Saddlemen Adds Style to Hawaiian Suzuki M109R

Steve Kai from Hawaii wanted to build something unique and special, and since Steve’s son Garrett works for American Suzuki, Steve started out with a brand-new Suzuki M109R, the baddest power cruiser out there.  The M109R is a big, fast, mean bike that begs to be ridden hard, and it would have been a shame to take away any of that rideability.  The list of modifications was extensive, but since this bike is a rider and not a trailer queen, Steve wanted a seat that not only reflected his bike’s new style, but was also comfortable to ride on.

The Saddlemen Solo you see here was built on Steve’s custom steel seat pan, which was hammered out to fit between the wider rear fender and the stretched gas tank.  SaddleGel inside the seat, plus Saddlemen’s proprietary Black Magic foam, provide maximum comfort while the deep sculpted Tattoo flames, leather cover and custom contours offer the looks that will surely garner Steve some trophies in the coming months.  If he can stop riding it long enough to show it.

Click on the picture links below to see these great looking images full size…

Custom Seat for a Custom Machine

Kenny from Signal Hill Cycle Works stopped by to show us his newly completed custom, a rubber-mount, Daytec framed non-bagger. We call it a non-bagger because while there are no provisions for hard bags, it has a dual-shock rear setup and a rubber mounted engine, so it’s definitely comfortable and has a bagger feel while riding it.

Kenny came to Saddlemen for his custom seat, a SaddleGel-equipped Solo with custom, color matching leather laces. If you have a custom seat project and want a comfortable, good looking seat to match your bike, contact a Saddlemen rep at 800-397-7709. We can offer you exotic hides like alligator and ostrich, custom embroidery options, a variety of flame choices, etc., limited only by your imagination!

An Inside Look at Custom Seat Production

A Saddlemen Specialty:
Building New Seats To Order, From Scratch

Custom “Track” Style Seat Graces Modified Suzuki

Parts Unlimited Rep’s SV650 Features Color-Scheme Matching Sport Saddle

Recently, we produced custom seats for this highly modified 2006 Suzuki SV650, owned by Parts Unlimited representative Dave Schmalenberg. The saddle was made as our “Track” style of sport bike seats, and following our design philosophy with this line of saddles, our “Gel Channel” feature was covered in yellow material to coordinate with the bike’s paint scheme.

Dave contacted us after receiving the seat, letting us know how he liked it, “The seat is very comfy, and looks awesome. No feedback on the passenger seat yet, but I will let you know as soon as I can sucker someone into riding on the back with me. (Anyone that knows me won’t ride on the back with me). Thanks again… the seats are EXACTLY what I wanted!”

Here’s a rundown of the custom work and modifications Dave made to his Suzuki:

• Swingarm, rear wheel, and brakes: 2007 ZX6R.
• Forks, triple clamps, front wheel, and brakes: ZX6R.
• Shock is from a GSXR750.
• Tag T2 bars with Moose risers.
• CRG levers and mirrors.
• Custom Barnett braided steel cables and Goodridge lines.
• Hand built exhaust with Leo Vince GP Pro silencer for 2009 R6.
• Hotbodies undertail and rear fender.
• Michelin Power Pure tires.
• Dynojet Power commander and LCD display.
• Engine is cammed and ported.
• Many other custom modifications and parts not listed…

Saddlemen Seat Graces $1.1 Million Harley

Los Angeles Area Bartels' Harley-Davidson Unveils Artist's Custom Painted V-Rod

Recently, Saddlemen created a custom seat for a one-of-a-kind, uniquely painted V-Rod, produced by Southern California artist, Jack Armstrong. The premiere event was hosted by Bartels' Harley-Davidson of Marina Del Rey. Among the notable attendees was actor Lorenzo Lamas, and a number of celebrity motorcycle enthusiasts.

For this high-profile project, the builders wanted an excellent seat. Saddlemen was pleased to create a top-of-the-line saddle, based on our proven seats for V-Rods , featuring our famous design sense and innovative construction and technologies.

We at Saddlemen enjoy creating unique motorcycle seats and luggage for the widest range of special projects. Custom work like this has been an important element in the growth and evolution of our product lines. We invite you to contact us about any custom project on the horizon.

Gooichi Motorsport's Purple Honda Featured In Super Streetbike Magazine

The June 2011 issue of Super Streetbike Magazine focusses in on this Honda CBR1000rr, a custom build by Sam Morris of Gooichi Motorsports, in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Saddlemen was pleased to build a custom sport bike seat for this top-notch 2008 CBR project.

From the striking to the subtle, Saddlemen's custom bike seats have been a cornerstone of our business since our founding. Great looks are always combined with excellent materials and years of design experience. Whether for a show bike, a high-adventure machine, a weekend cruiser or a commuter, Saddlemen can create the perfect combination of style and ride-enhancing, comfortable performance.

Two Weekends Left To See Saddlemen’s Custom Motorcycle Display At The Orange County Fair

“Super Swine,” Saddlemen’s custom motorcycle display is currently showing at the O.C. Fair in Costa Mesa, California, through August 9th. The Orange County Fair, and our display, will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. Fair hours are noon to midnight, Wednesdays though Fridays and 10:00 a.m. to midnight, Saturdays and Sundays. The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Our exhibit is located in Building 46, near the “Action Sports” area and raceway, in the northeast corner of the fairgrounds.

For general information regarding the Orange County Fair, CLICK HERE. For driving directions, CLICK HERE, and for a roadmap, CLICK HERE.

Joker Machine’s Modified Speedway Barely Misses Breaking Long Standing Speed Mark

As previously posted, the Joker Machine / Cody Racing / JRM Bonneville Bike ran at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trails August 30th through September 3rd at the Bonneville Salt Flats, in an AMA & FIM sanctioned event, to break the speed record for the MODIFIED ALTERED FUEL 500 CLASS M-AF.

Click on the images below to see them full size…

Joker Machine’s Geoff Arnold reports on the run at the record with rider Billy “The Bullet” Hamill:

“Well we are back from Bonneville. What a week! As you may already know we ran 144.2 mph. This is not bad but the record still stands at 145.2 mph…..one mph short, what a bummer. But what a great week, Billy and I learned so much. Going to Bonneville is like no other experience you will ever have, it’s unreal. You get up everyday at 5:00 am and get done a 6:00 pm. Being on the salt all day is about as hard a days work you will ever have. One of the coolest things about working there is meeting all the people. Everyone from the fellow competitors to the AMA staff was great and made Billy and I feel very welcome. Making new friends and seeing old ones turned it into a bitchin' week and one to look forward to for next year. I highly recommend going to Bonneville if you get the chance. It’s worth it to check it out once in your life. You’ll dig it.

Also this would not be possible without Dennis Manning and his staff at BUB for putting on such a great race. All the volunteers and the AMA folks, great job and thank you. And for Billy and me one big thanks to our sponsors, who without them we would be lost and would have never gotten as close to our goal as we did. My wife Diane Rawson, without her it just wouldn’t happen. Come on – she put up with Billy and me for week on the road – what a trooper.”

Saddlemen is proud to have provided a custom-made seat for this machine.  Here’s to setting the record next year!

Saddlemen Seat And Luggage Equips Antique Motorcycle On Coast-To-Coast Adventure

Vintage 1913 Bike Completes Two-Week, Cross-Country Endurance Run

Saddlemen congratulate Mike Vils on his completion of this year's Cannonball Motorcycle Endurance Run, riding a beautifully maintained 1913 Excelsior motorcycle. We are also proud that Mike made his coast-to-coast trek with a Saddlemen seat, and using Saddlemen luggage.

Starting on Friday, September 10th, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 45 pre-1916 motorcycles set off on a two-week rally across the nation, with 37 riders and machines completing the trip 16 days later in Santa Monica, California. The course ran just under 3,300 miles.

Above: Mike with his Excelsior during a stop near Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo courtesy of friend-of-Saddlemen Nick Trumbo.

We plan to post an interview with Mike about the rally, and his interest in vintage motorcycles, in the near future.

Whether for motorcyles nearly a century old, or for the latest new bike off the assembly line, Saddlemen offers a wide range of top-of-the-line seats , as well as our expert customizing and refurbishing services. Along with seating solutions, our ever-expanding range of innovative motorcycle luggage provides great quality with unsurpassed value.

From Kitty Hawk to Santa Monica, Cross-Country Cannonball Run On Pre-1916 Motorcycles

Saddlemen Sponsors Mike Vils' 1913 Excelsior With Custom Seat & Luggage

Saddlemen was proud to sponsor Mike Vils' restored 1913 Excelsior motorcycle on his successful completion of the 2010 Cannonball Run.

Mike rides his Excelsior more regularly than most people ride their modern bikes, but that's where he ran into some challenges. As it turns out, not many companies make luggage specifically designed for 1913 motorcycles - of any brand.

In an effort to carry his gear across the United States, Mike visited our factory before the run to see what we might be able to do for him. Not surprisingly, we didn't have any specific-fit bags, but we were able to subtly modify some existing bags to fit and function perfectly.

Starting on Friday, September 10th, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 45 pre-1916 motorcycles set off on a two-week rally across the nation, with 37 riders and machines completing the trip 16 days later in Santa Monica, California. The course ran just under 3.300 miles.

After his jaunt accross the nation, Mike stopped by Saddlemen HQ to show us how well his luggage held up on the road.

Since it's founding in 1987, Saddlemen has been an enthusiastic sponsor of motorsports, and we are committed to continuing this tradition in all sorts of various ways; whether we're making bags for a vintage "Cannonballer," or making fork slider covers for an XR1200 flat track racer, Saddlemen is always supporting motorcycle racing and motorsports in all forms.