R60/2 Seat Restoration

[fredheiler@aol.com]

I'm restoring two 1967 R60s that are only 11 serial numbers apart! I expected everything to be identical on the two bikes, but under their identical vinyl covers and foam, the seat construction is complete different -- one has a hard rubber pan, while the other uses 8 strings of steel "crushed coils." They are both branded "Schorsch Meier," and reportedly are both made by Denfield.

No surprise -- the 56-year-old rubber pan is badly cracked and should be replaced, but that part is totally NLA. Nobody has them. And I can't imagine fabricating them, since the pan is stretched on a a steel frame via hooks on crossbars that appear bonded or somehow imbedded in the rubber. However, I can envision replacing the rubber pan with those strings of flat coil springs that seem to last forever, except those springs are also no longer available.

Anyone know a source for these strings of Denfield flat coils? Otherwise, I'll resort to poking around on sites that make a zillion kinds of modern chair springs.

Last question -- any of you ever use /5 foam on a /2 seat with any success? I used aftermarket foam on the first seat, the one with strings of steel coils, and it works OK, but I see /5 seat foam is still available, and I'd love to use it on the second.

Thanks, Fred

 

[20774]

Fred -

I'd watch for a /2 bench for sale on fleabay...hopefully you can find one that is just good for parts.

 

[fredheiler@aol.com]

Thanks for the good advice, Kurt. Since it'll be a couple months until the bike is ready to ride, it'll be easy to take your suggestion.

Thanks again, Fred

 

[20774]

There is also the used part section in the link in my signature line. Not sure how much you'll find in vintage parts, but if you don't have anything to do , you could check there!