Topic: Looking for other options for a place to send my seat to get it fixed.

[grcamna2]

Hi,
I've got a little small bike(125)that I ride around on a lot and want to get the seat re-done;the foam has lost lot's of it's 'shock resistant capabilities'...  I once sent one out to Sargent in FL. a number of yrs. back and they did a good job,but their prices have gone up and they aren't very pleasant to deal with on the phone.They do good work, but i'm looking for other options of different places that can recondition my seat w/ some better foam and a new basic cover for $200 or less.
What do any of you members recommend? I'm over near Pittsburgh,PA. but I don't mind shipping it.

[ekpent]

Have you checked around any local upholstery shops or people that do boat seats ?

[honda_dog]

I bought a cover from these guys:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=gumtwo&item=160656310341&_osacat=0&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.H0.X125.TRS0&_nkw=125&_sacat=0

Took it to my local upholsterer and she put it on. Cover and everything was less than $100.00. I'm sure a local shop would do that for you, and they should have foam to replace the bad foam.

[grcamna2]

Have you checked around any local upholstery shops or people that do boat seats ?

Eric,
I tried local upholstery shops but none of them were 'M/C seat savy'.. so I'm starting to search 'outside of my own backyard'.

honda_dog,
That seems like a good idea,how was the quality of the repro cover? Did your local upholstery shop charge you $100 including new foam ?

Thanks for the response guys 

[honda_dog]

Have you checked around any local upholstery shops or people that do boat seats ?

Eric,
I tried local upholstery shops but none of them were 'M/C seat savy'.. so I'm starting to search 'outside of my own backyard'.

honda_dog,
That seems like a good idea,how was the quality of the repro cover? Did your local upholstery shop charge you $100 including new foam ?

Thanks for the response guys 

The cover is very good quality, looks and feels just like the original, made here in US. The cover and installation were around $100.00. She did not have to use any foam, as mine was good. Most places around here refoam chair cushions for about $20.00, so, I don't think the foam is the expense. It's too bad no one in your area can do the seat, there are 3-4 shops within 35 miles of me that do motorcycle seats, and do a nice job. The one I used was local to me in my town.
Look for a cover, send the seat here, and I'll have her recover it. I think she charged $35.00 to put the cover on. (I had two seats done, one was a little more than the other, can't remember which was which).

A local shop would be better, no expense to ship.

[grcamna2]

Thanks for that information and the kind offer honda_dog   
I would like to find shops that can provide motorcycle related services to me around here.. this is 20 miles E. of Pittsburgh(the burbs) and for some reason I just can't seem to find anyone around here like machine shop work,seat,etc.
I sent the seat out to member 'calj737' this afternoon,he has previously helped me out w/ a source for machine work over near Richmond,VA. and he told me that he has a local upholsterer around there and he will do the seat for me for reasonable.
                                                                                   Bill  grcamna2

[honda_dog]

I'll be anxious to see it when you get it. Custom cover, I assume?

[grcamna2]

I'll be anxious to see it when you get it. Custom cover, I assume?

Thanks for your interest     What does your finished M/C seat look like honda_dog ? any pics ?
  What I want is just a basic looking cover and see if they can just make me one from their stock of material but was hoping to have what's underneath the cover be good and supportive to me for taking long rides.
I will be moving somewhere out West in the near future and in preparation for really 'downsizing' I am selling all my stuff except the very essential items that I want to keep.The plan is to be able to fit all my stuff into a U-Haul trailer along w/ this little cycle;whatever will fit I'll keep and the other stuff I've got to get rid of.I need to start fresh and when I can, I'll pick up another cycle later.This bike is very small but a decent 'basic transportation' piece for right now.

[honda_dog]

Reply #3 in the following thread shows the seat.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150621.0.html

[grcamna2]

Reply #3 in the following thread shows the seat.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150621.0.html

That's a nice CB750 wide comfy looking 'couch' compared to my little seat  ;is it comfortable enough for long rides ? I have to speak w/ the upholsterer who I'm sending the seat to and ask if they have a better foam than stock for the front half of my CB125 seat...
Have you ever tried different grades of foam for decent but firm comfort? I was told by someone that 'Closed cell Foam' is better than 'open cell foam' but from what I've heard the oem stock motorcycle seats are 'open cell foam' which also absorbs water...
Any ideas ?

[honda_dog]

Yeah, the CB750 seat is nice.... that is actually the original stock foam from 1978, I have no clue if it's closed cell, open cell or what. All I know is that it is really comfy. It's great on long rides, my wife and I are both comfortable. Mine has never sat out in the rain uncovered, so it never had a chance to absorb any water.

I've always heard that closed cell foam is a little firmer than open cell, but do not know for a fact.

Good luck.

[grcamna2]

Thank You honda_dog for all your help w/ your local upholsterer ! I had other options locally and out of the area but Cyndy 'knows her stuff' when it comes to that custom seat she built for me. 
The seat seems ok on my first ride on it and the custom seat cover she made me is standard looking w/o the logo on the back,just right for my Basic bike.

[Stev-o]

Hey camna - I was recently faced with the same situation with my little 1966 50cc Puch.  The seat cover was in real bad condion, but unfortunately there is no eBay vender that sells covers and I could not find a complete seat  in better condition. 
I visited a local upholstery shop and bought a yard of vinyl for $10.
Found a guy on Craigslist that does auto upholstery repairs, I brought him the old cover and the new vinyl, he sewed me up a new cover for $50.  He advised on the best way to install it using adhesive, it took me less than 20 min, the fit was perfect (sorry, no pics). 

Now if I could just find some Bing carb parts!

[grcamna2]

Hey camna - I was recently faced with the same situation with my little 1966 50cc Puch.  The seat cover was in real bad condion, but unfortunately there is no eBay vender that sells covers and I could not find a complete seat  in better condition. 
I visited a local upholstery shop and bought a yard of vinyl for $10.
Found a guy on Craigslist that does auto upholstery repairs, I brought him the old cover and the new vinyl, he sewed me up a new cover for $50.  He advised on the best way to install it using adhesive, it took me less than 20 min, the fit was perfect (sorry, no pics). 

Now if I could just find some Bing carb parts!

Stev-o, do you have a pic of the Puch 50? I think little vintage small bikes are nice.

[Stev-o]

Hey camna - I was recently faced with the same situation with my little 1966 50cc Puch.  The seat cover was in real bad condion, but unfortunately there is no eBay vender that sells covers and I could not find a complete seat  in better condition. 
I visited a local upholstery shop and bought a yard of vinyl for $10.
Found a guy on Craigslist that does auto upholstery repairs, I brought him the old cover and the new vinyl, he sewed me up a new cover for $50.  He advised on the best way to install it using adhesive, it took me less than 20 min, the fit was perfect (sorry, no pics). 

Now if I could just find some Bing carb parts!

Stev-o, do you have a pic of the Puch 50? I think little vintage small bikes are nice.

Sure....here:

[grcamna2]

Nice little antique bike  Was it made in Austria ? I imagine a real challenge to source parts

[Stev-o]

Nice little antique bike  Was it made in Austria ? I imagine a real challenge to source parts

Yes, made in Austria, but was sold at Sears as an Allstate.  This model is the Sabre, not many were made but parts are available on ebay.
And a just bought a spare carb, so this may be back on the road soon.

[honda_dog]

Glad you like it, Bill.... it took awhile, but I thought it turned out very nice.

[grcamna2]

Glad you like it, Bill.... it took awhile, but I thought it turned out very nice.

honda_dog,
I'm trying to reach you. I need to speak w/ Cyndy about the type of closed-cell foam that she used in the front part of my seat...
I was hoping to speak with her about this when I sent that tech sheet to you to give to her and left my contact info on it.. I never heard from her..

[grcamna2]

Hi honda_dog,
Thanks for giving me a call,I appreciate you helping out a forum member. I hope to speak w/ Cyndy.
I looked around this area in PA. for a good,affordable MC seat worker but just couldn't find one here;I also just moved here 2 yrs. ago..  again,thanks for your assistance. 

[grcamna2]

honda_dog,
I received your PM...  ?

[chewbacca5000]

Thanks for that information and the kind offer honda_dog   
I would like to find shops that can provide motorcycle related services to me around here.. this is 20 miles E. of Pittsburgh(the burbs) and for some reason I just can't seem to find anyone around here like machine shop work,seat,etc.
I sent the seat out to member 'calj737' this afternoon,he has previously helped me out w/ a source for machine work over near Richmond,VA. and he told me that he has a local upholsterer around there and he will do the seat for me for reasonable.
                                                                                   Bill  grcamna2

Yeah tell me about.  I wanted to get machine work done and had no idea who to go to lucky for my another member KJ790 hooked me up with a local connection.  Lots of theses types of businesses do not advertise on the internet, have websites, or a Facebook page.  Too bad really as the paper phone book has been dead for some time.

[Stev-o]

Thanks for that information and the kind offer honda_dog   
I would like to find shops that can provide motorcycle related services to me around here.. this is 20 miles E. of Pittsburgh(the burbs) and for some reason I just can't seem to find anyone around here like machine shop work,seat,etc.
I sent the seat out to member 'calj737' this afternoon,he has previously helped me out w/ a source for machine work over near Richmond,VA. and he told me that he has a local upholsterer around there and he will do the seat for me for reasonable.
                                                                                   Bill  grcamna2

Yeah tell me about.  I wanted to get machine work done and had no idea who to go to lucky for my another member KJ790 hooked me up with a local connection.  Lots of theses types of businesses do not advertise on the internet, have websites, or a Facebook page.  Too bad really as the paper phone book has been dead for some time.

The phone book has been replaced by Craiglist.  I found an upholsterer, painter, roofer and a parking lot seal coater this way.

[grcamna2]

I appreciate the Feedback Stev-o;I still need seat work done.,never thought of CL..

edit: looks like I'll have to really 'beat the bushes' around here to find a decent upholsterer to 'fix' my seat.This has been a very expensive experience so far and I need to finally have it finished 

[grcamna2]

Thanks for that information and the kind offer honda_dog   
I would like to find shops that can provide motorcycle related services to me around here.. this is 20 miles E. of Pittsburgh(the burbs) and for some reason I just can't seem to find anyone around here like machine shop work,seat,etc.
I sent the seat out to member 'calj737' this afternoon,he has previously helped me out w/ a source for machine work over near Richmond,VA. and he told me that he has a local upholsterer around there and he will do the seat for me for reasonable.
                                                                                   Bill  grcamna2

Yeah tell me about.  I wanted to get machine work done and had no idea who to go to lucky for my another member KJ790 hooked me up with a local connection.  Lots of theses types of businesses do not advertise on the internet, have websites, or a Facebook page.  Too bad really as the paper phone book has been dead for some time.

Kyle,
I think I'll have to speak w/ LOT's of locals in about a 50 mile radius,etc. I think you're right about many good craftsman/workers not readily advertising to the public(I've had to search quite a bit in the past few states I've moved from for folks to do good services for various things..)and being available.
I wonder if the smaller shops do the best work as they take-on only as much work as they want? That's what I do in my small repair business.

[chewbacca5000]

Talked to some young guys yesterday who bought my powder coat machine and they told me the old timers who got the mad skills don't advertise and if they want work done they have to spend alot of time digging through forums to get answers or help.  That does not work the best as they are busy trying to grow a business.

I appreciate everyone here, but if you need to get work done quickly in your home town what are you to do?  I guess you could try craigs list, but I really only like to business with others I know, like and trust.  I don't know any of the vendors on craigslist.

I sold quite a few things here and most of the time things go smoothly.  I think that is because people know me.  On craigslist there is 25 emails back and forth.  20 emails on a $100 76 cb750f frame with title.  So frustrating.  You have to go through that process every time.

When I sold that powdercoat machine I was a member of another forum and people know who I am.  I also took lots of pictures,video, and answered questions.  What I am saying is when you are on a forum like this you are part of a community and it makes things much, much easier.

I would like to create a community to help people find world class designers, fabricators, and sellers of vintage motorcycle parts either on the net or in their home town.  It is just a dream of mine to travel around the country and meet lots of interesting people and to be able to write about them and promote their products and services.

[grcamna2]

I like the way you think chewy 

[chewbacca5000]

I like the way you think chewy 

It will take alot of time, but I know it is possible.  Just in the fact finding stages to see where the needs are.  The key is to start small and move on from there.  From humble beginnings great things can be accomplished.