saving a 1980 KZ750 twin

[canyoncarver]

Damn Doc, you are knocking this outa the park.  I love the kz twins.  I have an 81' I'm rebuilding slowly.   Your tail light rocks.  Nice skills.

[doc_rot]

Thanks man. The kz750 twin is a strange beast. definitely the black sheep of the kawi lineup of the time.

did the first pass on the side panel today but I'm almost out of thread . Im sweatin doing the final fold seam where the quilted part meets the side, that seam is over 4 ft long.

[irk miller]

Heck yeah.  Killer work all around.  What kind of machine are you using?  Standard or an industrial with a walking foot?  They can be a struggle, and getting through a big seam like that on one needle is close.  They usually want to pop pop pop about 3/4 in.  I'm still trying to figure some of that out.

[doc_rot]

Thanks, I'm using an old Husqvarna machine that my mother bought in  1975. Im actually quite impressed by how well this machine handles multiple layers of foam and vinyl. I have been thinking about splitting the seam into two passes and sewing a small piece of cording in the back to cover where they join.

[doc_rot]

Tonight I finally mounted the courage to attempt the fold seam, had a couple beers and went for it. It came out pretty good, not as nice as i would have hoped but i'm cool with it. I ended up splitting the seam into two chunks, and undid the rear seam to insert some webbing to cover up where the two sides meet. I cut the excess out of the cover and stretched it on the pan with tape so i can make sure that my pattern for the boxing section at the front is still good. In the pic of the webbing on the back you can see some small holes where i removed a seam, i thought i sewed inside those but guess i didn't. i have some vinyl repair stuff that will make them virtually undetectable.  I don't want to ever make another seat, they stress me out too much, some things are better left to the pros.

[trek97]

Wow bud, you are doing some really nice work and turning out some really neat stuff here.

[jeffw]

Looks great so far been trying for the last couple of years to pick up 750 twin but not much where live.

[doc_rot]

Thanks guys. I had never seen a 750 twin in person prior to this, kinda rare.

[trek97]

My wife is gonna attempt the seat cover for her CL100.  Upholstery leather.  What brand/type thread are you using?

BTW the seat you are making is mind blowing. 

[doc_rot]

thank you. Not sure of the brand but i'm using a 92 weight polyester thread. its super strong.

this is exactly what im using, except i get it locally for 1/3rd the price, so I'd shop around
http://www.amazon.com/Thread-Polyester-Bonded-Thread-4-Spools/dp/B00EZCP4GO/ref=pd_sim_201_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=02CBEZDVR1J02D6TZ6G5