New seat cover and foam

[bangpaul]

Hi all,

I recently bought one of these new seat covers with a different shaped foamhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-Airhead-R65-R75-R80-R90-R100-R100S-seat-cover-foam-/400248744941?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d30af2bed#ht_1226wt_952

I've been trying to find the time to replace it, but haven't got around to it yet. It looks like it doesn't have as much overlapping material as the original cover, so I won't be able to use the old holes.

Has anyone got any tips for recovering these things, or know of a good guide (possibly a pdf or youtube clip)? I haven't been able to find anything specific enough, and only know I need to stick it in the sun for a while and/or have a heat gun on hand.

What's the best method for fixing it to the inside of the seat tray? It looks like rivets on mine at the moment.

[montmil]

Here's a link to my DIY seat cover photo essay in the R65 Coppermine Gallery.

http://www.suraklyn.com/r65_forum_gallery/thumbnails.php?album=24

Yes, rivets and short metal strip secure the seat cover to the seat pan. A little dab of a quality upholstery adhesive is helpgul at the tight fold near the front corner. There are also a couple short sheet metal screws under there, too.

The rivets are drilled out and the holes, if not buggered, can be reused with the metal strip. A pop rivet tool and an assortment of rivets will be required.

The foam must be bonded to the seat pan. Some trimming may be necessary.

Fitting the cover requires quite a bit of "pull" to stretch the fabric and compress the foam. A hair dryer or heat gun -used judiciously- is quite helpful. I have seen DIY seats that were not stretched down properly and they are sad looking.

If you have additional questions and/or concerns, why not contact the seller?

Monte

[bangpaul]

Thanks Monte. I should've known you'd come through with the goods. I did try contacting the seller but there were language difficulties. It came from Thailand and was hard enough buying the thing. But I'm very happy with it now it's here. I think it'll look great if I can do a good job of putting it on.

I've never been able to log in to that photo gallery. Do I just use the same log in as I do for the forum? If so, it doesn't work for me.

Is it okay to use the upholstery glue for the corners to bond the foam to the seat pan?

[montmil]

Thanks Monte. I should've known you'd come through with the goods. I did try contacting the seller but there were language difficulties. It came from Thailand and was hard enough buying the thing. But I'm very happy with it now it's here. I think it'll look great if I can do a good job of putting it on.

I've never been able to log in to that photo gallery. Do I just use the same log in as I do for the forum? If so, it doesn't work for me.

Is it okay to use the upholstery glue for the corners to bond the foam to the seat pan?

If you've not logged into Coppermine before, set up a user name and password. I use the same one as for the R65 group. Easy to remember.

Same glue will work. I bought a high grade rattle can of adhesive. Mask off everything you do not want glued. Stuff gets everywhere.

Sing out if you have photo gallery problems. Did the link not work for you?

Monte

[bangpaul]

No, it sent me to a log in page. I've now registered and apparently have to wait for approval from admin. I still can't log in. I'll check again tomorrow.

Thanks again Monte.

[MrRiden]

OK back to the cover. A handy item to have is a bucket of spring clamps. Think giant clothes pins. You can test fit the cover first and hold it in place to get an idea before you commit to glue and rivets. Be sure to tape or otherwise cushion the edges of the pan to prevent the raw metal edge from sawing its way through the new cover. glass tape works well. All that said, I've recovered my seat and if I were to do it again I would simply hand it off to an upholstery shop. I know that is not in the DIY spirit but after having done it once I think the cost / benefit ratio when measured against my skill level make paying a shop the winner. YMMV.  

[bangpaul]

Cheers gang. Managed to have a look at those photos this morning, Monte. And thanks MrRiden for the spring clamps tip. I might've had it done professionally if I wasn't going to sell the bike soon. I've been awarded a scholarship to study overseas for a year, so unfortunately I'm going to have part with the bike within the next month or so.