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!

Ready Motorcycle Seats

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Colony #2981-2 2 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
13 reviews $15.39

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

Colony #8876-5 Seat Bar Bushing Set 1965-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$33.31

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Hairpin Style - 3 inch Chrome
13 reviews $17.99

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Harley Ironhead Sportster 1957-1978
9 reviews $24.19

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Hairpin Spring Mounting Kit - Stainless Washers
8 reviews $42.34

Colony #3200-5 Seat Post Retaining Plate Kit 1952-66 Harley Davidson K XL — Colony #3200-5 Seat Post Retaining Plate Kit 1952-1966 Harley-Davidson K/XL - Parkerized
$37.95

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

Colony #8928-3 Seat Tee Pivot Bolt 1925-1936 Harley-Davidson J/JD/VL OEM# 3107-25 CAD - CAD Plated
1 review $17.02

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

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

Colony #2983-2 4 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
10 reviews $16.49

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

Colony #3416-2 Seat Mount Screws 1995-Up Harley-Davidson FLHT FLHR FLTR
1 review $12.09

Colony #3157-11 Buddy Seat Auxillary Spring Bolt Kit 1936-69 Harley Davidson — Colony #3157-11 Buddy Seat Auxillary Spring Bolt Kit 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
1 review $18.70

Colony #8859-1 Seat Post Bushing 1929-Up Harley-Davidson 45 Singles 1930-1936 VL OEM# #3113-29
1 review $18.12

Colony #2982-2 3 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
17 reviews $15.39

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

Colony #9691-2 Seat Post Rod Lock Nut & Washer 1925-1981 Harley-Davidson All Models (Except FX/XL) - Parkerized
4 reviews $6.38

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

LePera Baron II One Piece Seat - Diamond - Rigid Frame
$479.00

LePera Cobra Pillion P-Pad - Smooth
$192.00

LePera Cobra Seat - Diamond- Rigid Frame
$479.00

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

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll - Black & White
$149.95

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 1 inch Tuck-n-Roll Solo Seat - Black & White
1 review $264.95

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

Colony #3641-2 Buddy Seat Auxiliary Spring Clip - Light - 1936-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$30.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Snub Nose Leather Solo Seat - Black
$189.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Leather Solo Seat - Buckskin
2 reviews $189.00

Colony #3600-1 Buddy Seat Front Mounting Bracket 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$22.00

Colony #3601-2 Buddy Seat Bar Mounting Plates 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$20.35

Colony #3548-1 Seat Clevis Pin Spring for Short T-bar 1943-52 Harley-Davidson WLA WLC
$8.47

Colony #3549-5 Inner Primary to Motor Seals 2006-Up Harley-Davidson Dyna 2007-Up Softail and Touring Models
1 review $8.47

Cycle Standard Seat Spring Kit & Black Diamond Solo Seat for Harley Sportsters 2004-Up
5 reviews $249.99

Cycle Standard Seat Spring Kit & Smooth Solo Seat for Harley Sportsters 2004-Up
2 reviews $249.99

Lowbrow Customs Chrome Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts for Harley-Davidson Swingarm Frames 1958 - 1985
1 review $32.99

Cycle Standard Black Universal Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-on
12 reviews $19.95

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 2 inch Tuck-n-Roll Solo Seat
7 reviews $279.95

Colony #3235-6 Seat Bar Bolt Spacer Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
$46.09

Colony #3234-2 Seat Post Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
$37.40

Colony #3227-4 Seat Post Roller Shaft Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
1 review $46.75

Colony #3230-2 Seat Post Bushing Sleeve Kit 1952 - 1970 Harley-Davidson K KH XL XLH XLCH — Colony #3230-2 Seat Post Bushing Sleeve Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
$48.40

Colony #3201-4 Seat Post Spring Set 1952 - 1970 Harley-Davidson Sportster K KH XL — Colony #3201-4 Seat Post Spring Set 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson Sportster K/KH/XL - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $54.99

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-On
6 reviews $74.99

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

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

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

Colony #2583-10 Seat Post Rod/Nuts/Spacers Kit Harley-Davidson WLA/WLC
$82.50

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

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

Sully's Customs Diamond Pattern Solo Seat - White
6 reviews $114.99

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