R65 seat cover

[Justin B.]

I was thinking we could turn the wives loose and we could tag behind and make sure they stay out of trouble!  

[montmil]

... turn the wives loose...make sure they stay out of trouble!  

What's wrong with this picture?  

[Justin B.]

Ride behind and keep 'em away from the antique malls...

[montmil]

The weekend just before Christmas, I ordered a replacement seat cover from Northwest Classic seat Covers... just across the border from WA State. Got a response a couple hours later even though it was the weekend. $45.00 plus air freight for something like $8.25.

Will perhaps do a photo shoot during the install. Let y'all know how it turns out. Later,

Monte

[Justin B.]

Monte,

The stock seat has nylon filiment tape around the edge of the pan to help keep it from sawing through the cover.  I have snagged some protective plastic edging (it comes on big band-saw blades to cover the teeth when coiled up in the box) out pf the trash at work that I think would be perfect to slip over the pan edges - I think.  I'll test fit some on the pan I am restoring for the LS tomorrow.  You're welcome to a chunk of it if you want to run by and pick it up...

[montmil]

Monte,

The stock seat has nylon filiment tape around the edge of the pan to help keep it from sawing through the cover.  I have snagged some protective plastic edging (it comes on big band-saw blades to cover the teeth when coiled up in the box) out pf the trash at work that I think would be perfect to slip over the pan edges - I think.  I'll test fit some on the pan I am restoring for the LS tomorrow.  You're welcome to a chunk of it if you want to run by and pick it up...

I know of what you speak, old wise one...  I may have some similar trim that I used on an aircraft wing gap seal. Thanks. Good tip as both my R65's have some wear at the pan's sharp edge. Hope I can get the cover work done during the holiday break from school.

If I can't locate the seal material, I'll watch for good weather and ride south. We can "dumpster dive".

Monte

[Justin B.]

The "diving" has already been done, this is what it looks like and I think with a little trimming/notching on sharp corners/curves it'll work out great.

[montmil]

Seat cover arrived today in spite of holiday breaks and terrible weather in the n'west.

Looks simple enough to install what with the guidelines and centers marked on the cover. Instructions are nice and well written. I'm always cautious of those DIY instructions that are full of grammatical errors.

Quick question: It appears to my feeble old eyes that the two arch-shaped seat brackets are simply "squeezed" to release them from the hinge pivots. Didn't noticed any other way to detach the seat from the chassis. Is the the correct procedure?

After replacing the convertible top on my Cabriolet last summer, this upholstery chore looks like cake! Fingers crossed...

Pics and notes to follow. May plan a ride south to Justin's BMW seat install supply stash.

Monte  

[Justin B.]

Each "hinge-pin" is grooved on the end to accept a special "E-clip" ( kind of an E-clip with a built in handle/tab that makes them easier to install/de-install) type of fastener.  Pop these off and the seat will slide to the rear (when open) and then can be removed.  Make sure you save them as replacing them with a regular E-clip is a PITA...

[Altritter]

<< Make sure you save them as replacing them with a regular E-clip is a PITA... >>

Tell me about it! From experience: Without a pair of right-angle needlenose, replacing with a standard e-clip is somewhere near Dante's third level of hell.   (From personal experience because my seat was missing both clips when I bought the bike.)

[not-so-fast-ed]

Mine too...   Didn't even notice the grooves the first time I took it off by pulling the allen screws.

[Altritter]

<< Mine too...   Didn't even notice the grooves the first time I took it off by pulling the allen screws. >

Same here. I was about to begin disassembling big pieces. Fortunately, I mentioned it on this forum and some guardian angel wised me up about the clips.

[montmil]

Each "hinge-pin" is grooved on the end to accept a special "E-clip" ( kind of an E-clip with a built in handle/tab that makes them easier to install/de-install) type of fastener.  Pop these off and the seat will slide to the rear (when open) and then can be removed.  Make sure you save them as replacing them with a regular E-clip is a PITA...

Ah, the dreaded PITA issue, eh?

Checked -and by using my new R65.org flashlight- found some rusty, empty grooves where the e-clips used to live. The seat on the '83 is held on by the rear storage box... nada else.

Peeked at the '81 and it has one of the "tab" e-clips on the aft seat pin. At least I have a sample of the size needed even if I have to go the "PITA" route. I recall having some of the same clips in my odd-ball hardware collection. What are the odds I can find them and they'll be the needed size? Dream on, Klingon.

Thanks, folks, for the assist. Hopefully, we'll get some pleasant days for shop work before returning to the school house grind.

Still have the eldest son, his wife, and two grandkids here. The dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer, DVD player/television and microwave are constantly running... as is the electric meter!

Monte