16 gauge vs 18 steel flat seat pan

[Djfob]

Making a flat seat pan. Want to be able to put a curve in it to match my rear hoop without much of a fight. Then strong enough to sit two up on it.

Which thickness should I go with?

 

[jpmobius]

If you put a reasonable amount of foam on it, 18 will be fine. Factory pans are much thinner, but the formed shape makes them much better structurally. 16 gauge will be very heavy.

 

[jeffw]

I used 16 ga. to be safe but probably could of gotten away with 18. Used electric shears and had no problems cutting it down to size

 

[Djfob]

Id be using 2" thick closed cell foam. My concern is that I can't put a curve in the 16 gauge

 

[ken hosford]

If you can not put curve in16 ga you are not using your imagination the picnic table top at the park just need a little prying with your flat seat pan, A lot of gentle bends try it, it will work.

 

[VonYinzer]

If you have a large vice at your disposal... Get a piece of 2" or so pipe and clamp it in the vice with the sheet metal across it. Leverage is your friend. As stated, just a series of slight bends will do the trick.

 

[VonYinzer]

C clamps and a strong table work well in place of a vice.

 

[Djfob]

Thanks guys. I'll go with the 16 gauge

 

[ncologerojr]

If your bolting the pan down I use aluminum. You can use some 1/8" or even a little thinner. It will be strong, save weight and it won't rust. I think I showed how I made my aluminum pan in my cb750 build.

 

[Djfob]

I'm only going with steel vs aluminum because I only have a mig. Have to do some welding on the pan to hide the tang on the gas tank

Currently my DCC brat seat leaves it exposed and it bothers me like crazy

 

[cqyqte]

Mount a hard shell sunglass zippered case to a piece of aluminum and slide the aluminum under the rubber tank holder so the case sits in the void at the end of the tank. You can use it to store a small number of tools or copies of your insurance and ownership or your sunglasses. 8)

 

[Djfob]

Thanks for the tips! Pan turned out just how I wanted it to.

 

[xb33bsa]

you check the clearance when the shocks stroke ? :-\

 

[Djfob]

Fender looks low because it isn't bolted up, it's resting on top of the tire.

What does everyone use on the edges of the seat pan to prevent tearing through seat cover?

 

[shiznits75]

Mount a hard shell sunglass zippered case to a piece of aluminum and slide the aluminum under the rubber tank holder so the case sits in the void at the end of the tank. You can use it to store a small number of tools or copies of your insurance and ownership or your sunglasses. 8)

That's a good idea. or maybe a little leather tool roll or pouch..

 

[mcswny]

Fender looks low because it isn't bolted up, it's resting on top of the tire.

What does everyone use on the edges of the seat pan to prevent tearing through seat cover?

This is lookin great so far. I'm about to build a seat pan in the next couple weeks.

Doid you end up going with 16gauge?

I imagine you could just just use a flap wheel to smooth out the edges? No?

 

[xb33bsa]

i would suggest 20 gauge 16 is crazy heavy

 

[ken hosford]

20 gage is thicker than most factory seats but... they have shapes that give them strength it is all in those lips ,ridges ,etc , flat 20 gage is way flexible

 

[Djfob]

I went with 16 gauge, 18 gauge felt a bit thin for a flat pan. Heavy gauge but not as bad to work with then I thought.

Cut out with jig saw 18tpi blade, smooth with bench grinder then hand file.

 

[Djfob]

This is lookin great so far. I'm about to build a seat pan in the next couple weeks.

Doid you end up going with 16gauge?

I imagine you could just just use a flap wheel to smooth out the edges? No?

Even with the edges smooth it's still a blunt thin edge. For piece of mind I ordered door edge protector to go around the lip.