Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Eggman on May 29, 2018, 07:04:12 AM

Title: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Eggman on May 29, 2018, 07:04:12 AM
So I'll be riding along and hear rattling from rear portion of seat. Sure enough has become unlatched. Happens very frequently. Anyone else having this issue?
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Rubber_Snake on May 29, 2018, 07:18:46 AM
Sounds like you’re not getting it completely latched to start with.  That has happened to me both on my stock and aftmkt seat.  I think I recall having to put two washers between the seat base and latch bar to make it “longer” and easier to get completely locked in.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Gscott on May 29, 2018, 07:36:17 AM
Had to bend the rear latch on mine both stock and aftermarket, also make sure to push down on center section while sliding seat forward so the hooks slide in correctly. 
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Eggman on May 29, 2018, 02:29:42 PM
I'll reset and inspect again. The last time that I "relatched" kinda on the fly I yanked on that thing and shook it around so hard my wife thought I was about to pull it over the next stop it was loose again.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: maxtog on May 29, 2018, 03:34:52 PM
The last time that I "relatched" kinda on the fly I yanked on that thing and shook it around so hard my wife thought I was about to pull it over the next stop it was loose again.

You should see ME trying to take off OR put on the seat.  It is quite the spectacle of exhaustion and cursing most of the time.  I have never encountered a motorcycle seat as frustrating as the C14.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 29, 2018, 05:59:15 PM
Could be technique, Max.  I haven't had any issues removing the seat.  Could also be the latch thingy needs a little bending.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: rrsperry on May 29, 2018, 06:38:19 PM
Yep, my then new C14 needed the latch bent a tad.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: maxtog on May 29, 2018, 08:05:06 PM
I tried some bending action, but it appears I could never get any improvement.  I thought it was just the non-OEM seat, but hearing so many people with similar problems makes me think it isn't.  I have never used the original seat, it is in the attic somewhere.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 30, 2018, 03:47:08 AM
Well, you had to use it to get home, didn't you?  ;)   Go up to the attic and get it.   Try it and see if you are having the same issues.  If not, it's your current seat.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: maxtog on May 30, 2018, 05:32:34 AM
Well, you had to use it to get home, didn't you?  ;)

Nope, the bike was an inter-dealer transfer that was delivered to my house.

Quote
Go up to the attic and get it.   Try it and see if you are having the same issues.  If not, it's your current seat.

Good point, although that sounds kinda like effort :)
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 30, 2018, 06:56:32 AM
Yes, it does imply some effort. ;)
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Tree on May 30, 2018, 08:47:39 AM
A Dab-O-Grease on the mating surfaces never hurt.  Just a Dab mind you.  A smidge would be excessive.  ;)
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: maxtog on May 30, 2018, 04:30:56 PM
A little dab will do ya?
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Tree on May 30, 2018, 05:34:04 PM
Yep.

A little dab will do ya?

Just a Dab mind you.  Perhaps a smear, slap, dapple, daub, blob, or dribble.  But never a smidge, that's just crazy.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 30, 2018, 07:24:58 PM
And that's one thing we don't do here and that's crazy. 8)
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: Eggman on May 30, 2018, 07:25:53 PM
You should see ME trying to take off OR put on the seat.  It is quite the spectacle of exhaustion and cursing most of the time.  I have never encountered a motorcycle seat as frustrating as the C14.

That's strange, I had the service mgr. demo for me removing the seat, bags, etc. the day I took it home and I've had it off and on numerous times and every time it seems to latch correctly and the key works the latch seemingly like its supposed to and was effortless...maybe there  is something up with it since it seems everyone says it's supposed to be difficult. Thanks for all the Input fellas!
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: lather on June 01, 2018, 06:46:32 AM
I have a different seat problem. I have little difficulty getting the rear latch to work, my problem is I can't get both front hooks to engage in their slots. My seat has been reworked by Seth Laam. I am thinking about trying to bend on of the metal "hooks".
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: deltonian on June 03, 2018, 12:15:05 PM
I have been having the same problem on my 2015. The retractable latch on the bike does not lock closed but can open or retract freely when the mating loop piece on the seat can grab and inch its way open. Silicone spray on the mating surfaces did not help. May take it apart and see if I can engineer it to actually lock.
Title: Re: Seat coming unlatched!
Post by: kzz1king on June 03, 2018, 06:40:44 PM
I had trouble latching my stock seat but it stayed once latched. I put a Corbin made for  ZX14. I had to modify the latch. It works well but I dont remember what I did. That helps huh? ;D  I think I had to space it to it set prouder from the seat.
Wayne