How to customize my seat

[ultra6xlt]

I am looking to customize my seat. I would like to find a seat pan, and shape my own foam. I would like to make the seat thinner and follow the contours of the bike. Has anyone fabricated their own seat before? Are there any resources you can recommend in fabricating a seat? I was going to try and find a seat from a junkyard, attach my own foam to it, shape it with a bread knife and wrap it myself. I am looking for a place to find a cheap seatpan and some ideas on how to approach the project. Any ideas? Thanks!

- Matt

[chevy45412001]

how handy

Sounds as if your pretty handy. If so make your own pan out of tin (sheet metal ) just like the big boys do. Just a thought.

[Pat Kelly]

I've done this before on my Honda Hawk. I used a bread knife to "dish-out" or "step the seat where I sat. I also tapered the edges along where my inner thighs hit. I then cut the back 6" off and set that on top of where my butt goes to make a bucket. This went inside a cowling I made from fiberglass. The end result was a solo seat with a ton of storage. I have an old poloroid I could scan if ya want a pic of the results. I may be doing the same thing on my XS.

[ultra6xlt]

Thanks! I thought about making my own pan our of sheet metal. Does anyone know any books I can pick up on forming my own seat? I have seen people build the seat with several types of foam, shape the seat with a bread knife and then wrap the seat in leather or vinyl. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do. I was curious to see if anyone had done it and ran into any problems. Any recommendations on foam? I would like to see any pics that anyone might have of their seats. Thank you all!

[dbyers]

I too had looked into that. I've searched and searched on the net with no luck. I even contacted Corbin and tried to get them to make one..No luck...What you can do is search EBay and keep an eye out for a seat. Remember that a standard pan and a special seat pan will not interchange( so I've been told). Then take the seat your favorite seat shop and they can make it.
Good luck and send pictures when you get it completed.....

[Dennyz]

I started with the stock foam and used an electric kitchen knife to carve a new profile. I attached carpet pad foam to build up places I though where low using Elmer's spray adhesive (contact cement).

On my seat, the sides have been shaved off with a bit of foam added right down the center. A 1/2" of foam was added to the passenger part of the seat.

I used a Travelcade cover to finish it off.

[John]

Denny! Post some more pics. From what I can see, it looks great Especially pics of the engine. Is it all blacked out?

[Dennyz]

Yep, a lot of black paint and powder coat.

[John]

Now that's what I call purdy!
Have you seen mine?

[Dennyz]

Well, pop some pics up here!

[John]

http://community.webshots.com/user/john80sg
Here's a link to them.

[Dennyz]

Very nice.

[John]

Thanks

[chevy45412001]

dang

both are very XSesive good looking scotters. BUT I STILL LIKE DENNYS XSIVE EXHAUST.OOps almost forgot denny you still interested in that pipes i have? i got em wrapped up just havent been able to get quote on shipping .hopefully toomorow i"ll pm ya. (sorry for jumping on your post ultra)

[CAKustom]

seat pan and foam

i used 14 gauge steel sheet and closed cell foam to make the seats on both the bikes i built ( see post "tell me what you think")
i love the way they turned out. as for foam it's readily availible on the net, just do a search. there are all kinds of different densities that you'll be able to choose from. a serrated egde knife and a 80 grit sanding wheel work wonders for cutting and shaping. for adhesive i found that 3m super adhesive works the best ( after four other brands and 30 bucks) for the cover it's your choice but i found that a vinyl that has more stretch to it works alot easier.

good luck, and have fun !