Topic: Costs for new seat

[socalenduro]

does $150 seem reasonable for new foam, custom shaping and a custom seat cover?

if i cut up a seat pan can it be welded easily?
im trying to make it a little narrower (less buldge thru the middle) and about 3 inches shorter, but still mount in a stock fashion

72 350f side mount/swing

[MötleyRöx]

Seams reasonable to me.
$150/hour or $10/hour and 15 hours.  
How much do you get paid?  I bet you count the hours.  
Now, is it worth it?

[westondc]

i found a local upholstery shop that fixed the foam and recovered my seat for under $80. i dont think you'd have a problem getting it done for under $150. if your going for the stock look but a little shorter then maybe you'd be better off trimming it down yourself and picking up a replacement cover off of ebay. save yourself some dough. why do you want to cut up the seat pan?

[Ryan 550k]

I found someone VERY capable and reliable, like owns his own auto upholstery business, to re-upholster my stock CB550 seat for $120.00 not that long ago.

[socalenduro]

in regards to cutting up the pan
the who goal is to make the seat appear smaller.... I have a cb125 seat that looks perfect, however its a touch to narrow and doest curve the right way to be easily mounted in the stock location.
i like the straight and narrow look of the 125 seats or some older dirt bikes. the 350 bulges thru the middle quite a bit. I also want the seat to be about 3-4 inches shorter
some of the width can prob be taken out just by shaving the foam, but i think it would have to be cut to make it shorter

[MötleyRöx]

I know that I and a friend spent at least 15 hours on mine.
Cutting foam, designing and sewing a custom cover, getting everything just right, then installing.
Someone with more experience could do it faster, but I would sure hope you pay them more than 10 bucks an hour, at that point.

[Ryan 550k]

I know that I and a friend spent at least 15 hours on mine.
Cutting foam, designing and sewing a custom cover, getting everything just right, then installing.
Someone with more experience could do it faster, but I would sure hope you pay them more than 10 bucks an hour, at that point.

Agreed.  I didn't have my seat pan cut at all, he just re-foamed and reupholstered the seat a little different than stock.  I KNOW it would've been more had I asked him to cut the pan up.  $150 sounds fairly reasonable to me for the work your asking for.

[socalenduro]

i was just giving more details because westondc asked my why i wanted to cut up the seat pan

point taken for hours spent vs costs Rox

to clarify this guy would NOT do any metal work, just new foam, shape and cover.

there is that bent edge on our seat pans.... if i cut off a section off the tail how hard it that going to be to duplicate?

I may shop around for someone who can do the whole thing for me....
not having a garage and a 2 bedroom condo doesnt really lend itself to longer term projects

[Ryan 550k]

not having a garage and a 2 bedroom condo doesnt really lend itself to longer term projects

I know the feeling, same situation here.  BUT, if you find a buddy with a garage who'll let you use it, that's second best!
Yes, it's what I've done.