Wooden Seat/ Sissy Bar

Alright folks so I have been assigned a bent wood lamentation project for my wood design class and figure why not make some bike parts. Now i realize that 90% of bike parts cant be wooden due to heat issues, so i narrowed it down to a new seat or sissy bar. Comfort is not an issue for the seat as i will be adding cushion to the wood. MY real concern is the thing breaking under me while I am riding :ohmy: ! Even though bent wood allows for insane strength, things like vibration and impact worry me. Weatherproofing the wood will not be an issue because i don't ride in the rain. Just thought I would check with you folks before I proceed, if you have seen this done before or know something dangerous im not seeing, please let me know. Pictures of the process and step by step instructions will be up as I do this over the next month. Thanks in advance!

can't see it being a problem i build hard wood pieces for my engines all the time just ask OMR

Your the man imma most likley run with the seat idea stay tuned for pictures

Obviously depends on the wood you'll be using... Teak, Iron wood or some other hard ass wood should be just fine.

Obviously we would love the images when completed...

TB makes his cam sprockets out of OAK, so a seat should be no prob.... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

teak and oak are great for weathering as well...I have boats and the teak on them never goes bad, worst case you just sand it a bit and restain. I don't know how bendable they are though...if you cover up the seat with a cushion you would be hiding the wood, Why not make a nice curvy sissy bar and highlight the wood? That way you don't really need the strength and can make it from a more priable wood, and veneer something nice overtop.

Maybe this doesn't suit your project, but I think some nice carved side covers would be nice too! You could turn the little plug clips yourself, and use some exotic bubinga or something for the cover...it would be like a guitar on wheels!

thought you might like this, i made it for my shovel\bobber (i know its an evil harley but...) i made it fro a chopping block, i thought it was appropriate.

Why stop with just the seat??

blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/04/wood_motorcycle.html

well if your goin to go full out how about this?

or someting for the wooden wife?

What the heck, keeping on topic here...

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Thanks for all the imput guys, my sketch review is today so I will let you know what I start running with. The side covers is a splendid idea as well imma bring that up w/ my professor. Stay posted for more info later today!