Topic: Leather or vinyl (finished pics)

[78 k550]

Hey All,
 What is the covering of choice?
I got a 1yd of vinyl today and embriodering Honda in the back I'll shoot some pics after it is done. I wouldn't mind a leather seat either. Leather is much more care.

Paul

[eldar]

Leather may last longer if cared for but it is more expensive and will develop the normal leather cracks which may allow water into your foam and then to the seat pan causing bad corrosion. Vinyl is fine just try to get marine grade if you can.

[78 k550]

Thank's
 Denver fabrics has some motorcycle grade that they sell. It has some kind of polypropelene backing. I'll have a pic up in about 10 min of the embroidary on the back. I think I'll go with the option 2, vinyl.

Paul

[78 k550]

This guy cut me a great deal on a half skin of 2-3oz. leather. I'm trying both type's. I'll take pics along the way. I'm going to make my templet and do the vinyl first. I'd rather mess up a $10 piece of vinyl than a $50 piece. I'm going to have the Logo embriodered on the back it should look great. I'm also going to put lace where the rib is in the seat now.

Paul

[78 k550]

I'm doing a vinyl templet first before the leather. Here are some work in progress pics. Old vs new pattern. I"m going to be sewing it up tomorrow and cutting the leather on Sat. I can't wait.

Paul

[Mark M]

Vynil - IMHO

[78 k550]

Here is  the pattern cut out and ready to be put together with the logo. The old pattern is next to it. It wasn't hard to take out the stitching and trace it out. I forgot the pics the last post.

[Steve F]

I have a friend in the embroidery business and he says that leather does not do well with embroidery.  After all the needle holes through the leather, the embroidery will almost "fall out" of the material, leaving a nice outline of what was embroidered.  In other words it punches its self right through.  Try it first on a scrap piece of leather.  Patches sewn onto leather works, but embroidering leather directly may not.

[Bob Wessner]

I can invision what Steve is saying. The embroidery does have a nice look though. What if you ebroidered the lettering on some heavy material more suitable, then stitched that to the leather seat covering? It might even result in a more "raised" look. Mind you, this thought came from someone who can't even thread a needle right. 

[78 k550]

Cool thanks for the input. I'm cutting and piecing it together tomorrow morning.
I can see that happening to the leather.
 I might just tool it in also.
Here is a pic of the sample cover.

[Bob Wessner]

You seem to do very good work. Keep us updated. Maybe you have the beginnings of a little seat restoration business going here. 

[78 k550]

Thank's,
I still need to pull it a little tighter in a couple place's. I'm going to put the strap back on also.
This one came out so good I might tear apart my 72 CB500 and recover it or at least have it for a pattern.
I'll shoot some more pic tomorrow after I mess with the leather. I might keep this on for a couple months or the rest of the riding season.
I do need a job as of last monday
This machine mom has is a PFAFF is does just about anything.

Paul

[78 k550]

Hey All,
 Here it is. I have not been on the bike in 2 days and it's killing me. Well no more I'm off riding for a couple hours. I know if you really want to be critical which I am. the A side is just a touch higher than the H side. I'll pull it a little tighter on that side and should take care of it.

Paul

[Uncle Ernie]

Hey Paul. I have a couple of friends who use both materials. Their thoughts; leather has a feel that is subjectively nicer and holds your butt in place better because it's porous and has a bit of a grip to it. DO NOT embroider leather.         Vinyl will hold up longer in general use, esp considering weather and sun, but doesn't say, "Man, this guy knows how to blow money on his machines!" as well as leather.  Embroidery is not recommended here either, but it's possible it might work. You're on the cutting edge here.    Both freinds recommend "tacking" on a patch.     As discussed elsewhere, don't use Armorall on a vinyl seat you want to sit on within the week.

[heffay]

just picked up an auto paint sprayer this weekend... interested?  i need to paint the 400f and possibly the side covers on the 350f you'v e seen already. 

p.s.  i have experience just a little rusty


p.p.s.  get it?  a little rusty? like the ol' metal we be wantin to restore... i got the carbs off the 400f... lets get grimey

oh! by the way... the seat looks awesome!