Topic: seat/cover for CB550F 1976 (brown!)

[flatlander]

the seat cover of my 550f from 1976 is slowly on its way out. has a tiny crack, and white fabric showing along some of the seams that indicate that there's more coming.

i'd like to replace it with something that's as close to stock as possible (cover or whole seat, whatever is available). most replacements that i found are black and not the brown colour that was used for the 1976 model only.
any ideas or suggestions?

[strynboen]

go for a Black one..they looks fine..and cost less..i put a Black one on my cb 500 t(it vas not a perfekt job)..but i got the bike sold

[flatlander]

you can have it in any colour as long as it's black
i'd like to see what options there are in the original brown colour, and also as original as possible in all other aspects (shape, texture, etc). if they're completely unreasonable then i can still go for a black one.

[BomberMann650]

you can have it in any colour as long as it's black

Thats a sign at an old school tattoo shop 

[RAFster122s]

Stryenboen, trying to pawn off a 500T as an acceptable representation of a 550F or 500K seat won't work...the 500T has the unsightly dip in sideview like some other Honda seats (cx500). 
Just giving you a hard time.

Flatlander, it will be difficult to find the heat pressed vinyl like the original in brown. If it is out there, cmsnl might have it, otherwise it will be ebay currently the best bet of finding one.

[strynboen]

yes the 500 is a ugly bird..but the seat covers i got on e bay,, are made the same place.. but the form is different...but think the overall kvality and collor is the same so the Photos is just to give a idea of the looks..of the thepy ones i bayed..they fits not total perfekt..but can be fixed to work

[RAFster122s]

you can have it in any colour as long as it's black

Or the quote from Henry Ford who originally quipped that famous line.

Thats a sign at an old school tattoo shop 

[Stev-o]

FL - your best bet is start shopping and find an original, doubt you will be happy with anything else (same here)

I was lucky enough to find one for mine, it took awhile and wasn't cheap...

[RAFster122s]

Would a stitched version in a very close color to your brown be acceptable.  The inside of the cover would need a water resistant heavy plastic that is durable enough to not puncture added as a stitched cover will leak water...
GumTwo I think is a Canadian ebayer with very nice covers for many smaller Hondas and odds are many larger as well...but, I am speculating as I have not looked.
They might have or be able to make one for you...their covers are very reasonably priced.  Worth a look.

Looks like your foam is in good shape from the appearance.  A new thin layer they use beneath covers will be needed to give you best results though.  One thing many cheap covers do not have is sufficient material to pull and wrap beneath the seat to engage the tack strips properly securing the cover. This is something you will need to ensure the cover is properly designed.  The thin piece of foam sheeting is available from any upholstery shop.  It contours the foam to provide a little extra to ensure the replacement cover stays taunt and does not have puckers from being loose.  Often the original foam compresses some as it ages...

Good luck on your search.

BTW, shipping from Canada is quite high thesedays, not that you aren't painfully aware of shipping charges and VAT or other custom fees.

[flatlander]

thanks for the ideas, guys!

stryn: where did you buy the cover for your 500T?

stev-o: i'd consider original if in mint shape. the vinyl would have to be pretty much as good as new otherwise it's probably not worth the arm and leg they'd charge for it. what shape is the one in, that you found? and where did you get it, e-bay?

RAF: i'd prefer the pressed-in "stitches", just to keep it original looking. does gumtwo have the brown at all? i think i saw his stuff on ebay but it seemed to be all black if i remember  correctly.

my foam is good. of course it may have sagged a bit in 40 years but it's holding up quite well.

[flatlander]

does anyone have experience with these here?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB550F1-CB-550-FOUR-F1-CB-550-MOTORCYCLE-SEAT-COVER-new-amp-superb-quality-/112203132900?

scroll down on the page.
it does look very close to original. of course it's black and sold out but if it's any good, i wonder if i could talk them into making one in brown?

[strynboen]

if you can speak chinese..dont think any are made in Europa or near by..

[flatlander]

of course they could be lying but they say:

"Finally; we are UK based. Our product is made in Great Britain"
and
"WE ARE PLEASED
To make every effort to source your specific individual requirements if we do not already have what you want in stock."

could be chinese guys in england, of course!
anyway, did anyobody order from these guys?

[Stev-o]

stev-o: i'd consider original if in mint shape. the vinyl would have to be pretty much as good as new otherwise it's probably not worth the arm and leg they'd charge for it. what shape is the one in, that you found? and where did you get it, e-bay?

The one I bought was/still is in excellent cond, it's on the bike.

I think I found it on Craigslist, the guy was in Canada.  I had to be real patient for him to get shipping quotes etc, but it was worth the wait.

[jonda500]

of course they could be lying but they say:

"Finally; we are UK based. Our product is made in Great Britain"
and
"WE ARE PLEASED
To make every effort to source your specific individual requirements if we do not already have what you want in stock."

could be chinese guys in england, of course!
anyway, did anyobody order from these guys?

I think that is the one I used, actually the 2nd one I ordered - I am very happy with it. The first one I ordered was cheaper ($35) but had no Honda logo on the back and the heat stamped pattern wasn't right, so I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered the better one and I'm glad I did.
John

[flatlander]

The one I bought was/still is in excellent cond, it's on the bike.
I think I found it on Craigslist, the guy was in Canada.  I had to be real patient for him to get shipping quotes etc, but it was worth the wait.

ok thanks. have to keep my eye peeled in case something pops up.

I think that is the one I used, actually the 2nd one I ordered - I am very happy with it. The first one I ordered was cheaper ($35) but had no Honda logo on the back and the heat stamped pattern wasn't right, so I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered the better one and I'm glad I did.
John

thanks, good to know. it looks quite right on your pictures.
i think i'll just ask them if they can make them in brown. might end up being quicker than finding an original one.

[robvangulik]

When you click in  in their (ebay) shop you'll find they have a brown cover for the 500T, and as they are indeed based in the UK chinese won't be necessary to communicate and ask if they can do that color for your F model too. Let us know what happens next

[Stev-o]

I'll keep my eye open for a nice seat for you as well. Here's a recent photo...

[flatlander]

rob, good one! i'll have a look at that brown one.

stev-o, that seat doesn't look too bad. i'll pm you my address. don't bother taking it off that bike, just send the whole lot and i'll deal with it appropriately

[flatlander]

the cover for the 550T that rob mentioned, is too light a brown.

but there's hope! here's a message i got from the ebay seller,  old-school-covers:

"Thanks for your message and sorry for taking some time to repsond.
I have ordered some brown vinyl samples top come in next week so I can see if any of them will be suitable for the F1 cover.
I will let you know how I get on"

[Stev-o]

Sounds promising. I would be interested too as I have an old F seat that needs a cover.

[robvangulik]

Sounds promising. I would be interested too as I have an old F seat that needs a cover.

Tell that to the seller, with more possible takers it gets more interesting for them to hurry a bit.

[OT7]

I would be interested too as I have an CB550 F seat that needs a brown cover.

[Smudgemo]

I just recovered mine with a black Gumtwo, but I'd be in for one in brown if they became available and were of similar quality and price. 

[flatlander]

russ from old-school-covers is willing to make these but would need to be provided with the material in the correct shade of brown. here's what he says:

"I have a had a look at all the brown vinyls we have in stockj and I dont think any are dark enough for the 550 F1
To get the right colour I will need to buy 1000 metre roll which is very expensive.

Can I suggest that you buy some upholstery vinyl from ebay with your choice of colour- you will need approx 1.5m x 1m as the CB550F1 rear section is a long sweep of vinyl.
Send the vinyl to me and I will make you a cover and strap for £25.00"

anyone have any idea where to source this?
in the meantime i've changed direction for my bike a bit, and a black cover will be more suitable. but as instigator of all this i'll be happy to work further with russ on getting these done for those who are interested.