Seat hinges compatibility for a regular seat

[Justjub]

I just bought a ''as new'' original seat at a very low price (30$). Lucky me, I was wondering how a regular seat would feel instead of the low seat that came with my new bike!
It was from a K100 1992. The seat seams to fit good except there is a 1/2'' space between the seat and the tank. I did not unglued the low seat middle bracket yet, but I doubt it will correct this gap once removed. Does someone can confirm me this?

Also about the hinges, I read the nice topic Frankenduck wrote in 2012. He specify the hinges are different from year to year, but do not specify what kind of difference it is. So in short, which ones do I need to look for? The seat is from 1992 and my bike is from 1993.

86 and newer non-low seats oughtta fit all 86 and newer motobricks except the k1... some require different hardware... 85 and older non-low seats are unique to themselves and are not interchangeable with 86 and newer...

1984 to 1985 seat hinges are different than 1986 to 1997...

1986 to 1992 hinges are different than 1984 to 1985 and 1993 to 1997...

1993 to 1997 hinges are different than 1984 to 1992...

About the gray color, if I keep it instead of my low seat I don't know if I'll keep it gray or change the cover. I hesitate about the look it gives, but I really like the fact that the gray is not common while still being an original part (is it?!)!  :euro

[Filmcamera]

 Have you already removed the low seat latch which sits on top of the ECU? If not that might account for the gap

[Justjub]

Nope not yet! I was waiting to have in hands all the requiered parts for the swap. The latch seams easy to remove, so I'll confirm this tomorrow but I am sure you pointed my problem correctly because I did not looked for this. Thanks!

[Justjub]

Unfortunately it did not seams to sit on the low seat latch as told by you Filmcamera. Can someone confirm me a 1992 seat will fit on a 1993 frame? I am not sure because of the gap...
I found on maxbmwmotorcycles.com a good place to look for parts numbers, but the seats/hinges items do not seams to be completely accurate. Can someone point me a good online place where I could look for parts numbers and check part interchangeability between each years? :)

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Real OEM will give you correct part numbers for your bike as well as tell you what other years and models use the same parts. 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select

You will need the last 7 digits of your bike's VIN to enter into the system.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Looking at your photo it is hard to see the gap because of the tank bag strap that seems to go down the back of the tank.  From what I can see it looks like the seat is being forced back about 1/4" toward the rear cowling.  I know that there is a small amount of adjustability in the seat hinge from side to side, not sure if there is any from front to rear.

The seat also appears to not be sitting on the frame at the front end.  This will also contribute to the gap at the front.  Are the rubber feet under the seat sitting on the frame?  Is there a gap under them?  Is the seat sitting on the tool box?

I have three K bikes and the seat is not a close fit to the tank on any of them.  And there is a bit of a gap between the rear of the seat and the cowl as well.  I would estimate the gaps to be around 1/8"-1/4" on all of them.

[Justjub]

Great Mighty Gryphon! I think you helped me find an answer I was looking for a while. With this database you gave me access to a lot of information and you know information is power..! It will help me find the compatible hinges and seat.

You may mark some good points in your observations. Yeah as you observed the front is not completely sitted on the frame, but when I push it down, the rubbers become in contact with the frame and the gap do not reduce that much. As for the fit with the rear, I tried to place it where it seams to sit naturally, but without the hinges I may have place it on the wrong place... And 1/4'' may be the gap I could have if seated furter on the front! If you tell me this gap is normal, you may have reassured me. Also I just did an quick research and found a photo with a gap close to the one I have (see piture below). Thanks for your help. I will  keep you informed when I'll test it with all the parts I could find locally.

[Justjub]

Close up picture of the gap.