C15 seat base warped

[Tigerfeet]

I managed to obtain the correct seat base for my late model C15, and I've had a local engineer weld a couple of plates over the usual cracks around the bracket bolts. I've got the seat base back and tried to fit it, and I find that it now has a twenty degree twist along its length. I can twist it straight in my hands, but it just springs straight back to its new twisted shape. Are there any metal bashing experts on here who can advise me? Is it now junk? Or is there some way of persuading it back to its previous untwisted shape?

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

It must have been the heat of the welding that caused it to warp.  Try asking the welder to clamp the base in the position it should be, perhaps not actually flat, and heat it up to take the stress out of it.

Dave.

[V500]

Is it now junk? Or is there some way of persuading it back to its previous untwisted shape?

Yes, clamp it firmly to the bench and twist it past the desired angle, so when it springs back it'll hopefully then be correct.

[Tigerfeet]

Excellent - sounds positive. Is there any chance I could do it myself with a hot air gun? Or a plumber's soldering blow torch?

[Barnsey]

I'd go with the blow torch.  I doubt a hot air gun would get hot enough. 

  BTW,  I have just replaced my saddle, so the old saddle base, foam and new cover are available if any help.
And, yes, it has the splits in it.  I am in Hampshire.

  I bought a new cover before I found out the condition of the base. I seriously thought about doing a refurbishment but then splashed the cash and bought a complete new saddle.      Ian

[Tigerfeet]

I'm doing the black cover with diagonal white piping, used on the 1965/1966 base that has parallel sides. If you've got a cover and foam for that shape I could be interested?

[Barnsey]

My C15 is from 1962 I think, on an A plate. It is a very simple plank saddle. 
Just like the one on here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_C15

 If any help then drop me a line.   

[neil1964]

If doing a BSA seat I would always go to RK Leighton in Birmingham. His son had taken the business over now but in term of fit and quality I've not seen better. 

[Tigerfeet]

That's my plan Neil.  Just need to get time and a clear bench to get on with the untwisting first!

[Tigerfeet]

I've succesfully untwisted the seat base. I was able to engage the front bracket into the frame mounting bolt. Then a good bit of heat and some determined twisting did the trick.

[V500]

Good. Another seat base saved.