The CB1100 Community Forum

Hey all,

I've got an '18 CB1100RS. I'm 6'2" with a 33 inseam and I'd like to unfold my legs a bit. I'm coming up empty so far finding a solution I like.
Here's my stock seat:



What I really want is a K&H high seat, but they only make those for the 14L and 17L tanks with seams. For the seamless tanks, [url=https://store.kandh.co.jp/products/list?category_id=56]they only offer a MID seat.
I've emailed K&H directly, but they have declined to make a custom order.

I've emailed Mr Takashi at Samurider, and he says I could get the Ohkawa Works seat custom made 1" taller. This option is fairly expensive and would take over 2 months to get here. Cost is about $1000 CAD.


I've found Luimoto here in Canada that [url=https://www.luimoto.com/?c=1&my=637&p=1208]make a nice looking cover for the 17+ seats. I was thinking possibly they could make a custom cover with extra length on the sides, and I could add foam myself, or have a local upholster do the job? Rough estimate of $500 CAD for the whole job, plus I sacrifice my stock seat.

I could have a local shop modify my stock seat. Unknown cost and time frame, also the potential to not be done as nice. Again, this becomes my only seat.

I could have Sargent Cycle custom make a seat. Unknown cost, likely a longer time frame due to shipping. I sacrifice my stock seat, but the end result is probably pretty nice.

Finally, I've been poking around Yahoo Japan auctions and found a bunch of second hand K&H seats, as well as Daytona, and OEM Honda seats.
I could buy a backup 17+ seat and use it as my base for a custom seat, which means no downtime. Cost for a RS seat is about $450 CAD shipped, which is about $100 cheaper than new at the dealer.

Or I could buy a used K&H high seat for the '13-'16 bikes and have it modified slightly to fit my bike. Cost for these seats is around $600 CAD shipped.

My question is, does anyone know where the seats differ?
If the older seats are longer in front, I can peel back the cover, trim them down as needed and fold the excess back under and secure it. If they're not, it's not such an easy task to add material.
Anyone know?

I've seen a few threads relating to swapping the newer tank onto the older bikes, but not many people mention what happens to the seat fitment during this project.


Some threads I've looked into with some info I've found useful
[url=https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj4-fWag83vAhVWGs0KHW1dBsAQFjAAegQIBhAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcb1100forum.com%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ftid%3D12152&usg=AOvVaw021ixtULMoMXh1q0xEh7Cc] K&H High Seat for 2017 EX
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14035]Deluxe seat on a Standard
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=15242]Tank interchange
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=10544]2017 Gas Tank on a 2013?

An interesting side view of the 3 different tanks offered. Pictures from the K&H website.

Top left is the 14L tank, middle right is the 17L, and bottom left is the 17+ seamless tank.

Spending $500-$1000 dollars for an off-the-shelf "custom" seat sounds like a lot, especially since there is no way of knowing if it will suit you.

I have the same complaint, and remedied it on my 2013, 2014, and 2017 models in the same way, by having an inch of foam added under the stock cover. My local upholsterer was able to sew an additional strip along the bottom of each side so there is material to staple into the base. I've had 3 CB1100 seats done, and all were done within a week, and under $100.

Can the pegs be lowered at all too?

(03-25-2021, 03:02 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Spending $500-$1000 dollars for an off-the-shelf "custom" seat sounds like a lot, especially since there is no way of knowing if it will suit you.

I have the same complaint, and remedied it on my 2013, 2014, and 2017 models in the same way, by having an inch of foam added under the stock cover. My local upholsterer was able to sew an additional strip along the bottom of each side so there is material to staple into the base. I've had 3 CB1100 seats done, and all were done within a week, and under $100.

Good share pekingduck. Pretty concise. Pretty red CB1100.

Tev62, there are adjustable pegs out there, someone may chime in with a brand but the search function may help.
I got some Knight Design aluminum ones a few years ago that I like. They had too much "tread" for me so I stuck em in a vise and belt sanded them down a bit and smoothed the edges with a file, which also gave me an extra 1/4 inch or so but still good traction.
Either option eliminates the peg feelers. Good luck.

Ben

That's too bad K&H doesn't make a Hi seat for the RS, I love mine. There is no way to modify one?

(03-25-2021, 03:02 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Spending $500-$1000 dollars for an off-the-shelf "custom" seat sounds like a lot, especially since there is no way of knowing if it will suit you.

I have the same complaint, and remedied it on my 2013, 2014, and 2017 models in the same way, by having an inch of foam added under the stock cover. My local upholsterer was able to sew an additional strip along the bottom of each side so there is material to staple into the base. I've had 3 CB1100 seats done, and all were done within a week, and under $100.

pkduck, that looks like a nicely done job, and $100 sounds a lot more reasonable.

Run Away, I've got the same issue at 6'3" and 34 inseam and feel cramped on my '17ex. As mentioned in your other thread, I "remedied" that by adding first one, 1" bleacher pad, and then another. I just strap them on the seat. I started with that because I was thinking about shelling out $$$ for a new seat or having foam added
--and I wanted to get an idea of how high I needed--but I liked the "cost" of the pads (about 6$ each), so I just left them on.

Likely not what you want, but you might experiement with pads to get an idea of how much taller you would like to sit in the saddle, and then if you get a seat upholstered, you would know how much foam to put in there.

I looked at peg lowering kits, but didn't find a lot out there, they seemed pricey, needed adjustments...and the foam pads worked for me. You could start with the pegs, maybe you'll gain an inch, and then another inch of foam would give you two. I mention this because a seat might look a bit "bloated" if 2" or more is added.

Have you looked into the [url=https://www.amazon.com/AIRHAWK-Motorcycle-Cushion-Cruiser-Medium/dp/B0045WBVUM]Airhawks seat cushions? People who have them say it raises the seat about an inch.

Good luck with the adjustments!

Some of us are getting old enough to use depends for extra padding on our bikes !

(03-26-2021, 02:12 AM)Houtman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Some of us are getting old enough to use depends for extra padding on our bikes !

Cool beans! Using those would take away the unsightliness of the bleacher pads! Do I wear them under or over my mc pants?

I have a few AirHawks and if you inflate it according to instructions it’s nowhere near an inch. Blow it up all the way and yeah, easy inch.