Hi Al, i doubt gel seat will help with your back, but should ease the hip discomfort, ii've got 3 discs which dance, and hips ache with lack of circulation when riding, so i have raised bars, and lowered footpegs on the bird i decided for my tootle around europe that my 'custom' seat wasnt comfortable enough, even tho it was sold as a 'gel' seat, so decided i'd do it myself now can say it much improves riding time here's the steps i took, not just adding gel, but making more "cradle" to the seat, i forgot to picture step 7 , adding memory foam onto gelpad(its a must for spreading weight points and keeping high temp away) http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/mrrushwind/slideshow/reform%20seat if thats not viable then i can recommend the service from Tony Archer top bloke for seats, will do your own same day if you pre-arrange a nd take it