What type and gauge of metal should I use for a seat pan?

[rhjr]

A few constraints:

1. This is not for a cafe racer, so there's no need to consider the rear cowl.
2. This is for a 1980 Honda CB400T. The existing seat pan latched onto two side pieces that are welded onto a curve in the frame. I've attached a photo of this. I plan to chop the cross-supports (the 2 raised pieces that connect the two sides to each other in the photo), weld on flat ones, and then cut a flat seat pan out of metal, which will fit into the space between the two side pieces and will bolt onto my new cross-supports.
3. I have never done this before.
4. I have no idea how I'll then attach the seat itself to this seat pan (I'll be buying seat foam and having it upholstered). Any recommendations would be brilliant.

What type of metal do you recommend for the pan itself and the 2 cross-suppports it will be bolted to? What gauge of metal?

Thanks so much!

 

[rhjr]

Aaaand here's the photo I said was attached before.

 

[Oil Cooker Designs]

Hey, Here is a thread with a ton of cool builds, lots of inspiration.
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26184.0

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Typically a seat pan is 20 or 18 gauge. Here is what I did on my custom Brat seat. I tacked on a 1/2 bu 1/8 steel on the underside, then I tapped it for the stainless screws from the outside. Made a matching steep plate for the outside. Had the upholsterer do a bead edging so there is no under wrap.

it looks clean and is easy. upholstery cost me 150 Canadian.

 

[rhjr]

Nice! And great info — thanks!

 

[Bobby Joe]

There are several way to attach the two (from what I have read). Believe it or not, you can go cheap and use velcro. There is industrial velcro capable of holding over 700 lbs!!! You can also ad studs when makes the seat pan that you can then bolt into the seat after upholstery. Also, look into DZUS clips. They look pretty cool. DCC has them and there is a website if you google it.