double wide. She wanted $60 but I gave her $80.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I alway wanted to try an old metal tractor seat, they are made for all day comfort and they would look cool on a ratty old loop.

[mtiberio]

I alway wanted to try an old metal tractor seat, they are made for all day comfort and they would look cool on a ratty old loop.

As my buddy says there is 1000 years of engineering that has gone into a tractor saddle. Horse drawn plows had that saddle.

[Ncdan]

Just look at the McClellan Calvary saddle, I’ve got one that I rode in from morning til night many a time. It’s designed to be in all day every day and it’s as hard as a board with horse leather nailed to it and offers all day comfort. However ones posterior must get use to it a bit.

[LesP]

I alway wanted to try an old metal tractor seat, they are made for all day comfort and they would look cool on a ratty old loop.

Tractor seat.
Tan baggy in the butt pants that are tight at the bottom.
Stick on bushy beard.

You could paint the tractor seat brown/tan or even better cover it with varnished wood veneer < you heard it here first.

[Canuck750]

I have a Harper's solo seat on my Eldorado. Its very comfortable, well made and looks great.

[GMC28]

Old topic, but seems appropriate to revive rather than clog forum with new repeat topic...

Looking for a saddle for 68 V7.
I'm looking at Harpers and Cyclegarden, but thought I'd post hear to see if anyone has one for sale, or has updated "hot tips".
Looking for a solo seat, though things are just getting started so am interested in everything (and a rear fender... ahem...)

cheers

[TN Mark]

I know this is an older thread. But, how amazing is it that there are so many different companies to purchase a seat for a Moto Guzzi motorcycle that’s over 50 years old. Life is truly grand.
Decades ago, I bought an OEM solo seat for my old G5. That was one of the most uncomfortable seats I ever sat on.

[DaGootz]

Its a nice looking seat, IMHO.
Rick

MAN!! That's a beautiful bike....

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Old topic, but seems appropriate to revive rather than clog forum with new repeat topic...

Looking for a saddle for 68 V7.
I'm looking at Harpers and Cyclegarden, but thought I'd post hear to see if anyone has one for sale, or has updated "hot tips".
Looking for a solo seat, though things are just getting started so am interested in everything (and a rear fender... ahem...)

cheers

The Harper's solo seat is out of production. MG Cycle sells a "European police solo seat":
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=274

[GMC28]

Might anyone be able to comment on which of the seats is the lowest profile (but still in the usual solo seat style)?  cycle garden, MGcycle, etc, all look similar, but is one of them a little lower?
Small thing, bit of hair splitting, but I'd prefer a slightly lower profile (even though i'm tall). 
Looked at the pics of the spring setup on one of them, and looks like it would take some work to just lower the springs, as i'd lose the bolt circlip part of one end of the spring(s).  Some have noted here that they had used different height springs, which could mean sourcing another set of lower springs, or modifying the taller ones a bit ?

Rain is falling, so am using the quiet time to allow my brain to noodle a little more on the bike project.  So far its all skin-deep, easy stuff.  Won't get into the innards till later this winter. 

cheers

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Might anyone be able to comment on which of the seats is the lowest profile (but still in the usual solo seat style)?  cycle garden, MGcycle, etc, all look similar, but is one of them a little lower?
Small thing, bit of hair splitting, but I'd prefer a slightly lower profile (even though i'm tall). 
Looked at the pics of the spring setup on one of them, and looks like it would take some work to just lower the springs, as i'd lose the bolt circlip part of one end of the spring(s).  Some have noted here that they had used different height springs, which could mean sourcing another set of lower springs, or modifying the taller ones a bit ?

Rain is falling, so am using the quiet time to allow my brain to noodle a little more on the bike project.  So far its all skin-deep, easy stuff.  Won't get into the innards till later this winter. 

cheers

The (now unavailable) Harper's solo seat is the lowest. The Cycle Garden (made by Sargent) seat is next lowest. Neither have springs. The solo seat sold by MG Cycle is highest due to the springs.

If you want really low, use a reproduction Harley police solo seat. "Hairpin" type springs can be added to it fairly easily.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_solo_seat_alternatives.html 

[DaGootz]

Speaking of solo seats. My newly acquired '74 Eldo police has a solo seat with no springs, it's actually not wide enough for springs to go into the spring containers on the frame ( 34 1346 2040 Container, R/H, seat springs
34 1346 2045 Container, L/H, seat spring) which is exactly what I am looking for in order to go to a springer seat. It looks like my container front bracket was sawed off the frame, but I can weld new ones on. Anyone here know where I could get a set of containers? Thanks 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Speaking of solo seats. My newly acquired '74 Eldo police has a solo seat with no springs, it's actually not wide enough for springs to go into the spring containers on the frame ( 34 1346 2040 Container, R/H, seat springs
34 1346 2045 Container, L/H, seat spring) which is exactly what I am looking for in order to go to a springer seat. It looks like my container front bracket was sawed off the frame, but I can weld new ones on. Anyone here know where I could get a set of containers? Thanks

These?
https://www.eurojamb.com/collections/moto-guzzi/products/moto-guzzi-police-seat-spring-mount-set-750-ambassador