I have a pair of really nice original seats for my '54 BN1. The seat cushion
assembly already has a lot of rake (taper from front to back) built into its
shape as originally designed. This results in really comforable support
under the upper legs. Studying later seats, and I'm speaking about original
examples, there isn't nearly the amount of rake, especially by the time they
got to the BJ8.
On top of that when a lot of these seats get rebuilt, the foams that are
used don't have the same support qualities, and maintain the same densities
right through the entire cushion. The originals have waffle shaped relief
pockets moulded into the centre areas to result in less dense centre areas,
allowing you to sit "in" the seat cushion, cradled around the horseshoe
shaped perimeter, instead of "on" the cushion with no difference in support
throughout. This makes a huge difference in seating comfort.
Rich Chrysler
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Davies" <rdavies1@cox.net>
To: "Healeys" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2004 10:53 PM
Subject: a better BJ8 seat position
> I thought I'd pass along a great solution I came up with to get some leg
> support, more distance from the steering wheel, and a slight recline on my
> BJ8 seat.
>
> I'd seen a nice article on fabricating a new wood rail tappered from a
thick
> front to a thin rear for the seat slides to attach over. Seemed like a
good
> solution but a lot of work and it meant removing the rails.
>
> I found that the ideal cant for me with some space between the seatback
and
> the wheelwell was to move the seats back as far as they would go. Then
> remove the seats, screw a one inch bolt extender over the forward seat
slide
> bolt, a half inch one over the middle and none over the rear.
> I cut the middle seat slide bolt in half so the double ended 1/2 inch
female
> 1/4in 28 thread extender would have a bite to both the rail and to the top
> bolt holding down the seat. While in theory this system may be less
sturdy
> in a serious crash than the tappered wood system, I think it would be the
> least of my problems if it came to that.
>
> It is a much more comfortable ride for those used to a seat that reclines
> slightly. It's amazing how just lifting the front of the seat one inch
while
> piviting on the back of the seat can make such a difference on your legs
and
> the distance to the wheel. You can't see it unless you remove the seat
> bottom and it is easily taken back to stock if necessary. I got everying I
> needed at the local hardware store.
>
> Sincerely,
> Ron
> 67 BJ8
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