Seat Cover Installation

For those wanting to keep their bike the way the factory made them.

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Flywheel
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Seat Cover Installation

Post by Flywheel »

I bought one of those reproduction seat covers off of eBay. Any tips or tricks I should know about before I start? Should I let the new cover sit out in the hot sun to make it more plyable?- stuff like that. I've done dirt bike ones before but athestics dont apply there. Thanks in advance.
GT750Battleship
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by GT750Battleship »

8) Hi,I'm sure it's not that hard to do...but I took mine to a car upholstery guy..great job for $60 dollars..nice to have a go yourself though 8)
Cheers,
GT750Battleship.
GT750Battleship.
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kettle kid
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by kettle kid »

Get everything warm, use a hair dryer, use it to get all the creases out once fitted, get the glue tacky on foam/cover before applying the cover... Good luck.. :up:
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

Flywheel wrote:I bought one of those reproduction seat covers off of eBay. Any tips or tricks I should know about before I start?
It actually would help to have an idea which one you bought. Some suppliers do not supply the new cover with a finished edge, but expect you to do this. For these I find it best to take the whole thing to a pro as they have the right sewing equipment to stitch in the edge bead. Others supply the cover with the edge finished and with a bead sewn in so you have something to clamp to and are easier to do yourself.

Which type do you have ? 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
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Flywheel
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by Flywheel »

oldjapanesebikes wrote:
Flywheel wrote:I bought one of those reproduction seat covers off of eBay. Any tips or tricks I should know about before I start?
It actually would help to have an idea which one you bought. Some suppliers do not supply the new cover with a finished edge, but expect you to do this. For these I find it best to take the whole thing to a pro as they have the right sewing equipment to stitch in the edge bead. Others supply the cover with the edge finished and with a bead sewn in so you have something to clamp to and are easier to do yourself.

Which type do you have ? 8)
I got the one that has the edge finished.
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RING_DING
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by RING_DING »

From Pit Replicas?
1973 Suzuki GT750K with Sidecar - Bonneville 2020
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Flywheel
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by Flywheel »

RING_DING wrote:From Pit Replicas?

No, Hondasvintage.
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

Flywheel wrote: I got the one that has the edge finished.
OK - that definitely makes it easier ! All I'd add to what 'kettle kid' offered earlier is to make sure your tabs are in good shape on the seat pan, and have a number of good spring clamps handy to temporarily hold the cover on the pan while you work out the creases and stretch it over the tabs. If the plastic edging on the seat pan is shot, you can use duct tape - you need something, otherwise the edge of the metal pan will eventually cut through the fabric. As 'kettle kid' mentioned, the most important thing is to have everything nice an warm before you start.

Good luck ! 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
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Flywheel
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Re: Seat Cover Installation

Post by Flywheel »

Thanks guys! :up:
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