Topic: CB750 motorcycle seat foam

[andy750]

Need some help...I am building a custom seat for my CB750 and need some firm seat foam - sort of like stock but the stock size wont fit my K8 tank on a K4 frame hence the need for a custom seat. Anyone know where to buy some comfortable motorcycle seat foam?

thanks
Andy

[tlbranth]

I've made several iterations of a booster seat for my '99 goldwing. What I found out is: don't use memory foam. You don't want it to mash down and just stay there while you're on it. I went to a shop that sells foam and upholstery materials for boats. I bought some very stiff foam from them that works pretty well. To shape it, use an electric carving knife. You cal piece it together by using special spray glue they sell that's just for foam.

[HondaMan]

I've made several successful seats from the foam on Gold Wings or Yamaha Ventures. It holds up well for years, and has the right characteristics for the long day's ride. Those seats are gigantic!

[harisuluv]

How much do you need?  I have a bunch of 1" custom firm foam that I got for the brat seats I made here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=140857.msg1598482#new

It is a firm closed cell foam.  Took me a while to find the stuff.  You can glue 2-3 layers to get the height you want.

[chewbacca5000]

Hi Andy,

I am tired on sitting on the square brick and want a more comfortable seat as well. 

Check this guy out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfRk3YETUkI 

He uses different types of foam.  He cuts out a dish in the bottom of the seat to cradle the sitting bones and then widens it a little in the sitting area so more pressure is on the legs than the sitting bones.  After that he layers different types of foam and has the rider test ride for comfort and makes adjustments before putting on the cover.

This site goes into the science of it. http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/comfort.htm

The key is to get the pressure off the sitting bones or tail bone.

Apparently there are people who make a living from making stock seats more comfortable. Type in dirt road seat  Eddie and some of his customers went from going for an hour to 250 to 500 miles in a day with no pain.

These guys are masters at this stuff.  More than the right type of foam.

[chewbacca5000]

Another interesting video on motorcycle sitting bones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEo2cLp-Yr4

[70CB750]

That is a cool stuff, Chewy!

It also convinced me to seek professional help when I need a new seat.

[chewbacca5000]

That is a cool stuff, Chewy!

It also convinced me to seek professional help when I need a new seat.

Over the winter I am going to redo a stock CB750 seat with comfort built right in.  Would also like a solo seat with a dish molded into the seat pan to transfer the weight from my sitting bones to my legs.

[chewbacca5000]

Must read this guy is a genius!  Iron butt challenge too.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Other_Designs/Magic-seatboard.html

[70CB750]

That is a cool stuff, Chewy!

It also convinced me to seek professional help when I need a new seat.

Over the winter I am going to redo a stock CB750 seat with comfort built right in.  Would also like a solo seat with a dish molded into the seat pan to transfer the weight from my sitting bones to my legs.

I hope you post lot of pictures   

[70CB750]

Must read this guy is a genius!  Iron butt challenge too.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Other_Designs/Magic-seatboard.html

Ha!  That explains why I was able to ride hundreds of miles on my infamous beaten old seat - the bike frame acted as a magic seatboard.

[chewbacca5000]

Must read this guy is a genius!  Iron butt challenge too.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Other_Designs/Magic-seatboard.html

Ha!  That explains why I was able to ride hundreds of miles on my infamous beaten old seat - the bike frame acted as a magic seatboard.

Guess so!  Craig Vetter is the guys name who invented the magic seat board and also the Vetter Fairing and a whole bunch of other stuff.  He is an incredibly interesting character.  Check out his website http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/470MPG%20Main.html

Maybe we can get him to invent us a stylist solo seat that works as good as the magic seat board?  Who knows?

[evanphi]

In a pinch, you could use a yoga mat.

[andy750]

How much do you need?  I have a bunch of 1" custom firm foam that I got for the brat seats I made here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=140857.msg1598482#new

It is a firm closed cell foam.  Took me a while to find the stuff.  You can glue 2-3 layers to get the height you want.

Thanks I have looked at closed cell foam and that seems to be the way to go. Any idea what the load rating is on the foam - I know stock seats are 3 -5 lbs.

[AbbyRider]

In a pinch, you could use a yoga mat.

+1 to yoga mats. I built my seat out of it. Just glued 5 layers of it, and then topped with a backing type of foam.

[tarzy]

Hello, I've recently been involved with Seats, and what I can tell you from 40 years ago, is to seek out some "Rebonded" Foam. It has all the characterisitics you're looking for, and is specifically designed for seat cushions. It is made of chunks of muticolored foam glued together with some type of flexible resin that lives as long as the foam does. To my knowledge it is the very best choice.

[70CB750]

Hello, I've recently been involved with Seats, and what I can tell you from 40 years ago, is to seek out some "Rebonded" Foam. It has all the characterisitics you're looking for, and is specifically designed for seat cushions. It is made of chunks of muticolored foam glued together with some type of flexible resin that lives as long as the foam does. To my knowledge it is the very best choice.

Rebonded as carpet padding?  I saw some pictures where carpet padding - the multicolor stuff of randomly glued elements - was used.

[harisuluv]

Hello, I've recently been involved with Seats, and what I can tell you from 40 years ago, is to seek out some "Rebonded" Foam. It has all the characterisitics you're looking for, and is specifically designed for seat cushions. It is made of chunks of muticolored foam glued together with some type of flexible resin that lives as long as the foam does. To my knowledge it is the very best choice.

I think rebonded is essentially repurposed scrap material no?  Like wood OSB (oriented strand board).  Essentially a by-product from the higher tier materials.  Can't see how such a material would be considered the very best choice?

[edwardmorris]

Someone had taken a fugly KQ seat and rehsaped it to stock like seat. Another option.

[70CB750]

Hello, I've recently been involved with Seats, and what I can tell you from 40 years ago, is to seek out some "Rebonded" Foam. It has all the characterisitics you're looking for, and is specifically designed for seat cushions. It is made of chunks of muticolored foam glued together with some type of flexible resin that lives as long as the foam does. To my knowledge it is the very best choice.

I think rebonded is essentially repurposed scrap material no?  Like wood OSB (oriented strand board).  Essentially a by-product from the higher tier materials.  Can't see how such a material would be considered the very best choice?

Well this guy sells it as a kit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seat-Foam-Artificial-Leather-Cb-Xbr-500-750-Z900-BMW-/380962519538?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item58b322b9f2&vxp=mtr

to make your own Sitzbankbau