PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

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49glide
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PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#1

Post by 49glide »

I just recently picked up an original 82 flh that has the seat post hole/downtube as well as the frame tabs to mount the t-bar but the hole is a smaller diameter than that of my panhead seat post and the bottom of the frame tube is wide open with no hole to catch the rod of the seat post. I have been told by several people that a 45 cubic inch seat post will work and is smaller diameter??? I know 82-3-4 police bikes had solo seats with plungers?? has anybody dealt with this issue and have some help?? I am assuming I will have to weld something into the bottom of the frame??
Thanks much
Cotten
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#2

Post by Cotten »

49Glide!

Yes, a 45" post will work,
but you will have to cut a long custom bushing, drill for a zirque, and weld a blanchard washer over the hole at the bottom.

Good luck!

....Cotten
49glide
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#3

Post by 49glide »

Thanks much,can you tell me why a set of 45 bushings would not work or why I need a long bushing as opposed to two short ones?? your help is much appreciated.
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#4

Post by Cotten »

49glide!

I suppose 45" bushings could work if you have a way to machine the frame to accept them. The reason I used a single long bushing was to make it easy: A long zirque can anchor it in place without any steps or shoulders within the frame.

....Cotten
49glide
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#5

Post by 49glide »

so what your saying is you have done this before?? what do the police bikes run?? I have tried to no avail to find a parts book showing the police setup??
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#6

Post by Cotten »

49Glide!

Yes, I did it to an '84 four-speed (Geez what a crappy frame), as well as a custom, etc.

I have no clue about the police bikes.

And I shall confess that I never tried a 45" bushing, as custom-cutting is usually the most convenient way to get the job done.

....Cotten
49glide
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#7

Post by 49glide »

I will have to get a exact measurement of the ID of the frame tube and see how it compares to the 45
bushing. I appreciate your input!! so tell me you say you just welded a washer in the bottom of the tube??
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#8

Post by Cotten »

49glide wrote:so tell me you say you just welded a washer in the bottom of the tube??
Yes, a stout one, over the opening rather than in it.

....Cotten
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#9

Post by joe »

I have a 1982 FLH and it has a seatpost (well at least now). Only Heritages and Police bikes had a provision for a seatpost after 1981 (top casting changed to a stamping). You will need to bore out the first few inches of your seatpost tube to accept a 45 bushing (or two). You can take the bike completely down...or you can use the tool I made to cut the counterbore in situ. The tool will work in a heavy duty drill, it has an adjustable cutter and it pilots in the tube. After you make your cut, adjust the OD of the bushings (lathe) to get just the right press into the tube. After you press in the bushings, you can either hone to size so the seatpost moves freely or you can turn the seatpost down in the lathe (the bushing's i.d. will shrink after they are pressed in)

It sounds like a lot of trouble but I love my pogo set up. It is by far the most comfortable bike I have ever owned (there is a reason the Police used those seats).
49glide
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#10

Post by 49glide »

Perfect,I have had many different answers to a solution to this and am glad you have the hands on experience with an 82. I have a N.O.S 45 bushing so will give the boring idea a try.can You email me a picture of your boring tool?? somehting you made?? can I buy one??
Thanks much
B.mier@comcast.net
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#11

Post by joe »

Here is the tool.

Image

I will send it to you if you want, if you are handy (for gosh sakes that is you on a 49!) you can make your own, just remember to make the pilot end about 6 inches longer than I did. With my tool you have to do it in one pass because the pilot area has nothing to pilot on once you've mad the cut. Btw the frame tube will cut very easily.

Joe
49glide
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#12

Post by 49glide »

Thanks much,Sorry for my delayed response. I will make one up, your input is greatly appreciated. and yes that my 49
Brendan
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#13

Post by Norseman68 »

Can you please post a picture of the boring tool you used for the seat post because I have a 45 bushing I want to put into my Paughco frame seatpost tube.
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#14

Post by Norseman68 »

Cotten, what exactly is a Blanchard washer a bike shop is doing this to my frame today so I can install a pogoseat.
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Re: PUTTING A SEAT POST IN 1982 FLH SHOVELHEAD

#15

Post by Bigincher »

The bottom washer has a 'flat' on the inside hole to accept the flat on the special nut at the bottom of the seat post rod. The washer is available, and I would expect your bike shop to have found one to weld on the bottom of the frame.
"Blanchard" is a machinists term to describe a grinding process whereby material is removed from one side of multiple parts uniformly. There is no such thing as a "Blanchard washer".
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