Topic: no idea how to upholster my seat

[Stert]

getting to the end of my build. i just need to figure a way to upholster this seat.

here is what i was thinking...

1) i could make 2 seat pans (one vertical and one horizontal) and upholster them separately. still dont know how to attach the pan to the seat tho

2) lay some foam on the seat, cut it, then cover it and hold the vinyl/leather on with those push tab looking things and have the material overlap the seat. is that how they do that?

3) figure out how to make a single seat pan and upholster that. still dont know how to attach seat pan to the seat tho.

any help would be appreciated!   

[Ryan6838]

A pic of what your trying to cover would help some.

[westondc]

i've done two seats already and I'm working on another this weekend. I descovered a guy on eBay that was selling seat spike strips that work great for holding the vinyl cover to the seat. i would recommend using this because it works really well at holding the cover tightly down. i sent the eBay seller a message asking him if he still had more and he responded saying that he is on the SOHC4 forums and would be happy to sell them to people on here. i can get you this info if your interested. also, use a hair dryer to heat the vinyl just before you stretch it over the seat form for installation.

here's a video of a installation using the spike strip:

[razor02097]

I had mine done professionally.  They made a cover how I wanted and I think it turned out pretty good.  Definitely worth the money in time saved and hassle.

[Stert]

sorry for the confusion. my seat is a cafe seat....not the stocker.

its actually carpys seat:
http://www.cb750cafe.com/photo.php?photo=upload/photos2/395_0.jpg&folder=photos2
http://www.cb750cafe.com/photo.php?photo=upload/photos2/395_0.jpg&folder=photos2

the first photo has it upholstered using method #2 that i was trying to describe

[razor02097]

The people that did mine was Fisher Griffin.  They made and installed the cover  I picked out the material and the piping.  I also had the option to reshape the seat if I wanted.  I'm sure a place like that will make whatever you desire.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

just subscribing...

[The_Crippler]

i sent the eBay seller a message asking him if he still had more and he responded saying that he is on the SOHC4 forums and would be happy to sell them to people on here. i can get you this info if your interested.

Once I see the video at home (youtube blocked here), I might be interested.  It would be work well if this guy put something in the services section.

[Stert]

oh, and where would i get the foam to go underneath the vinyl/leather?

[MJL]

I drilled holes in the seat pan and riveted the cover on. the foam came from a furniture repair place, but it is not stiff enough.

[Old Scrambler]

Closed-cell foam from an upholstery shop.....or........get a ripped seat from another bike and use the padding.  You can shape it with an electric knife.............put a little clue on the seat base to hold the foam in place. Start the cover at the front and rear to get it centered.  Put a sheet of plastic (bag) on the foam so the cover can slide to get even tension all-around.

[Stert]

thanks for the plastic bag idea!

[razor02097]

The shop that did my seat put a plastic barrier under the seat cover.  I think its pretty necessary in case of rain.

[Stert]

well plain vinyl is fairly waterproof and there are many "waterproof" vinyls out there. plus, closed cell foam is waterproof as well as far as i can tell.

[the technological J]

i found a nice vareity of foam at the fabrics store( joann fabric) they were a little pricey but its good foam.... some people have used yoga mats from walmart i found a sleeping pad that was about 6 by 2 feet and cut it and glued it together at an army surplus store for 6 bucks