Wheelstand Pro Race Seat AKA "The Franken-Stand"

[Oshawa-Joe]

Inspired by a few pictures and such that I had seen on gtplanet, I decided to improve my set up. It consisted of a wheelstand pro, G27 with GTEYE brake upgrade, and an old folding camping chair. The project had to accomplish a few objectives:

1 Replace my current seat - a camping chair; preferably with a comfortable and supportive race seat.

2 Allow for quick and easy set up/ tear down, and storage. I race in the family room. I can't leave it in the middle of the room. This part is critical.

3 Needed to use my existing Wheelstand Pro. By itself it is already very stable and adjustable.

4 Design needs to be simple yet rock solid. I find people have a habit of complicating things a bit.

5 Project needs to be CHEAP. I hate spending more than I need to.

Updates to follow...

Wheelstand Pro with camping chair.

Wheelstand with raised front and heavy duty metal hanger.

Race Seat mounted on 2x4 frame

Clamping Hanging system

Putting it together

A few more notes:
- frame made of inexpensive 2x4 spruce lumber that will be painted black
- currently using plastic zip ties to hold a few things together. They will be replaced with a more permanent metal pipe strap. As it is everything is still incredibly rock solid. I am using the GTEYE brake spring upgrade and there is zero play or flex in the frame. ZERO.
-wood seat base is 18" wide by 27" long.
-the long metal picture hanging strip can be found at Lowes. It can be substituted with 2 small clamps I think.
-I am going to raise the front of the wheelstand by another 1-1/2 inches. Tested it with blocks and felt very good.
-set up and tear down takes 5 seconds!
-costs: wood $6, hardware $15, race seat $25 thanks to kijiji.

I'll put up a picture of the final version with the cleaned up frame and everything painted black.


EDIT: Almost done!

Proper sizing figured out, frame finished and painted. Revised frame is much more stable.

 

[mistersafeway]

Very nice work Joe.

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

Thanks safeway. It's very simple yet rock solid- will look much nicer once frame is fine tuned and painted. Looking at some pictures on GTP I think i go Fast (T/L) has the same seat. I wonder if it will make me faster???

 

[pilmat]

Looks awesome! Simple and efficient, two of my favorite things And the price is VERY cool

What is the extra clamp for that is just under the left side of the seat? Or was it just for the pedal mounting insurance?

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

The clamp I keep around for Sunday nights SNAIL SPEC racing. It's extra insurance for our 2 hours of racing to make sure I have no issues. That's what makes me think that 2 small clamps from the Dollar Store would also work instead of using the metal hanger bracket. That would be even cheaper than the Hanger system.

 

[spooble]

Awesome! Is the seat on adjustable rails?

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

Yup. It slides and reclines.

 

[spooble]

I feel like such a moron. I've been looking everywhere for a cheap race seat to "start" my project, but couldn't find anything that I liked. Then, I mentioned it to a buddy last night and he reminded me that I recently bought a spare MR2, and it has excellent seats in it! Yeah... serious moron moment! So I'm gonna grab some wrenches and go extract it this weekend. (It's parked at a friend's house)

Next step... figure out how to build the wheel-and-pedals half of the rig so that it will fold down, without having to buy a Wheel Stand Pro.

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

Sounds great. I've had my wsp for over a year. I like it because very adjustable and takes up very little space but can definitely be substituted with a 2x4 frame. Have fun building your rig!

 

[spooble]

Looks good, Joe! Nice and simple. Did you stick with that picture hanging connector thing, or go a different route?

 

[Oshawa-Joe]

Im using the hanger. With the frame finished the hanger system feels as if it's bolted together. Very solid.

 

[Mayaman]

Sweet project man, love to see the innovation of our community. Inside every man is a designer crying to get out.