HOW TO :- Recover a worn out seat.

[jonnywombat]

This is my first attempt at recovering a seat all on my lonesome, but I am extremely happy with the end result... This method should work on all seats with a plastic base.

You will need

1 piece of "leatherette" vinyl of your selected colour
1 can of spray adhesive
1 staple gun (mechanised) and staples
1 flat headed screwdriver
1 pair of pliers
1 roll of gaffer tape
1 sharp craft knife
1 pair of scissors
1 spanner suitable for removing hand strap (if fitted)




Step 1 Remove the strap (if fitted)
On a bandit this is secured by two nuts



Step 2 carefully remove staples



I say carefully as you will want to use the old cover to help make a pattern for the new one



Step 3 Using the old cover as a template make a new cover

This is not as hard as it sounds, as I found out material that has been attached to a curved piece of foam for 10 years dont want to lie flat, but you can use it as a guide to cut out an oversize piece of new vinyl.

Step 4 repair the foam as required

Wear and tear on my foam had meant it worn away in areas both at the front and rear. I used the adhesive to secure what was left and the taped over the exposed edges of the under tray with several layers of gaffer tape.

Step 5a attach the vinyl to the base
Apply spray glue to the top surface of your seat foam ONLY. Making sure you have the material the correct way around apply it to the top surface working slowly from one end toward the other, smoothing it as you go. Allow the glue to dry before proceeding.


Step 5b attach the vinyl to the base
Once the top has dried you can allow the side to hang down and you can strech it into postion. I encourage you to experiment before fixing the sides as it is easy to see the areas creases are going to form. For me the "problem area" was going to mid way down the side where the front seat raises to form the pillion seat.

When you have found that "problem area" then use that as a start point for the stapling process, working from the middle out towards the back and front, and evenly on either side.



Step 6 When stapling is complete trim away excess



Step 7 Check for ruffles
If you have any creases or ruffles then you can remove the staples from the problem area and adjust it and restaple.



Step 8 Refit hand strap



Finally refit seat to bike and bask in your brilliance



This took about 1.5 hours from start to finish, and cost £5 for enough material to make 4 covers and 3 quid for spray glue.

Should anyone want me to have a go at one for them then PM me

[Reborn]

Right I'm off out to buy a stapler!

[grotbag]

You've made a real good job of that jonny, your new seat look brill and I can follow your step by step guide too!

[davethemonkey]

being an idiot, i really appreciate idiots guides

[deano]

Originally Posted by davethemonkey

being an idiot, i really appreciate idiots guides

yer not alone dave

great DIY step-thru jonny, in fact its a potential 'sticky'

[davethemonkey]

i was surprised at the lack of pink fake fur...leatherette seems such a "normal" choice....

[druidsam]

good work jonny.. where did you get the leatherette from?



............................Sam

[robertall]

Would this be suitable?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=110254018535

Rob

[FirestormMike]

Good job that ! I did a mates CCM seat with leatherette from Boyes. It looked ok but I could have done with a better stapler like yours Johnny. I didn't use any glue though, which is probably why it had a small ripple where the seat curved. I watched a program on the telly (custom my ride), where they used the same stuff but warmed it up with a heatgun prior to stapling it to the seat.

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by robertall

Would this be suitable?

Tan/Orange Faux Leather Leatherette Fabric PVC Material on eBay, also, Synthetics Blends, Fabric, Crafts (end time 15-Sep-08 16:47:26 BST)

Rob

That's the stuff which isn't smooth Rob, it's got a sort of suede, furry finish which means it would probably go all horrible if it got wet, just like suede shoes do with bald shiny patches were it get's worn.