stupid seat latches...

I have an '86 VFR700 and love it. So much so that my friend recently bought an '86 VFR750 to trump me I think...

Anyway, when he got his, he couldn't get the seat to latch down. It's one of those seats that slide in from the back and then there's a little peg at the back that you have to shove down into a latch. But it doesn't stay latched. So he decided to just ride it like that and I laughed at him and made fun of him. Now my seat is experiencing the same thing.

Anyone seen this before? Know what's going on?

 

i've fought this same problem many times on similar '86/'87s

there are 2 or 3 things you can do:

first, on the latch itself the swinging "blade" that is pulled by the cable has become bent, so get an implement under it and bend back up as far as possible....after that don't just push seat down to latch, instead pull on cable when locking seat, push down hard and THEN release latch cable...just slamming the seat down will bend it again

another thing...shim up the whole latch by using washers under the 2 mounting bolts

this crapo latch seems to be made of cheap,recycled tuna cans and is most definitely NOT up to Honda standards

 

I have the exact same problem with my '86 750. Squirrelman's advise is right on. The only other thing that I usually do is unbolt the latch, flip it over and using a screw driver, flatten out the blade where it is bent, then bolt it back on. After that, using the key, pull the cable, insert the seat peg, turn the key back to release the cable and the seat latch locks into place.

 

Thanks! Good to know it's a common problem at least. But I think it's just worn. Is the latch supposed to be straight? Cause mine is worn into a "C" shape where the post goes. That might be the problem...

 

the "C" shape is normal, NOT wear....but the piece needs to be as far UP as the mechanism will allow it to be.

 

hmmm. Alright, I'll take it off and do some bending...

 

i have a 96 viffer and my seat doesnt want to latch either even when i push the tab down and lock it with my key it still isnt secure i tested the mechanism and when i turn the key to disengage it it works so i dont know i guess i need to study it more

 

my rear seat cowl is really the only thing thats is securing my seat , so that kinda sucks but it works untill i can figure it out

 

another thing to try is filing off a little plastic from the 2 places where the seat seats, that is, the 2 resting points between the bottom of the seat and the inner fender where it rests.......
lowering the resting point may coordinate favorably with the "grabbing point" of the latch.

the whole set-up is poorly engineered.