zap2504 said:Did you give it a "test sit" for an extended time? It looks to me like the upper part that would actually provide the most support is fairly narrow and I would be suspect of the sharp transition angles on the sides.
jpmobius said:Beautiful work man. I think the hard angles on the top are ok. Are you going to have a seam there in the cover to maintain the visual edge? I think that would look good. My $0.02 is to remove the body line in the middle of the sides and replace it with a smooth curved shape so the seat styling better matches the styling of the tank. Another thing about trying to make corners or hard edges in the foam for styling purposes is that it is often very difficult to keep that body line sharp and straight looking after the padding and cover are done. If there is not a seam on top of it to help teach the eye that the corner is fair and straight, it can look lumpy and wavy - especially over time. Otherwise I think the shape is right on. Gonna be a nice motorcycle when you are done. Kudos for documenting!
JadusMotorcycleParts said:Decided I like the new trend of actually having side covers... So I modeled up some super slim ones that hug the frame much better and fit the form of the frame rails and new seat
In the past I have been a big fan of the 'emtpy/clean triangle' but my tastes have developed haha. Now that area does just look, well, empty? Plus it means you miss out on the opportunity of giving the bike another design detail/more character. Case in point:
zap2504 said:Very good first efforts! I think your second photo is very telling - it looks like neither the seat nor the side panels follow the bike frame's vertical plane (i.e., seen from above) and so look out of place. The seat looks like it needs to be narrower at the tank end and flair out more at the shock mounts. Likewise, the side panels look fairly good at the rear (except for not following the frame downtubes completely) but protrudes too much at the front. [Edit - I went back to your 2-D drawings and you can see it there too.] Probably due to the frame plane twisting inward in that area. The side panels may also look better (less visual weight) if they did not extend as low. Try it in a drawing first to see which way you prefer.
Right, but what I'm proposing is only a slight change to your original design - just slightly narrower at the tank (will not affect comfort as you will be sitting further back), and slightly wider at the shock mounts (just enough to match the frame). The padded tank overlap you have designed at the front will take care of the tank rear/seat front issue. The side panels may be a different story. Maybe more of a curved slope at the top/front edge so as to better match the frame coupled with either a higher bottom line or a stepped design so that the panel is the same overall height but has more of a visual "thinness".JadusMotorcycleParts said:You are right zap. However, with the SR250 frame and designing a seat for it, its a bit of a tricky task. Just because the frame rails come so tight at where the rear of the tank connects to the frame. So then it becomes a decision (personal preference maybe) as to whether or not to follow the frame rails the whole way (and end up with a very very thin seat at the front - and possibly not even cover the tank bolt - ala attached), or only follow the frame rails at the rear (like I have done) and then match the edges of the tank at the front of the seat instead.