Ironhead How the heck do you remove seat with rear wheel on

[Kennyv]

75 XLH

Ok, so one of the last things I have to do is find a short in accessory circuit or replace the breaker. So I go to remove the seat and what the heck! Am I missing something, I can't see how the hell I am going to get this thing off without removing the rear wheel. I really really do not want to take the rear wheel off. From what I see, there are two screws that go up through the rear fender to the seat. With a socket extension and swivel I could likely wrestle the front screw out (and maybe never be able to get it back in afterwards). But the rear screw seems impossible.

So wondering if am missing something and there is an easy way to get this dang seat off. I cant believe you would need to remove rear wheel to get it off. I hope I am just being stupid and missing something?

[Toejam503]

Jack up the rear of the bike with the shocks disconnected. The original "capture nuts" that were welded or pressed into the rear fender have probably been replaced with standard nuts and bolts.

[Kennyv]

Toejam503

Maybe the original "capture nuts" are still there and I just dont understand how to get the seat off? I think it is the original seat.

[Toejam503]

I haven't looked at one this old in a long time. I could be way off base, but, I think the seat is supposed to slide into a slot at the front or bolt down to the frame behind the gas tank and the rear should have a "tang", of sorts, with a phillip heads screw holding it to a "welded square capture nut" mounted on the underside of the rear fender. If it's an aftermarket seat, someone may have run a couple of sheetmetal screws up into the base of the seat to hold it there. If that's the case, you'll probably have to remove the rear wheel.

[brucstoudt]

the cobra seat from the 70's that came on my bike had a 5/16'' bolt with 1/2'' head on it at the rear over the tire.you didn't need a screwdriver with this.i had a 1/2'' wrench with an open end on one end and a 1/2'' socket on the other.i could slip my hand in at the rear of the fender over the tire to reach it.not sure if that will work with a full length stock rear fender.

[SHAKY DAVE]

Originally Posted by Toejam503

Jack up the rear of the bike with the shocks disconnected. The original "capture nuts" that were welded or pressed into the rear fender have probably been replaced with standard nuts and bolts.

absolutely

[Kennyv]

Originally Posted by brucstoudt

the cobra seat from the 70's that came on my bike had a 5/16'' bolt with 1/2'' head on it at the rear over the tire.you didn't need a screwdriver with this.i had a 1/2'' wrench with an open end on one end and a 1/2'' socket on the other.i could slip my hand in at the rear of the fender over the tire to reach it.not sure if that will work with a full length stock rear fender.

Yes, that is exactly what I have. I was able to finaggle the front bolt out with a nutdriver and swivel socket. I did not even attempt the rear. With just the front out I am able to lift the front of the seat high enough, wedge a small block of wood under it to hold it up. This is giving me just enough access to get to the wiring and breakers.

[rokytnji]

I usually just remove the wheel. Struts. Fender. Rivet or weld capture nuts needed on fender before remounting.

Just a example of a rivet type, Regular nuts serve ok when welded on with brass rod.
But I repaint when I do this. So the rivet type works ok if wanting to save the paint job.



You can find the above at electrical panel supply store, in a mini mall in the industrial section of the city.

Being in oil rig country. Even I have them in midland out here.

Edit. I guess in a pinch. Flat plate drilled out. Nut brazed to flat plate. Rivet it. Bo's your uncle.