Seat removal advice please.

The bike is a 1979 R100RT.

It came with two seats - the standard and a Denfeld single seat. Since purchasing I have riden only with the Denfeld but at the weekend decided to switch them over. The Denfeld never latched down - just gravity doing its thing.

The original has latched down and I am unsure how to get it to open. My Haynes and Clymer Manuals are short on detail. I think I have the correct key for the lock but when inserted (in a vertical position) it turns just short of a quarter-turn clockwise. It feels as if it should go further but I have used a degree of force up to the point where I think the key might break in the lock.

Could someone start by just explaining the method of opening just so I am clear? Should it lock each time the seat is put into the down position? Is there another button or lever that should release it without the need for a key?

All comments welcome! Pictures and videos even more welcome!

Thanks

Try pushing the seat base away from you when pushing in the release pin.

Aha! So the seized pin next to the lock is the first part of releasing it is it? I did wonder about that but it is so solid I dismissed it as part of the opening process.

I'm off out to the shed!

lol - yep, pin should push in and seat should lift but sometimes catch on frame lip, hence pushing the seat away from you at the same time !

All sorted! A little penetrating oil on the button and a very gentle tap with a pin hammer has got the button working again.

Many thanks

Worth taking of the top of the seat latching mechanism, You will benefit if you clean and lubricate the parts, filing any burrs. I turned a slightly longer release pin in stainless and it makes it easier to operate. Ill turn one up for you if you don't have access to a lathe.

That's a really kind offer.

Unlike you, my shed is not warm! I am going to wait for some slightly better weather to dig in and see what the general condition of the latch and parts is. I doubt it has ever been worried about in the past - as long as it works!