Topic: Cafe Racer Seat Foam

[theunrulychef]

Hey, I had a brainchild the other day while thinking about what kind of foam to use for my flat cafe seat.  Also, since there's quite a few of us putting these together at the moment or near future, I thought I'd share my idea. 

I purchased a couple of gardening pads - the ones people use to kneel on while weeding etc.  They're rectangular in shape, quite firm, and are covered in a weatherproof rubberizing compound, and cost $4 each at Walmart.  I haven't upholstered mine in vinyl yet, but my experimenting has been positive.  Since I'm planning on having about an inch of foam, I was worried about using foam that was too soft.  This stuff is supportive, but also very cushiony for my bum.  It cuts easily, and looks like it will hold up well to useage.  Also, I plan on making my cover removable so that if the foam does happen to wear out, $4 buys me a new seat.

Fight the good fight!
-Jay in Philly

[ProTeal55]

Great idea !
I am planning on doing a cafe style seat ,and this would work perfect for a ass pad...

[Chris Liston]

Thats a pretty good idea. I would suggest using the firmest foam you can find though as that will be comfortable in the long run.  Another idea would be to glue the foam to a plastic piece and then wrap the vinyl around it and staple it.  Maybe even double up the foam.  lots of ideas

[volthause]

Hey, cool idea!

[ProTeal55]

How about instead of foam for a seat, using some sort of Gel-pad inserts/type of thing ?
Just an idea here, but maybe adapt some kinda gel-pad into a seat ? I know most custom seat builders do the gel-pad insert into most stock seats, to help aid the ride. I had one done on a old
rigid bike builid a few years ago.

Might be alittle harsh on the rump, but it would keep the seatpad low.
You start wrapping pads on top of each other and you will be back to the stock seat height
before you know it...

[mikeb4]

I have used this stuff - http://www.sargentcycle.com/csroadcom.htm#Super%20Cell  before with great results but the stuff is pricey.  The garden pad is an awesome idea for basically the same type of material with a waterproof cover over it.  Not bad!

[paulages]

the stuff i used is waterproof, dense but still cushioning, and was only $11. ($8.95 sq. ft.). got it at my local foam store...yes, there is a store in portland that sells only foam. looks just like the "racing foam" they sell at my local shop for $30, without the self-adhesive backing.

[cbjunkie]

thanks for the link mike - an informative read...

[Bodain]

Not such a good idea... I used exactly what your speaking of on the seat on this CB 550.

It is waaay to firm... It will kill your butt. Much like sitting on a board. That 1" piece of green stuff is actually covered with 1" inch of much softer material...   Not good at all.

[ProTeal55]

Good to know....

[newkansan]

Carpet padding works good too.  You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes by the foot.  its only like $4-5 i think.  1 foot by like 8 ft.  Im sure if you go to a carpet store there may be different thickness but i just doubled up on the one from the Depot.