Being as there's no rear suspension, the need for a bit better ride became apparent.
First, I removed the seat and the two other nuts, including the big rubber chunk.
Then I fabbed up this bracket to fit over the bolts that protrude.
I found a few of these compression springs at the hardware store for about $2 bucks apiece. I couldn't find anything shorter, but I'm willing to bet some valve springs from a dead engine might work too.
So then I cut one in half using a smoke wrench, and welded the cut end to itself. In hindsight, welding the spring probably wasn't necessary.
I also found two full thread bolts, and wingnuts in my bolt can. One doesn't need to use wingnuts, it just happened they were the only things that would fit the bolts.
I ground down the center section of the bolts removing the thread so they would slide easily slide up and down in their holes on the seat mount.
I then ran the bolts through the back of my bracket, and secured them with a few nuts, and replaced the main nut from under the seat to the center bolt.
I previously used the bracket to mark for the holes in the seat mount, and drilled them. I then went back and gave the holes a little reaming in a sideways fashion pointing towards the rear of the bike.
Don't get confused over my milk crate brackets in the picture as well.
I placed the springs over the bolts, and by accident the springs fit perfectly over the nuts.
And here's the end product. I haven't ridden it yet because I'm still painting some parts on the bike. I'm sure it will work just fine. If the original center bolt doesn't end up going through the original hole upon compression, I may cut it off, or put another spring over it. I made sure the wingnuts wont come off with a little hot glue.
I was going to buy a Bobber seat, but they all appear to come from China with a months lead time.
If this fails to do what I want, I still may go that route. But this way I can return it to normal with no problem at all if I need to.
First, I removed the seat and the two other nuts, including the big rubber chunk.
Then I fabbed up this bracket to fit over the bolts that protrude.
I found a few of these compression springs at the hardware store for about $2 bucks apiece. I couldn't find anything shorter, but I'm willing to bet some valve springs from a dead engine might work too.
So then I cut one in half using a smoke wrench, and welded the cut end to itself. In hindsight, welding the spring probably wasn't necessary.
I also found two full thread bolts, and wingnuts in my bolt can. One doesn't need to use wingnuts, it just happened they were the only things that would fit the bolts.
I ground down the center section of the bolts removing the thread so they would slide easily slide up and down in their holes on the seat mount.
I then ran the bolts through the back of my bracket, and secured them with a few nuts, and replaced the main nut from under the seat to the center bolt.
I previously used the bracket to mark for the holes in the seat mount, and drilled them. I then went back and gave the holes a little reaming in a sideways fashion pointing towards the rear of the bike.
Don't get confused over my milk crate brackets in the picture as well.
I placed the springs over the bolts, and by accident the springs fit perfectly over the nuts.
And here's the end product. I haven't ridden it yet because I'm still painting some parts on the bike. I'm sure it will work just fine. If the original center bolt doesn't end up going through the original hole upon compression, I may cut it off, or put another spring over it. I made sure the wingnuts wont come off with a little hot glue.
I was going to buy a Bobber seat, but they all appear to come from China with a months lead time.
If this fails to do what I want, I still may go that route. But this way I can return it to normal with no problem at all if I need to.
