Seat strut

First topic message reminder :

My oem seat strut is getting weak and its time to replace it. Does anyone know what the pound force is on the stock strut? I can get a gas strut on ebay for around $15 delivered and its got 20 pounds of pressure. Is this enough? Please no suggestions to use wood/pipe for seat props! Thanks

LVScooterBill wrote:

I have a question: Was it the same 13kg /28.6 lb force as Hotwings' one or did you all go with a heavier force one?  Am I just better off getting the same 28lb one as Hotwings?

I went with Hotwings on this one - got 28#. You need to fiddle with the ends (top one for sure) as noted in this thread to get it to fit - but no big deal. I had to remove the plastic section under the seat to get my strut out. Mine came with black paint on the slider rod - I compressed it without taking off this paint (it will come off easily with a plastic scour pad) - bad idea as the paint gets down into the plunger seal and then it does not move in/out as smoothly - but still a monumental improvement over my old strut. I have had two SWings and both had lousy structs. It is such a blessing to have a seat that does not continually close on your hands/head as you are rumaging to get stuff in/out. Spending the $13 (heck even the OEM $25) to get a seat that stays open is well worth it. How long will this strut last? Don't know but I am enjoying it while it does! I wanted to get something that someone else said would work - so went with 28#. I don't have any extra weight on my seat - If I did I would consider the heavier weight - but was concerned that more force may do more harm - and cause the strut to fail sooner - but the foregoing is only my 'uninformed' conception - I have nothing to back it up.

Thanks Dimond. I had been considering the 33 pound unit since I have a nice Pro Pad gel seat cushion that seems to add weight to the seat where even my one year old stock seat strut can't handle it.

LVScooterBill wrote:

Thanks Dimond. I had been considering the 33 pound unit since I have a nice Pro Pad gel seat cushion that seems to add weight to the seat where even my one year old stock seat strut can't handle it.

Honda_Silver has a thread on a great strut from Grainger that handle a massive weight - at not such a great price ($50); but it is tried and proven.

If it was me, I would go with the #33 pound and if that $13 does not last go with the one used/recommended by Honda_Silver.

Tried to upload a short video of my auto opening seat, but couldn’t work out how. Keeps saying wrong file type with .MOV and .MP4

I think I'm right in saying that you cannot upload video to the forum. You'll need to use another platform, like You Tube, and provide a link to that. Sorry

I'd like to see the video though!

Well let’s see if this works - first time for me: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8JyyNkoBPuI?si=gxBFeh0y1oCP01LT

Hi Dave, couple of questions.

1 did you fit yourself.
2 do you have a link to purchase one.

Mines just packed up.
Manny thanks in advance for info.

Be safe, be seen!

Took about 10 minutes.
2 spring clips, 2 metal bushes come off in the holes of the strut.
Had to drill the holes of the new strut with a 9.5/10mm bit (took about 10 seconds).
Refit as removed.

The new strut cost around £8-9.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P1RV5QT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Manny thanks Dave.

Be safe, be seen!

Davetech wrote:

Well let’s see if this works - first time for me: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8JyyNkoBPuI?si=gxBFeh0y1oCP01LT

That's almost an ejection seat, hope it does not bend plastic seat pan , etc. I have a cheap amazon replacement and its slightly stronger than Honda oem, honestly, I don't like how it pushes seat slightly to the left side when open, I have to guide/center seat into latch to close, may bite the bullet and buy another oem one for just $35 USD

Is your seat support ram shot ? Here is a real inexpensive soluton. Get a five inch piece of 2x4,2x3 or 2x2 and stick it between front lip of tool tray and one of the plastic seat pan's grooves . This will keep your seat open to the max and no fear of seat dropping on your head or hands. Iyt works and it's cheap.

I have a seat strut on mine that I replaced, but I still use the wood stick I keep under the seat from time to time because I use a rear seat bag that’s a little heavy and closes the seat without too much effort (meaning it doesn’t always stay open with the bag on the back seat)- I use a Givi trunk now as well so it’s more of a rarity that I open the seat for storage anyway.