Re-covering my seat

[manshack_one]

I bought some new leather for my seat. Should I just use the adhesive right on top of the old vinyl or strip it down to the foam?

[John]

Strip it down to the foam.

[planedick]

What adhesive?

I did a couple of these seats, but I don't remember any adhesive.

[manshack_one]

aye, cap'n.

Any suggestions for an adhesive? I was thinking of the stuff you use for the headliner in a car.

I was thinking it would need one to help it follow the contour of the stepped seat.

[trbig]

I can't remember the exact name, but 3M makes a product that works well. Just be careful since some things will eat foam.


Tod

[mro]

No Adhesive needed




mro

[manshack_one]

that's cool and all but I have no idea how to stitch it like that. I planned on just gluing it to the foam and letting my ample sized back end keep it conformed to the foam shape.

Also, I don't have a stepped up seat like that. Can't find a link to any of my pics right now but I've just got a big grey wide seat with a much less noticeable second seat.

[mro]

If you have the old cover...use it as a pattern.


mro
BTW, 1/4 inch thick pad sown into the cover where your butt is going to be really helps

[manshack_one]

I suppose a rudimentary upholstery lesson is needed here.
What is the cover attaching to when you sew it? Is there another peice under there I need? My seat right now just has about 4 width-wise stitches across the seat. In my mind you're stitching it to the foam but that can't be right.

[Wildkat]

If you want the padded look as in mro's picture... you have to sew in some kind of foam pad... That is what provides the quilted look to it...
The thickness of the foam will depend on how much effect you want (as well as comfort)... Maybe an 1/8" to 1/4" padding... if that much?

The seat cover is removable so you don't sew it to the foam itself... I'm guessing, if it's stock, it is held on with metal tabs that you bend up to remove the old and put on the new.. then bend down the tabs to secure it in place...

The cover on my seat was done by B&H specialties here in Hurst for around $75... Several people on the forum here have bought a cover from them and all have had good luck with theirs (as far as I know)...
I never did put any adhesive on mine.. and I haven't slipped off yet...

Here's a thread from trbig regarding his cover

[mro]

sew in some kind of foam pad...

There be different densities for the thin pads.
Also need "interfacing" material so the pad is sandwiched between seat material and "interfacing", other wise will be a problem with stitches in the foam pad.

Seat materials can be had pretty cheep. (got mine at Joans on sale all material and uphostery thread less than $20.00)
One problem is I don't have the patience to sew by hand and a regular home sewing machine has problems doing three layers of vinyl


mro

[fredintoon]

Real leather?

Hi Manshack,
If you are planning to use real leather, like from the outside of a cow, and are also asking for a rudimentary upholstery lesson, I'd say, don't do it. If you want a real leather seat pay a professional leather worker to do it for you. As one who has made vinyl seat covers on his mom's sewing machine many years ago, let me say that $95 spent on a Saddleskin replacement cover is an absolute bargain.

[manshack_one]

Awww, but I've already spent 8 bucks on a yard of Nubuck faux black leather from Walmart! I'm too far in to give up now! I've already spent 8 bucks!!

Seriously, If I can't get it to work then I'll go ahead and break down and send it to someone. Hey, I already painted my tank with 98 cent rattle cans so I figure I can make a decent job out of the seat!

I'll try and put some time into at least pulling the seat apart and looking at how it's put together. I do my best work by reverse engineering!

But I can't promise it will be soon. I just got my carbs back from Do Lee and I've got loads of road testing to do!

[AlanB]

Hi Manshack,

Basic plan is to strip off the cove, figure out the joins, and use it as a pattern to make some more pieces the same shape as the originals. Leave 'em a bit longer at the bottom, where it wraps around the seat base.

Stitch 'em together.... most home machines won't sew three layers........ and you should have a new cover!

For a first try , I would miss out the pretty stuff.

If it sounds a bit complex, consider repairing or patching what you already have; How bad is it?..... post a pic!

AlanB

[manshack_one]

There's really only one little hole in the seat and my big leg covers it up but I just want something a little better looking than the dull grey it is now. Plus the vinyl seat I have is slippery. When I throttle up hard I slide back on it. Maybe I need to invent a contraption that uses suction cups or something to hold me still. Same problem when I release the throttle, I slide forward.

Speaking of, I was thinking of putting some type of return spring on my throttle down by the carbs. Just something to minimize the lurch I get when I drop the throttle.