Removing seat success...finally

[Molinoman]

First off I want to give a late thanks to HeR3tic for his instructions on getting the seat off. Now before he gets a swelled head...the instructions he gave did not work in my case...but they did lead me to another solution.

What I did was approach getting the seat off from the other side. I had my original seat available to look at (glad I hadn't sold it yet) as I have the Triumph replacement seat with the backrest installed. Before I started I had to remove the Corbin Beetle Bags to have a good access angle to the underside of the seat.

When I got the seat off, this is what I found:



You'll notice that the round pull tab was tucked under the seat strap (I have no idea why...it just was), once I untucked it this is how it should have been:



Looking at my original seat I figured out that if you could pull up the seat enough on the other side (which my son Danny helped with) you could get a screwdriver in enough and push on that flat metal piece on the other side of the spring on the right side of the underside of the seat.



Once my son and I heard the click and the seat came out of the bayonet, I turned the key to remove the front side of the seat and it came right off.

That this was a tremendous relief is a huge understatement because I was starting to get depressed. The Wagan may be good for starting a car thru the accessory port/cigarette lighter but did not get past the electrical system on the Rocket. I was afraid I was going to have to use "the torch" after all or just cut the seat apart but we lucked out and I thought I would share this with all of you. Hopefully you will not find yourself in my situation but if you do there is a way out.

Now I have to charge it up...tomorrow I ride.

Dennis

 

[HeR3tic]

So glad you were successful. Looking at the first photo, my fish hook approach wouldn't have worked. Who would tuck the ring up under the strap?

 

[Molinoman]

I believe the guy /mechanic that did this (ordinarily does good work) somehow put the seat back on that way...I also thought I had an electrical tie looped around the pull ring but it was not there. He is no longer working there so I can't even ask him "why?".

I'm just glad the seat is off, charging it overnight and should be riding it on the motorcycle run to Foley, AL tomorrow.

Dennis

 

[Kmutt]

Very nice!!!! Im sure that was quite the downer after all that traveling and waiting!
Write us a post on that first ride so those of us in the north can begin our preparations for the coming winter thaw!!!!!

Glad to hear it worked out. I was starting to become frustrated with you!!!! AAAArrrgghhhh!!!

mutt

 

[rainman]

same problem

i had the same problem with my 06 when i first got let the dealer fix it

 

[Sidecar Flip]

I keep a HD Catamount zip tie fastened to my pull ring. It's a little tucked up under the seat too much to get a good grip on. It also helps to keep the cable and the bayonet lock lubed with white grease.

 

[Molinoman]

Flip, I think I remember you mentioning that which is why I had done the same (at least the "zip tie" idea. I am installing another one this morning as I put the bike together after doing some miscellaneous polishing while I have the beetle bags off.
Dennis

 

[RocketDaryl]

Triumph changed the design for the R3T. It doesn't have a quick release mechanism. It's secured with 3 bolts. 2 are on the underside of the seat on each side of the bike and the 3rd secures the back of the seat to the top of the rear fender. Fortunately, I don't have to take the bags off to access the 2 on the underside. I just have to open them. Once the lid is out of the way, the bolts are easy to get to. The bags can be removed almost as fast as opening them so it wouldn't be a big deal if it required them coming off.

 

[HeR3tic]

Triumph changed the design for the R3T. It doesn't have a quick release mechanism. It's secured with 3 bolts. 2 are on the underside of the seat on each side of the bike and the 3rd secures the back of the seat to the top of the rear fender. Fortunately, I don't have to take the bags off to access the 2 on the underside. I just have to open them. Once the lid is out of the way, the bolts are easy to get to. The bags can be removed almost as fast as opening them so it wouldn't be a big deal if it required them coming off.

I got to hand it to Triumph for taking a great idea, the idea of an easy off seat, and screwing that up just to save a dime. Hell! The dollar ain't worth squat so what is a dime worth. Though it could be worth more if it were a pre 65 mint.

 

[HeR3tic]

I believe the guy /mechanic that did this (ordinarily does good work) somehow put the seat back on that way...I also thought I had an electrical tie looped around the pull ring but it was not there. He is no longer working there so I can't even ask him "why?"...Dennis

I havta think he was laying grief on his soon to be ex-employer. I'm beginning to think that mind set is growing. It's sad.