Tips on re-shaping seat?
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Senior Member
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 203
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tips on re-shaping seat?
I'm going to attempt taking a stock seat and stripping it down to the plastic shell, then re-applying new foam and re-covering it.
I have a good idea on what i'd like to do with re-shaping - I want to raise the front portion of the seat a small amount.
I'm currently working out details with purchasing a wrecked seat, so new foam and covering will be needed. I am looking into local solutions for these. I am thinking that i'd start with something close to stock for shape, then adding a small amount of material where I think I want it, covering loosely incase it needs to be re-done, and evaluating/altering as needed.
I may also attempt to leave out making the passenger section and making some type of permanent storage container/holder, not sure yet. I need to see what's under there first.
For those that have done this do you have any advice/tips you'd like to share please? Maybe something you did do that you wouldn't again, or vice versa? Anything to watch out for when doing this?
I realize there is some good input on this already, but am hoping a new thread may fetch new responses not covered before.
PATIA for all/any info.
I have a good idea on what i'd like to do with re-shaping - I want to raise the front portion of the seat a small amount.
I'm currently working out details with purchasing a wrecked seat, so new foam and covering will be needed. I am looking into local solutions for these. I am thinking that i'd start with something close to stock for shape, then adding a small amount of material where I think I want it, covering loosely incase it needs to be re-done, and evaluating/altering as needed.
I may also attempt to leave out making the passenger section and making some type of permanent storage container/holder, not sure yet. I need to see what's under there first.
For those that have done this do you have any advice/tips you'd like to share please? Maybe something you did do that you wouldn't again, or vice versa? Anything to watch out for when doing this?
I realize there is some good input on this already, but am hoping a new thread may fetch new responses not covered before.
PATIA for all/any info.
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SuperBike
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,031
From: Los Angeles ish
Hi Slim,
I did this not too long ago and am happy with the results. Someone here had mentioned using memory foam. I bought a bed pillow of the stuff that was 2" thick across the middle and about 4" thick on the top and bottom. Since it is so much softer than the stock foam, I wound up using the 4" part up by the tank.
I used an electric carving knife to cut 1" off the original seat only for the rider, not the passenger. A bread knife should work also. As I got to the ridge where the passenger section starts, I tapered the 1" out so the original edge was still intact. After shaping the memory foam, I glued it with contact cement. I tapered the memory foam down the sides also where the inner thigh is so there wouldn't be an abrupt edge. Over all that, I added a ¼" thick sheet of denser foam, but that may not have been needed.
There was some black marine vinyl with leather texture left from another project, so I used that as a cover, not glued, only stapled to the underside of the seat as original.
I did this not too long ago and am happy with the results. Someone here had mentioned using memory foam. I bought a bed pillow of the stuff that was 2" thick across the middle and about 4" thick on the top and bottom. Since it is so much softer than the stock foam, I wound up using the 4" part up by the tank.
I used an electric carving knife to cut 1" off the original seat only for the rider, not the passenger. A bread knife should work also. As I got to the ridge where the passenger section starts, I tapered the 1" out so the original edge was still intact. After shaping the memory foam, I glued it with contact cement. I tapered the memory foam down the sides also where the inner thigh is so there wouldn't be an abrupt edge. Over all that, I added a ¼" thick sheet of denser foam, but that may not have been needed.
There was some black marine vinyl with leather texture left from another project, so I used that as a cover, not glued, only stapled to the underside of the seat as original.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 358
Hi Slim,
I did this not too long ago and am happy with the results. Someone here had mentioned using memory foam. I bought a bed pillow of the stuff that was 2" thick across the middle and about 4" thick on the top and bottom. Since it is so much softer than the stock foam, I wound up using the 4" part up by the tank.
I used an electric carving knife to cut 1" off the original seat only for the rider, not the passenger. A bread knife should work also. As I got to the ridge where the passenger section starts, I tapered the 1" out so the original edge was still intact. After shaping the memory foam, I glued it with contact cement. I tapered the memory foam down the sides also where the inner thigh is so there wouldn't be an abrupt edge. Over all that, I added a ¼" thick sheet of denser foam, but that may not have been needed.
There was some black marine vinyl with leather texture left from another project, so I used that as a cover, not glued, only stapled to the underside of the seat as original.
I did this not too long ago and am happy with the results. Someone here had mentioned using memory foam. I bought a bed pillow of the stuff that was 2" thick across the middle and about 4" thick on the top and bottom. Since it is so much softer than the stock foam, I wound up using the 4" part up by the tank.
I used an electric carving knife to cut 1" off the original seat only for the rider, not the passenger. A bread knife should work also. As I got to the ridge where the passenger section starts, I tapered the 1" out so the original edge was still intact. After shaping the memory foam, I glued it with contact cement. I tapered the memory foam down the sides also where the inner thigh is so there wouldn't be an abrupt edge. Over all that, I added a ¼" thick sheet of denser foam, but that may not have been needed.
There was some black marine vinyl with leather texture left from another project, so I used that as a cover, not glued, only stapled to the underside of the seat as original.
also memory foam isnt really supportive, i would layer a bit of dense foam down first and them use the memory foam on top of it.
good luck.
Last edited by Zedicus; Sep 8, 2008 at 06:37 AM.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,269
From: moncton nb canada
i have thought about attempting this for a long time. as near as i can tell the shape is more important that the foam density. in fact the more comfy seats seem to have denser foam, like corbin.
i like that electric carving knife idea!
i like that electric carving knife idea!
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MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
They don't advertise the fact but sargent will sell you a 12x12x2 inch blank of their foam for about $25. Use an electric carving knife and sand paper to cut, remove and smooth it. I then add some cotton batting found in the arts/crafts section at walmart on top of it to help smooth out the transitions and re-staple the cover back on. TIP: I leave the sides alone and only replace the center section to keep it as simple as possible.
If you doing major changes, then an auto upholstery shop can make a new cover or alter the old one.
If you doing major changes, then an auto upholstery shop can make a new cover or alter the old one.
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 880
From: Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
The mandatory linky's
http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/
http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/
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