86vfr500 - how do I take the seat off?!

I was just given a bike with some repair work needed. Oil leak, carb varnish... etc... my buddy brought it over with the seat off, I put it on so I could sit on it for the first time, then he wanted to show me the parts underneath the seat. How the heck do I take the seat off?!!! I'm new, never had a motorcycle until tonight about an hour ago, I don't want to force it and break something, I was feeling around underneath to feel if there was something to release it... I think if I it weren't my first hour with a bike, I'd be embarrassed asking this! It can't be this complicated! Thanks... :redface:

 

welcome to the boards...... get a manual first thing...oyour gonna need it....take your key and stick it in the helmet lock on the left rear of the seat..turn it one of two ways. one way unlocks the helmet lock the other way unlocks the seat.... you also have a VF500 not a VFR

good luck

 

Awesome, thanks very much. I have the repair/service manual (big book, blue & white cover, drilled for ring binders, lots of big words inside), is there another manual, like a general 'owner's manual'?

 

On the 500's the helmet lock is separate from the seat. There is no lock for the seat. There are two little tabs that stick down, one one either side, that you have to pull back on to release the catch. Then the seat just comes straight up and off.

I'm sure pictures would be super helpful, if you need them let me know and I'll see what I can do.

 

Nobody likes a knowitall Jamie....................



ound: ound:



I didn't realize it was a separate thingy.....

 

Thats weird, cause when my helmet is locked I can't take my seat off ??? I just even went down stairs to check. Maybe my seat bracket is bent? but when I lock the helmet, the seat release tab dosn't move. Not questioning you, Jamie cause you know more about these bikes then I do, but is mine different? or bent? its an 85 500

 

I guess that I should have been more specific: the seat release is not operated by the key. However, you must have the helmet lock in the 'open' position to be able to pull back on the release levers. That's why I always leave my helmet hook open on my 500's. Some people think it's broken when in fact I want it that way.

 

welcome to the forum those 500's make some great bikes, ask lots of questions that why most of us are here to help others

 

ok, thanks guys! I did have the helmet lock locked, so if I even found the right thing to pull on last night it wasn't budging... I'll go check it tonight... the trick I'll have to pull off is actually FINDING whatever the seat release is!

I have a feeling a LOT of newbie questions will make it onto the board here, sorry if it annoys you but even if I read it word for word in the manual, I'll probably be double checking with y'all first!

 

GOT IT WOOO HOOOO! The hint about the helmet lock helped a great deal! I was trying to figure out how the little piece of grey metal held the helmet arm up while it was locked, then it moved a bit and the seat popped up on the left side! So I walked around and lo, there was an identical grey metal piece on the other side! I pushed back on it, and the other side of the seat popped up, and I lifted it off the frame!!! it was after this that I went back & studied the helmet arm a bit more fooling with the key, and figured out it clicks in furhter up into the frame, and got the lock locking and unlocking on it. This is pretty much going to be how I'm going to learn everything on this bike! I'm going to search the manual, feel like a fool, ask y'all a dumb question, then figure it out! Thanks again!

 

Congrats on the bike! I just got a similar one myself and it's my first motorcycle too. Hope to be learning a lot with you too on these forums. Seems like a lot of knowledgeable, decent people here. Got any photos of the 500 yet?

 

So...I was right....you have to have the helmet lock in the "unlock" position..to operate .......ah...shit....never mind.....