'78 GL1000 Seat Options

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Dr. Frankenstein
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'78 GL1000 Seat Options

#1

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

I've been working on my '78 GL1000 as time permits, and have gotten to the point where I need to start budgeting in a new or used seat that looks better than what I have...(note the moss growing on this sucker!)
ImageDSCN1939 by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

This is a pic of where I found her, but I'm not crazy about that big honkin' Saddleman seat, or whatever it is...it just Looks weird...was that seat OEM?
Image1978 GL1000 Where I Found Her I by Dr. Frankenstein1, on Flickr

After seeing all the different cool seats that you have to talk financing for (the Corbin Gunfighter comes to mind), and seeing as how the OEM bench seat looks cool but reportedly is only a '100-mile seat', will a 1980 GL1100 seat bolt right up...?
I suppose I could just go with a new seat cover, but I rather like the look of the flatter GL1100; What are my options here? And if anybody has one they don't want/need, let me know!
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Jonesz
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#2

Post by Jonesz »

IMHO those old king/queen seats never look right on a stripped down bike and had one back in the day (they are not as comfy as they look) so would not do a recover. I have a gunfighter on my 78 and love it but I have other bikes should I need to haul a passenger. Gunfighters are rider only and are quite expensive new. I was able to find a second hand one in great shape for a third of the price of a new one but they are hard to come by. I also have the oem seat which was in new condition and can be put back on if ever needed. There is an outfit that sells good looking seats on Ebay and elsewhere. They can also be found on the web at Texavina.com. Made in Vietnam and have heard good things about the fit and quality I am sure others who have bought these seats can fill you in better than I.
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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#3

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

Wow! That IS a cool site! Nice prices too, averaging $200 apiece, which is about normal - not the "$300" or more I've seen elsewhere online...Good to know! Thanks Jonesz!
https://texavina.com/gl1000-gold-wing-1974-1979/
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kerryb
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#4

Post by kerryb »

If a gl1100 seat will fit, I have a custom seat that is too tall and wide for me that I'll let go cheap. I'll have to find the pictures I took of it to show you.
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.
'78 cb750K, '83 GL1100s,I,&A,'08FXSTC, '79 WilMac trike
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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#5

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

Sure, works for me; PM me if you like. I'm just trying to find something I can afford, and looks good.

The question still stands, though: does anybody know if a 1980 GL1100 will bolt right up to a '78 GL1000? I would think it would...they're pretty much the same frame, yes?
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pidjones
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#6

Post by pidjones »

You can cut all of the crap off of it, ,refoam it with carpet padding rebond, and recover it with a repop GL1000 cover from an eBay vendor. Not that hard. Most of the K&Q seat use a seat pan that is fairly close to a standard GL1000.
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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#7

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

Is there a DIY/How-To anywhere online?

Would a 1980 GL1100 seat be a direct fit?
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flyin900
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#8

Post by flyin900 »

The other option is to turn that original seat into a planter..... your halfway there with the moss! :-D

Corbin is my go to seat for the GoldWings; very spendy and $300 is barely a down payment on their stuff. I too have heard good things about the Texvina seats, so you could be our test subject if your willing.

I don't think the GL1100 series would bolt right up, yet some minor fabrication may get the seat to fit.
Last edited by flyin900 on Sun Nov 21, 2021 5:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#9

Post by Pb9717 »

I have (2) GL1100 seats in excellent condition if you want one PM me. I’ve replaced them both with Texavina bread loaf style seats and love the look and feel of them.
29DD9D4E-410D-4BB0-ACAC-00A8BBF82215.jpeg
29DD9D4E-410D-4BB0-ACAC-00A8BBF82215.jpeg (473.15 KiB) Viewed 857 times
(2) 82' GL1100's
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5speed
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#10

Post by 5speed »

a gl1100 seat isn't a direct bolt on to a 1000. you can make it work but it will take some fab work.
I tried to put the corbin seat off my 76 on my 1100 and the tab in the front was to far forward to slide under the "crossmember" on my 1000.
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Re: '78 GL1000 Seat Options

#11

Post by low-side »

I fitted a GL1100 seat to my '78 once. Brackets needed minor surgery, but it had several inches of unsupported passenger seat hanging off the rear. Others have done it and liked it but it it's not for me.
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