Topic: frankenseat... more cosmetic than technical, but definately not humor or open

[Klark Kent]

my seat came to me with a seat that was separating at several seams (say that a few times fast, now that's technical) anyway my first thought was to sew it up with fishing line, and then maybe coat it with acrylic epoxy or some sort of flexible clearcoat to keep the stiches in.  is there a better way to do this or should i be doing something else?  I had sewn it up but a few other spots opened up.  not the ones i sewed just other weak seams on the seat.  Here's a pic.  it'll be good for a laugh anyway 
-KK

[puppytrax]

I think you should send it to tintin so he can practice...   

[Tim.]

Let me at it!

[Uncle Ernie]

Rawhide lacing. The bomb.

[TwoTired]

If you enjoy the whack a mole game, you'll enjoy repeatedly repairing that seat.  The stock seat pattern is embossed vinyl.  Meaning the "stitching" and pattern is melted into the vinyl at production time.  This makes the vinyl thinner at the places where it is now tearing, which is because the vinyl is old and brittle and can't take the stress of flexing and stretching.

I repaired one of those seats more than six to ten times until it was more repair than original.  I finally gave up and bought a replacement cover for it in order to save the foam from further deterioration.

I recommend you admit defeat to the ravages of time.  Time always wins in the end.

Cheers,

[KB02]

If you enjoy the whack a mole game, you'll enjoy repeatedly repairing that seat.  The stock seat pattern is embossed vinyl.  Meaning the "stitching" and pattern is melted into the vinyl at production time.  This makes the vinyl thinner at the places where it is now tearing, which is because the vinyl is old and brittle and can't take the stress of flexing and stretching.

I repaired one of those seats more than six to ten times until it was more repair than original.  I finally gave up and bought a replacement cover for it in order to save the foam from further deterioration.

I recommend you admit defeat to the ravages of time.  Time always wins in the end.

Cheers,

I agree.

Here you go:
http://www.saddlemen.com/html/skins.html

[kghost]

Short term till UPS finds your house.....


DUCT TAPE 

Really the only way to keeo out the rain and dirt.

[Klark Kent]

Well i am going to take your information TT but not your advice, at least not right away.  I could have sworn I had some vinyl reconditioner for the old car dash. I f i can find that and put a little flex back into the vinyl i may be able to get it to stop popping moles.  That is based on your advice at least.  And then, like a real man, i will wait stubbornly until my seat is 99% fishing line to get a new one.  If I am reading the saddle skin info correctly, all i get is a piece of vinyl (or whatever) that I need to instal on my old seat, and I give them like $90?  I will keep sewing for the time being.  It does keep out dirt and water especially when i am sitting on it or it is covered up by my (wally mart extra large grill cover) bike cover.
I am just glad I am now down to worrying about the cosmetic issues. 

Thanks for the input all.

What about the acrylic coating? anybody know of a clear acrylic glue that has some flex to it?

-KK

[SteveD CB500F]

DSS sells 'em for £17

For $90 I'd want a whole seat (at least)

[ofreen]

What about the acrylic coating? anybody know of a clear acrylic glue that has some flex to it?
-KK

You can check out this thread from January. - http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=6471.msg57243#msg57243

I suggest Shoe-Goo.  It will hold up for a while.

[Klark Kent]

DSS sells 'em for £17

For $90 I'd want a whole seat (at least)

"Hello
 
Thank you for your e-mail.
 
Genuine seat is now discontinued.
 
CB550K1 'pattern' seat - in stock @ £95.00.
 
If you wish to order please quote estimate number 627008.
 
Regards
Mark
 
Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5% (if applicable) and postage.
 
Thank You
David Silver Spares Ltd"

I guess I'll be shoe-gooin it
-KK

[kghost]

Remember the Adage......


You can't make silk purses out of sows ears. 

Course its your choice to continue repairing away.

TwoTired and I seem to be a bit anal in that we hate to fix something twice (or more than twice for that matter) when we can do it right the first time.

[TwoTired]

Unsolicited testimonial.
My 74 seat started seem ripping about 1985-ish.  Ensuing monthly/weekly patches until I located a Cb500 seat intact. Oh happy day!  About a year later, splitsville again.  Not wanting to sew every frocking embossed seam on the cover, I took it off and glued reinforcement vinyl to the back side after sewing up the most recent split.  This lasted 4 months, when yet another embossed seam split and the remaining material started to roll away from the split exposing the still intact inner reinforcement vinyl.
For, (I think) $25, I sent off to JC Whitney for a Travelcade cover on sale at the time.  My god, I just realized it has lasted WAAYY longer than the original and still looks good, albeit with HONDA stamped across the back of it.

Here I was thinking it would only be a two or three year reprieve... 

Cheers,

[ProTeal55]

I have a stock seat for sale if anyone wants it....
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=11330.0