Making myself comfy - seat building

[Mitch]

I'm just about to make my second seat ever (first out of wood 9 years ago). I can sew stuff together so am not worried about upholstering it (repairing leather jackets, new zips etc for the past 14 years - had to learn to keep mine together). Though any ideas on what foam to use wouldn't go amiss?

Has anyone got any ideas as to how thick the steel should be or any other wise words of advice? For instance the best way to fasten it to the bike (I want to make it easier than Mrs R's, which you have to unbolt the sidepanels to get to :( )

All help welcome :D

[Yoda]

I'm just about to make my second seat ever (first out of wood 9 years ago). I can sew stuff together so am not worried about upholstering it (repairing leather jackets, new zips etc for the past 14 years - had to learn to keep mine together). Though any ideas on what foam to use wouldn't go amiss?

Has anyone got any ideas as to how thick the steel should be or any other wise words of advice? For instance the best way to fasten it to the bike (I want to make it easier than Mrs R's, which you have to unbolt the sidepanels to get to :( )

All help welcome :D

i aint no expert but i would say this would be ideal
http://www.bandmlatexupholstery.co.uk/trolleyed/foam/dunlopillolatexpincore.htm

or the stuff th seems like its lots of pieces of different colour foam stuck together (i had my trike back seat done in this and it shapes and supports nicely)

Yoda

[dracken1]

what type of seat on what sort of bike?

as yoda stated that high density foam is ideal but it is often benificial to have a less dense layer on top.

18 gauge steel will be fine in most cases, depending on the shape you want.
if it is to have a plain flat bottom like the old banana seats then 20 guage would be ideal or even ali.

fitting would depend on the style you want

[Rogue Monkey]

i aint no expert but i would say this would be ideal
http://www.bandmlatexupholstery.co.uk/trolleyed/foam/dunlopillolatexpincore.htm

or the stuff th seems like its lots of pieces of different colour foam stuck together (i had my trike back seat done in this and it shapes and supports nicely)

Yoda
Figured you would know were the LATEXsites are Dude! :D ;)

[Yoda]

innocent me......latex is for cushions..it doesnt have any other uses does it
*Googles*...oh gosh my innocence

Yoda

[Mitch]

what type of seat on what sort of bike?

as yoda stated that high density foam is ideal but it is often benificial to have a less dense layer on top.

18 gauge steel will be fine in most cases, depending on the shape you want.
if it is to have a plain flat bottom like the old banana seats then 20 guage would be ideal or even ali.

fitting would depend on the style you want

It's gonna be quite minimal really - though I want to be able to cover a good couple of hundred miles before getting a sore bum. It'll be sort of Arrowhead shape (but wider at the front to suit the original seatrails - I'm not having them lowered as Mrs R's seat is too low) to give my spine a bit of support.

Mrs R's seat is about an inch and a half thick but when you sit on it, it goes to nothing so it feels like you're sitting on the plate (probably are) - so something as you say with high density foam on the bottom and about another inch on top would be better - that way it'll blend in with the tank (not quite like the bike I'm basing my GT on, that I've shown previously here (http://www.100-biker.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=15944&postcount=4) - which has got a really minimalist uncomfortable looking seat).

As far as fitting it goes, I'm thinking of completely de-lugging my GT frame (lack of an angle grinder has kept me off that path so far, but there are folk who have offered to help in that department) so I need to work something out - especially as I've recently cut the rear subframe off an inch and a half back from the shock mounts, meaning I've got nothing to attach the old seat to.

[Blackjack]

Sort of a tongue at the front of the seat base which locates under a strap welded across the seat rails, and a bolt down through the rear fender is one way. Pins into holes (for location) and Velcro (for attachment) is another.

For the foam a flick through the Yellow Pages for upholsterers is often useful.

[Dougie]

I've just made a new seat,getting covered at the moment,and i used four layers of camping mat with a layer of soft foam over the top for shape.My old seat was the same,I'm only replacing it cos the cover's totally fecked and the fixings on the base are shot.It was comfy enough to do 250-300 miles and still be able to walk.

[dracken1]

based on the pic.
i'd use 2.5mm ali, wide enough to fold over the side rails.
this will also have the visual effect of making the seat appear lower
when the base is shaped you want it so that it will sit in position without needing any pressure put on it.
cover the edge with proper edging rubber or a couple of layers of narrow gaffa tape.
a good contact adhesive to stick the vinyl under the edges.
velcro down both sides and the rear to fix it.

use two densities of foam. the base heavy duty foam (usually looks like a pizza) to keep the seat base from pressing on your pert butt.
the upper lower density layer so that your ass sinks into it a little which spreads the load over a larger area.

[BlackPig]

Don't understand !!!!

Does not compute !!!

Comfort,motorcycle ??? :confused:

Don't see what all the fuss is about,bit o' fibreglass an' an old mouse pad/mat,blob of neoprene, job done !!!! :cool:

Mines made of stamped steel 'n' paint FFS !!! :eek:

[Mitch]

Don't understand !!!!

Does not compute !!!

Comfort,motorcycle ??? :confused:

Yeah, but I would like to get to MAG meetings up and down the South East without my brain rattling in my skull!! :rolleyes:

[BlackPig]

I don't have this problem !!!! :D :D



My brain is elsewhere !!!! :eek:

[Huw Beer Monster]

Yeah, but I would like to get to MAG meetings up and down the South East without my brain rattling in my skull!! :rolleyes:

Foam based sealant inserted via the ear should sort that for ya :)

[Rogue Monkey]

I don't have this problem !!!! :D :D



My brain is elsewhere !!!! :eek:
Yer gonna ave magor hemmoriod trouble in later years mate! I`d get one o them blow up cussion thingies from a travel shop if I were thee! That way ya can remove it when ya gets to were yer goin an yer bike will look cool and yer "seat" can live in yer pocket! Ideal for sitting on wet rally fields too! Yer bottom will thank ya for it one day! :)

[Dougie]

Ach his piles probably cushion his arse already!They'll be the size of tennis balls!! :eek: :eek:

[BlackPig]

LOL !!! :D

Just picked up a seat for the FJ,it's from the '30's,and has more springs than a springy thing !!!!! :eek: