I'm going into the reupholstery business

[Ves]

I'm done with this seat and the hundreds of dollars people want for an improvement... Went on line the other day and bought this from Rochford Supply...

1 Sheet Firm HR 4128, 2 inch by 24 inch by 72 inch (seat foam)
1 Yard All Sport, 54", Black (No-Slip vinyl)
1 Can Rochford Heavy Duty Adhesive
Subtotal: $65.43

I sure as heck can't do any worse than BMW did...

[jfslater98]

Please grace us with pictures, when you get a chance. I would love to see the results!

[Ves]

I'll probably tackle this after the Arkansas ride... that way if I screw up my seat I'll have all winter to fix it... Will definitely post pics.. good or bad..
If I can get function and form it would be great... but my primary goal is function... that means flat, and wider in the rear...

[GypsyRR]

Ves:

I considered doing the same thing, but it wasn't because I was unhappy with the seat. It was because I wanted to keep the original tan seat that came with my bike, in pristine condition in case I ever sell. I bought the marine grade vinyl online for $25.00. Then I went to three local guys who recover furniture, or boat seats, or car seats. Prices ranged from "I don't do motorcycle seats to $125 and then $375.00 (no foam/cushion added). So I asked the guy who quoted $125 about how he would do it. First of all, he told me one yard was not enough. It sure seems like it would be though, doesn't it? Then he explained the stitching and the stretching that is involved in keeping things tight enough to hold the foam/cushion in place. It seemed a lot more complicated than I had envisioned.

I think your plan is good, but you probably need to stitch pieces otherwise your are going to get 'gathering' around the edges where the seat curves. Anyway - I ended up with a two-tone seat instead of a solid gun metal grey seat (which would look really good on an '04 Rockster 80th Ed., btw). Since I had only bought one yard of the gun metal color, he added black to the edges to make it two toned. It's just a stock seat, but the stock seat has never bothered me. If I could, I'd have a different color for every mood, or for types of riding, or different destinations. Don't even get me started on purses and shoes!!!

Good luck. I too would like to see photos if it works out.

[Ves]

Ves:

... If I could, I'd have a different color for every mood, or for types of riding, or different destinations. Don't even get me started on purses and shoes!!!...

I'm way ahead of you... Actually I thought half a yard was enough for the front seat, I got the other half so I could make a matching purse... guess I'll have to hold off on the purse....

Seriously, I appreciate your input. I've never done it before, but it doesn't look like rocket science.... of course nothing does at first. I really don't want to get into stitching... (although, having lived in a household with three women who sewed, I do know my way around a sewing machine ). I'm hoping by making the curves gradual I should be able to avoid any gathers. We'll see.

I have the tall seat on the bike now, and actually that one is less comfortable than the low. I could just buy a low seat and I'd be fine, but that would be too easy...

It's going to be F&F (Fun and Frustration...)

[Ves]

The goods is here... Dang, that was fast... I think one yard of vinyl will do it... that's my Queen size bed it's practically covering... I think I'll have enough left over for that matching purse too...

[GypsyRR]

Take photos as you go, okay? I'd like to see how this works. I think it is doable. I just didn't and still don't have the time to try.

[OU812]

OK cheapy, where are the pics? You told me you were to post up tonight!

[Ves]

OK cheapy, where are the pics? You told me you were to post up tonight!

Hey, I got a life you know...

But here is the finished product!



If you want to read how I did it, go here.

[OU812]

Looks good! So, how does it "feel"?

[Ves]

Looks good! So, how does it "feel"?

Well, my back is still messed up so I can't really take it for a long ride, but hopefully I can get out today just to try it out. Just sitting on it, it definitely feels much better. My weight is much more distributed. Not only do I get better support in the rear but my thigh are also carrying some weight without me having to try and squeeze my knees together. That should be a huge improvement in comfort. Also, the combination of the very dense stock foam with the softer foam on top seems like a perfect combination.

I'm happy with how it turned out. If I was to do it again I'd try and get a staple gun that can get deep into the side channels of the seat pan (I've never seen one like that, but they must exist) to avoid all the hassle I had. Also, I'd use thinner staples ... maybe they would penetrate the seat pan more readily.

[orojk]

Ves, I also made a custom seat for my another bike (KLR650).

I used a heat gun to warm up the vinyl - it becomes softer, stretches better and makes less gathers.

Cheers,

[Ves]

Ves, I also made a custom seat for my another bike (KLR650).

I used a heat gun to warm up the vinyl - it becomes softer, stretches better and makes less gathers.

Cheers,

Hmmmmm.... doesn't the cloth backing limit the amount of stretch you can get out of it?

[orojk]

Yes, it does limit, but it is still easier to work with warmed up vinyl - it almost molds and memorizes the shape you stretch it on.

[Ves]

The verdict is in. Yesterday I went on my first all day ride with the bike since I redid the seat. That is THE most comfortable seat I have sat on in my 27 years of riding. Absolutely no pressure points, no pain, no unwanted movement.

The combination of very firm stock seat foam with the cushier layer on top gives the ideal combination of support and conformance.

The non-slip vinyl is kind of amazing... you literally can not slide on it... to reposition your self you have to at least partially rise off the seat and put your self down in the new spot.

Also, I'm a member of the "barely flatfoot" crowd now. With the additional side padding, when I put my legs down they are barely touching ground. There is pressure on the inside of my thighs when ever I have my legs down, which of course means I get good thigh support while riding. Clearly that's a better solution than to have huge sidecuts on the seat (make it easy to touch ground, with no support while riding).

I'm a happy camper, and I'll be doing this to all my seats...