Reupholstered my Bike Seat.

Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

This is a much easier project than you may think and not at all expensive. I'm usually a little uptight about doing things the right way but this time I made it up as I went along and it turned out great Very Happy

This is what I did....
First of all Fabric.
I wanted something a little less plain and 'economy' looking on my Fazer 600. So, living on the coast I first visited a marine upholsterers. I explained I just wanted the fabric. They were fine with this and showed me several choices. The prices ranged from £15-£30 for a 1200mm x1200mm piece. I then visited an auto upholsterers and found just what I was looking for. It was waterproof had a nice stitch etc etc. Whatsmore they had an end piece which they let me have for a £5er. Bargain Mr. Green

Init

Original Seat

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0882.jpg

Removing the old cover was a bit daunting as I knew at this point there was no going back Confused

So, before hand, I took a few digital pictures I could refer back to for reference instead of relying on my memory. I then began unpicking the old staples.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0891.jpg

This took a good half hour. I then measured the old fabric against the new and found I just had enough. I was lucky. Take careful measurments of how much you'll need. It's more than you think.

I placed the new fabric as accurately as I could over the seat to check for fit. The fabric has a good solid vertical banding so was easy to place for a straight fit on the first top seat edge. On that first edge I stapled (with a cheap £7 staple gun I'd bought of the market) the material to the reverse of the seat. Trying as much as I could, to repeat the original stapling via the pictures I'd taken. As I went round I needed to pull the fabric very taut to remove creases and make it as solid as possible. Each staple I placed was repeated on the opposite side. Consistency is the key. This took a
good hour and a bit.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0901.jpg

The Result

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0893.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0903.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/andrewdelvard/DSCN0894.jpg

It's been on for 3 weeks now. The tautness and shape has maintained itself, and to me, looks better than the original. Couldn't be happier with it.
Go on have a go yourself Mr. Green

Andy

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Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

Both the seat and pillion seta are a mess on the FZR and could do with having a little freshen up.

Looks good and in the middle pic looks to match the tank pad Cool

I notice there are no pics of the underside, where this very carefull stapling was going on Laughing

Now thats is easy enough to do you should do suede or a fancy alligator skin next time Wink

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Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

Thanks

Yeah bit crap of me not to show the 'carful' stapling. I'll post an edit showing it tomorrow Thumbs Up

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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

beatnck · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 29 May 2006 Karma :

very helpfull post mate as im thinking of doing the same to mine Thumbs Up

ROB_NSR · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Karma :

Think I'll have a crack at that on my nsr, the seat is fairly shabby on that!

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Impressive! I must do mine at some point, mine's ripped where I fell off. How you rip a seat in a crash I'll never know.

Gaz

Method · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

Hmmmmm thats a realy realy good idea! I like that!

I /realy/ like the way that it can be done on a budget too, sounds like the next mod for me i think!

Very helpfull post mate! Well done, looks great Thumbs Up

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Mark_petty · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Looks good mate Cool

I also have done this I used a non slip material similar to the one you used.
It was quite easy to do, my only problem was the stapple gun was rubbish and didn't have enough power to penetrate the hardened plastic so had to get another one.
Well worth doing if your seat has ripps in it.
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Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

CoronaBoner · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Karma :

Looks like you done a very good job there Thumbs Up

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True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Karma :

That's quality mate. It looks far better than the original. Surprised

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cagiva gezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Karma :

motorcycleseatworks

For those who like the outcome but can't be bothered to do the work themselves.

£55 all in for my two tone MX saddle.
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0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

A big improvement on the origional. Thumbs Up

JGY6000 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :

robbie21mcn · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Karma :

thats really is the business mate. i need a new cover for my nsr and was gonna buy a new seat till i seen your post but tell me are there many auto upholsterers??? not sure where i would find them in my area are they in yell.com or what???
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Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

Yeah just look in Yellow pages under auto upholstery Thumbs Up

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Paulwmids · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Karma :

You did good. Well done.
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meenie · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Karma :

That looks quite professional! Well done!
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Brava210 · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Karma :

Very smart 10 times better than the old one...Nice
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Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

That looks very impressive.
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mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

A mighty fine job you done there Thumbs Up

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Delvard · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Karma :

Thanks for the compliments people. A little while has passed since I posted this topic. Been on some long rides, two ups etc etc. And it's still perfect. If you fancy a change...Have a go Thumbs Up

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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Dan22 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Karma :

I do like that, good job.