Making my own seat - covered
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
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From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
Making my own seat - covered
I've decided to make my own seat from scratch as I like the look of the low profile seats but the price and lack of comfort has put me off buying a ready made one. So using some hints found on other web sites and old fibreglassing experience I've made a seat pan so far and will keep this updated if there's interest. the end result, jopefull will be a brown leather seat that fits me perfectly ! I can email larger photos if anyone wants them ... pm me.
Any hints and tips from you all would be great ... please !
Now I need to build up the pan, apply padding, waterproof and leather cover ... pictures to follow !
I just hope it doesn't all go wrong from here, pretty happy with it so far.
Mat
Any hints and tips from you all would be great ... please !
Started by masking the area:
Cover the bike so no over spill:
Retape with aluminum tape and cover in PVA releasing agent:
Apply fibreglass:
Released from bike:
Trimmed seat pan on bike:
Cover the bike so no over spill:
Retape with aluminum tape and cover in PVA releasing agent:
Apply fibreglass:
Released from bike:
Trimmed seat pan on bike:
Now I need to build up the pan, apply padding, waterproof and leather cover ... pictures to follow !
I just hope it doesn't all go wrong from here, pretty happy with it so far.
Mat
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,225
From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
ORIGINAL: matkiwi
I've decided to make my own seat from scratch as I like the look
of the low profile seats but the price and
lack of comfort has put me off buying a ready made one.
So using some hints found on other web sites and old fibreglassing experience
I've made a seat pan so far and will keep this updated if there's interest.
.................................................. ...........
I've decided to make my own seat from scratch as I like the look
of the low profile seats but the price and
lack of comfort has put me off buying a ready made one.
So using some hints found on other web sites and old fibreglassing experience
I've made a seat pan so far and will keep this updated if there's interest.
.................................................. ...........
Be sure to keep the updates coming.
I made my pan earlier this year,
and haven't sent it out yet for padding and upholstery.
I may change my mind and do it myself
after I see what you do.
mud
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
Added hard foam to the base ... I know its been a while, i've been travelling for work for the last week or so ... going to try and add the cushioning later tonight and get it ready for covering. Will post pictures as i go.
I used the foam in a can you can buy for filling holes in houses etc as a moulding compound then roughly shaped it for my bum and a back support, went for a ride then trimmed it where it was least comfortable ... it sure was hard without any soft foam !
I used the foam in a can you can buy for filling holes in houses etc as a moulding compound then roughly shaped it for my bum and a back support, went for a ride then trimmed it where it was least comfortable ... it sure was hard without any soft foam !
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
soft foam, applied in layers ... added more by feel till it feels balanced then covered in a single sheet of 1/2" upholstery foam.
next step is to cover in waterproof plastic and make a pattern for the leather cover ... that's next weekend's pottering.
Mat
next step is to cover in waterproof plastic and make a pattern for the leather cover ... that's next weekend's pottering.
Mat
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
Wow! very resourcefull, I am indeed impressed!
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Cruiser
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RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
Nice work. Looking forward to seeingthe outcome.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,225
From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
ORIGINAL: matkiwi
soft foam, applied in layers ...
added more by feel till it feels balanced
then covered in a single sheet of 1/2" upholstery foam.
next step is to cover in waterproof plastic
and make a pattern for the leather cover ...
that's next weekend's pottering.
Mat
soft foam, applied in layers ...
added more by feel till it feels balanced
then covered in a single sheet of 1/2" upholstery foam.
next step is to cover in waterproof plastic
and make a pattern for the leather cover ...
that's next weekend's pottering.
Mat
Keep us posted on the progress.
mud
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Making my own seat - Stage one, the seat pan
OK I've covered the seat ... first plastic to water proof the foam and upholstery glue to stick it down ... then started making a pattern using some thick denim to save wasting the leather i'd bought ... decided it looked good in denim so i'm going to try that for now ! I'll take a photo on the bike if its dry tomorrow.
It looks a little baggy but that's to allow give when i'm on it ... the idea is to wear it in and let it age and form creases etc
pics:
It looks a little baggy but that's to allow give when i'm on it ... the idea is to wear it in and let it age and form creases etc
pics: