Seat - comments on a new seat

[Barry]

I didn't take in progress pictures when I recovered mine but this is the end result using a Motobins cover. You will need to re-use the metal strips and washers and the nitrile tape is a good idea, there would originally have been fabric type double sided tape on the flanges.  You will also need some contact adhesive.

[baffle]

Thanks for replies and pictures folks.  I've created a coppermine account but I still can't log into the link suraklyn page, am I doing something wrong?

[baffle]

Could anyone advise on what to fix first,  and what order to fix the strips in?  The cover wants to hug the concave curve in the pillion area.  I guess this is done by fixing the ends of the cover and then tugging the edges tight to get the vinyl to take the shape? Although my foam looks ok, perhaps I will be adding a top layer of foam to give the seat a bit more squidgeyness as any foam that's been sat on regularly for a few decades is gonna be tired.
Thanks

[Barry]

I fixed the sides first taking care to ensure the cover was centred on the seat base then the ends. The technique was to use a large number of bulldog clips to hold the cover in place. Once I was satisfied with the fit I removed the clips on a short section and glued that in place. The strips and rivet went on last.  You are right to recognise that the rear is the tricky bit. I did the job in hot sunshine to make stretching the cover easier. You can see from the picture that my cover fits pretty well bt if I'm honest the cover doesn't quite conform tightly to the rear concave section and if I put a finger on that spot the cover has a 2-3mm airspace underneath in the centre of that concave section. It's of no consequence though as you can't tell from looking at it or sitting on it. Adding a thin layer of foam is a good idea. Although my foam was in very good condition it had taken a set in conforming to the pattern of the old cover and you will have noticed that the pattern of the new cover is different. This difference together with the absence of a grab strap on the new cover showed through when the new cover was fitted. That disappeared gradually over the years as the foam conformed to the new cover. By some strange stroke of fortune my bike won a prize at a concours event last week and no comment was made that the seat wasn't original so it must look reasonable.

[baffle]

Thanks for that Barry.where did you glue - the vilnyl to the flange/pan? Cheers

[balibeemer]

Hers the seat on my boxer. Run up by an industrious little Javanese man in 4 hours. The cost was the Indonesian equivalent of $34. Without the grab strap, it would have been $ 25.

[Barry]

where did you glue - the vilnyl to the flange/pan? Cheers  

Yes on the inside of the flange and seat base but make sure not to get any glue on the side facing out or you will see it in smoothness of the vinyl.

That's a very nice seat cover balibeemer.

[balibeemer]

Just glued on !

[balibeemer]

....and the R 65 decal was also 'made by an enterprising oriental!

[baffle]

Hi People. Got the seat done today, and here are some piccies. Yes, not for the feint hearted, and I couldn't have done it without the help of my wife..... I used 12mm topping foam over the whole, left the cover in the sun to warm up, and then Contact adhesive to glue the cover into the flange, using small plastic spring clamps to give a bit more fix. I then rivetted in the strips (which I had smoothrited red as I was bored of black)









Not perfect, but I am overall happy enough... MOT tomorrow hehe  

[clonmore1]

Nice little spot by the canal!

[baffle]

We seem to like it, been home for 23 years....

[montmil]

Good job on the seat cover install. Very tidy.

I also eliminated the pillion grab strap on both my R65s as it always hit me in an uncomfortable position.. Made it a bit tiring to scoot back for higher speed cruising.

[baffle]

thank you for that......and now the bike has passed its MOT, so I am chuffed. 34 months of a slow rebuild are at an end, and I can enjoy the bike again.
I had wondered about putting a strap on, as I like the way they look......but perhaps I won't bother........