[jonjon1981]

Hey, everyone. I searched but couldn't find any matching threads. I'm trying to get my seat off so I can send it to Mean City Cycles to hopefully make it more comfortable for long hauls. The problem I'm having is getting the bolt loosened up on the front of the seat. I've applied penetrating oil multiple times and let it sit and the bolt still isn't budging. Last thing I want to do is break the bolt or anything.

Any suggestions?

 

[IM12STPN]

I'll let you know...just put on a ULTIMATE SEAT from Witch Doctors. Leaving Friday on a little 6000 mile putt and will add "feelings" on my daily post. (NOTE: Only seat I found with "comfort guarantee"...and all I've gotten from WD has been everything they say with only part better then what they sell...WHO sells it!

 

[mjw930]

I'll let you know...just put on a ULTIMATE SEAT from Witch Doctors. Leaving Friday on a little 6000 mile putt and will add "feelings" on my daily post. (NOTE: Only seat I found with "comfort guarantee"...and all I've gotten from WD has been everything they say with only part better then what they sell...WHO sells it!

You ride an Octane? (this was posted in the Octane forum)

 

[VictoryOctane]

Hey, everyone. I searched but couldn't find any matching threads. I'm trying to get my seat off so I can send it to Mean City Cycles to hopefully make it more comfortable for long hauls. The problem I'm having is getting the bolt loosened up on the front of the seat. I've applied penetrating oil multiple times and let it sit and the bolt still isn't budging. Last thing I want to do is break the bolt or anything.

Any suggestions?

Can I ask what you are using to remove it? Just an old school allen wrench that comes with the bike or a Allen socket? I remember mine being rather snug the first time I removed it but I did so with a wrench and a socket which made it considerably easier. That said I certainly understand not wanting to snap a bolt. If you've hit it with penetrating oil I don't think there is too much else you can do. On the plus side if it does snap I believe it just bolts in to a "fairly" replaceable plate at the bottom of the gas tank so it shouldn't be the end of the world. Not that you'd be happy about it though...

 

[mjw930]

There's no way you are going to snap the top off that bolt with an Allen wrench or socket, you will shear the Allen long before you apply enough torque to to shear the bolt. If you only have an Allen wrench put the short end in the bolt and break it loose with a rubber mallet or a small pipe slid over the Allen wrench to increase leverage. Unless the bike was left out in a driving rain for weeks there's no way it needed penetrating oil, it's just been tightened with an Allen socket at the factory.

 

[Jeb27]

There's no way you are going to snap the top off that bolt with an Allen wrench or socket, you will shear the Allen long before you apply enough torque to to shear the bolt. If you only have an Allen wrench put the short end in the bolt and break it loose with a rubber mallet or a small pipe slid over the Allen wrench to increase leverage. Unless the bike was left out in a driving rain for weeks there's no way it needed penetrating oil, it's just been tightened with an Allen socket at the factory.

If that doesn't work, borrow an impact driver maybe?

 

[B3AV3R]

I slid a box wrench over the end of an Allen wrench to get the leverage needed to break it free. I'd like to replace the Allen bolt with a thumb screw of some sort at some point.

 

[IM12STPN]

You ride an Octane? (this was posted in the Octane forum)

OOPS, sorry....Love my CC 8-Ball only saw seat issue and always trying to pass on info

 

[jonjon1981]

Thanks for all the feedback. I was using an allen key but couldn't get it to budge. I finally ran to a hardware store and picked up an allen socket and used a longer ratchet to break it loose. It was really tight. I got the seat shipped yesterday and hopefully will have it back by next weekend to test the upgrades. I'm also replacing the levers (don't ask ), putting biltwell cannons on, adding a set of leather saddlebags, and putting on a cruise mate throttle lock. Once it's all done, I'll post the pics.

 

[TexasTom]

I bought a metric Allen wrench set for this bike since there are so many of those on it.

Using a ratchet and the Allen socket to get that bolt out I can say for sure that thing had a lot more torque than the 8 Ft. Lbs. it calls out in the service manual. I do torques all day on aircraft and I think that bolt was more like about 25 Ft. Lbs. Makes you wonder what goes on at the assembly plant.

As mjw said above, that bolt is not going to break from trying to loosen it. It's pretty high quality and you'll see what I mean when you get it out.

 

[Allstate]

I bought a metric Allen wrench set for this bike since there are so many of those on it.

Using a ratchet and the Allen socket to get that bolt out I can say for sure that thing had a lot more torque than the 8 Ft. Lbs. it calls out in the service manual. I do torques all day on aircraft and I think that bolt was more like about 25 Ft. Lbs. Makes you wonder what goes on at the assembly plant.

As mjw said above, that bolt is not going to break from trying to loosen it. It's pretty high quality and you'll see what I mean when you get it out.

Sometimes it is the factory locktite that makes removing the first time difficult.

 

[JH58]

Be careful re-mounting the seat. The 10x1.5 threading makes it prone to stripping if not aligned exactly right. Don't ask me how I know... *insert curses & break out tap & die set*

 

[MO8Ball]

Mean City has my seat right now. I should have it back by Friday. I had my dealer install my one up rack so I could strap some stuff to it and go home. The dealer tech used an impact wrench and cross threaded the bolt. Then after riding it for 500 miles the threaded post that is tack welded to the receiver plate broke loose. Dealer ordered a new plate for me. Might be a while getting that one.

 

[JH58]

I ordered one through my dealer last week. Got there in 4 days.

 

[VictoryOctane]

Mean City has my seat right now. I should have it back by Friday. I had my dealer install my one up rack so I could strap some stuff to it and go home. The dealer tech used an impact wrench and cross threaded the bolt. Then after riding it for 500 miles the threaded post that is tack welded to the receiver plate broke loose. Dealer ordered a new plate for me. Might be a while getting that one.

Would love to know how you like that seat!

 

[MO8Ball]

I will update you all. Got a notice that it is shipping back to me tomorrow...that's fast. This will be my second seat they have done. The last one on my 2015 Street Glide worked wonders. TBD

 

[MO8Ball]

Update on Mean City Cycles / Seat Upgrade: They got my seat on Monday and I got it back on Thursday. It is awesome so far. They did a tailbone cut out and did the gel foam / gel update. I am leaving for Atlanta in the morning so I should have an update next week. Looks really good so far.

 

[The Klein Kid]

Any Pictures yet?

 

[Barry_Barker]

Thanks for all the feedback. I was using an allen key but couldn't get it to budge. I finally ran to a hardware store and picked up an allen socket and used a longer ratchet to break it loose. It was really tight. I got the seat shipped yesterday and hopefully will have it back by next weekend to test the upgrades. I'm also replacing the levers (don't ask ), putting biltwell cannons on, adding a set of leather saddlebags, and putting on a cruise mate throttle lock. Once it's all done, I'll post the pics.

FYI Mean City did a great job on my seat, which was pretty comfortable to begin with at first. Over a few years the foam got softer and less supportive. My new seat is way more comfortable than stock and doesn't compress on a long ride. The new seat heaters are the bomb on cold days!!!

 

[JH58]

Update on Mean City Cycles / Seat Upgrade: They got my seat on Monday and I got it back on Thursday. It is awesome so far. They did a tailbone cut out and did the gel foam / gel update. I am leaving for Atlanta in the morning so I should have an update next week. Looks really good so far.

Pictures?