Recovering a seat, at least the way I did it!

[rexmitchell]

So I decided to recover the seat on my gsxr this afternoon. I picked up some faux gator skin off the internet. Looks great and I like how it looks, anyway heres the best instructions I can give. If you want to see a picture I posted them in snapshots so check it out. http://motorcycleforum.com/showthread.php?t=84662 I simply took of the old cover of the seat. After that I layed it out on my fabric and cut a piece a little bigger than the old fabric. I looked for the flattest part of the seat which was the back. I stapled the fabric with a staple gun across the back of the seat directly into the plastic.(The foam on my seat isn't strong enought to support the staple). I continued to staple the fabric around the edges and made relief cuts around the corners so that it could be folded over on the bottom, and leave a minimal crease on the outside. I continued around the edges and streched them till their was no wrinkles in the fabric and stapled them tight one side at a time. In the end I looked for any loose parts and restapled them into the plastic on the underside of the seat. While its not perfect it looks great and the fabric is tight on the seat and it cost me around $30+1 hour of fun labor. I know a pro could tell you a better way but this was the lazy Austin Texas way and im pleased. Let me know if you have questions.

[kitty kat]

I recovered my seat recently. I found that the best results were obtained by stapling the fabric on one side at the widest, flattest part, then stretching the fabric taut and stapling directly opposite, then choosing a point near the end of the seat, pulling fabric taut along the length & breadth and stapling there and directly opposite. Stapling at other end ot the seat, again at the outer edge and stretching fabric in length & breadth, stapling there & opposite, then stretching fabric & stapling at front & back, finally stapling fabric all the way round seat, keeping it taut, produced the best results.

I agree it is fun and something you can be proud of when you finally finish. it is a cheap way to make your bike different and stand out in a crowd.

[roadrash28]

SWEET!:o

[Jonez_z]

Definely a 'custom' look.

[rexmitchell]

Thanks, I am trying to start a business recovering seats here in Austin

[NickGr]

Nice my friend! Do you know what can i do to change the shape of the seat? Is there any kind of foamed plastic i must buy, and cut it to the shape i want?

[rexmitchell]

Sorry for the delayed response, I have never dealt with extra foam in the seat, just recovering an old seat without taking the existing cover off.

[Yamaha1980]

Awesome man.