How to Refurbish a Motorcycle Seat
- Assess Damage. The main issue was that the foam was "cooked": it became all crumbly, didn't come back to its original shape after I sat on it, was ...
- Tools and Materials. Fake leather or real leather if you have to redo the cover.
- Remove the Cover and Old Foam. I removed the stables from the cover and pulled on the old glue which came apart very easily. ...
- Clean Up the Seat Base. With the help of sandpaper, orbital sander, step-sister or brush wire, remove all the nasty stuff: foam, glue and rust.
- Jim Halpert. Pretty self-explanatory.
- Glue the Dense Foam. I cut the rough shape of the seat in the dense foam and glued it using neoprene glue. ...
- Carve the Foam. Using a bread knife, a dremel rotary tool with a metal cutting disk and sharpened fingernails (known in the foam beezwax as "the tools of ...
- Add a Thinner, Softer Foam. I used the latex foam as a way to homogeneize the surface, get a bit more comfort and add some tension under the ...
- Put the Cover Back, Glue It and You're Done :) And now you've got youself a new, comfy motorcycle seat! Did you make this project? ...
How to refurbish a motorcycle seat?
How to Refurbish a Motorcycle Seat. 1 Step 1: Assess Damage. The main issue was that the foam was "cooked": it became all crumbly, didn't come back to its original shape after I sat on it, ... 2 Step 2: Tools and Materials. 3 Step 3: Remove the Cover and Old Foam. 4 Step 4: Clean Up the Seat Base. 5 Step 5: Jim Halpert. More items
How do you fix a torn motorcycle seat?
Installing backing is a sure way to repair small tears in a motorcycle seat. Lift one edge of the tear just enough to insert the round end of a wooden ice cream stick below the seat covering. Work the stick flat between the seat covering and the foam padding to separate the adhesive bond that holds the covering to the padding.
Can motorcycle seat covers be repaired?
Small tears in motorcycle seats can be repaired using a simple procedure. Motorcycle seat covers are made from vinyl or leather. The type of vinyl used has a fabric backing that can tear along a thread line.
What causes a tear in a motorcycle seat?
When such a tear occurs in your motorcycle seat, it's important that you first analyze the scope of the problem. For most tears, it will simply be the outside covering of the seat material that has ripped.
How do I fix a tear in my bike seat?
2:175:02how to fix a bike saddle with a rip or tear - selle italia turbo - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere what i ended up doing was just using the side of the pen. Um just to roll it over just smoothMoreHere what i ended up doing was just using the side of the pen. Um just to roll it over just smooth it a bit smooth it a bit more.
What material is used for motorcycle seats?
Leather and vinyl are the two most common materials used to cover motorcycle seats. For those who use their bikes over short distances around the city, vinyl covering is the best.
What kind of foam do you use for motorcycle seats?
Two types of foam are most commonly used to make motorcycle seats. These are open-cell polyurethane foam and closed-cell polyethylene foam. According to It Still Runs, the main difference between these materials is their chemical composition. The foam is made in single pieces and layers.
How do you replace fabric on a motorcycle seat?
0:056:58Motorcycle Seat Cover Install - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first step in replacing a seat cover is to remove the old cover using a flat bladeMoreSo the first step in replacing a seat cover is to remove the old cover using a flat blade screwdriver go ahead and pop each staple out of the old seat. Cover.
How do you sew a motorcycle seat?
1:5612:34How to Sew a motorcycle seat. Basic's - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTogether we're just gonna do a butt seam down the center. And then a top. Stitch when you look at aMoreTogether we're just gonna do a butt seam down the center. And then a top. Stitch when you look at a butt seam a butt seam looks like. This.
How do you fix foam on a motorcycle seat?
3:0516:06Honda ATV TRX70 Gets a Seat Repair and Seat Cover Upholstery ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd some contact cement you know I've got the spray-on type.MoreAnd some contact cement you know I've got the spray-on type.
How do I make my motorcycle seat foam?
1:197:51Custom seat foam DIY, How to make a reproduction seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause honestly a motorcycle seat you don't need all that much. So the other thing you're going toMoreBecause honestly a motorcycle seat you don't need all that much. So the other thing you're going to need is some spray adhesive that works on foam.
Do gel pads work on motorcycle seats?
Gel motorcycle seat pads contain a polymer gel to cushion your body and relieve pressure points. Pros: Gel pads will relieve some of the pressure and some of the vibration on your rear. Compared to foam, they have a different feel that some riders prefer.
Is gel or memory foam better for bike seat?
The padded material in a bike saddle cushion will either be gel or memory foam. Gel is softer and more comfortable, so it's more popular with recreational cyclists. Whereas foam is firmer and more supportive, so is preferred by road riders and heavier (>200 lb) cyclists.
Can you reupholster a motorcycle seat?
It will take you a couple of hours, and considering it only costs $200 roughly (more or less, depending on where you live and the seat) to reupholster a motorcycle seat professionally, you might want to do that if you don't think it's worth your time.
How do you make a motorcycle seat cover?
0:0810:33How to pattern a motorcycle seat to make a cover. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd tape off half the c. So if we did right our c symmetrical. If we did wrong our c is notMoreAnd tape off half the c. So if we did right our c symmetrical. If we did wrong our c is not symmetrical then we'd have to pattern out the whole c. I know that this is symmetrical because i made.
What leather is best for motorcycle seat?
Stingray Skin Stingray is one of the best exotic leathers to use for a motorcycle seat. Naturally, stingray skin has fire and water-resistant qualities, making it great for the outdoors. Furthermore, the pebbled grain provides traction, so you don't end up sliding down on the seat.
What makes a comfortable motorcycle seat?
The padding in a motorcycle seat needs to work in a more versatile way. It needs to adjust and provide as much comfort when you are centered as when you lean for a turn or sit forward to brace for a stop. Not only does a seat need to take and distribute weight, it also needs to maintain temperature and breathe.
Is leather or vinyl better for motorcycle seats?
It really depends on the material used, but vinyl usually is softer, stretchier and some of the new materials actually “breathe” which makes them more comfortable. However, vinyl can create more friction with your backside and heat up more than leather on a long trip.
What leather is best for motorcycle seat?
Stingray Skin Stingray is one of the best exotic leathers to use for a motorcycle seat. Naturally, stingray skin has fire and water-resistant qualities, making it great for the outdoors. Furthermore, the pebbled grain provides traction, so you don't end up sliding down on the seat.
What are the different types of motorcycle seats?
The Different Types of Motorcycle Seats and Seat Pads: Foam, Gel, and AirFoam Motorcycle Seats. ... Gel Motorcycle Seats. ... Air Motorcycle Seats. ... Modified Seat Cushions. ... Sheepskin Motorcycle Seats. ... Classic Motorcycle Seats. ... Choose Seats That Provide Shock Absorption. ... Make Sure That Your Weight is Comfortably and Evenly Distributed.More items...•
How to repair a tear in a seat?
Step 1. Lift one edge of the tear just enough to insert the round end of a wooden ice cream stick below the seat covering. Work the stick flat between the seat covering and the foam padding to separate the adhesive bond that holds the covering to the padding. Create a 1-inch void the width of the tear.
What is a motorcycle seat cover made of?
Motorcycle seat covers are made from vinyl or leather. The type of vinyl used has a fabric backing that can tear along a thread line. Leather seat covers typically wear thin before they tear, leaving the area around the torn opening frayed and inconsistent. Tears in leather motorcycle seats are next to impossible to patch with any degree ...
Can you patch a tear in a motorcycle seat?
Tears in leather motorcycle seats are next to impossible to patch with any degree of reliability. Installing backing is a sure way to repair small tears in a motorcycle seat.
How do you restore a vinyl motorcycle seat?
Clean the surface of the vinyl seats with vinyl cleaner or with warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
Do gel pads work on motorcycle seats?
An Air Gel pad is designed to spread the rider’s weight out evenly across the whole seat, reducing pressure points that can cause pain while riding. Stopping to stretch your legs, and give your butt a break won’t be necessary as often with a gel motorcycle seat. Our seat pads can be used with or without the air.
What is the best material for a motorcycle seat?
Leather and vinyl are the two most common materials used to cover motorcycle seats. For those who use their bikes over short distances around the city, vinyl covering is the best. This is because it is not that durable if left outside for long but is still comfortable.
How can I make my motorcycle seat more comfortable?
Get a Seat Pad. One of the most popular ways you could fix it is to get a seat pad.
How do you fix tears in car upholstery?
Cut a piece of the fabric adhesive that’s larger than the hole, then tuck it into the torn area and put the fabric patch on top of it. Follow the directions on the adhesive and use an iron to heat the fabric and the adhesive. They should bond together and the adhesive should stick to the interior of the cloth.
How much does it cost to fix a tear in a car seat?
The results were well worth the effort, as this repair cost only $150 to $200, much less than a new leather upholstery job. Here’s how we succeeded in fixing the torn car seat, and how you can do the same. First, do your best to clean up the old upholstery.
How to test a car for a crash?
2) Test test and test again, accounting for how your legs are in driving position but also when they rest on the ground. 3) Go for a test ride.
Can a motorcycle seat break a ride?
The condition of your motorcycle seat can make or break a ride. It can transform a lovely automnal ride into a nightmare of butt-rearrangement and pain management. I'm about to leave for a 2000 km trip and the seat of my old honda was, well... passable at best. Which is fine for a casual ride but not for riding several days in a row.
Buy the best quality cover you can
Many car- and bike-related components have dropped in production quality recently, but replacement seat covers for motorcycles have suffered particularly badly. The race to produce the cheapest cover has made it difficult to find one worth your coin.
Splurge for an electric or pneumatic stapler
Along the same lines of argument, spend a few bucks and get yourself an electric or pneumatic stapler. In this case, I took a trip to Harbor Freight and bought the wide-crown pneumatic stapler. It’s just over $30 and will perfectly serve my needs.
Head to toe, then side to side
For off-road-type seats like this one, it’s easiest to start with the leading edge (which would sit against the gas tank). Get the material nice and centered and tack it in place with one or two staples. Then move to the rear of the seat, leaving the sides loose.
