What is the difference between a pillion pad and a passenger seat?

The difference between a pillion pad and a passenger seat is comfort for the passenger. A pillion pad is a vintage-style motorcycle accessory and is simply a leather-upholstered pad located on the rear fender. This allows a passenger to sit with more comfort than if they were to sit on the fender itself. On some choppers the pillion pad (also known as a p-pad) is positioned to support the rider, should the rider slip back a bit on a sprung solo seat, for instance. A true passenger seat is full seat meant for regular use, and is similar in style and materials to the main seat. Typically it is part of a two-up motorcycle seat, that is, one seat that is designed and built for both the rider and a passenger.

How do you mount a sprung solo seat on a motorcycle?

In most cases mounting a sprung solo seat on a motorcycle requires a bit of welding and fabrication work. The parts needed include the solo seat itself, a solo seat pivot, seat springs and seat spring mounts. There are also some bolt-on seat pivots and seat spring mounts available which allow for a weld-free installation. To understand the parts needed and the installation process, watch the Solo Seat Install How-To video.

What length seat springs do I need for my solo seat?

The length springs needed depends on several things, including the frame dimensions, type of solo seat, and style of seat spring mounts being used. Ideally the seat is mocked up and a measurement can be taken to determine what length seat springs are needed. You do not want to slide back while riding, so the solo seat should be mounted so that it is parallel to the ground. Most solo seats have a bit of a kick up in the rear to help cradle the rider and keep them from sliding back. All of the solo seat springs we carry are heavy duty and up for the task at hand!

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Seats

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Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
15 reviews $229.99

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black Arched Pleat - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
5 reviews $244.95

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black H-Pleat - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
5 reviews $244.95

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
46 reviews $209.99

Sully's Customs Sporty Solo - Black Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
20 reviews $159.99

Colony #3081-7 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Rigid Big Twin
3 reviews $82.50

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Block Pleat - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
$229.99

Saddlemen Step Up Seat - Tuck and Roll - fits 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$449.00

Saddlemen Step Up Seat - Lattice Stitched - fits 1977-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
2 reviews $449.00

LePera Cobra Seat - Smooth - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$433.00

LePera King Cobra Seat - Smooth - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$433.00

Sully's Customs Skinny Style Seat - Black Vertical Pleat - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$214.99

Sully's Customs Skinny Style Seat - Black Diamond - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$214.99

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Arched Pleats - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
20 reviews $209.99

Cycle Standard Motorcycle Seat Mount Screw Repair Kit
10 reviews $13.73

Colony #9696-18 Saddle to Seat Tee Mounting Kit 1934-1980 Harley-Davidson All Models (Except FX/XL) - Parkerized
5 reviews $31.50

Sully's Customs Skinny Style Seat - Black Horizontal Pleat - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$214.99

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Diamond - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
31 reviews $209.99

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Diamond Pattern - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
12 reviews $229.99

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Harley Ironhead Sportster 1957-1978
9 reviews $25.99

Colony #9676-5 Seat Bar Bushing Set 1937-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1929-1952 45 Solo - Parkerized
2 reviews $33.31

Colony #3082-7 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set 1958-Up Harley-Davidson Swingarm Big Twins
1 review $82.50

Colony #2659-10 Seat Post Rod Nuts and Spacers Kit 1929-1973 Harley-Davidson 45s/Servicar
1 review $82.50

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Harley Ironhead Sportster 1957-1978
5 reviews $36.39

Colony #7708-1 Bronze Seat Post 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
3 reviews $24.98

Colony #8623-2 Seat Clevis Pin & Spring 1929-Up Harley-Davidson
5 reviews $13.94

Colony #2981-2 2 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
16 reviews $16.93

Colony #2612-10 Seat Post Rod Nuts Spacer Kit 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$82.50

Lowbrow Customs Black Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts for Harley-Davidson Swingarm Frames 1958 - 1985
5 reviews $39.62

Cycle Standard Chrome Solo Seat Spring Support Bracket Harley Ironhead Sportsters 1957-78
12 reviews $25.92

Colony #3080-6 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set Harley-Davidson 45s/VL/Servi-car
1 review $71.50

Colony #2984-2 5 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
14 reviews $18.14

Colony #2983-2 4 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
11 reviews $18.14

Lowbrow Customs Chrome Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts for Harley-Davidson Swingarm Frames 1958 - 1985
1 review $36.03

Colony #8875-5 Seat Bar Bushing Set 1937-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1929-1973 45 Solo/Servi-Car - CAD Plated
$33.31

Colony #8873-18 Saddle to Seat Tree Mounting Kit 1934-1980 Harley-Davidson Models (Except FX/XL) - CAD Plated
1 review $31.50

Gigacycle Garage Gigacycle Garage Seat Bolt 1/4"-20 for 1997-Up Harley-Davidsons
$28.00

Colony #2084-2 Seat Post Bushings 1958-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins OEM# 47094-58
1 review $24.37

Colony #3793-3 Front Seat Mounting Bracket Pin & Lock 1954-1978 Harley-Davidson XL/XLCH
$12.10

Colony #3277-14 Seat Spring Mount Kit 1968-1984 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH
$23.76

Colony #8859-1 Seat Post Bushing 1929-Up Harley-Davidson 45 Singles 1930-1936 VL OEM# #3113-29
1 review $19.93

Colony #9915-4 Seat Bracket Button Head Mounting Kit 1987-Up Harley-Davidson Softail/Fat Boy - Chrome Plated
$8.93

Colony #2982-2 3 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
17 reviews $16.93

Colony #3750-1 Seat Mounting Screw 1/4-20 x 1/2 Harley-Davidson OEM# 2952 - Chrome Plated
$4.40

Colony #8874-2 Seat Post Rod Lock Nut & Lockwasher 1925-1981 All Harley-Davidson Models (Except FX/XL) - CAD Plated
2 reviews $6.38

Saddlemen 1/4 inch -20 Seat Mount Knob - Black
6 reviews $8.00

Gigacycle Garage Gigacycle Garage Seat Bolt 1/4"-28 for Pre-1997 Harley-Davidsons
$28.00

LePera Pillion P-Pad - Smooth for Bare Bones Solo Seats - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$180.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Diamond - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$387.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Smooth - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$318.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Pleated - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$387.00

Colony #3312-14 Seat Spring Mount Kit 1965-1967 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH
$23.76

Colony #3256-8 Saddle Bar To Seat Mount Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH - CAD Plated
$13.74

Colony #3226-4 Seat Post Bushing Set 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
$22.00

Til Death Cycles TDC Oversize Seat Mount Nut Kit
$25.82

Colony #3752-1 Seat Mounting Screw 1/4-28 x 1/2 Harley-Davidson OEM# 2739 - Chrome Plated
$4.40

LePera Kickflip Seat - Diamond - 2010-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$548.00

LePera Streaker Solo Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$399.00

LePera Streaker Solo Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$307.00

LePera Sprocket Solo Seat - Pleated - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$410.00

LePera Sprocket Solo Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$364.00

LePera Sprocket Solo Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$410.00

LePera Cobra Full-Length Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$479.00

LePera Cherokee Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$479.00

LePera Cherokee Seat - Pleated - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
1 review $548.00

LePera Cherokee Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$548.00

LePera Silhouette Solo Seat - Smooth - 1958-1978 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$318.00

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black Diamond - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
1 review $244.95

Colony #3642-2 Buddy Seat Auxiliary Spring Clip - Heavy - 1936-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$30.00

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