Topic: how do you fabricate a cafe seat using stock pan?

[adams77]

Here are some shots of the seat itself.  I started with a 76 F model seat and cut 9 inches out of the middle then shaped a piece of steel to take the hump out of the mid section.

I have a nice cavity under the tailpiece to hide electronics.

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/adams77/seat/

[enforcer]

I just built up a bunch of layers of foam padding using spray adhesive to stick them together.  Then, I used an electric bread knife to cut out the shape I wanted.  Very cheap and very easy.  An upholsterer made a cover to fit right over the foam.

[Bodain]

Here is my version of it.  Starting with 78 F seat pan.... First I had to decide if I even wanted to use the stock pan... One reason I don't like them is they increase seat height, on the other hand it's a neat and proper fit.

I know for a fact I don't want the stock big chunk of plastic on the back.
URL=http://imageshack.us][/URL]

Now I start carving not real sure where I'm going.


Now I start to know where I'm going. I want the fiberglass to be exactly flush with the rear metal.


I use Duct tape over the carved form and wax it up real good. Now it's time to lay the fiber glass


And finally it start looking like this. I did the fiberglass last Sunday and did some patching a smoothing during the week. This is were I'm at now.

[neil young]

right on.looks fairly simple so far.keep us posted.

[rhinoracer]

If I may add to the topic, how do you contour the vinyl so it sticks to the foam on concave shapes and keep it from wrinkling on convex shapes?

[cleveland]

I know a lot of people pay someone to have it covered.  I would be interested is see some home made jobs too.

[adams77]

If I may add to the topic, how do you contour the vinyl so it sticks to the foam on concave shapes and keep it from wrinkling on convex shapes?

Glue

[bert96]

Greenjeans

I've been following a thread by paulages on forming knee pockets in the tank and noticed that you have done it too.
Do you have any progress pictures and advice for forming knee pockets in your tank?

Thanks
Jimmy

I would like to see it too

[okie]

How's this for re-using the fuel tank shape for the seat cowl?  On a shortened stock pan, of course, so you still have access to the tool tray and helmet lock.

[cleveland]

The more I see those, the more I like them.  That seat looks great!

[bill440cars]

         okie, That is oneMIGHTY FINE looking bike!!!!
       Got any more pictures of that one, is it yours? I've posted a post from 650motorcycles.com here at least a couple of times about using the rear section of a gas tank to build the seat but, That one is the best yet!

                                        Later on, Bill

[hymodyne]

In my avatar...

I cut about 2" off the front of a stripped bare stock cb500K1 seat pan, used  "great stuff" foam to produce the rear seat pod and shaved it down with a carving knife. That foam blank was covered with two layers of glass mat, and thin coats of bondo in alternating layers, then covered with tight weave aircraft quality fiberglass cloth. I then primed and painted the seat pod with a HVLP paint gun.  the seat is built up of about four or five layers of carpet padding covered with a black cowhide I sewed and laced on to the existing seat pan. Underneath there are 3 grommets on each side of the leather so I can lace the seat to the pan like I'm tying a shoe.

hym

[Flying J]

any final pics of the seat hotshot?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I have done several using various methods.  The quickest and easiest was to roll a rear cowl out of metal and then build a seperate seat frame out of steel plate and square stock.  If welding is an issue, go the fiberglass route.  My website shows pictures of all of them.  KingCustomCycles.com/past projects.  The black 77 CB750 used a stock pan that remained completely functional and had the signals and taillight built in.  BTW, on shaping foam for upholstery.....an electric knife is the best kept secret in the upholstery world.  Shapes, forms, and cuts like butter. 

[oldhondarider]

wanted to throw another idea out .... I fab'd up a seat out of an old yamaha off road tank I found at a mc junk shop...couple of bucks, little sawing..bit of sanding... glue down foam padding..cover it up...