Just picked up an '83 VF750F......and rode her home!

Thanks - speaking from experience here?

I'll try anything at this point.

Will post results.....so far it isn't coming off no matter what or how I try. I gave up (temporarily) and went to work on other things. Always seems like a wise option so stuff doesn't get broken by forcing!

 

On the VF750F my friend just picked up, the suction cups on the bottom of seat near the latch had FIRMLY attached themselves from being in place for ~20 years. I thought something was wrong until I finally gave the right movement... pop!

Don't force anything, but I could tell the latch was moving by the feel on the key and there shouldn't be anything keeping it from lifting.

 

Never even knew there were suction cups! I found an eBay auction with a photo......wow.....that might explain what is happening.....thanks!

 

Here's one that has a different latch bracket......

 

The first seat has the rusted mechanism that should be bolted to the sub frame still attached to the stock bracket. It is flopped over, the tab that the lock moves is facing forward. That one obviously doesn't move anymore. The seat also has the side brackets for the Hondaline Solo Cowl.

Second seat, just the rear bracket is there, and is also bent a bit (fairly common).

 

Thanks! I did notice the different brackets so thanks for clearing that up.

I have reserved tomorrow Thanksgiving Day for working on my motorcycles, including another attempt to remove this seat! Will let ya'll know if I succeed....or not.....

 

Mystery solved! It seems in order to move the latch far enough back to disengage, the key has to be turned further clockwise than just "east-west".

The good news is nothing is broken. And now I know the technique needed.

No idea if this is how it should be and guess at this point it doesn't matter.

Thanks to all for your suggestions!

Key in and turned 90 degrees clockwise.....latch still engaged:



Key turned further clockwise and latch is disengaged! I actually have to hold the key with my fingers due to the spring loaded latch to get it far enough disengaged:

 

Excellent!


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You're moving a spring loaded latch, you have to apply constant pressure to keep it open (which you now know). I should have clarified that earlier. It's what I meant talking about "feel" on the key.

Owner's Manual or Tool Kit under there?

 

Well FWIW, your comment about "feeling the key" was VERY helpful, because I was wondering if turning the key was even doing anything - but per your advice - it DID feel like it was turning. The next step then was figuring out why it wasn't dis-engaging. Lot of fiddling around finally got things resolved.

I'm proud of myself for following these 3 rules when you run into a roadblock:

1. Do not break anything in the process of the repair or procedure
2. Walk away and come back later - preferably days later when you've had time for the brain to re-group
3. Don't give up on finding a solution

And no......no owner's manual or tool kit. Not even the pouch that adheres to the velcro!

Reminds me of the time I looked under the seat of my '75 XL175........and the tool kit was there. Along with a spark plug and spare fuses! Like finding buried treasure!





Also, although it had no turn signals....the wiring harness was still intact so I could add them per factory OEM.......




Now THAT was a banner day!!!!!