Period correct replica seat for new Bonneville???

Neducati · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

I have a 2004 Bonneville T100 that I would like to make look more like a 60's Bonneville. A French company by the name of Mecatwin makes a great looking seat (http://www.mecatwin.com/en/accessoir...ille/selle.htm) but I have not found the seat available anywhere in the US and they do not respond to email sent to info@mecatwin.com. P&P Seating in the UK actually manufactures the seat to Mecatwin's specifications, but they will not sell the seat directly. The grey-top repro seat sold by Bella Corse (http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc037.htm) is nice, but does not have the same sculptured lines and clean all black look of the Mecatwin seat. Has anyone in the US had any luck buying a Mecatwin seat or found a source for a similar looking replacement seat for the new Bonneville? Does anyone know where the seat in this photo was made (http://www.britironrebels.com/galler...hp?image_id=66)? Thanks for your help.

AllanCook · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

Try MotoTwin:

MotoTwin Seats

They are great to deal with and shipping is fast.

Allan

StreetWalkerD · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

Anyone with the BellaCorse or the MotoTwins seats out there?

How do they fare in terms of comfort over the OEM "firm" seat?

Forget look for a minute... Is the comfort alone enough to make the switch?

Neducati · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

Thank you Allan, I hadn't seen the MotoTwin site before. Their grey top seat looks nearly idential to the Bella Corse model (without the optional adhesive chrome band at the bottom). Depending upon shipping, it might actually be cheaper than the Bella Corse model.

In reply to StreetWalkerD, I have the Triumph king and queen seat, which is very comfortable, but I don't like the look of it. I guess I'm willing to compromise a little comfort for appearance, but the wide flat stock bench seat is neither attractive nor comfortable.

grebmrof · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

I think the BellaCorse and MotoTwins seats are one in the same. I believe the comfort is close to identical to the stock Bonneville T100 seat. I've ridden a lot on the T100 seat and it hurts me after a while. I've tried the Triumph solo seat and it is better, but after a long day it too gets a bit uncomfortable. I've recently tried a Thruxton seat on my '01 bonneville and it is slightly more comfortable than the standard T100 seat, but this weekend after around 250-275 miles it got a little uncomfortable and I was moving around a little for the remainder of the ride - total 370 miles. I think if you want real comfort, get the Triumph King/Queen seat - I think that may be the next one I look for.
Good luck,
Tom

[ This message was edited by: grebmrof on 2005-08-23 10:41 ]

Panthermark · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

I think I read somewhere that the mototwin seat is slightly higher and narrower then the stock seat. I think.....

Neducati · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

Grebmrof - you are correct, according to the Bella Corse website (www.bellacorse.com), the seat is made by MotoTwin from the UK. I spoke with the owner of Bella Corse today who confirmed that they can also get any of the other seats shown on the MotoTwin website (www.mototwin.com). Today I ordered the MotoTwin '70 blacktop seat. After I get it and try it out, I'll post a report about how it feels compared to the stock bench seat. I'll be putting my Triumph King/Queen seat on eBay soon (along with a windshild, leather saddlebags and tall sissy bar).

According to the Bella Corse website, "the seat is the same length as the stock seat, however the width is slightly narrower."

Go to this link to view a photo of the MotoTwin '70 blacktop seat:
http://www.mototwin.com/store/popup_image.php?pID=210'

whatisit · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

For my thruxton I bought a stock bonnie seat on ebay (was being sold by either bellacorse or newbonneville, I can't recall which. I took it along with a couple photos of old bonnies to my local upholsterer. Picked out the material, all black with grey piping around the parimeter. handed him $50.00, and picked it up the next day. I need to go take a picture of it, it turned out fabulous. He just re-used the stock padding but may have shaved it slightly to get it as flat as I wanted. I'm going to fiberglass a permanent solo seat onto the stock thruxton seat base, so I wanted a second seat I could put on to take a pillion. But $50 is perty cheap if you've already got a seat to work with.

Thunder_Forever · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

For the record.....my old Corbin seat was like a brick compared to the stock seat. I even got rid of it, it was that bad.

CarlS · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005

My 65 Bonnie had a gray top seat with gold lettering. It is authentic. I'm not sure when Triumph went to the all black seats, the late 60's, I think. I know the 70's Triumphs had all black seats.

[ This message was edited by: CarlS on 2005-08-23 18:44 ]