A Few Questions About Seat Recovering - please advise

[Bill__Woods]

Hell Xsives,
It has been awile since i have posted on the forum, I still read it pretty regular though. I live in OHIO so it is cold and snowy, and my XS is in the Garage. I am getting ready to start my wintertime projects on her. I need to have my seat recovered. I was going to order a Seat Skin from Dennis Kirk, but the Do Not list one for the 1981 XS1100 Special. They do list one that fits a 79, 80, and even one for the 81 Midnight Special. Here are my questions.

1. Is the 1980 XS special seat the same as the 81 special seat.
2. Has anyone bought a seat cover for an 81 special? From where, do you still have the part# and / or the manufacturers name?
3. What is the going rate in YOUR area for a good Reskinning at your local Upholstery shop.


Any help you all can give would help me for sure.
thank you,
ride safe (if you in the non-snowy parts of the world)

[captjerry]

Hi Bill,
I had my SilverWings seat redone at a local shop, this guy does mainly cars and boats, first class work. I gave 110, this was for a single bucket seat and resculptin the foam. Im going to have my SH's done in a couple weeks I expect about the same price. Little pricey but for great work i find it acceptable.
J

[Bill]

Re: A Few Questions About Seat Recovering - please advise

Bill Woods wrote:

What is the going rate in YOUR area for a good Reskinning at your local Upholstery shop?

Good to hear from you again, Bill! A couple of years ago I got quotes from two local shops for recovering a motorcycle seat. Both were between $60 and $70. FWIW...

[webbcraft2150]

I know JC Whitney sells seat covers that fit you application, they run around $40. I had my seat recovered about 6 years ago and it ran $110. I specified a "marine" grade vinyl. It is usually heavier and more UV resistant. Be sure to tell your uplostery guy it is a bike seat. They should use a different type (nylon) thread when doing a seat that is going to be exposed to the elements.

[twal1917]

Seat cover feedback?

I've got an '80G and the seat could be redone. Could anybody tell me how well these seat covers look/install vs. having the seat reupholstered?

[yuddy]

twal,
I just ordered one from Travelcade ($49.00), I'll let ya know when it gets here.

[Dennyz]

I recoverd my '79 Standard with a Saddle Skins from TravelCad.

http://www.saddlemen.com/saddleskins_street_p3.html

They fit well, look and hold up great.

[yuddy]

I second Dennyz thoughts,

I just got it today,
looks good, fits good.

[Bill__Woods]

Hello again,
I just emailed travelcade about a saddle skin. If it is nice enough for Denny's bike it is nice enough for mine. I have seen you Pictures Mr. Z. The probelm is they do not lis the 81 SH on the link that denny posted above. here is what they show.

XS1100 E,F
78-79
Y670
BLACK
$56.95

XS1100 G
80
Y676
BLACK
$56.95

XS1100 H
81
Y686
BLACK
$56.95

XS1100 LG,LH MIDNIGHT
80-81
Y673
BLACK
$56.95
XS1100 SF SPECIAL
79
Y699
BLACK
$56.95

XS1100 SG SPECIAL
80
Y674
BLACK
$56.95

they stop the listing at 1980 (SG). Is the 1980 special (SG) seat the same as the 81 special (SH) seat? According to thier listings the Midnight Special used the same seat in 80 and 81, but it was different than the Special seat. Did they use the same seat in 80 and 81 on the special?

Still working on my soultion,

[captjerry]

Bill post what you find out from Travelcade.
I'm in the same shape.

[auxtian]

Have a look at http://www.sheepyhollow.com
Its in Australia but good gear I have one of the covers on my bike
put it there cause my 14 year old daughter said her bum was bored

[Dennyz]

It is my understanding that the LH (Midnight Special) and SH (Special) have the same seat.

Can anybody confirm this?

[Dennyz]

Now that I think about it, doesn't the "H" have the same seat as the "SH"?

[captjerry]

Bill and Yuddy, did ya'll ever get your seat covers
and what do you think?
Thanks J

[Bill__Woods]

Hey CaptJerry,
I have not ordered mine yet. I am going to go with Denny Z's thought that the 81 special and the 81 midnight special seats are the same, and order the 81 midnight seat cover. I will post for certain if it fits correctly. If it is not the right cover, I will just send it back and have it recovered locally.
I figured someone here has been thru this with an 81 special and knew which ones to get, so I have been waiting. And there is 1.5 feet of snow in Columbus.,so i have time to wait.
I will probably order seat cover within next 2 weeks.