Mounting configuration and method for a motorcycle seat
View Patent ↗A motorcycle having a frame and a seat mounting stud extending upwardly from a seat support of the frame. A seat assembly includes a seat pan having a forward mounting tab that is coupled to the frame adjacent a fuel tank, a rearward mounting tab extending rearwardly from the seat pan and coupled to a rear fender, and a mounting aperture positioned between the forward and rearward mounting tabs. The mounting stud is received within the mounting aperture and cooperates with the forward and rearward mounting tabs to couple the seat assembly to the frame. A method for installing the seat assembly is also provided.
1. A motorcycle comprising:
a frame including a steering head and an upper frame member extending rearwardly from the steering head;
a fuel tank coupled to the upper frame member;
a seat mount coupled to the frame; and
a seat assembly having a seat pan, a front mount coupled to the frame adjacent the fuel tank, a rear mount, and a frame mount located between the front mount and the rear mount and fixed with respect to the seat pan, the frame mount engaging the seat mount and having a latched configuration corresponding to a first position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to a second position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, the frame mount and the seat mount cooperating with the front and rear mounts to couple the seat assembly to the frame in the latched configuration.
2. The motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein the seat mount comprises one of a mounting stud and a mounting aperture, and the frame mount comprises the other of the mounting stud and the mounting aperture.
3. The motorcycle of claim 2 , wherein the mounting stud includes an enlarged end portion and the mounting aperture is substantially keyhole-shaped and defines an enlarged portion and a reduced portion, and wherein the enlarged portion is sized to receive the enlarged end portion when the seat assembly is in the second position, and the reduced portion is sized to capture the enlarged end portion when the seat assembly is in the first position, thereby coupling the seat pan to the seat support.
4. The motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein the fuel tank cooperates with the frame to define a cavity, and wherein the front mount extends forwardly between the frame and the fuel tank and is received by the cavity.
5. The motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein the front mount includes a forward mounting tab that extends forwardly of the seat assembly.
6. The motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein the rear mount includes a rearward mounting tab that extends rearwardly of the seat assembly.
7. The motorcycle of claim 6 , further comprising a rear fender coupled to the frame and extending above the rear wheel, and a fastener extending through the rearward mounting tab and coupling the rearward mounting tab to the rear fender.
8. A motorcycle comprising:
a frame including a steering head and an upper frame member extending rearwardly from the steering head;
a fuel tank coupled to the upper frame member;
a seat mount coupled to the frame;
a seat assembly having a front mount coupled to the frame adjacent the fuel tank, a rear mount, and a frame mount located between the front mount and the rear mount, the frame mount engaging the seat mount and having a latched configuration corresponding to a first position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to a second position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, the frame mount and the seat mount cooperating with the front and rear mounts to couple the seat assembly to the frame in the latched configuration; and
a seat pan that includes a first portion made of a first material, and a second portion made of a second material having increased strength with respect to the first material, and wherein the frame mount is located on the second portion.
9. The motorcycle of claim 8 , wherein the seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a strap coupled to the second portion and extending around the seat cushion.
10. The motorcycle of claim 9 , wherein the second portion includes a first mounting post and a second mounting post, and wherein first and second ends of the strap are coupled to the first and second mounting posts respectively.
11. A seat assembly for a motorcycle including a frame having a steering head and an upper frame member extending rearwardly from the steering head, a fuel tank coupled to the upper frame member, and a seat mount coupled to the frame, the seat assembly comprising:
a seat pan;
a front mount adapted to couple to the frame adjacent the fuel tank;
a rear mount; and
a frame mount located between the front mount and the rear mount and fixed with respect to the seat pan, the frame mount adapted to engage the seat mount and having a latched configuration corresponding to a first position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to a second position of the seat assembly with respect to the frame, the frame mount adapted to cooperate with the seat mount and the front and rear mounts adapted to couple to the frame to couple the seat assembly to the frame in the latched configuration.