Seat Help Please

[MrRiden]

All,
  I hope I don't regret this but I've decided to have a go at replacing my seat cover on my own. I have zero experience in upholstery and am even now doubting my decision but a new plain cover for my r65LS is on its way from MotoBins. I'm soliciting any advice, warnings or kind words on how to do a competent (or even semi competent based on my experience) job. What rivets do I need? Hmm, how do I remove the old ones? Tools? Tips, tricks. Foam repair? Generally Help! Worst case scenero, I pitch it all and pay a proper shop to fix my bodge.
  The intended victim is pictured here: http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m70/mrridden/BMW%20R65LS%20Seat/
 I promise to make a step by step with photos if all turns out and maybe even if it doesn't. Thank you for your advice in advance.
rich  

[NC Steve]

Rich, John recently ordered a new cover from Motobins too, you might ask him about it.

I know he was so certain & excited about his upholstering skills that he farmed the job out to a local shop, with a 1-day turnaround time, for 25 bucks.
Seems like a small price to pay and money well-spent to me!

[Bob_Roller]

Rich,I don't think there is much high tech about removing the cover. Drill off the rivet heads with probably a 3/16ths (#10) drill-bit, you may have to hold the rivet head with a pair of pliers because it will probably want to spin. I would be surprised if your foam is still use-able ( mine wasn't when I had my seat recovered about 10 years ago), but if you have remove a section of deteriorated foam, I think a hacksaw blade would be your best first try. You'll have to try adhesives to see if they melt the foam or not, if you want to replace a section. Rivets should be available at an auto parts store, along with a pop-rivet gun. If all else fails, Verdonne Upholstery in Scottsdale does a great job on seats, after I get home from work today about 5pm, I have the business card of a guy that specializes in motorcycle seats, and I'll send you his number, I think he's in Chandler or Gilbert, in the general area of Victory BMW.

[Justin B.]

Rich, I have a new Moto-Bins seat cover that I would love to pawn-off, err, I mean sell, to somebody if they need one.  I bought two, installed one but was not real happy with the durability - or I could have stretched it too tight...

[msbuck]

An electric carving knife from the kitchen is a great tool for cutting into the foam.  Back when I first got my bike I needed to cut the height of the seat, so I pulled back the cover and cut out about 3 inches of foam.  I wasn't too keen on trying to recover the seat myself, so I went down to the local car upholsterer and he cleaned up my work, added an extra smooth piece and steamed the cover back into place when he riveted it.  It cost me about $10 - and he did it while I watched.  That was about 15 years ago, though.

[suecanada]

Rich..did you receive my email about my upholstery job?  Somehow I received a Error message when I went to send it then managed to rescue the message to send it via email..just wondering...I am pretty much too lazy to try and type it again probably but would if asked.

[Jon_P]

other than using a electric carving knife, lay the new cover out in the sun for a hour to help get it soft enough to work or stretch a little.

if you need foam use a high density foam or you will feel it in the long run. i get the high density foam at walmart in the camping section. it is the foam sleeping pads you get for around $5 instead of the fabric store where its $5 a foot.

[suecanada]

If you haven't got my email.....hair dryer to keep the cover stretchy as you work it tightly into place.  Glue clamp, rivet..repeat....repeat or glue, clamp and staple.....repeat, repeat.

Not mentioned above but a dremel tool with a small shaping fine grinding attachment works very well to really smooth out the chops left by the electric carving knife and does final shaping say to narrow the sides of the seat foam. Does it slowly enough that you don't worry about botching it. Looks pro when you're done. Cover foam with some other cloth then some plastic wrap over that before you put vinyl cover on.  Just some thoughts that I saw my upholsterer do when doing my bike's seat.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I bought my foam, and glue and drilled out the rivets, pulled the cover back, and started looking for a upholsterer...

For me to duplicate those lines on the foam would assume I had some artistic talent - which I do not.

I found a good guy, automotive primarily, but known around town for his bike work.  His name was acknowledged by 3 totally separate sources!  I paid $60 labor 2 years ago.  Steeper than John's, but worth it to me, because my seat still looks the same, but is much nicer.

Every town of any size has a competent upholsterer.  Just ask around the local bike breakers, custom shops, dealers of any brand...

[MrRiden]

Drat! Cover is back ordered. Local shop sez around $250. Think they want to cover it in endangered species hide at that price.
rich

[NC Steve]

Rich, did you see Justin's offer above, to dump, errr...sell you a spare Motobins cover that he has?

[MrRiden]

I thought his were for the non LS seat. Justin, what ya got?
rich

[NC Steve]

Uh oh, I think you're right: sorry!

Although, the seats are quite similar, and if you're starting from scratch, shaping foam, etc., the cover may very well be workable.
Good Luck! [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[Ed Miller]

I had a local motorcycle guy recover my Russel Daylong, and I think he only charged about $125 so I think the $250 is out of line, for just a new cover anyway.  He's well known for making nice custom seats as well, but I was happy with the way the Russel fit so I just went for a new cover.  Marine grade vinyl.

[Bob_Roller]

Rich, what shop quoted you a price of $250 ?