From:	Duane Taylor	Electronic:	duane -A- taylorclassiccycles.com
Subject:	Saddle & springs	Date:	Tue Aug 10 19:56:28 2010

FUN STUFF/SADDLE HISTORY AS I KNOW IT. AS KNOWN: THE 48-49 SADDLE WAS AN ENGLISH DERIVATIVE USING AN ANGLE IRON AND FLAT BAR FRAME, CANVAS SUPPORT AND 11 SMALL SUSPENSION SPRINGS. THE FRAME MOUNTING BRACKET WAS A 2 PIECE MM (MICKEY MOUSE)PART WITH ASSOCIATED BOLTS/SPACER. I DID REPRODUCE THIS SADDLE AND MOUNTING BRACKET AND KEEP IT IN STOCK. IN 1950, THE STEEL PAN WAS INTRODUCED. IT HAD A 1-1/2 IN U-STRAP RIVETED TO THE FRONT FOR MOUNTING ON TO THE NEW SADDLE BRACKET, (PN 52068). THE PAN FLEXED JUST REAR OF THE U-STRAP AND EVENTUALLY BROKE INTO. VERY FEW OF THESE PANS ARE FOUND CURRENTLY AND THOSE FOUND ARE EITHER CRACKED OR HAVE WELD REPAIR. ABOUT ???1953, THE SEAT PAN BRACKET WAS CHANGED TO A HEAVY GUAGE,LONG TONGUE TYPE WHICH GOES BACK 6 3/4 IN ON THE CENTERLINE. THIS SOLVED THE PAN BREAKING PROBLEM. THESE PANS ARE BECOMING SCARCE AND COSTLY BUT VIRTUALLY ALL ARE USEABLE. THIS SEAT PAN/BRACKET WAS USED ON ALL MODELS 53-65 EXCEPT FOR THE BTF, BTH (RANGER & SCAT) I HAVE REPRODUCED THIS SEAT PAN WITH BOTH THE EARLY AND LATE BRACKET TYPES. THE ONLY OTHER SEAT PAN WAS 52003-62 , USED ON THE BTF AND BTH. IT IS NARROWER AND HAS A MORE DISTINCT CURVATURE. MUTT RECENTLY HAD ONE OF THESE ON E-BAY. I HAVE NOT AND LIKELY WILL NOT REPRODUCE THIS PAN. SADDLE SPRINGS. ANOTHER STORY, ANOTHER TIME. I DO HAVE A STANDARD AND HEAVY SPRING IN PRODUCTION.