Can this seat be fixed?
I have this classic seat on my Le Mans Centurion that will not stay on. Can it be fixed and how?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7fa7c4ae10.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...197810d87c.jpg |
The duct tape is a bad sign.
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Originally Posted by Koyote
(Post 23168414)
The duct tape is a bad sign.
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I would likely just get a new saddle, the bike was not a high end bike back in the day, the saddle looks pretty toasty and you can find modern vintage saddles. Here is a great source for them: https://www.somafab.com/parts/saddles
You can also get a saddle that may even work better for your rear end that is a newer design. |
That's a bad accident waiting to happen, the seat comes off and the rails jab you in the butt or worse. Seriously. Get a new saddle. If you want traditional leather and durable, get a Brooks or similar, I don't recall if you can still get an Ideal. Brooks also has synthetic material that is impervious to water.
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Easily fixed with a new saddle. Broken human body not so easily fixed. I have numerous spares, I will send you one for the cost of shipping, $12-15. It is an Oval, I believe that is Fuji's brand, and is very comfortable and in great shape. I have been using it, but I just acquired one of my favorite saddles, so the Oval is being replaced. It came on a barely used bike that I bought. PM me if interested.
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When I read last night it probably cannot be fixed I ordered this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173850659085
I'm pretty cautious, rode about 10 miles yesterday with it shifting underneath; 250#, 6'6". 68cm bike. |
I got it apart; I'm not seeing any way to put the metal pronged unit in as the plastic frame doesn't seem to be adjustable.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7809c51e79.jpg |
Why would you want to bother?
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Originally Posted by FBinNY
(Post 23168899)
Why would you want to bother?
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together. |
Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168901)
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken......
It's like stringing a bow. During manufacture, the frame is fixtured and flexed upward, which shortens the nose to back rail distance, allowing the top to be fitted. In use, your weight pushing down lengthens the rails, keeping the top secured. So, your job is to improvise a way to flex (not bend) the rails up the same way so the nose can clear. Note that if the rails are bend down where they are clamped, fitting it back together will be that much harder. |
Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168901)
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken.
It looks like it worked its way out of the plastic frame; one opening to hold the "U" end and the other opening holds the two prongs; it's flexible so I'm thinking that it may be possible to get it back together. |
Originally Posted by 13ollocks
(Post 23168912)
There's "frugal" and there "hoarder-adjacent" - sometimes something is simply dead and it's time to let it go....:foo:
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Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168925)
......"Waste not want not" is a good saying from Franklin; .....
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Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168925)
I've known hoarders and that is not a problem I have. "Waste not want not" is a good saying from Franklin; if things are broken and beyond repair that's another issue. In many ways our society is a throw away society, things and people....I'll go with frugal for now. I'm reluctant to get sucked into the hyper civilized society with zero tolerance for things that are not perfect or up to spec.. Appreciate the inputs.
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Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168901)
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken...
Of course I dont admit I am a cheap bastard with lots of time on my hands... Ha... |
Most bike shops have a box of swap-out saddles underneath the workbench. You could ask.
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As someone who rehabilitates dozens upon dozens of saddles a year, I will say that any saddle where the rails won't stay securely attached to the pan (such as the one here) is truly and sincerely broken, and should be sent to a well-deserved retirement.
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Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168901)
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken.
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The question I'd have is that these bike seats are put together in the factory with the semi-flexible plastic molded and melded together with the metal frame. Once the metal frame comes apart from it, it can't be reassembled? What happened with mine is that it came apart a while ago and there is such a disparity between the span of the mounting prongs to the metal that there does not seem to be any way to reassemble it even if had been nearly new.
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Originally Posted by RCMoeur
(Post 23169448)
As someone who rehabilitates dozens upon dozens of saddles a year, I will say that any saddle where the rails won't stay securely attached to the pan (such as the one here) is truly and sincerely broken, and should be sent to a well-deserved retirement.
pastorbobnlnh |
Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23170831)
The question I'd have is that these bike seats are put together in the factory with the semi-flexible plastic molded and melded together with the metal frame. Once the metal frame comes apart from it, it can't be reassembled? What happened with mine is that it came apart a while ago and there is such a disparity between the span of the mounting prongs to the metal that there does not seem to be any way to reassemble it even if had been nearly new.
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Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168901)
Because I'm frugal and don't throw out things that are not broken.
Unless you don't mind riding crap, this generally isn't a hobby/sport for the frugally-minded. |
Originally Posted by TLit
(Post 23168407)
I have this classic seat on my Le Mans Centurion that will not stay on. Can it be fixed and how?
Another possible cause is that the rails have been bent, in which case you need to bend them back before refitting the top. It can be hard to check this, although any bend in the straight parallel part of the rails is a sure sign. Also the plastic may have deformed through age, not much you can do about that.. To get the top back on I used to use my biggest flat screwdriver as a lever, and clamp a rail in the bench vise if it reaches, otherwise put a vise-grip on the rail and hold that in the vice (in either case beware of tubular or alloy rails which can be crushed or chewed up). This leaves a hand free to wrestle the top. Having checked the sockets are clear, put the front in first, then lever the individual rails into place. If you get it well seated and it comes apart again you might as well give up and get a new one. |
Originally Posted by Koyote
(Post 23168414)
The duct tape is a bad sign.
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