Author Topic: what seat cover materials you guys use for your custom made seat (Read 2116 times)

cb650 bobber · « **on:** July 28, 2008, 11:34:53 AM »

I made a custom seat...cutting and slicing the stock seat....anyone know a good material to use and where to pick some up......local chains etc..anyhelp here will be appreciated looking for standard and different ideas....I am digging through the internet as we speak looking for answers.

hymodyne · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2008, 11:44:43 AM »

cowhide. got a remnant on ebay for a good price.
hym

eldar · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2008, 11:47:13 AM »

Marine grade vinyl seems to work good too. Is thicker and has a cloth mesh under it.

KB02 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2008, 11:58:16 AM »

+1 on the Vinyl. I bought some at Jo-Ann's fabrics. All kinds of different colors to choose from. It was less than $10 a yard last time I bought some; and all you need is a yard, really.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:04:01 PM »

I'm wavering between using leather and marine vinyl to recover my seat, vinyl would be easier to sew up and to care for, but it's hard to beat the coolness factor of a genuine leather seat.

mystic_1

UnCrash · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:19:15 PM »

+2 on the Vinyl.

I bought some from Jo-Ann's as well.

Leave the bike out in the rain worry free!

heffay · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:22:21 PM »

yep, marine grade here too.
sturdy and inexpensive.
keeps the water out of the foam as well.

there are two types to look for, one is more sticky and really made for boat seats so if you stand on them with wet feet or whatever it doesn't get slick. the other is marine grade as well but has a slick appearance and is good for sliding around on the seat and getting into the corners.

i've used both and like both... not sure if i have a preference.

hopterfixer · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:27:56 PM »

Heavy a@@ leather. The guy that made mine makes horse tack. It is rather robust.

hymodyne · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:33:09 PM »

I picked up a used HD sewing machine on ebay and did the sewing myself...

my mum was so proud

hym

tinyrobot · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:42:37 PM »

When buying hides, what do you look for? What weight in onces is good for a seat?

heffay · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:53:56 PM »

so, hymo... does your harley davidson sewing machine go: potato potato potato potato ?

or, does it just sit there and purr like a sewing machine?

hymodyne · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:59:20 PM »

A HD sewing machine is about as close as I'll get to a harley,

--no offense harley owners out there.

potato potato potato potato?
hym

cb650 bobber · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2008, 01:01:30 PM »

where you guys getting the leather at ?

MJL · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2008, 01:23:37 PM »

Quote from: heffay on July 28, 2008, 12:53:56 PM

so, hymo... does your harley davidson sewing machine go: potato potato potato potato ?

or, does it just sit there and purr like a Honda?

I know you meant this.

heffay · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2008, 01:45:46 PM »

potato potato potato potato is what many people refer to as the exhaust sound... especially at idle.

say it aloud

hymodyne · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:33:42 PM »

got it

now that will be stuck in my head...

mystic_1 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2008, 04:40:24 PM »

These guys have everything:

Tandy Leather Factory

That said, I get mine from a guy at my local renaissance faire.

Anything thicker than around 4 or 5 ounces (1oz = approx 1/32 in thickness) should be ok, depending on what you're going for.

If you're tooling the seat, use thicker (10-12oz) veg tanned leather.

Make sure to treat appropriately for outdoor use.

mystic_1

cb650 bobber · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2008, 11:16:16 AM »

Well we will see went to joanne fabric today and picked up some black faux leather...10.00 for 2/3 of a yard not sure how it will hold up but it looks pretty awesome...hardest thing about joanne is trying to pick from all the cool designs...they had a material that was viynl that simulated a basketball tread and it would have been cool to see how that looked ...just the tread no lines or markings so it would have had good grip...also the ostrich viynl leather...that was cool but I need a darker seat to help with all my black accents and the copper hammered mixed look.

snarferer · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2008, 01:47:26 PM »

if you go to tandyleatherfactory.com please please PLEASE
don't get http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=9117-03
we don't need another one of those circulating around...

cb650 bobber · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2008, 06:03:57 AM »

it is the faux leather type what would you put on to protect it from the elements.

JAG · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2008, 07:32:56 AM »

If you guys have a Hobby Lobby. I bought a piece of leather for $24.00.

It was a rather odd shape, so I couldn't tell you exactly the width of it, but it was a yard long.

I then went and bought a sturdy piece of foam, and some spray adhesive ( Same place ).

Worked like a charm, taking special care as I stretched it around the foam.

Grab some velcro and attached it to the seat.

RIDE!

cb650 bobber · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2008, 08:14:24 AM »

that is interesting I was going to staple but maybe velcrow is the way.

JAG · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2008, 08:15:57 AM »

Quote from: cb650 bobber on July 31, 2008, 08:14:24 AM

that is interesting I was going to staple but maybe velcrow is the way.

Yes yes.. Very sturdy, and waterproof.. If it's good enough for NASA, it's good enough for me

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Author Topic: what seat cover materials you guys use for your custom made seat (Read 2116 times)

eldar