Corbin Seats Don't Fit

[al_roethlisberger]

Well, since I have that photo of my bike with the Corbin seat on the homepage, I get a lot of concerned emails from folks that have bought a Corbin "gunfighter" seat:

 

Corbin V11 Gunfighter Seat

 

...and have been unable to make the seat fit, among other issues.

 

 

So after fielding a lot of these emails, I decided to give Corbin a call today.

 

Here, is the result...

 

 

I spoke with Jay at Corbin, and indeed they are/were aware that their seat for the V11 Sport would not fit any of the LeMans models. And as of some months back, we had noticed that Corbin did indeed have a disclaimer on their website saying as much.

 

However, the problem is actually endemic to all 2002(maybe some 2001) and later V11 Sports, not just the LeMans where the new OEM relays are taller, and perhaps a few other under-seat changes that make it impossible for their current seat to fit.

 

So, although they've had the "no LeMans" disclaimer on the website for several months, a lot of 2002+ V11 Sport/Scura owners have been ordering the seat, and been disappointed when it did not fit.... ultimately having to return the seat because Corbin couldn't figure out why it wouldn't fit. Very disappointing for both parties I'm sure.... certainly for the bike owners, based on the couple emails a month I receive on the issue.

 

And since Corbin sells so few Moto Guzzi seats in the first place, it's been hard for them to notice the trend(returns) and figure out what is wrong.

 

 

That being said, when I spoke to Jay at Corbin, he said they knew something was amiss, and "have it on their list" to fix... but first they need a donor bike to make a new seat-pan mold.

 

So.... since I already have a seat(see past threads on how they made my seat "truly custom" at the factory)... they need someone to donate their bike for a couple weeks to make the new pan. They will of course give you a free seat for the inconvenience.

 

So if you live near Hollister, CA and are interested in a Corbin for your 2002+ V11 Sport/LeMans, and would be willing to be without your bike for a little-while, give Vince(director of R&D) at Corbin a call at:

 

1-800-538-7035

 

He can then give you the details.

 

 

Honestly though, if I had it to do over, I would probably just have Rich Maund make a seat for me. I really like my Corbin, and have no complaints, but Rich's seats look like top-notch quality and everyone that has one has nothing but praise for them... and he's "one of the flock" and I feel better pushing business his way... because I am sure Corbin isn't hurting for business, especially based on the long line of Harley's I've seen waiting at the factory showroom But Rich can always use our support, since this is his vocation

 

 

*BUT* for those that really like the Corbin, this would be a great service for them if someone can help Corbin get a seat that fits the newer bikes...

 

I told Jay that if there is no one local that volunteers, I can always eventually ride down to Hollister(about an hour) and at least let them inspect and measure what they did to their current pan to make it fit on mine when they made it "custom" last Summer.

 

Anyway, if anyone does take Corbin up on their offer, let us know.

 

But in the meantime, if you have a 2002+ V11 LeMans or Sport, don't order a Corbin seat mail-order. It won't fit.

 

If you are local to one of the factory showrooms in Hollister, CA or Daytona, FL... it might be a different story, as they can custom fit anything there. But mail-order is almost guaranteed to prove disappointing for now.

 

I'll keep you posted if/when this status changes... if I hear anything.

 

Jaap, you may want to add a note, or even remove, the photos of my bike with the Corbin seat on the homepage for now with this in mind.

 

Heck, just put some of Rich's seats up instead.... the photos are certainly better

 

al

 

Al's brief review of his Corbin install in the "old forum"

[twhitaker]

Rich is fast too. He'll have the seat reworked while Corbin is still figuring out which side of the box goes up. My seat on the California was back on the bike less than seven days after I sent it.

[al_roethlisberger]

 

Yes, it does appear that Rich "rocks"

 

Hopefully I'll get to "demo" one of his seats eventually when I meet up with one of the local guys that have his seat. Depending on how well I like it, I may end up getting one that accomodates my GF a bit better, as the Corbin really isn't made for "passengering"

 

 

al

[al_roethlisberger]

...and it just gets worse and worse at Cobin:

 

Further lawsuits filed against Corbin Motors

 

...well Rich, I guess your business may be picking up if prosecutors link the motor and seat businesses over there at Corbin

 

al

[RichMaund]

Yeah... It sounds like all those Sparrows will be needing new seats!

I saw one once in traffic in Norfolk, Va. I couldn't stop laughing for over five minutes. That was just the dumbest vehicle I had ever seen!

 

I had to start refusing to recover or rebuild old Corbin seats. The resin they use on the glass pan gives me a rash. Also, the foam is co-mingled with the chopper glass they blow into the mold. A real PITA to modify or rebuild! I won't touch them.

 

I'm booking mid July now folks, if you want a V11S or Lemans seat rebuilt. Contact me with your needs! Thanks!

[Guest wes]

Why Corbin doesn't fit late model V11's and how you can make them fit with a minor modification: I have a 2000 V11S with a Corbin and the stock seat and my wife has a 1994 Ballabio with the stock seat. So, with three seats to compare, and an early and late model bike to inspect, I think I have the definitive answer.

 

Our 1994 Ballabio is stripped of body work being painted bright Italian red all over - who in their right mind would paint an Italian bike grey metallic with flat grey accents!! With the boat tail off of the 1994 bike, it is very easy to mount the Corbin from my 2000 onto the 1994 and see clearly under the seat while the seat is mounted. Every thing clears easily exept the relays on the right hand side of the bike are over an eighth of an inch higher than the 2000 model. The net effect of this is that the two forward most relays hit the underside of the Corbin pan. The Corbin has six round rubber bumpers that rest on the sub-frame and support the seat. The two relays prevent the right rear bumber from resting in proper position on the subframe - you can press down hard and get the seat to snap into place but you will crush the two most forward relays or at least cock them into a bad position.

 

Solution - a lttle Dremel tool work to cut an opening 2" long by 1 1/2" wide out of the base pan right above the two most forward relays. The base pan is about 1/4" thick at this point and this cutout provides the additional clearance needed for these two relays. The cutout does not weaken this very stiff pan and should not interfere with carrying a passenger (which the Corbin is not really intended for anyway). Corbin needs to modify their pan for this additonal clearance, but from what I've seen in the Forum, they are in no hurry and I am.

 

With the boat tail removed and the Corbin mounted, one can see completely under the seat and check all clearances and contact points for the rubber bumpers on the subframe.

 

I like my Corbin on the 2000 model pretty well. More comfortable for the long haul than stock. Other seats are more comfortable than a Corbin and that may decide for some, but some of these comfortable seats look like the overstuffed seats of my dad's Buick - why do so many of these comfort seats look "re-upholstered". Corbin has the looks and workmanship and style over any seat I've seen or worked with. I opted for the smooth leather and a red welt - I thought the fake carbon fiber leather looked cheesy.

 

I love my V11 - been riding since 1966 and its my favorite bike of all time. I have a BMW boxer too - if the BMW is my good wife, the V11 is my misbehaving mistress. I'm not sure what that makes my wife's 1994 Ballabio.

 

Wes

[francesco]

a question: the Tenni is a Sport or a LeMans? because a saw both names

attributed to the Tenni , just wondering for the black seat I' m selling is going to fit which of the two?

[Guest wes]

Correction:

 

Sometimes us old guys get caught in a time warp - the "1994" Ballabio is obviously a 2004. I don't type well either.

 

Wes

[al_roethlisberger]

Hi Wes,

 

...yeah, we had figured this was the only real issue with the Corbins, and is why I am frustrated with them not putting a little effort into researching what it only a minor issue.... *sigh* Even though I'm sure the Guzzi seat sales are small potatos in relation to many of the other make seats they sell, they'd surely sell a bunch more if they would fix the 2002+ seat issue <_>

 

 

Coincidentally, we just discussed this yesterday in this thread:

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2939

 

 

And yeah, I figured as much with regard to the 1994 Ballabio

 

 

And Francesco, the Tenni is technically a LeMans, although it's officially a model of it's own, so neither a Sport nor LeMans

[Guest rrbasso]

I Have a apt this friday at 8:00am at Corbin so they can see the problem with the seat pan, hopefully this problem can be fixed so if you really wanted a Corban it will fit. I will keep everyone posted.

[F344]

FYI here is a photo of the bottom of the MG adn Corbin.

 

The Corbin fits my 2003.

 

Frank