After Fabrication details for a Prop rod for the seat. 2022 RT-L

[SLICE]

I searched, Trust me.

So awhile back one of the members posted a picture of a prop rod for his seat to keep it up during fueling.

If him or her could chime in and provide details on the fabrication it would be nice.

Yes I have the super duty McMaster Car gas strut and ''helper spring'' and the seat still shuts under the weight
of the giant butt buffer gel pad.

PS, I used a bungie cord and it snapped and nearly took my eye out . Don't use a bungie cord.

[Peteoz]

I searched, Trust me.

So awhile back one of the members posted a picture of a prop rod for his seat to keep it up during fueling.

If him or her could chime in and provide details on the fabrication it would be nice.

Yes I have the super duty McMaster Car gas strut and ''helper spring'' and the seat still shuts under the weight
of the giant butt buffer gel pad.

PS, I used a bungie cord and it snapped and nearly took my eye out . Don't use a bungie cord.

Yes, I saw that and now can’t find it either, Stephan…... sorry……Its plus is that it was attached under the seat and simply dropped down. I thought of doing it, but decided that the old 5” long T-bar Allen wrench that I keep in my glove box is easily accessible and works just as well for me.

Pete

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I searched, Trust me.

So awhile back one of the members posted a picture of a prop rod for his seat to keep it up during fueling.

If him or her could chime in and provide details on the fabrication it would be nice.

Yes I have the super duty McMaster Car gas strut and ''helper spring'' and the seat still shuts under the weight
of the giant butt buffer gel pad.

PS, I used a bungie cord and it snapped and nearly took my eye out . Don't use a bungie cord.

I think it was me .... I have pics and an explanation in one of my Albums ..... if not enough info ....ask me questions. ..... Mike

[SLICE]

I think it was me .... I have pics and an explanation in one of my Albums ..... if not enough info ....ask me questions. ..... Mike

If you could dig up the pictures it would be nice. IIRC you used a brass rod and hinge.

[Peter Aawen]

If you could dig up the pictures it would be nice. IIRC you used a brass rod and hinge.

If you click on his username to the left of the post above yours, then click on 'View Profile' in the drop-down list, that'll bring up his profile - run down the left column until you see his Albums listed, I think the Gas Strut Replacement Album is probably the top one in the list.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If you could dig up the pictures it would be nice. IIRC you used a brass rod and hinge.

I'm NOT talented in these area's.... all of my pics were posted for me by another member who is no longer on this Forum .... do what Peter said it's real easy....sorry, ...... Mike

[AbNormy]

So let me get this right, even the NEWER models still have the tank under the seat issue ? but a nice pricey aftermarket seat has a fuel door?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So let me get this right, even the NEWER models still have the tank under the seat issue ? but a nice pricey aftermarket seat has a fuel door?

If you are referring to the GAS tank ... it has never moved since introduced in 2010 ./.... There is only one after-market seat ( that I am aware of ) that has a GAS DOOR as an option ..... Adding one is fairly easy, and cost approx. $ 75.00 in parts .... another member just did an installation .... PM Him

[Peteoz]

I think it was me .... I have pics and an explanation in one of my Albums ..... if not enough info ....ask me questions. ..... Mike

No, Mike, it wasn’t you. It was for a ‘20+ RT. This was a brass (or similar) rod, with a right angle at one end which was fastened under the seat, and a small rubber boot. When you lifted the seat, it automatically dropped down.

Pete

[Peteoz]

So let me get this right, even the NEWER models still have the tank under the seat issue ? but a nice pricey aftermarket seat has a fuel door?

Sort of, AbNormy. You don’t need a fuel door on the new RT. It has a hinged front seat. Twist the key to the left and the seat pops up, enabling easy access to your gas cap, while your passenger remains seated. The only issue is that adding any weight to your seat, like a woollen seat cover etc makes the seat too heavy for the hydraulic lift, and you need to look for alternatives

Pete

[SLICE]

I think it was me .... I have pics and an explanation in one of my Albums ..... if not enough info ....ask me questions. ..... Mike

Your pictures provided enough info to get my creative juices flowing, now to dig through my ''junk'' to see if I have enough scrap to fabricate a prop rod.

Stephan.

[Mikey]

I just ordered a gas shock for my sled trailer through Mcmasters, I am surprised that you could not go up a few psi on the gas levels to make it work. But the old prop rod will always work for you!!

[SLICE]

I just ordered a gas shock for my sled trailer through Mcmasters, I am surprised that you could not go up a few psi on the gas levels to make it work. But the old prop rod will always work for you!!

The gas shocks get fatter as you go up in pressure and you run into clearance issues.

Stephan.

[K80Shooter]

The gas shocks get fatter as you go up in pressure and you run into clearance issues.

Stephan.

Stephan, I'm not sure what strut that you ordered from McMaster Carr but the part number https://www.mcmaster.com/9416K14/ goes up to 130# without changing size. I replaced the stock 18# strut with a 30# strut and it works great for me with Motorcycle Dave's gel insert installed in the seat.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Your pictures provided enough info to get my creative juices flowing, now to dig through my ''junk'' to see if I have enough scrap to fabricate a prop rod.

Stephan.

Read what " Peteoz " p[osted above .... I didn't realize your seat is different from my 2014 .... I am not familiar with the newer seats ....sorry .... Mike

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The gas shocks get fatter as you go up in pressure and you run into clearance issues.

Stephan.

Are you sure about this ..... I have quite a few GAS shocks in different length's and PSI's ..... the difference might be 5mm at most..... JMHO .... Mike

[oldgoat]

I used BLUEKNIGHT!!'s method (I think) on my 2008 GS as the Utopia backrest was too heavy for the strut.
When I lift the seat now a length of 1/4" rod falls down, It has a rubber foot on it.

Great, I love it.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I used BLUEKNIGHT!!'s method (I think) on my 2008 GS as the Utopia backrest was too heavy for the strut.
When I lift the seat now a length of 1/4" rod falls down, It has a rubber foot on it.

Great, I love it.

Yes I made them for both my early Spyders also .... I only talked about the 14 RT because not much interest in the early models ..... Mike

[SLICE]

Read what " Peteoz " p[osted above .... I didn't realize your seat is different from my 2014 .... I am not familiar with the newer seats ....sorry .... Mike

The bottom of the seat has a lip I can drill into. The frame has a plastic cover over it to about midway up the rise, that will give me ''brake''.
I will mount a rod to the lip and hold in place with a magnet, when I fill up I'll just let the rod drop down and I should be GTG.

[al0vely]

The bottom of the seat has a lip I can drill into. The frame has a plastic cover over it to about midway up the rise, that will give me ''brake''.
I will mount a rod to the lip and hold in place with a magnet, when I fill up I'll just let the rod drop down and I should be GTG.

Looking forward to seeing your DIY … still waiting for my repair to be done on mine.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The bottom of the seat has a lip I can drill into. The frame has a plastic cover over it to about midway up the rise, that will give me ''brake''.
I will mount a rod to the lip and hold in place with a magnet, when I fill up I'll just let the rod drop down and I should be GTG.

Rather than drilling and attaching anything to the seat ..... bolt the rod to the frame .... that's how i did mine ..... check and see if you have any plastic " push pins " on the frame " Y " if so I think you could put a 5 in (?) 1/4 in. bolt thru it to the anchor the rod .... that's what I did .... Mike

[Peteoz]

The bottom of the seat has a lip I can drill into. The frame has a plastic cover over it to about midway up the rise, that will give me ''brake''.
I will mount a rod to the lip and hold in place with a magnet, when I fill up I'll just let the rod drop down and I should be GTG.

Hmmmmmm. You’ve got me thinking now, Stephan. The old 5” long Allen I am using has a right angle on the end about an inch long. I might see if I can drill through the lip, poke the short Allen end through the hole and maybe fasten it there with a cotter pin. Then a rubber boot on the long end should give me plenty of grip and it can just float loose without damaging anything.

Pete

[linguine]

I must be the cheap old fart of the Forum. I use a hunk of compressed air hose, length cut to fit, and it goes 'round the seat latch pin on one end, and into the seat latch cup on the other. Stores on the shelf under the seat. Couldn't cost $1.00.

[Peteoz]

I must be the cheap old fart of the Forum. I use a hunk of compressed air hose, length cut to fit, and it goes 'round the seat latch pin on one end, and into the seat latch cup on the other. Stores on the shelf under the seat. Couldn't cost $1.00.

Clever, Linguine, very clever…….you cheap old fart

Pete

[teninospyder]

I searched, Trust me.

So awhile back one of the members posted a picture of a prop rod for his seat to keep it up during fueling.

If him or her could chime in and provide details on the fabrication it would be nice.

Yes I have the super duty McMaster Car gas strut and ''helper spring'' and the seat still shuts under the weight
of the giant butt buffer gel pad.

PS, I used a bungie cord and it snapped and nearly took my eye out . Don't use a bungie cord.

This may not be clear.....but here goes.
I just use a 5-6" long piece of the "framing Strip" that is sold to hold those plastic fencing panels (usually 4x8x1/4" thick) together. The gap is just right to fit over the seat rod and It just slips on the seat rod when needed. for storage it lays on the left side of the cutout area under the seat, across from the rod itself.