seats

[HPUX1560]

Hi Guys! I am brand new to the forum.  Just picked up a 1996 GS500 this past weekend.  She has ~7300 miles on her.
She needs work, well I am going to strip her down, clean and build back up.  My question is:  will a newer GS500 seat (say 2004 and up) fit a 1996 GS? 

[jdoorn14]

I know the old seats don't fit on the newer ones because of the shape of the newer gas tanks (unless you swap to an old gas tank, too). I would think that the same is true in reverse--you may need to also replace the tank with one from a newer model.

[adidasguy]

It CAN go on, but , let's see, how should I put it, oh...

It don't fit right and looks stupid.

Stay with the  89-00 seat. You can get many after market seats that look freaking hot.

[jacob92icu]

I'm thinking of cutting some of the un-needed plastic on that ugly pointy piece that goes up the gas tank and then restappling the upholstery  to the under side of the seat. I don't know if its worth it though... But yes I have seen swaps on here done, usually they change the seat and the rear fairings, sometimes the gas tank.

[adidasguy]

You can't just change rear plastics between 89-00 and 2001+. The structure of the tail frame is different. and the tail plastic mounting tabs are not at all the same.

You can change tanks, but have to deal with mounting the front of the plastics as 89-00 has a spot for the front tab where as 2001+ does not.

While you can swap seats and tanks or one or the other, it involves work.

If you just need a new seat, buy one they're cheap. Or get a good after market one from Corbin, Gimbel (Germany), Topsellerie (France) or find a local place that does custom seats and have one recovered with better foam.

[jacob92icu]

You can't just change rear plastics between 89-00 and 2001+. The structure of the tail frame is different. and the tail plastic mounting tabs are not at all the same.

Duhhhh, I'm saying with a little bit of elbow grease and the right tools you can make it happen haha. And nobody but you can afford the Gimbel seats adidas! Although they are very sexy!

[adidasguy]

Unfortunately, it would take elbow grease, foot powder and some MonkeyButt powder to swap tail plastics.
Black is 2001+. Silver is 89-00 tail.

[Erika]

I'm thinking of cutting some of the un-needed plastic on that ugly pointy piece that goes up the gas tank and then restappling the upholstery  to the under side of the seat. I don't know if its worth it though... But yes I have seen swaps on here done, usually they change the seat and the rear fairings, sometimes the gas tank.

You may want to rethink cutting that off. Ride it awhile and you will see how your, ahem, crotch and zipper will scratch that part of the tank up. I'm just sayin'... and I'm a lady. If you need a spare seat to tinker with, though, I have one I was thinking about putting up on Ebay. I never thought it was all that bad-looking. One thing I hate on bikes is when the seat isn't the right one for the bike and there's a stupid gap between the tank and the seat. Although, you can stuff rags in the gap to use at gas stations, it just looks cheap is all.

[jacob92icu]

I'm all to familiar with that area and chest zippers scratching tank, that's why i would buy one of those nice looking tank guards that go right where that ugly pointy piece goes.

[adidasguy]

I'm all to familiar with that area and chest zippers scratching tank, that's why i would buy one of those nice looking tank guards that go right where that ugly pointy piece goes.

"Pointy piece"? Is that something part of seat or a body part of someone on the seat? (Trying to tard this just for fun.)

[Janx101]

I'm all to familiar with that area and chest zippers scratching tank, that's why i would buy one of those nice looking tank guards that go right where that ugly pointy piece goes.

"Pointy piece"? Is that something part of seat or a body part of someone on the seat? (Trying to tard this just for fun.)

Oh come on Addy!! ... There are so many variables!! ... Mood, weather, proximity to a bikini beach or strip club, underwear choice .... i.e. y-front for peekage, sports boxer for support, loose boxer for airflow, g-banger for raunch , commando for the hell of it!! .... Elapsed time since last event, possible medication effects, overall health ... And most importantly whether you have the throttle at that 'magical' 6-7k rpm tank vibration/tingle point!!! ....

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

[jdoorn14]

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

Hrm...girls can have pointy pieces too, but it's gotta be really cold.   

[jacob92icu]

Gosh you people... Hahaha.

[mister]

Someone said "gosh" - BAN HIM!

Good thing no-one said nipple....

[Janx101]

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

Hrm...girls can have pointy pieces too, but it's gotta be really cold.   

Girl with Pointy pieces that scratch the tank where it meets the seat ... Gotta be a contortionist of some kind, can I have her number?

[mister]

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

Hrm...girls can have pointy pieces too, but it's gotta be really cold.   

Girl with Pointy pieces that scratch the tank where it meets the seat ... Gotta be a contortionist of some kind, can I have her number?

Might be a Ladyboy...

[Janx101]

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

Hrm...girls can have pointy pieces too, but it's gotta be really cold.   

Girl with Pointy pieces that scratch the tank where it meets the seat ... Gotta be a contortionist of some kind, can I have her number?

Might be a Ladyboy...

sorry Mister .. but how did your last holiday in Singapore get dragged into this 

[mister]

And that's just for guys.... Umm .. Maybe just for guys? ... That's where the pointy pieces are! 

Hrm...girls can have pointy pieces too, but it's gotta be really cold.   

Girl with Pointy pieces that scratch the tank where it meets the seat ... Gotta be a contortionist of some kind, can I have her number?

Might be a Ladyboy...

sorry Mister .. but how did your last holiday in Singapore get dragged into this 

Only what I hear from co-workers who travel to Thailand.