Seat install.

[JimmyG]

So I have a 1999 I/S and I bought new seats from Ultimate for it and they arrived today. I get ready to put them on and the back fender does not have the threaded holes to mount the rear seat. I get the correct drill bit and tap to fix the problem, and no drill at home.  So, I'm going to work on my house instead and tackle it this evening.

I just wanted to see if anyone else has run into this, and if there are any things to watch out for when drilling and tapping the hole in the fender?(other than drilling a hole in the tire).LOL, that would suck.

[Joe Hummer]

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/1/Make/Honda/YearID/40/Year/1999/ModelID/6791/Model/GL1500CF/GroupID/289297/Group/REAR_FENDER_-_GRAB_RAIL

I am surprised that your fender doesn't have the rear seat mounting holes.  What was the stock seat attached to?  Is it possible that you got the wrong seat from Ultimate?  The above link shows the rear fender for the 99 IS.  It is the same fender for the Tourer/Standard. 

For the rear bolt, use the bolt that holds the front and rear sections of the fender together.  An allen socket works better than the allen wrench for removing that bolt.  The stock seat sits under the trunk crossplate.  It doesn't attach in the rear. 

As a disclaimer, I do not have an Ultimate...I have a Mustang on my 99 IS.  It was a simple bolt up using existing hardware. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I dont think you can drill and tap a threaded hole on the fender where there isint one.  The threads are actually bolts secured under neath, not just threaded into the fender.

Its probably good you couldnt find a drill, may have saved you from a bummer of a mistake

[Jabba]

The ones I have done (two total) both had cap-head allen bolts in the hole that is used to hold the fenders together, AND mount the rear seat. 

At least I think that's what I remember.  I have put both an ultimate, AND Russell on IS's and neither required drilling,

Jabba

[hubcapsc]

The bolts that hold on my fender rack are the same bolts that hold on the passenger seat...



Which ones are you missing? The front ones, or the back ones?

Did you buy your bike new? I've heard people say they hate seeing the line
where the front half of the fender meets the back half of the fender,
and they modified (somehow) their fender to be one-piece...

-Mike

[mmurffy03]

wow a siteing of the ultra rare cobra fender struts in the wild they do exist

[Crazyhorse]

You want me to get Steph to show where those bolt holes are .

[salty1]

The bolts that hold on my fender rack are the same bolts that hold on the passenger seat...



Which ones are you missing? The front ones, or the back ones?

Did you buy your bike new? I've heard people say they hate seeing the line
where the front half of the fender meets the back half of the fender,
and they modified (somehow) their fender to be one-piece...

-Mike

+1 The bolt pattern for the Ultimate seating is identical to OEM. Should be plug n play. 

[JimmyG]

Thanks Crazyhorsesbehind for the confidence And no, I will not get Steph to look for me, thank you!!!!

Well, it's weird. I took the seat and slipped the bracket under the allen bolt at the rear attachment point, then marked where the front bolts should go. It's weird because the fender has a thicker tab over the exact place where the bolts should go, like double thick material there and it is welded(factory). Also, there are two round indentations exactly where the bolts should go, like where it should have been drilled, but wasen't drilled.  So after looking at it and measuring it again, I drilled and taped it and put the seat on and it worked perfect and seems to be very stout. I think I will look at it when I take the back wheel off and may put a couple of nuts on it if need be. If I had to guess, I would say the overall thickness of the metal where I taped it is 3/16", maybe a 1/4" thick.

[jimmytee]

That is weird. Never heard of anyone having to drill holes to mount the seats. What was holding the stock passenger seat?

[Jabba]

That is weird. Never heard of anyone having to drill holes to mount the seats. What was holding the stock passenger seat?

The stock IS seat has a tab.. that mounts in a slot under the rear trunk.  Sort of like the rear tab, on the drivers seat.

Jabba

[jimmytee]

That is weird. Never heard of anyone having to drill holes to mount the seats. What was holding the stock passenger seat?

The stock IS seat has a tab.. that mounts in a slot under the rear trunk.  Sort of like the rear tab, on the drivers seat.

Jabba

Yeah,ok, but I thought he was talking about the front mounting point of the passenger seat where there are two holes that you normally bolt down.

Thanks Crazyhorsesbehind for the confidence And no, I will not get Steph to look for me, thank you!!!!

Well, it's weird. I took the seat and slipped the bracket under the allen bolt at the rear attachment point, then marked where the front bolts should go. It's weird because the fender has a thicker tab over the exact place where the bolts should go, like double thick material there and it is welded(factory). Also, there are two round indentations exactly where the bolts should go, like where it should have been drilled, but wasen't drilled.  So after looking at it and measuring it again, I drilled and taped it and put the seat on and it worked perfect and seems to be very stout. I think I will look at it when I take the back wheel off and may put a couple of nuts on it if need be. If I had to guess, I would say the overall thickness of the metal where I taped it is 3/16", maybe a 1/4" thick.

[Jabba]

Yeah,ok, but I thought he was talking about the front mounting point of the passenger seat where there are two holes that you normally bolt down.

I think he is.

I think he's saying that his IS doesn't have those holes drilled and tapped from the factory like the rest of ours have.  That they MISSED it during production, and didn't catch it during QC.

They are not required to mount a stock IS seat.  And not needed until you go after market.

At least I THINK that's what the deal is... 

Hell, I am wrong about at LEAST one thing a day... 

Jabba

[JimmyG]

Yep, you got it. The original I/S seat is one piece, of course. the aftermarket seat, which is two pieces,  has to be bolted on. Drivers seat just snaps in, passenger seat bolts in. Mine just did not have the holes drilled.

[Jabba]

Yep, you got it. The original I/S seat is one piece, of course. the aftermarket seat, which is two pieces,  has to be bolted on. Drivers seat just snaps in, passenger seat bolts in. Mine just did not have the holes drilled.

Well man... glad you got her licked.  I think mine has a nut welded to the fender underneath.  I am not SURE, but those don't have to be TOO tight.  Just don't go all GORILLA on them, and I'd bet you're OK.

Good luck!

Jabba