Technical: Buddy Seats
Scott Lange, Jerry Raino, Jack Raino, Dave Carlton, Erik Hoopes, Dave Hennessey, et al.
This article attempts to enumerate which seats were available on new motorcycles, either Standard or Optional, as well as which seats were available as Accessories or Spare Parts. Harley-Davidson's 1993 Book, The Legend Begins (“TLB”) is our primary source for what was standard and what was optional on a new bike. TLB shows the actual dealer's Season Order Blank through 1957. After that, we must rely on TLB's descriptive text, which may or not be completely accurate.
From 1952 through 1960, the solo Saddle was standard. Starting in 1961, one of several Dual Seats were standard.
In most years, you could order your bike with a Buddy Seat In Place Of (IPO) the standard seat for an additional fee. However, the availability of this option sometimes differed between XLH and XLCH models. The IPO fee was less than purchasing a Buddy Seat as an Accessory. This was really a bad deal for the purchaser, as you would then only have one seat. For only a few dollars more, you could have had both...
From 1952 through 1958, the Buddy Seat was specific to the K and XL motorcycles. Beginning in 1959, the Buddy Seat became a “universal” model, which would fit Sportsters, the Hummer-series, and later the Sprint-series of motorcycles. Different sets of Buddy Seat Fittings were used to adapt the seat to the particular model motorcycle. As Accessories or Spare Parts, one would purchase the Buddy Seat and Handrail, and also the Buddy Seat Fittings appropriate to the particular motorcycle.
During the early 1960's, TLB's descriptive text shows an IPO part number, which represents a complete “kit” of the Buddy Seat and Handrail -and- the Buddy Seat Fittings. This was probably just an option code for the reduced price IPO, and the “set” was probably not available as an Accessory or Spare Parts. At the end of this article is a list showing the correspondence between IPO numbers and what was supplied for them.
Finally, there's the great 1965 to 1969 XLCH Solo Saddle Mystery — very little is known about this optional saddle, and few examples exist. We present some conjecture, but may never definitively solve the mystery.
Click on the illustrations of the seats for your year to see more details and photos of examples.
1952 – Model K
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S T D |
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Description: The solo Saddle 52010-52 was standard equipment. This saddle is much shorter front-to-rear than the 1954 and later saddles. It uses the 51902 Saddle Bar cpt (seat tee). |
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O P T |
None |
Description: No seat option was listed on the 1952 Season Order Blank. |
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A C C |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 and fittings were available as Spare Parts. The seat is flat, and has a leather covering. The Buddy Seat Handle 52547-52 was flat. |
1953 – Model K & KK
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S T D |
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Description: The solo Saddle 52010-52 was standard equipment, with no change from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 was optional IPO the standard saddle. The Buddy Seat did not change from the previous year. |
1954 – Model KH
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S T D |
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Description: A new Saddle 52010-54 appeared in 1954. This saddle was much longer front-to-rear than the -52 version. A new Saddle Bar cpt. 51902-54 was used. Both the Saddle and Saddle Bar were used through 1969, except for the 1965-1969 XLCH. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 was optional IPO the standard saddle. No change from the previous year. |
1955 – Model KH & KHK
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 Version 2 was optional IPO the standard saddle. The Buddy Seat uses the same frame and is the same size, but it now has a Royalite covering, and has a raised lip at the rear. The part numbers of the Buddy Seat Complete, and Buddy Seat Top only did not change, although they should have. For this reason, we'll call this one “Version 2” The Buddy Seat Handle is the same as used on 1952-1954. This new version was shown in the 1955 Accessory Catalog, and may have been a mid-year change. |
1956 – Model KH & KHK
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 Version 2 was optional IPO the standard saddle. No change from the previous year. |
1957 – Model XL
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 Version 3 was optional IPO the standard saddle. However, the Buddy Seat Handle 52547-52A replaced the previous one. This new Buddy Seat Handle is not flat. Instead, it rises upwards about the amount as the height of the seat lip, to make it easier to grab. |
1958 – Model XL & XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 Version 3 was optional IPO the standard saddle. However, the Buddy Seat Handle 52547-52A replaced the previous one. This new Buddy Seat Handle is not flat. Instead, it rises upwards about the amount as the height of the seat lip, to make it easier to grab. |
1958 – Model XLC & XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
None |
Description: There was no option for a Buddy Seat listed in TLB, and the 1959 Spare Parts Catalog says “all Sportsters except XLCH” for the Buddy Seat. |
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A C C |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52517-52 Version 3 (described under 1958 XL & XLH, above) and fittings were available as an Accessory or as Spare Parts. |
1959 – Model XL & XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The 52516-59 Buddy Seat replaced the previous version, and was optional IPO the standard saddle. It was a radically different design. The black vinyl top had front to rear shallow ridges (almost like corduroy), while the sides were smooth. It had a squared-off nose, and a metal band with rivets held the cover to the seat frame. The handrail changed to the 52625-59 version. This seat was used only in 1959. |
1959 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
None |
Description: There was no option for a Buddy Seat listed in TLB, and the 1959 Spare Parts Catalog says “all Sportsters except XLCH” for the Buddy Seat. |
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A C C |
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Description: The 52516-59 Buddy Seat, (described under 1959 XL and XLH, above) and fittings were available as an Accessory or as Spare Parts. |
1960 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The new 52486-60 Version 1 Buddy Seat was optional IPO the standard saddle. It had a pointy nose, both the top and sides were smooth vinyl. There was some stiching on the top rear of the seat, apparently for an internal reinforcement. It retained the metal band at the bottom which was riveted to the seat frame. The 52625-59 handrail continued in use. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The Fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1960 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The Saddle 52010-54 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
None |
Description: There was no option for a Buddy Seat listed in TLB. |
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A C C |
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Description: The new 52486-60 Version 1 Buddy Seat, (described under 1960 XLH, above).
The Fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1961 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat replaced the solo Saddle as the standard seat. From now through 1969, a Dual Seat (this one, or its 1966 replacement) would be the standard. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat remained the same as the previous year. However, starting in 1961, the fittings for the XLH and XLCH were different. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLH fittings were sold separately as 52508-61 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1961 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat replaced the solo Saddle as the standard seat. From now through 1969, a Dual Seat (this one, or its 1966 replacement) would be the standard. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat remained the same as the previous year. However, starting in 1961, the fittings for the XLH and XLCH were different. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLCH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1962 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat remained the same as the previous year. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLH fittings were sold separately as 52508-61 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1962 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat remained the same as the previous year. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
||||||||
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A C C |
|
Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLCH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1963 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat changed to 52486-60 Version 2. The cover changed to one with side-to-side creases at the rear. The metal band at the bottom where the seat cover was rivited to the frame remains as before. There was no part number change, hence the “Version 2” designation. The 1963 Accessory Catalog shows the Version 2 seat. The 1963 Parts Catalog still shows the Version 1 seat. It is possible that the change occurred before 1963. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1963 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat changed to 52486-60 Version 2. The cover changed to one with side-to-side creases at the rear. The metal band at the bottom where the seat cover was rivited to the frame remains as before. There was no part number change, hence the “Version 2” designation. The 1963 Accessory Catalog shows the Version 2 seat. The 1963 Parts Catalog still shows the Version 1 seat. It is possible that the change occurred before 1963. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLCH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1964 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52486-60 Version 2 remains unchanged from the previous year. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLH fittings were sold separately as 52508-61 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1964 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52021-61 Dual Seat is unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The Buddy Seat 52486-60 Version 2 remains unchanged from the previous year. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
|
Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in three colors listed below.
The XLCH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1965 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The Dual Seat 52020-61 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The new 52486-60A Buddy Seat appears. This seat has the same style cover as the previous version with the side-to-side creases, but the seat cover is now replaceable. At the bottom is a rigid rubber strip, and a number of metal clips hold the seat to the frame. The seat is only available in Black & White or All-White, although a replacement cover in Red & White was available. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in two colors listed below.
The XLH fittings were sold separately as 52508-61 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
1965 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The Dual Seat 52020-61 was unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: The new 52486-60A Buddy Seat appears as it does on the XLH. TLB lists the IPO options under the following part numbers. These represent the Buddy Seat and Handrail plus the XLCH Buddy Seat Fittings.
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A C C |
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Description: Although not well documented, it is probable that the 52013-65 Solo Saddle and Fittings was available as an Accessory. TLB does not list an optional solo Saddle for 1965, as it does for 1966-1969. However, the 1965 and 1967 Parts Catalog show 52000-40 Saddle as fitting the XLCH. This appears to be a WR or WRTT saddle which takes a special seat tee. |
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A C C |
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Description: As Accessories or Spare Parts, the Buddy Seat and Handrail was available in two colors listed below.
The XLCH fittings were sold separately as 52508-59 Buddy Seat Fittings. |
Notes: 1966 – 1969: TLB is a little confusing regarding optional equipment. In some instances, it appears that an optional Solo Saddle or Buddy Seat was furnished IPO the standard Dual Seat. In others, it appears they may have simply been Accessories that were supplied along with the motorcycle. Regardless, we have listed them as “Options” since they could be ordered with a new motorcycle.
It appears that both the Solo Saddles and Buddy Seats could be ordered as Accessories or Spare Parts.
1966 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 Saddle-Standard Dual (Sprint Type) replaced the Dual Seat as the standard seat. This seat was inherited from the Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson Sprint motorcycles, and was also used on the 1966 Hummer-series Bobcat. It was again black vinyl, but was longer front to rear, and not quite as “blocky-looking” as the previous one. There is a rounded chrome strip covering the cover/frame junction, but it does not extend around the nose. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the 52013-60 Solo Saddle and Fittings as an “Optional Custom Feature”. It is unclear whether this was an IPO, or simply supplied along with the motorcycle, but we have listed it as an option. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the Buddy Seat (Black & White or All white) as an option included in the Highway Cruiser Group #SPH5. |
1966 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: As with the 1966 XLH (described above), the 52012-66 Saddle-Stand Dual (Sprint Type) replaced the Dual Seat as the standard seat. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the 52013-65 Solo Saddle and Fittings as an “Optional Custom Feature”. It is unclear whether this was an IPO, or simply supplied along with the motorcycle, but we have listed it as an option. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the Buddy Seat under “Optional Custom Features” with the IPO part numbers below. Although the IPO part numbers are -60A, it is believed the actual Buddy Seats were the -60B versions.
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1967 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 remains unchanged from the previous year, although TLB now calls it Saddle, Dual Purpose. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number) as an “Optional Additional Equipment” for the XLH. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Buddy Seat (Black & White or White) under “Optional Highway Cruiser Group Equipment” |
1967 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 remains unchanged from the previous year, although TLB now calls it Saddle, Dual Purpose. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number given) as one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment” for the XLCH. The choices were:
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the Buddy Seats as “one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment”. See, Solo Saddle and Fittings, above. |
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1968 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 Saddle, Dual Purpose remains unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number) as an “Optional Additional Equipment” for the XLH. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Buddy Seat (Black & White or White) under “Optional Highway Cruiser Group Equipment” |
1968 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 Saddle, Dual Purpose remains unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number given) as one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment” for the XLCH. The choices were:
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists the Buddy Seats as “one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment”. See, Solo Saddle and Fittings, above. |
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1969 – Model XLH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 Saddle, Dual Purpose remains unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number) as an “Optional Additional Equipment” for the XLH. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Universal Buddy Seat (Black & White or White) as part of the Highway Cruiser Group. |
1969 – Model XLCH
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S T D |
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Description: The 52012-66 Saddle, Dual Purpose remains unchanged from the previous year. |
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Solo Saddle and Fittings (no part number given) as one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment” for the XLCH. The choices were:
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O P T |
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Description: TLB lists a Buddy Seat (no part number given) as one of the choices under “Optional Standard Equipment” for the XLCH. See, Solo Saddle, above. |
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1960 - 1964 “In Place Of” Part Numbers
| IPO# | Color | Buddy Seat + Handrail |
Buddy Seat Fittings |
Original On |
| 42495-60 | Black & White | 52486-60 | 52508-59 | 1960 XLH, 1961-1964 XLCH |
| 42496-60 | Red & White | 52488-60 | 52508-59 | 1960 XLH, 1961-1964 XLCH |
| 42497-60 | All White | 52490-60 | 52508-59 | 1960 XLH, 1961-1964 XLCH |
| 42495-61 | Black & White | 52486-60 | 52508-61 | 1961-1964 XLH |
| 42495-61 | Red & White | 52488-60 | 52508-61 | 1961-1964 XLH |
| 42497-61 | All White | 52490-60 | 52508-61 | 1961-1964 XLH |
1965 - 1966 “In Place Of Part” Numbers
| IPO# | Color | Buddy Seat + Handrail |
Buddy Seat Fittings |
Original On |
| 42495-60A | Black & White | 52486-60A | 52508-59 | 1965-1966 XLCH |
| 42497-60A | All White | 52490-60A | 52508-59 | 1965-1966 XLCH |
| 42495-61A | Black & White | 52486-60A | 52508-61 | 1965-1966 XLH |
| 42497-61A | All White | 52490-60A | 52508-61 | 1965-1966 XLH |
