I got a Hartco seat today

1335 Views 20 Replies 17 Participants Last post by dstevens, Feb 19, 2009

gregsc12

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2009

I was wondering if anyone has had any problems getting theirs installed. I have be fighting this one for about 3 hours and I still can't get the bolts to line up. I have had the the stock seat on and off many times and never had any problem before. Are they all this hard to get on or did I get one that is not quite right?

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

OldAge

· #2 · Feb 8, 2009

Mine was an SOB. Now that it has been on a while, I guess it has taken a set.
If you have a bench grinder, put just a very slight taper on the bolts. Also use extra phillips screwdrivers or drift punches to align the holes. Sometimes it helps if you have someone available to set on the seat as they usually sit too high.
Along with that lots of patience and a few well chosen words seems to help.

flyswatter

· #3 · Feb 8, 2009

My HartCo seat was a real pain to put on the first couple of times. Seems like I had to really force it forward and down. Very little trouble after that. I usually have it off at least 3 to 4 times a year and it goes back without any problems. Another party to help could be a benefit as you could watch for the seat to line up correctly and put the bolts in.

Hankhill

· #4 · Feb 8, 2009

Be sure the rubber bushing mounts are in the right direction, postion.
They have a top and a bottom.
I have a Diamond seat, had the bushing's in wrong, COULD NOT get it mounted, turned the bushings right, had it mounted in 10 minutes.

BACKDRAFT

· #5 · Feb 8, 2009

I could not for the life of me get the rubber bushings back in. So I just left them off and just use the metal inserts to get the seat back on. As stated above, it is real hard the first couple of times. Just use some extra screwdrivers to align the holes up to the seat.

*note* Make sure NOT to tighten any of the bolts until all are started and in place. Then tighten every one up.

Hope this helps.

Texas Tazman

· #6 · Feb 8, 2009

I use a long 12" center punch to line the bottom or top up first. This will also help line up the rubber bushings. I also bought some of the tapered bolts from the local dealship. I really don't have any problems after doing this. Just make sure you have the front on the seat installed correctly, it will really butter your bread to find out after fighting it for awhile and you finally have the bolts in the back handles that the fronts of the seat is out:shrug:.......

Whisper Jet

· #7 · Feb 8, 2009

That is the exact reason I sold it. I never did get it mounted and had I, I refused to fight the seat each time to re-mount it.... what a PITA.

:cus::cus::cus::no::no::no:

LordZarkon

· #8 · Feb 8, 2009

i have a hartco..... and all i did was sit on it first and bounce
up and down a few times.... and that seemed to get the holes
lined up a lot closer....

then the old stick a few punches or screwdrivers in the holes to
keep them all lined up .... and bingo... didnt take long at all...

before i did all that... same as you.... things didnt line up....

i learned not to spend all that time fussing as i went thru
the same problem with a corbin i had before.... just did
the sit and bounce thing.... give it a try

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Z06505

· #9 · Feb 8, 2009

I have two Gold Wings and I do not bolt the seats on. They are not going anywhere with me sitting on them. I wash the area under the seat when I clean the bike so do not want to be removing and reinstalling those bolts each time. Did not have the holes cut in seat cover on my Russel seat and made some blacg plastic plugs for the stock seat. Bike looks better without the handles on seats also. I use rear saddle bag guard to get bike on center stand.

JohnACman

· #10 · Feb 8, 2009

I've did the same thing as Dave. Sit on it and bonce up and down. Also if you have a helper or anybody around have them sit on it while you line up the bolt holes. This works well also.

gregsc12

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 9, 2009

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I managed to get 3 out of 4 bolts started. The last hole is more that half a hole off. I am regretting buying this thing. I bought off of porkydog on Ebay and emailed him yesterday and told him I was having problems. He has not responded yet. I am going to try to send this back and get my money and run. I hope I don't have any problems getting him to take it back. I payed using paypal I can always dispute it through them if I have to. I will give him another 24 hours to respond before I file through paypal.

sammisgrammy

· #12 · Feb 9, 2009

gregsc12 said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I managed to get 3 out of 4 bolts started. The last hole is more that half a hole off. I am regretting buying this thing. I bought off of porkydog on Ebay and emailed him yesterday and told him I was having problems. He has not responded yet. I am going to try to send this back and get my money and run. I hope I don't have any problems getting him to take it back. I payed using paypal I can always dispute it through them if I have to. I will give him another 24 hours to respond before I file through paypal.

It's only tough on the original install and if you use it you will like it.We wrestled for hours, then tapered the bolts, then using two guys and a gorilla got it lined up. The phillips screw driver trick works:lol:

cruztoo

· #13 · Feb 10, 2009

Mine is The Big Boy Pro Tour and I had trouble getting mine on too. I worked on it for about 45 minutes before getting it lined up. I used 3 screw drivers to line the holes, and had tapered bolts.
It was a pain for certain. I've had it on for about 1500 miles and have dreaded taking it off. I see from many of the posts here that it will not be as difficult the second go round.
I bought mine from the same guy on Ebay, and for a very good price. I rode about 9 hours yesterday, and it to me it's much more comfortable than my Wing Soft Large. This is a big seat with lots of thigh support. I'm 6'2" and long legs and have to tip toe when I stop. I feel that the trouble of getting it on is worth the effort.
Good luck with it.

gregsc12

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 10, 2009

sammisgrammy said:
It's only tough on the original install and if you use it you will like it.We wrestled for hours, then tapered the bolts, then using two guys and a gorilla got it lined up. The phillips screw driver trick works:lol:

I am 6'3 and weigh 230lbls. I stabbed it with screw drivers and everything else I could get my hands on.:evil: I worked up a sweat in a garage that was about 35 degrees. I am sure if everyone refused to cram this seat on they would have to fix their process. The front of the seat that goes against the tank doesn't even come close to fitting. I had the metal tab where it was supposed to be and there was still 1/2" gap between the tank and the seat. I can understand a little problem as the Goldwing is man made so there are bound to be differences but this goes beyond what I consider small alignment issues. Thanks for all the support and encouraging words but I am not going to grind my bolts or modify my bike in anyway. They can grind their seat and make it fit the bike it was sold to fit.

On another note I put the stock seat on a got a 4 hour ride in today.

60 degrees today in Indiana.....I LOVE GLOBAL WARMING!!!!!! I also got to try out my Bluant cell phone helmet thing. The thing worked great.

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Slowpoke

· #15 · Feb 10, 2009

i have heard nothing but problems with it. Thanks i will not be buying one

bozodriver

· #16 · Feb 10, 2009

gregsc12 said:
I was wondering if anyone has had any problems getting theirs installed. I have be fighting this one for about 3 hours and I still can't get the bolts to line up. I have had the the stock seat on and off many times and never had any problem before. Are they all this hard to get on or did I get one that is not quite right?

To my knowledge .. they're all that hard !

I have a HartCo seat and I have always had/have a hard time removing .. installing it. It’s like the holes just don’t line up. It has also cause me to strip the threads on one of the seat mounts because of the way things line up. I have to re-tap the rear left side every time. I suggest and will eventually drill out the aluminum mount and replace it with a steel thread insert (I forget what they are called). But .. it’s coming cause I do love my seat.

shuckaduck

· #17 · Feb 10, 2009

Had to have someone stand on mine. 8 hundred bucks for a POS seat that took an hour to get on. Still isn't worth the money I paid for it. Took it apart and installed a harder foam, now it 's rideable. Told me it would take a couple thousand miles to break it in:lol:after 20,000, I rebuilt it

gregsc12

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 10, 2009

This one is going back. I just sent another email to porkydogg on ebay. He hasn't responded to the email I sent on Sunday. I have a feeling this is going to be an uphill battle. I will give him until tonight to respond and if I haven't heard anything by then I will file a formal complaint with ebay and paypal.

MS_Winger

· #19 · Feb 10, 2009

Wow! I'm so glad I chose a Russell Day Long. Love this seat and it is no problem to remove and install. :biggrin::yes:

gregsc12

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 18, 2009

Just give everyone an update. I sent the seat back and my money was refunded minus shipping. I am out $80 but it is better than $600. Once again me trying to take short cuts to save money has cost me more in the long run. When will I ever learn?:?

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