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!

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 Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black H-Pleat - Rigid Frame
1 review $285.99

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Horizontal Pleat - Rigid Frame
2 reviews $175.00

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Weld-On
19 reviews $77.99

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black Leather - Diamond - for Harley OEM Factory Rigid Frames
$500.00

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

LePera Signature One Piece 14" Back Seat - Diamond/Buttons - Rigid Frame
1 review $479.00

LePera Signature II Two Piece 2-Up Seat - Rigid Frame
$478.00

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

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Leather Solo Seat - Black
50 reviews $189.00

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Weld-On
14 reviews $83.19

LePera Le Pera Signature II Solo Seat fits Rigid Frame
4 reviews $295.00

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Vertical Pleat - Rigid Frame
2 reviews $175.00

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

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts - Black
14 reviews $54.04

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

LePera Cobra Solo Seat - Smooth - Rigid Frame
3 reviews $318.00

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

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Lil Guy Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll
5 reviews $149.95

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll - Black
5 reviews $149.95

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - 1963-70 Triumph
17 reviews $88.39

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

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Weld-On Spring Mounts / Perches
73 reviews $34.82

LePera Signature II Two Piece Seat - Diamond - Rigid Frame
$479.00

LePera Baron II One Piece Seat - Pleated - Rigid Frame
1 review $479.00

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

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

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

Biltwell Macho Negro Chromoly Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot - Black
51 reviews $89.95

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-On
7 reviews $77.99

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Diamond - Rigid Frame
1 review $175.00

Drag Specialties Solo Seat - Diamond - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$311.95

LePera Signature II Solo Seat - Diamond - Rigid Frame
1 review $295.00

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Weld-On Threaded Spring Mounts
30 reviews $32.42

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 1 inch Tuck-n-Roll Solo Seat - Black
3 reviews $264.95

Sully's Customs Traditional Solo Seat - Black
19 reviews $84.99

Sully's Customs Vertical Pleated Solo Seat - Black
4 reviews $124.99

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Chrome
38 reviews $20.33

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 Camel Back Seat - Diamond Pattern - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
12 reviews $229.99

Drag Specialties High Rear Scorpion Seat Pad
$216.95

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts - Chrome
3 reviews $54.04

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

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

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

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

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 2 inch Chrome
25 reviews $20.29

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

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

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Hairpin Spring Mounting Kit - Stainless Washers
9 reviews $46.24

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

Cycle Standard Universal Motorcycle Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket
18 reviews $18.34

Sully's Customs Diamond Pattern Solo Seat - Black
6 reviews $124.99

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

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Electropolished Stainless Steel
$59.00

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Black
25 reviews $20.33

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 4 inch Stainless Steel
$34.00

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - 1963-70 Triumph
13 reviews $88.39

Sully's Customs Traditional Solo Seat - White
4 reviews $84.99

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

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-On
7 reviews $83.19

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

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