Topic: CB750 K0 foam from K1?

[AshimotoK0]

Anyone know if you can cut down the foam from a K1 Cb750 seat to form the foam for a K0 Ducktail seat? I bought a new seat Genuine Honda K1  for my OCT 1969  built CB750, in order to get a new steel base and trim parts. I tried selling the new K1 cover and foam on EBay but it didn't sell so I decided to keep it. I got the idea of using these parts from another guy on EBay who was selling the Honda cover and foam from a new K1 seat. He also indicated that the guy he sends to for upholstery, creates a K0 style duck-tail foam from the K1 foam and then adds the duck-tail hump at the back from a separate wedge of foam. Has anyone done this and if so do you have any dimension details of sculpturing the foam to give the middle 'step down'. I know Yamiya sell expensive foams of known excellent quality and also Moretti and 'Dis-covers' in the UK (not sure if latter are the same as they are both in Gloucestershire in the UK and not sure about the type and quality of the material used). Incidentally, I am told that if you remove the spring from the base of the K1 seat and modify the latch part to a single rather than double- sprung action  latch, the you can use this base for a K0 (Weld up tapped M6 hole from the spring bolt if you want it to look the same as K0).
I am also having the the K0 side covers and plastic instrument lenses analysed to determine the exact type of plastic used. My guess is that the side covers area styrene material. I will post details when I get them.
Cheers - Ash UK

[736cc]

 An orig ducktail profile is VERY subtle- it has an elegant and MUCH sexier set of curves compared to K1. Trying to glue a chunk of ducktail onto a K1 foam can result in a seam from that interface (sorta like a bpl- "bulging panty line" on a chic w/ tight slacks). the ducktails also have more of a curved booty when viewed from the side, and the passenger portion is almost a king-queen step.
  A pro that has rebuilt many ducktails can reproduce it from scratch w/ practice and experiance. Some people are better craftsman than others.
  Using a ripped-up orig ducktail seat w/ a rotted pan, discard the cover and pan and save the foam, especially the entire rear portion. Rebuild it w/ a K1 pan and trim, strap, buckle, large screws, latch etc (same basically and most differences not seen when seat closed anyway) and a repop cover. There are choices on covers based on price and you get what you pay for. Yamiya charges thru the nose and also itemizes extra costs like trim, strap, the 2 large screws, etc. Their foam is excellent. The orange foam costs much more and only difference is color (it gets stupid this resto stuff and pricey). Stretching a new cover on you'd think its too tight in a lotta areas but tighter is better, and you really need to fight it on. Then you need to poke a dozen holes in the cover for the trim (which is a bit scary the 1st time)but as the saying goes, you gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette....
  DSS and CML sell a repop and bolt-on plastic base ducktail for around $300+ -, its pretty decent but needs K1 strap buckle and large screws to look presentable. And theres no worry of ruining an orig ducktail if your K0 bike is a rider (orig ducktails will split seams, squish the foam due to being old and brittle)
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DSS repop w/ K1 strap and buckle

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orig ducktail

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K1 pan and trim + Yamiya cover and foam

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orig K1

[AshimotoK0]

Brilliant answer 736cc !!!

The DSS repro K0 Ducktail seat ( http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk ) is made by Morretti in the UK.    (www.motorcycleseats.co.uk ) Moretti also do a  K0 foam but I would need to hear from someone who has used it before buying one (around 50GBP including UK postage so not too expensive).  I take your point about trying to stick bits of foam on - it was just an idea given to me by a Sandcast owner.


Thanks again - Ash

[nippon]

@AshimotoK0,....pm sent.

nippon

[AshimotoK0]

Member 'Nippon' has emailed me details of foam and cover for K0 Ducktail seat he sells on EBay? I already have a nicely made K0 cover I got from the USA but may be interested in the foam. It is quite a bit more expensive than the Moretti foam (like the foam on DSS replica seats i presume, as he makes them for DSS) and 'DisCovers' foam (Ebay) available in the UK. Anyone used Nippon's foams?  Thanks for your reply Nippon, by the way. I know you get what you pay for and your product may well be of better quality tahn UK foams.