Deluxe solo seat on eBay

[Paquette]

I hope none of our forum members fell for this seat on eBay, item # 280198031664. This seat is not original by any standard. The rosettes are incorrect as is the leather skirt, 54 and later plastic skirt attachment, rasberry spots are too small, etc. This recovered seat ( or a Corbin Gentry original) sold for $1,626.99. If I were a dishonest person, I could make a fortune on this kind of stuff, and have had customers that tried to do it before I became aware of their game----

[Fiskis]

Maybe we can start favorizing the swaps and dealing with wellreputed dealers and enthusiasts. 1600+ dollars is a lot even if it would be a gennie, isn't it?
This seller has a 100% positive feedback. Maybe he did not know? Reproduction stuff that has been in use for decades can easily confused with the real stuff.

(Off topic) Do you Michael make the earlier saddles like for a 1920 J also?

Fiskis

[Barry Brown]

this is a BIG reason why this forum and chatter is so important. thanks for alerting us all to this

[portagepan]

Again, what about the one a couple of weeks ago on ebay that went for $2,250?
Mike

[Paquette]

I have received a lot of flaK about my posts on this forum about seats and saddlebags that appear on eBay or otherwise as to my knowledge about the subject. I have been researching this stuff for 8 years, collectting accessory catalogs, original production drawings, etc. It pains me to no end to see items on eBay described as original that are not original sold for big bucks. Maybe some sellers are not informed but this buyer was taken big time. I often try to contact the seller to make them aware, with some good results but more often not. I told a recent seller that the seat he was selling as an original H-D seat for a Servi-car was actually an Indian seat. His reply was " go to hell I am an expert and this is a Harley seat"--My only goal is to educate before I can finish my book--and then all hell breaks loose!!!! LOL

[rashd]

Paq...I don't mind reading your posts about ebaY one bit;
those who whine probably have a good reason.
Good luck with your publication effort.
I'd imagine seats to be easier to ID over saddlebags.
ras

[D.Mac]

Paquette,
Most of us here love old bikes and are anxious to learn all we can.
I hope you don't get discouraged, I think your posts on the e-bay stuff have been constructive, not negative. I also thought your recent posts on the '39 Knuck seat were great. Looking forward to your book, too.
Doug.

[Fiskis]

Yes Michael, don't give up working for spreading better knowledge on the thing you specialize in. I'd like to get a copy of your book when it is ready.

For your information, I have two original midyear 1952 standard solo seats, one that has the pan separated. If you are interested, I can take some pictures and email them to you. You certainly have seen such before, but if there is some theory that can be verified or challenged, just ask.

Is it so, that in 1946 there were no black seats, only brown?

Fiskis

[Paquette]

I can find no evidence that black seats and saddlebags were not available during WWII. Quite to the contrary. The original production drawings show various shades of brown as well as black. Carl Swenson ( the founder of Milsco , the company that has made all H-D seats, bags, etc and still continues to do so) his son told me that he remembers black being available during the war years. In all due respect to Bruce Palmer ( and I have discussed this with him on more than one occasion) he did not have the primary source information that I have been able to obtain. I have either purchased or have had examples of say 43--46 seats and bags through my shop over the years and most, but not all were black. Civilian vs military brown dye colors is another story. --Thanks for the support. Writing a book is a damn lot harder than writing a Master's thesis!!!!

[Chuck#1848]

Keep up the good work!!!

Paquette,

I to have to agree with the majority keep up the good work some sellers may not know and I am sure some other sellers just plain don't care.

[Fiskis]

Michael!

Great, so I will reserve one of the 1952 black seats for the 1946 UL project then.

I looked at your www site and noted that you obviously do not mess with earlier saddles than the 1934 full pan. Where shall I go with my 1920 seat? Heilman?
Fiskis

[23JDCA 808]

I have not used these people yet. ...bill
http://www.saddles.amintech.com/

[Fiskis]

Yes JDCA, that is the one. I got excellent service from Howard P. Heilman many years ago in a matter that obviously did not bring in many dollars, as he returned most of the bills I stuffed in the envelope with my order for small, but extreamly important stuff.
Fiskis

[Paquette]

I can do the early Mesinger and Troxel seats but I do not have the stamps that Howard does ( with the exception of the Indian Power Plus round stamp) and really do not do enough of them to justify the cost of getting the stamps made, but for 1933 and up, no one does it better or more accurate than me. For the early seats I would reccomend Howard ( I think his son is doing the work now).

[martin]

I highly recomend Saddleman's out of Florida. Top notch work and they don't brag about themself like some. they do some early and all the later stuff. Again, very authentic and top shelf work.

Heilmans is still good quality. One problem with heilman is they brand the bottoms of their seat. Some folks don't like that, and for that reason some dont use them anymore.

Haven't had paquette do a seat for me, but seen his and looks very nice.