Britbike forum Forums British motorcycles in general British modified/specials How to accomplish rear hoop and seat mount

While I wait for parts to get the bike running, tested etc. I ordered this vintage Bates seat off eBay.
They appear to be very similar. I am trying to determine how Von Dutch modified the rear hoop, by heating/bending or welding in a new piece?

If you zoom in close (shown in second photo), you can see what appears to be weld marks, but the gradual bend looks to start right past the shock mount.

Very grainy photo, but appears there could be a weld about 3" back of the shock mount.

Either way, all you have to do is fit up all the parts, then measure and fab a proper thickness crossover bar/pipe in place. I'd use pipe.

If you bend the rear hoop. you're going to possibly throw off the angle for the tail light, unless it's a custom light also.

I agree about the weld mark, but what throws me off, and it may be the angle of the photo, as the bend seems to start right past the shock mount before the what may appear to be, weld mark.

I did see this noted on the "How To Build A Desert Sled"


Taken from this link/article: Build Your Own Desert Sled


Thanks for the input Kevin. Obviously I have time to sort this because the seat will be near the end of the build. Anyone have some scrap aged black leather? ;-)

This was modified by Von Dutch, the famed pinstriper, builder? Tell us more!~

Most likely Bud Ekins, as I should have correctly stated. Von did the paint supposedly. Who knows what's been lost to time.