by hennesse » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:08 am
The "extra high chrome plated handrail" is, I think, the only difference between the (later 52501-52) and the 52501-57 - "Buddy Seat, Complete".
As John mentioned, in 1955, the material changed from leather to Royalite, but the part number, of both the "Buddy Seat Top Only", and "Buddy Seat Complete" remained the same.
The grab bar, "Buddy Seat Handle 52547-52" changed to the 52547-52A version in 1957
Hey guys, we're almost ready for a new article for the TECHNICAL section.
I've put together a strawman below. Feel free to pick him apart. Don't be afraid to say "Dave, you're full of [stuff]" as long as you point me in the right direction!
Here goes:
1952 - 1959 - SOLO SADDLE IS STANDARD - (early) BUDDY SEAT IS AN ACCESSORY
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1952 - 1954 - Buddy Seat Top Only (52517-52) is Leather. Handrail 52547-52 is flat. (See, photos in hennesse's post, above)
1955 - 1956 - Buddy Seat Top Only (52517-52) is Royalite. Handrail 52547-52 is flat. (See, photos in John R's post, above
1957 - 1959 - Buddy Seat Top Only (52517-52) is Royalite. Handrail 52547-52A rises upwards. (See, photo in Model H's post, above)
A package marked "52501-52 Buddy Seat Complete" could either be the 1952-1954 or 1955-1956 versions listed above, depending on when it was made.
A package marked "52501-57 Buddy Seat Complete" would be the 1957-1959 version.
1960 - only - SOLO SADDLE IS STANDARD - (late) BUDDY SEAT IS AN ACCESSORY
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1960 - The Buddy seat changes shape to the colloquial "Sportster Buddy Seat". The rear mount attaches to the top frame horn, behind the shocks.
1961 - 1965 (early) DUAL SEAT IS STANDARD, SOLO SEAT IS AN ACCESSORY, BUDDY SEAT IS AN ACCESSORY
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The Dual Seat is narrow, and the rear mount attaches to the top frame horn, behind the shocks.
The Buddy Seat is the colloquial "Sportster Buddy Seat", and the rear mount attaches to the top frame horn, behind the shocks.
1966 - 1969 "UNIVERSAL"(late) BUDDY SEAT IS STANDARD ON XLH, (late) DUAL SEAT IS STANDARD ON XLCH
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XLH: The colloqual "Sportster Buddy Seat" is standard.
XLCH: The (late) Dual Seat is standard. This is similar, but different, from the 1960-1965 Dual Seat.
On the XLH, it is not certain whether the "grab bar" came standard on all years. The Legend Begins shows no grab bar on 1966, a [maybe] accessory garb bar with pad on 1967 and 1968, and a plain grab bar in 1969.
BACK TO THE K MODELS
The Accessory section on the inside rear cover of the 1957 Parts book, shows the 52501-57 Buddy Seat Complete for $39.75. The Top Only is $26.00. The Footrest, Left Complete is $6.10, as is the Footrest, Right, Complete. Those Footrest [L/R] Complete included the actual footrests (and rubbers), as well as the [L/R] brackets. But - $26.00 + $6.10 + $6.10 is only $38.20, leaving $1.55. What's the $1.55 for? I suspect the "Buddy Seat Complete" included the mounting bolts and spacers, as well as the 51526-52 Seat Post Retaining plate, which is shown for the solo seat, but NOT shown (but needed) for the Buddy seat.
Interesting (maybe) Notes:
The 1956 Parts book shows the (early) leather (no-lip) seat on page 38, but the inside rear cover "accessories" page shows the later Royalite (lipped) seat.
If everyone agrees with the foregoing, it's time to do a TECHNICAL article with photos and diagrams that would make this easier to understand.
Ugh, now I've got to do actual work.