How do I recover a motorcycle seat?

Question

My motorcycle seat has become brittle and is coming apart at the seams. I would like to recover it myself, but need some guidance.

Answer 1

Pop seat off bike. Find a specialty store that supplies the fabric materials to the people who sew clothes or fix upholstery. The vinyl like material has a cheese-cloth backing and has a couple different brand names. I know it as 'naughahyde' . Make sure the category you look for is intended for outdoors. It is capable of withstanding -40 degrees without cracking, has fungicide coated on the inside to prevent mold developing and feels thicker compared to interior categories.
Remove the bottom 'plate' of your seat, its usually plastic with metal attaching fixtures attached.

Remove staples. Remove old covering try to keep it intact for use as a template for cut the new shape . Leave new covering with a bit extra material to fold and to leave some wiggle room for re-stapling or rivets or whatever you'll use to refasten.

Have on hand, sharp knives or razor blades, duct tape, a staple gun, extra sponge padding if needed, get an extra pair of hands or fingers to hold fabric as you stretch the new stuf across old seat frame. And be prepared to be disatisfied at first while you remove covering several times before you get it right. Don't over fqasten or shoot too many staple the first tries. Have an extra naughahyde handy to do over again in case. Its one of those skills you get to practice once every 10 years. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Motorcycle Seat Recovering

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I recover a motorcycle seat?
My motorcycle seat has become brittle and is coming apart at the seams. I would like to recover it myself, but need some guidance.

Answer 4

The easiest way is to buy a replacement that you install; most of the seat on older bikes I've worked on had metal prongs that locked the vinyl in place. Some use a chrome strip or small screws.
Below is a company that makes replacement covers for a fairly wide assortment of bikes.
If yours is still mostly together you could use it as a template to make a new one, then it would just be material costs and your time.
Good luck

Answer 5

Try using the old cover as a template and see what they use as the fixates( screws or staples...) You may have to replace the foam too. Use the old foam as a template too. I have purchased vinyl at a Mill end store in Michigan but you may be able to buy some at a fabric store or a boating supply store. You could also just look into how much a new seat is at a dealer, your cost may be the same after you are all said and done.

Answer 6

You can buy seat covers for dirt bikes already cut to shape. I don't know about street bikes. I'd take it to an upholsterer. If you want to attempt it yourself, look at the underside of the seat to see how it is attached. Older bikes had hooks built into the seat. Stretch the cover over the seat, pierce the cover with the hook and bend up the hook. Newer seats covers are held in place with staples using a staple gun. Remove your seat cover, cut and sew a new one to shape and install. Good luck.

Answer 7

The seat should be removable - check the manual for the motorcycle for directions. Once you have it off then it should be like recovering anything else. I assume you have experience with that but if not then I suggest you leave it to the pros.

Answer 8

Take off the old cover. Its probably stapled to the seat pan. Take it apart and use it for your pattern. Make the new one out of marine grade vinyl.

Answer 9

Check your local new paper