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Author Topic: Seat restoration  (Read 942 times)

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Offline jwurbel

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Seat restoration
« on: November 21, 2022, 03:30:26 pm »
Have 72 750 and trying to save the original seat pattern as was distinctive for only that year.  The chrome strip appears impossible to remove.  Anyone have any advice, short of replacing with a new aftermarket cover?
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Offline Don R

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2022, 01:15:59 am »
 I got nothing. I bought a few bikes and boxes of parts and was lucky to get a NOS K4 seat for my bike. More recently I got a NOS K2 seat the same way.
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No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
If you love it, set it free, if it stays it's probably one of my 750's.
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Offline Don R

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2023, 08:36:29 pm »
 What I do know is Avon skin so soft bath oil can restore a good seat if it hasn't cracked yet. My 69 was so hard if you pushed on a panel it only flexed at the seam. Now if you press on it your finger goes in the vinyl.
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No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
If you love it, set it free, if it stays it's probably one of my 750's.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.

Offline newday777

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2023, 01:46:51 am »
Quote from: jwurbel on November 21, 2022, 03:30:26 pm
Have 72 750 and trying to save the original seat pattern as was distinctive for only that year.  The chrome strip appears impossible to remove.  Anyone have any advice, short of replacing with a new aftermarket cover?

I've read the chrome strip was glued to the vinyl.
If your cover is cracked it's toast.
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Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2023, 05:28:36 am »
Quote from: Don R on January 12, 2023, 08:36:29 pm
What I do know is Avon skin so soft bath oil can restore a good seat if it hasn't cracked yet. My 69 was so hard if you pushed on a panel it only flexed at the seam. Now if you press on it your finger goes in the vinyl.

Don.....did you just apply it directly to the vinyl? My ‘69 is the same, but no tears or damage.
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Offline newday777

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2023, 06:40:38 am »
Quote from: BenelliSEI on January 13, 2023, 05:28:36 am
Quote from: Don R on January 12, 2023, 08:36:29 pm
What I do know is Avon skin so soft bath oil can restore a good seat if it hasn't cracked yet. My 69 was so hard if you pushed on a panel it only flexed at the seam. Now if you press on it your finger goes in the vinyl.

Don.....did you just apply it directly to the vinyl? My ‘69 is the same, but no tears or damage.
Heat the seat to loosen it up and massage the skin so soft in.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2023, 07:08:59 pm by newday777 »
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Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2023, 06:45:36 am »
Quote from: Don R on January 12, 2023, 08:36:29 pm
What I do know is Avon skin so soft bath oil can restore a good seat...

And good for 54 other uses! Havent tried it on tires...

https://www.everythingunscripted.com/55-uses-for-avon-skin-so-soft/
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Don R

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2023, 02:55:09 pm »
 Yes, directly on. I use a small cloth and keep it just for SSS use, but I have also drizzled it right out of the bottle. It will soak into the driest areas and in a few minutes you can see where to re-apply it. It doesn't make the seat slick, I even put my original seat cover back on over a new foam.
 Any area that stays oily you can buff it off. It didn't save my gl1000 NOS seat though, it developed cracks in the seams. Maybe I didn't use enough since my bottle went empty.
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No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
If you love it, set it free, if it stays it's probably one of my 750's.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2023, 05:42:47 pm »
Back in 2017 when I bought my 94' Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours the seat had started turning grey and my mom was out of SSS. My buddy said to use SC-1 spray. I sprayed it and let it soak in a whole bunch of times until the SC-1 wouldn't soak in anymore. It saved the seat cover and I'm still riding on it. The best part is that it says "NEW BIKE IN A CAN" on the label. ;D I spray the front of the fairing, fork lowers, front fender and the front of the mirrors before I leave on a road trip and when I get home all of the bugs and crap wipes right off.
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1981 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2023, 05:47:27 pm »
Amazing! I’m patiently removing the cover, trying not to break any tabs or any trim. So far so good. I’ll try this stuff. There is one small area where a seam is starting to roll open. What’s your favourite glue?

Don...ever ordered the “red foam seat pad” from Yamiya?
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Online grcamna2

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2023, 05:59:12 pm »
Quote from: Kelly E on January 13, 2023, 05:42:47 pm
Back in 2017 when I bought my 94' Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours the seat had started turning grey and my mom was out of SSS. My buddy said to use SC-1 spray. I sprayed it and let it soak in a whole bunch of times until the SC-1 wouldn't soak in anymore. It saved the seat cover and I'm still riding on it. The best part is that it says "NEW BIKE IN A CAN" on the label. ;D I spray the front of the fairing, fork lowers, front fender and the front of the mirrors before I leave on a road trip and when I get home all of the bugs and crap wipes right off.

Kelly, SC-1 ?
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2023, 06:25:47 pm »
It's a spray protective coating.
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1981 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Online grcamna2

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  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2023, 07:03:10 pm »
I'm interested to get some of that SC-1:is it okay on painted surfaces ?.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2023, 07:05:37 pm by grcamna2 »
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Seat restoration
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2023, 09:08:02 am »
Yes
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1981 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy
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