M796... can't get the seat off!

06-07-2015, 09:18 PM

Just won't budge at all, key is turning a small amount but the latch isn't going. I've tried putting a load of pressure on the rear (even sat on it!) but no budging.

Anyone got any ideas?!

Albie · 06-07-2015, 09:23 PM

if it has a tail tidy it may be possible to unbolt or lower to see what's going on under there.

07-07-2015, 07:01 AM

Give it a good whack with a closed fist where the lock mechanism is whilst trying to turn the key..... Then grease it all once it's off

07-07-2015, 11:26 AM

This happened on mine after fitting a tail tidy.

First take off seat cowl. Then get someone to work the key back and forth while you press and pull up on the back edge of the seat.

When mine came off I found one of the screws holding the locking mechanism to the subframe was loose (my fault)!!!!

If it don't come off you going to start stripping things off.

Good luck.

10-07-2015, 01:06 PM

So after further investigation and trying the above with no luck I have come to the conclusion that when the prev owner fitted the tail tidy (and quite badly fitted at that) he has buggered the mechanism.

What's the easiest way to get at the mechanism when I can't get the seat off?

jonzi · 10-07-2015, 01:38 PM

can't you take the tail tidy off from underneath?

You'll be able to get to the seat catch then.

10-07-2015, 02:39 PM

I have it off! It turns out the latch does turn correctly but not quite fully, something is preventing it opening fully and so 1 or 2mm of the latch are still catching on the seat preventing it from coming off. If I lean on it in a particular manner I can prize the seat off though.

I've WD40'd the mechanism as a starter, if it's still causing a problem I now know how to get the seat off and I can go in and clean it up properly.

jonzi · 10-07-2015, 02:43 PM

You might find that the cable is not able to move as freely as it should. Its quite tight in there.

Might be worth having a look at that

10-07-2015, 04:26 PM

Ah right thanks jonzi I'll take a look!

chris.p · 10-07-2015, 06:14 PM

Did you fit the tail tidy, but if so you may have trapped the cable??

11-07-2015, 09:27 AM

The Ducati tail tidy comes with a shorter mechanism cable to do away with the long loop of the original cable. Wonder if you can get this part as a separate item ?

06-07-2015, 09:18 PM	#1
jsnape Guest Posts: n/a	M796... can't get the seat off! Just won't budge at all, key is turning a small amount but the latch isn't going. I've tried putting a load of pressure on the rear (even sat on it!) but no budging. Anyone got any ideas?!

06-07-2015, 09:23 PM	#2
Albie Fanactical volunteer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent Bike: M900 Posts: 9,033	if it has a tail tidy it may be possible to unbolt or lower to see what's going on under there. __________________ http://albies93m900.blogspot.co.uk/

10-07-2015, 01:38 PM	#6
jonzi Mary Mary Quite Contrary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Berkhamsted Bike: M796 Posts: 1,398	can't you take the tail tidy off from underneath? You'll be able to get to the seat catch then. __________________ #48

10-07-2015, 02:43 PM	#8
jonzi Mary Mary Quite Contrary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Berkhamsted Bike: M796 Posts: 1,398	You might find that the cable is not able to move as freely as it should. Its quite tight in there. Might be worth having a look at that __________________ #48

07-07-2015, 07:01 AM	#3
JMH900sie Guest Posts: n/a	Give it a good whack with a closed fist where the lock mechanism is whilst trying to turn the key..... Then grease it all once it's off

07-07-2015, 11:26 AM	#4
Lucas 796 Guest Posts: n/a	This happened on mine after fitting a tail tidy. First take off seat cowl. Then get someone to work the key back and forth while you press and pull up on the back edge of the seat. When mine came off I found one of the screws holding the locking mechanism to the subframe was loose (my fault)!!!! If it don't come off you going to start stripping things off. Good luck.

10-07-2015, 01:06 PM	#5
jsnape Guest Posts: n/a	So after further investigation and trying the above with no luck I have come to the conclusion that when the prev owner fitted the tail tidy (and quite badly fitted at that) he has buggered the mechanism. What's the easiest way to get at the mechanism when I can't get the seat off?

10-07-2015, 02:39 PM	#7
jsnape Guest Posts: n/a	I have it off! It turns out the latch does turn correctly but not quite fully, something is preventing it opening fully and so 1 or 2mm of the latch are still catching on the seat preventing it from coming off. If I lean on it in a particular manner I can prize the seat off though. I've WD40'd the mechanism as a starter, if it's still causing a problem I now know how to get the seat off and I can go in and clean it up properly.

10-07-2015, 04:26 PM	#9
jsnape Guest Posts: n/a	Ah right thanks jonzi I'll take a look!

10-07-2015, 06:14 PM	#10
chris.p Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: lincoln Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 876	Did you fit the tail tidy, but if so you may have trapped the cable??

11-07-2015, 09:27 AM	#11
Lucas 796 Guest Posts: n/a	The Ducati tail tidy comes with a shorter mechanism cable to do away with the long loop of the original cable. Wonder if you can get this part as a separate item ?