Topic: Seat Cover Replacement

[janne_83]

Hello!

I've done some research for seat cover replacement on my Honda CB 500 Four (1978) but unfortunately there seems to be a  limited amount of info related to the replacement work itself (for example videos). It's also hard to find any good pics or videos about the products they are selling online.

Basically what I'm wondering the most is:
- Can you get the chrome trim off without damaging it? Is it re-usable?
- If not, where to get a new one?
- Can you get all the harware for a reasonable price for the passenger belt ("beltbuckles" and screws)
- If you buy a cover with sewn pattern, can you cover the foam from rain by installing plastic on top of it before installing the seat cover?
- If you brake the pins holding the old cover what's the good way to replace the pins?
- What are the common mistakes on the replacement process?

Based on the old topics I've been comparing some of the seat cover sellers and found three potential ones but I'm open for tips if you have any good advice on this. I think the situation might have changed on the market because the topics I've found have been at least 2-3 years old.

Some pros and cons...

Gumtwo
- pattern is sewn, not heat pressed (may be a problem in wet conditions)
+ chrome trim included
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CB550K-seat-cover-for-Honda-CB550-K3-FOUR-1977-201-/160635186954?hash=item25669a6f0a:m:mWQsA5-6yKAQ6zzsvYaeImQ

PitReplica
- missing the chrome trim
+ customer feedback
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB550-K-FOUR-CB550K-1977-SEAT-COVER-HASV-/180763843503?hash=item2a165d5baf:g:Ao4AAMXQvTlRg8AY

TightFitSeats
- no Honda Logo
- missing the chrome trim
+ price
+ customer feedback
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Seat-Cover-With-Strap-HONDA-CB500-CB550-K3-NO-HONDA-LOGO-/172471296265

[CB_Jeff]

I have heard slot of good things about the Gumtwo covers and plan to pick one up for my 750F project.  If the bike is being stored inside I don't think you need to worry about water getting under the cover through the stitching, the occasional rainy ride shouldn't be a problem.

[DanJ]

I just got a Gumtwo seat cover for my 750. It comes with a strap but no chrome trim.

[madmtnmotors]

I just got a Gumtwo seat cover for my 750. It comes with a strap but no chrome trim.

+1

The chrome trim around the perimeter of the seat on the later model CB750 is held on with pins and push nuts and is reusable. I have seen strap hardware available from more than one vendor. I too used Gumtwo's seat cover:


New gator teeth upholstery strips riveted to the seat pan to hold the new seat cover:




New skin stretched into place:




All that work just for this:





I wrapped the foam with saran wrap before mounting the new cover. This is recommended to help keep the cover from hanging up on the foam. After wrapping from side to side all the way around, I trimmed the saran wrap to fold under the edges of the seat just like the new seat cover does. The new alligator teeth were pop riveted to the pan from the outside-in so I wouldn't have any bumps around the bottom edge. If the chrome is held with pins then you might try McMaster Carr. I think these from McMaster-Carr might make a suitable substitute for the seat trim fasteners:

Rivet: http://www.mcmaster.com/#97481a219/=14jkb9t

Push nut: http://www.mcmaster.com/#94807a025/=14jkbwb

I've never felt compelled to put the trim back on, but if I ever do this would probably be where I start.

[70CB750]

I got my supplies for seat cover replacement from https://www.siriusconinc.com/

Good quality, they have the trim piece too.

[flybox1]

Here's the Gumtwo cover on my 74'550K.  Chrome trim and strap hardware is NOT included, but a new strap is.
Chrome trim came off the bike with a little effort, and I reused it.
Strap hardware- I assumed it was NLA.   Reuse what you have.
I had a sheet of .5mm rubber, and cut a pad for under the sewn in seat top
Use plenty of upholsterers cement, and let it cure well before taking clamps off.  If you use a chrome trim ring, this will also help keep the cover in place if a tooth is broken/missing.

[Stev-o]

Heres a 550 seat I did awhile back.  Dont over think it, replacement is a pretty basic task.

BTW - I reused the original strap, the new ones I've seen are crap. Trim was reused too.

Sorry, I dont recall the ebay seller.

[Duanob]

Pit Replica is pretty close to original looking. Here's a pic of my bike after the seat was recovered. Kind of hard to see the seat.

[jonda500]

I have never seen new oem belt buckles and screws for sale - unfortunately aftermarket ones are thinner, are made from stainless steel rather than chrome and have different fasteners.
The metal trim that's held on with aluminium pins and stainless steel push nuts is also not available but they are easy to remove without damaging them. I carefully picked off the pushnuts with two o ring picks, then annealed the bent over pins before straightening them out and then re-annealed them. The pushnuts got a bit mangled removing them but I was able to straighten them out.
I used a pit replica cover because it looks just like the original and is water tight.
John

[DH]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLASSIC-HONDA-STYLE-SADDLE-SEAT-TRIM-CHROME-RUBBER-/330860087427       

nice replacement part

[DanJ]

I bought the chrome strip and hardware from David Silvers.

[janne_83]

Thanks everyone! Great tips and cool looking seats.

After a little break, I finally decided to test this British supplier based on the customer feedback they have:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/pkclassicbikes/

I usually leave my bike outside so I had to go with the heat-pressed material. In about a week I'll be able to start changing the cover.