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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 16:51 - 17 Mar 2024 Post subject: Seat rebuilding - DIY tips? |
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I'm thinking of making a slightly more comfortable seat for the Husky and wondering if anyone has any tips. I'll probably start with a second-hand Svartpilen seat:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/p98AAOSwnxxljFRc/s-l640.jpg
As that cuts the work in half, literally Might keep the original cover, might buy something jazzy, not really important.
Here's a back profile:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tIsAAOSwKBBljFRb/s-l640.jpg
Any tips for materials, layers, tools, etc. ? Something like a firm foam base and a gel layer on top? ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 17:01 - 17 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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Heat gun is your friend for covering it. And a staple gun. And a staple remover so you can use tacking staples to hold it roughly where it wants to be and pull it down the rest of the way once it's more in order then take them out.
People generally use the high density upholstery foam made from chopped bits of other foam. An old fashioned electric carving knife is the ideal tool for shaping it, but they are getting hard to find these days. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 17:07 - 17 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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Heat gun - check, staple guns - check. This is why I thought I might give it a go ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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MCN |
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MCN Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:18 - 17 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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I've put on offer on a decent looking eBay seat, most likely they'll accept come the morrow. We'll see what it's made of.
The back end in the photo looks fat but I doubt the bit you actually sit on comprises even half an inch of foam. Dirt bikes seats are more luxurious. In contrast, the old fella's bought a new seat for his Breakout:
https://saddlemen.com/image/cache/catalog/data/product/813-27-029LS-1000x1000.jpg
Two-wheeled armchair. ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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jeffyjeff |
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jeffyjeff World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 12:42 - 18 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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The offers have been accepted on the eBay parts. My Vitpilen seat is a single "long bench" whereas the Svartpilen is in two bits. I'm 99% sure the two systems are interchangeable Anyhoo, premium effort on the front riders half but no need to reupholster the rear pillion part
Be interesting to see what the faux-leather/vinyl is like unpicked and laid flat - see how the ppl punting custom covers justify >£200. ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 15:46 - 19 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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1) I recovered my XJ550 seat a year or so back. The top inch or so of foam was old and 'crusty' so I cut it out and replaced with memory foam. seems better but not ridden it for a long journey yet.
2) I also recovered theFZ seat but I used glue (like CT1) rather than staples cos I didn't have staple gun at that point. This also worked OK but I used lots of clamps and spring clips to keep the cover taut while the glue set- I also did it in stages starting at the front.
3) You can buy 'two way stretch' vinyl which stretches in err, two planes. this will make your life easier. ____________________ Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750
Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600 |
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 17:28 - 19 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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FYI there's a factory option for an "ergo seat" something like €180 but no one seems to rate it as any more comfortable, just looks jazzy. I mention it as for covers the only off-the-peg option seems to be hand-made Italian leather at > €200 Given I can't see any cheaper offerings I'm assuming everyone's making their own seat covers! The second-hand seat combo turns up tomorrow so in the meantime I'm enjoying a nice cup of tea and researching how people make custom seat. Fuck me, what a rabbit hole
Gel inserts seem to attract mixed opinions: plebs rave about 'em and custom seat makers suggest you wouldn't need such things if the work was done correctly in the first place. Oh, and apparently you want orthopaedic gel not the cheap eBay stuff
As for the foam base, I thought I'd look at how my Noble gaming chair is built and they boast they use 60kg/m3 high density foam (~3.7lb/ft3) but that doesn't take into account the firmness Standard heavy duty upholstery foam is ~3.5lb/ft3 in comparison.
But wait! Seat covers are billed as "mostly water resistant" so maybe what you actually want is waterproof "Closed Cell Polyethylene Foam." Translation: yoga mat And of course the density/firmness is completely different to upholstery foam.
Maybe top it all off with a memory foam layer and it's starting to look like one of those epic sandwiches Shaggy makes in Scooby Doo ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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Ayrton |
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Ayrton World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 12:42 - 20 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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I was going to do my SV seat and found this site pretty helpful. It's not on the internet anymore though so you've got to use the archive to view it.
https://web.archive.org/web/20190228143932/https://diymotorcycleseat.com/foam-types/
Never did get around to doing the seat. I bought some yoga mat to use as a base and then a thin Polyurethane foam to go over the top just to smooth things out. I don't really want a super soft seat I just wanted it a little wider to spread the weight more |
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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UncleFester |
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UncleFester World Chat Champion
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 14:44 - 20 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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Second-hand seat (front and back parts) just turned up and I think I've got quite lucky. For what's supposedly a 2021 part the front bit barely shows any evidence of use, certainly I can reuse the cover if needed. (BTW I didn't buy the one pictured.)
TBH the only alternative I'd consider would be Alcantara EXO in either black or charcoal. Seems a bit OTT though, more of flex "oh yah, custom seat, donchaknow" and that wouldn't square with my low-key, humble and unpretentious persona ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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that_impulse_guy |
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that_impulse_guy Scooby Slapper
Joined: 07 Mar 2023 Karma :
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Posted: 15:18 - 20 Mar 2024 Post subject: |
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as much as some find him marmite, Delboys garage did a video today on refoaming a seat. Using camping roll-up mats/yoga mats. (closed cell foam)
and also fwiw, I recovered my seats in 4 way stretchy vinyl off ebay (about £15 worth) and a staple gun all by myself. Needed heat from a hairdryer to get it to stretch nicely around trickier curves but did it on the floor while watching tv and didnt take half an hour. ____________________ Gone: Yamaha DT50lc, Suzuki DR500, Suzuki A100, Kawasaki z250ltd, RD350YPVS, Suzuki DR Big, Kawasaki AR125, Kawasaki KMX200, Suzuki GS1000S, Katana 1100, GS550M, Suzuki RGV250
Now: Suzuki GSX400X, Suzuki RF900R, NS400R |
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