Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories My Own Corbin Issues

Just got my new Corbin in today, solo, pillion and backrests. Went to mount the seat and it is definitely tight. I was able to get the front tab in after some minor persuasion (pressing down on the front of the seat, not hitting it or anything) but didn't pay much attention to the rear of the seat as I was doing it. Now I find that the cover rubbed against the tops of the rear shocks as I was installing it and tore on both sides on the underneath.

To top it off, I ordered it with the studs and they aren't even straight, looks like someone was a bit likkered up when putting them in.

Guess I'll be sending it back for a recover on Monday.

Did anyone else have any issues with the seat rubbing on the shocks when they installed the seat?

Rich

I got mine recently. I ordered a set with red leather trim skirting to match the tank with studs etc. Install went well and I had not an issue. Fit was great and the seats are really comfortable. There was a loose thread on the front right side of the Pillion seat but I secured that with some resin and it looks great.

They certainly were not cheap and I am still breaking them in but they are much better than the stock seats and look fantastic on my bike. The color of the leather skirting is not perfectly matched to the Tank but is very close and that whole effect is awesome. I am a happy camper.

Dan, how about a technicolor photo of your new seat???

I hated mine for 2000 miles and was glad to sell it. The guy who bought it sold to another. They are love it/hate it for most-either or, as it was.

Hey Dan, did you find you felt like you were sitting in or on your bike? This was one of the most striking elements I found when I first sat on mine and others from previous threads have said they felt the same also. Of course, as has been said consistantly, dependind on your size will determine how long it takes to bed in. Sometimes you might think this thing'snever going to get as comfortable as I thought but have faith it will. From memory mine took over 4000k's but my skinny bum had a bit to do with that I think. Only guessing though. Once she's bedded in though, you won't believe how good it is.

Staffo

Sent the seat back to Corbin today, they are going to fix it free of charge, their Customer Service was great on the phone, hopefully it will come be back in a timely manner and the issues fixed.

Rich

My seat is torn on both sides also they are way to tight going on. Argee did they say how long they would have your seat for the repair its riding time now i hate to give it back for 4 weeks

3 to 4 weeks to repair, I just put the stock seat back on in the meantime. I am hopeful it will be quicker as they said three to 4 weeks to make the seat and I had it in hand in 2 weeks.

When I get this back, I am going to do one of two things to make sure it doesn't happen again: Put a little vaseline on the top of the shock or just remove the rear shocks while I put the seat on.

Rich

I called yesturday and they said they dont think they will warrenty it .they said they would check and call me back but never did. ive only had the seat like 3 weeks

I emailed corbin, as my bike is a 2009, and has the larger tank and from the website the seat they offer is only designed for the older slimmer tank. I also wanted to see the colours they offer as to me "Snake tan brushed rhino bottom" means nothing to me
I have just had an email back from Vincent Sattani asking me to call him to discuss. I will call him after the weekend, but being here in the UK it is tricky with the timings.

I am also curious with regards fitment with the larger EFI tank. We have a 2007, and 2010 Speedmaster, and the stock seat is definitely a tighter fit on the 2010 EFI model. I would imagine the Corbin would be a challenge.

H.

Rich, what year is your bike? EFI tank?

08 America, carbureted. It is the factory tank, it does not have the knee indents however I don't know if they enlarged the tank some more when they did the EFI in 09. I do know the seat did fit (tightly) on my bike.

Rich

08 carbie... can't help but wonder if your tank is the new style. If so that might explain the problems you're having because maybe it effects seat fitment. I wonder. As I stated before, I ordered mine this year... took it out of the box and it slid snugly in place with no persuasion necessary. Fit over the shocks beautifully. Safe to assume they used the same mold for your seat, which makes me think the difference is the tank. If you could confirm your tank is different from pre-08s, you might want to give Corbin a heads-up! Just thinking out loud...

What's the fuel capacity of your tank? My 2010 has a capacity of 19.5 litres, whereas the older style tank is only 16.6 litres.

H.

Jesus man!, "Snake tan brushed rhino bottom" isn't enough for you???

I've had problems as well and I have an 08 speedy carb'd. I wonder if they changed the tank style that year. I'm switching to a bonnie tank as soon as I fab up a bracket so I'll keep ya all posted.

I got the seat back from Corbin Friday,they fixed the torn leather. I did manage to get it on the bike (08 Carbs with the new tank) however it took a bit of work. I jacked the bike up and removed the rear shocks to make sure they didn't rub on the seat again (had to install some 440's anyway). I ended up having to bend the front tab down a bit to get the tank clearance needed to slide the seat forward enough to get the rear bolt in.

So the short version of this long story is, the Corbin solo will fit the bikes with the new tanks, you may need to bend the front tab down a bit to get enough clearance and Corbin really out to look at adjusting the seat pan for the newer tanks on our bikes.. I'll post some pics of the fit once I take a couple.

Rich

Thanks for the update. I'm looking at a Corbin for my 2010, so this is great info.

H.

Pics of the fit... not great they are off my phone camera...

As I'm in the process of upgrading the seat on my Speedmaster to a Corbin Solo w/ Pillion, I confirmed fitment with Corbin by phone today. I spoke with Vincent and he confirmed that the fit is tight, and that the Solo seat will fit the EFI tanks. The front tongue might need to be bent down a bit, and the rubber bumpers need to be compressed to get the seat to slide into position. He suggested using a lube of sorts on the rubber bumpers to help position the seat. Once the seat is worn in a bit, it should be easier to fit.

Vincent was very accomodating and welcomes any feedback at vincent@corbin.com.

H.

I've been very pleased so far with my Corbin. I have an earlier bike, so fitment was no problem. I've got probably around 700 miles on it now. At first it was very uncomfortable. Now it's more comfortable, but still feels like I'm sitting on a rock. The main thing, though, is that it doesn't give me that ache in the tailbone that I'd get after about 90 minutes on the stock seat.

As far as the in/on thing goes, the Corbin definitely has more of a pocket. It also seats me a bit further forward, so my legs are in a somewhat more comfortable position.

Good to hear. Did the seat raise you up or lower you down a bit? I'm JUST able to flatfood my Speedmaster now (27" inseam).

Thanks,
H.

Awesome news. Thanks. I should have said comfortably flatfoot without stretching, but another 1/2" higher and that would be different.

H.

Definitely lowers your seated position. There's no doubt about it. I'd say at least a half inch if not more. In fact, I wasn't even aware when I bought mine this would occur and it wasn't even necessary. The part that struck me instantly and I'm not the only one was, the feeling of sitting in and not on my bike. If anyone buys one they'll understand. If someone's slightly challenged in the leg length dept. It'll be a double bonus that's for sure.

Thanks fellas. I'm stoked

H.

I just put on a Corbin gunfighter. I find it possibly lower, but harder to flat foot with a short inseam, the seat is wider at the front or harder or something. It's getting better, one of us is adapting.

I think for me the most noticeable thing was sitting more forward than on the stock seat. Definitely less of a foot forward cruiser kind of feel and more of a standard riding position. Most certainly lower as well, easier to throw a leg over without having my shoe hit the seat at all..

Rich

I'v had mine one now for about 400 miles. So far it's much more comfortable than my old stock steat, which I sufferd with for 20k or so. No fitment problems and only took a week to get it. Orded mine with flame sticting which adds a bit more puffyness and there for a bit softer I think. With the stock seat about 45 minutes was about all I could muster without becoming extremely uncomfortable. I rode all day long last weekend with the corbin and didn't really feel the need to stop and take a break. Time will tell....

Well put Keith

I'm getting pretty close to the magical 1,000 mile mark now, and I've got to say I'm impressed. While the seat does feel "hard" it has largely relieved the tailbone ache problem. While I'm sure a custom seat from Russell or Sargent would probably feel better, the Corbin is an excellent balance of feel, looks, and price.

Joe, it took me even longer than 1000 miles for mine to become optimal in comfort. In fact I even bought a blow up thingo cos of a pressure point on my tail bone. After a while it just disappeard. Magic

That comfort cell foam or whatever it's called is hard and from what I can gather, over time and miles you are slowly imprinting it with your backside, so eventually there will be no pressure points.

As far as having a different seat that might be better, imho when you find a seat that you forget about cos it's not giving you any grief even after hundreds of miles, you may just have found the seat

Patience my friend, patience.

I've had my Corbin for about 5 years and have ridden well over 30,000 miles on it. I have very little natural padding in that area so I have an Airhawk for when I'm riding more than a few hours. I like the way the seat fits me to the bike but a little more padding would be nice. I have the backrest and for us old guys that is a real lifesaver.

Just received my Corbin Solo w/ Pillion. I kept things basic, and went with no welts, no studs, no stitching, no backrest or backrest flap in black.

On my 2010, it fit perfectly. I put some 303 Protectant on all the rubber stoppers under the seat, and leather protectant on the suede that cozies up to the tank and the material that goes over the rear shocks. The seat just slid into place.

The seat came with a stainless steel slotted seat bolt... similar to but not the same as what New Bonneville makes. So, after getting the special bolt from Eddie, it turns out I didn't need it. I guess Corbin supplies this bolt when you order the pillion pad.

The seat quality is first rate, but the paint on the mnounting brackets isn't very good at all. A lot of the paint is already off from my socket, and washer. Not that it's visible, but will have to be touched up.

Looking forward to riding it soon.

H.

Arrgggh! Just got mine back ( new build #2) and it doesn't fit right either.
Front is way too tight, suede underside shows on the left side in front(looks like the leather rolled) and still a good inch high in the back...
Pushed, pulled, etc... Not even close.
Back to Corbin again on Monday. I will be looking for an alternative.

Sorry to hear that you're having fitment issues. When I spoke to the rep whebn I ordered the seat, I mentioned the issues many have had on these forums. The rep was adament that all the rubber buttons under the seat be lubed with something (I used 303, but Armor-All, or similiar will do). Make sure to lube the tongue. Mine was wrapped in leather, so that leather conditioner was used. Also, lube the material where the cut out is for the shocks with leather conditioner... do about 2" or 3" before the cut out.

I just carefully placed the tongue in the slot, and gently pushed forward from the back of the seat. It just slid into place, and is a nice snug fit. I also put conditioner on the suede.

EDIT: Before I put some conditioner on the material where the shock woud fit, and the area leading up to the shock cut-out, the seat would bind, and not fit. Once that area was conditioned, it just slipped in.

HTH,
H.

Sumpin' just ain't right in this camp. My Corbin slid into place without ANY fartin' around... NONE! Pretty much just a plug 'n play installation.

Just something you might be able to use in your negotiations with Cobin.