[kingston73]

I've cut and modified my seat, added layers of foam, tried a few different types of foam, and finally got it exactly how I want it, but in the process I've somewhat wrecked my original seat cover.  Since the seat isn't the same shape as it originally was, I don't think a cx specific seat cover will work all that well, so is there anyplace you can buy just a square of fabric?  I'm thinking I could stretch it over the seat, secure it the the pan, and then cut the extra?  Any ideas, or anybody who has done this have any tips?

 

[msleboda]

Fabric shops carry different types of vinyl. I don't know if they will have what you want, but that is where I would check first. If not, I would next try an upholstery shop to see if they have a heavier type that they would sell you.

 

[marshallf3]

No doubt check out an upholstery shop such as one that specializes in making car seat covers and the like. He must have had over 1,000 different types, styles and colors in stock in full rolls, various size sheets and bits/pieces.



See my post below, the guy must have had a thousand different types of fabric, vinyl and various materials. He knew what would work best for a motorcycle seat as he carefully explained to me about weather durability, how tough it has to be to stand the way we're constantly shifting on our seats, how it shouldn't be slippery etc.



He said he'd be done with mine by Tuesday but I told him not to rush as I've still got the bike in pieces. I really can't wait to see it even though I've already had my hands on the piece he was going to use.

 

[50gary]

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Me too, except I need someone to sew the cover exactly as I want it to be. Picky picky.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[Trickster]

I've cut and modified my seat, added layers of foam, tried a few different types of foam, and finally got it exactly how I want it, but in the process I've somewhat wrecked my original seat cover.  Since the seat isn't the same shape as it originally was, I don't think a cx specific seat cover will work all that well, so is there anyplace you can buy just a square of fabric?  I'm thinking I could stretch it over the seat, secure it the the pan, and then cut the extra?  Any ideas, or anybody who has done this have any tips?

Just a thought, but do you have a motorcycle salvage shop near? Perhaps they have something there? My local



salvage shop has probably 200 old seats and pans, and you can pick them up cheap. That is if you don't mind



a used piece of vinyl. As far as new piece, like previously mentioned, try an auto upholstery shop, and see if



they have any remnants cheap. BTW, recovering is a four handed job.

Good Luck

 

[Blindstitch]

Joanne Fabric or and Upholstery shop.

 

[marshallf3]

A good shop can take measurements, devise a pattern and make about anything.



Doesn't look like it will take much at all for yours, mine was a full length seat.

 

[kingston73]

So after calling around and getting prices, turns out JoAnne's Fabric was the cheapest place, bought a square yard of fake leather for $15.  I spent a couple hours getting the seat foam shaped the way I wanted it, but forgot to take pictures.  I ended up cutting the OEM foam to make things almost flat front to back, and then added 3 layers of closed cell foam for a total of about 2 inches, and then on top of all that I added 1 last layer of soft, open cell foam that when compressed is a little more than 1/4 inch thick, uncompressed its 1 inch.  Let that all sit so the glue would dry overnight and then today put the final cover on.  I didn't re-use the factory passenger strap, it didn't fit the look of the new cover, but I did reuse the silver trim pieces on either side.  



It turned out pretty damn good for being the first and only time I've ever tried something like this.  The back right corner is a little off, I'd need to tighten that a little more, but the left side turned out pretty good and overall I'm pretty happy with the results.  Hell of a lot better than my old broken down and ripped cover.  What do y'all think?  Constructive criticism appreciated, anything that I can do better next time?

 

[Blindstitch]

Looks good. I learned a trick from harley. For there seat sections that you sit down in they have a folded over section sewn or heat molded and then a string is sewn through it and pulled through the foam and seatpan and held in place by tying or tying it to a 1 inch piece of strong metal like the way jacket or couch buttons are.

 

[kingston73]

Stitch,



I'm having trouble trying to visualize what you're saying?  I took it for a short ride and it felt pretty good, firmer than the stock foam but that's what I was trying to do.  The one thing I'd definitely do different next time is try a different fabric, the fake leather has too much friction, once I sit there isn't any moving.  Some people might actually like that, but I wanted a flat, non-dished seat so I could adjust my position on while riding.

 

[chev]

Use leather cleaner on it every time I clean my truck's seats I slide all over for a couple days

 

[Blindstitch]

Stitch,



I'm having trouble trying to visualize what you're saying?  I took it for a short ride and it felt pretty good, firmer than the stock foam but that's what I was trying to do.  The one thing I'd definitely do different next time is try a different fabric, the fake leather has too much friction, once I sit there isn't any moving.  Some people might actually like that, but I wanted a flat, non-dished seat so I could adjust my position on while riding.

Yeah it's hard to explain. I should have took pictures of it.



You see how this seat has buttons that hold the cover in place. Well most others by harley have a dog eared section on the bottom side of the cover with a strong string tied to it that pulls through the foam into a hole in the seat pan where a T shaped cross bar holds it in place.

 

[Blindstitch]

This seat and cover is a bit different but you see that 3 inch slit in the ass area of the seat. If you look on the opposite side where the cover is pulled back you can see a roughly 3 inch flap attached to the seat cover. That section gets pulled through the foam and seat pan and stapled at the bottom.

 

[raulbajamx]

after my dog chewed my seat : it was already torn: i bought some beef hide (cow) took it to my upholstery shop a now i have to shine it with shoe polish 45 dlls for the cow hide, and 45 dlls for the shop,,,,

 

[kingston73]

This seat and cover is a bit different but you see that 3 inch slit in the ass area of the seat. If you look on the opposite side where the cover is pulled back you can see a roughly 3 inch flap attached to the seat cover. That section gets pulled through the foam and seat pan and stapled at the bottom.

Ok, now i get it!  I always wondered how they get that crease to look so good.