Instant Moped Seat from Cushion

Got a single-saddle-style moped and having trouble carrying passengers?
Here's how to make a tandem seat for a moped or motorcycle from any cushion that's roughly the right size and shape.

I got this armrest cushion from a boatyard dumpster.
I suspect the fabric is UV-resistant.

Step 1: Before

Ryan's moped has a seat that leans back too far, and no place for a passenger.
You can do it, but it's uncomfortable and probably dangerous.

Remove the seat. Ride around on the moped like that.
Believe it or not it's already greatly improved!

Comments

[aaronanalog]

You got too lucky finding that seat.

[aaronanalog]

Do I have to cut off the seat post :(

[turner22]

I likle the Hobbit. what do you think about Honda Esxpress? i'm buying one tonight for $250.

[sasquatch14]

my friend bought a honda hobbit too and its in mint condition for only 350 bucks.... it has no problems with it and runs great

[clayfigur]

nice bike

[bumpus]

YES!! i love mopeds, thats a great idea. where can you get a moped like the one shown for a good price, im always on the lookout...

[killerjackalope]

You could skip the moped bit and get something like a honda CG125, my friend has one and his 06 model was £750 with very little miles on it, there's just a bit more room and carrying capacity but you still get the advantages of a moped...

[PKM]

Well the advantages presumably depend on your local licensing laws- in the UK, for instance, a 16 year old could probably ride the moped pictured (I'll come back to this) but not a 125. However, carrying a pillion passenger is also illegal on a CBT provisional license, as is carrying a pillion passenger on a bike without rear footrests and an "adequate" rear seat. Carrying a pillion passenger on the bike pictured in the UK would be illegal for somewhere between 1 and 3 reasons. (It has no footrests, the seat may be considered inadequate and if the rider only has a provisional license then carrying any pillion passenger is illegal.) But, of course, I can't speak for the country you are in- just make sure you check before doing this.

[killerjackalope]

I'm in the UK, oddly. The good thing though is you can ride a 125 on a provisional and the minute you are fully licensed carry a pillion passenger but you still get low fuel consumption... being a pillion on a moped isn't great fun, those with the 'adequate' seat and pegs are still a moped, 50cc isn't much grunt for moving two people combined with the centrifugal clutch you will find yourself never getting anywhere and the clutch slips in and out at lower speeds...

[Psickattus]

That is a very interesting modification to a moped. Looks very comfortable. It's a shame the old-style ones aren't more popular in the United States. Anyhow their small size, accessibility, and cost would make them a prime candidate for DiY modifications.

[ve2vfd]

Wow a moped! I haven't seen one of those in eons! Around here 25 years ago (before all the little 49cc honda scooters were introduced), kids had mopeds! Nice job making a longer seat, but I seem to remember those mopeds were very underpowered... is it even able to carry 2 people?

[2fst4u]

you could just get a bike that is built to carry two people. im pretty sure this is not only illegal to do but also illegal to use (ie two people on the moped) over here

[leebryuk]

I think 2fst4u is correct. It rings some sort of belle in my head. But truth be told, the cops would only bother you if you somehow bugged them. The only other time it would be relevant would be if there was a wreck. Then the lawyers would argue to split the level of accountability (which would work against someone who was not suppose to carry two people.) Otherwise, loved the instructable and I wouldn't hesitate to build this.

[TimAnderson]

Where is that? In the U.S. states I've been in, laws or at least enforcement concerning mopeds let you do pretty much anything. Except ride them on some highways.

[trebuchet03]

The ask forgiveness later model seems like it would apply well here :)

[sleeping_gecko]

Here in Indiana, any moped with an engine 50cc and under is considered a moped, and can be driven by a 15 year old with a state issued photo ID, etc. Anything over 50 cc is classified basically as a motorcycle, and those regulations apply. What's legal and what's enforced, however, is a different matter altogether.

[GorillazMiko]

Nice! Picture in step 2 is really cool looking. And by the way... as said in the first paragraph, how's it UV resistant? UV as in Ultra-Violet rays? (Learned last year I think...)