How to customize my seat

[skids]

Re: seat pan and foam

I would think that once you determine the shape of the vinyl cover, prior to any stitching, you might want to trace the pattern and stow it away for future replacement covers...but who remember such things!

Originally posted by CAKustom
for the cover it's your choice but i found that a vinyl that has more stretch to it works alot easier.

[ratbyk]

Seat Covers

When I did the seat cover for Ratbyk I cut the original cover along all of it's seams. Used these individual pieces to create a pattern for cutting the new vinyl. Had SWMBO sew all the pieces together. If I remember right she used a polyester thread. We also cut a piece of table cloth undercoat padding with a plasticized coating on one side to prevent water from getting into the foam below. After completed I took a burning candle and let the drippings seal along all of the stitching on the inside of the seam to reduce water entry. Was done 3 years ago and is holding up well. Just being creative (read cheap!) Still looks good and is different. My "ride" unlike any one I've ever seen.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[iron_llama]

http://www.custombike.org/tips_build.htm

Click on the link named "make a ratbike seat"

Depends on how elaborate you want to get, it seems like a decent starting place.

[xj11DAN]

I made my pan out of fiberglass, just covered the area with plastic wrap and placed the weave on there where i wanted it and resined it down. I bought the foam at an upholstery shop here locally. I put a gel pad in mine just to add a little comfort. i shaped the foam with an electric filet knife. when i made the cover i took the old one and cut it apart at the seams and made a pattern out of it, bought the heavy duty seat vinal at the local fabric store and went to work. to fit the pan I just trimmed it on a band saw to fit the profile i wanted. the nice thing about glassing the bed is that i was able to attach the metal hooks by bedding them in the glass.

[iron_llama]

I was thinking of putting a gel pad in mine. Where did you get it? I was going to take one from a bicycle seat or computer wrist rest.

[xj11DAN]

i bought a pad through NASHBAR bicycle catalogues ( there were several sizes to pick from mine is from a "beach Cruiser" seat.)