The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Carott on October 11, 2021, 05:11:10 PM

Title: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: Carott on October 11, 2021, 05:11:10 PM: I am having trouble sourcing a brown replacement seat cover for my 1980 R45N. The original was showing a multitude of tiny cracks in the vinyl. I purchased another seat in better condition but after two summers in the sun it has deteriorated to the point of being worse than the original.
Several sources offer replacement covers but they only are available in black.
My long term plan had been to lower and narrow one of the seats to encourage my bride to get back into riding. The black covers would be fine for this but I would really like to get an original looking brown cover to preserve the factory look.
Any help is appreciated.

Brett
Title: Re: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 12, 2021, 07:03:04 AM: You could do a search for an auto upholstery shop in your area and see what they can do for you .
Title: Re: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: Carott on October 12, 2021, 09:28:05 AM: Quote from: Bob_Roller on October 12, 2021, 07:03:04 AM
You could do a search for an auto upholstery shop in your area and see what they can do for you .

Bob,

I am reluctant to go to an upholstery shop as they can make a decent replica but it will have stitched seams. No matter how well they try to seal the seams they all eventually leak leaving you with a wet butt and a rusty seat pan. That's why I am hoping to find something with the heat pressed patterning.

Brett
Title: Re: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: Justin B. on October 15, 2021, 10:33:27 PM: Try to find a shop that specializes in marine/boats. Seems I remember Rob V., when he was still with us, looked and looked for what you are wanting and never could come up with anything.
Title: Re: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: wilcom on October 17, 2021, 10:49:05 AM: Get a black cover and paint it. When I had a Brown seat on my 79 and went black with the body work I painted the brown seat black. I used SEM Marine Vinyl Coat..... worked well and 10 years and 40K miles later looked brand new even with my 250lb butt setting on it. Going Black was easy, :clap: hopefully they will have a shade of Brown that will match.
Title: Re: Replacement Brown Seat Cover Source
Post by: Carott on October 17, 2021, 11:08:33 AM: Quote from: wilcom on October 17, 2021, 10:49:05 AM
Get a black cover and paint it. When I had a Brown seat on my 79 and went black with the body work I painted the brown seat black. I used SEM Marine Vinyl Coat..... worked well and 10 years and 40K miles later looked brand new even with my 250lb butt setting on it. Going Black was easy, :clap: hopefully they will have a shade of Brown that will match.
Joe,
Thanks for the simple solution and waking me up to see something I already knew.
This will work and it will work well. About 5 years ago I attached a Ural sidecar to my R90/6. The rusty old tub needed a lot of patches welded in and there was no seat. A good friend was doing the work for me and I had bought a $40 BLUE boat seat to use as a temporary solution until I could find a Ural seat. When he made the mounting brackets he also spray painted the seat black. It has held up extremely well and I should have remembered the solution but luckily we have this forum to remind us of the things we used to know.
Thanks again Joe.
Brett