project seat f up

[7aliveatlast7]

thanks for the tips man, really appreciate it!  i have a tank that i'm working some knee dents with, but i tried the 'ol cut both sides out and swap 'em trick.  unfortunately, i didn't realize that my only means of welding, a flux core mig, was a terrible option as it is a porous weld and the tank material is very thin, making it super hard not to burn through.  but i will definitely take your tips, your dents have such crisp edges, which i really want but haven't really seen anyone achieve with hammers.  anyhow, back on topic, can't wait to see the new seat!

[axeugene27]

Here are some pics of cafe seat second try. I rounded out the rear for this one (don't know what i was thinking with the first seat it was a more boxy rear). I used all fiberglass cloth rather than matte.  A note on that --> it is MUCH easier to use and get clean lines. However I find that the end product does not seem to be as stiff. Perhaps that has to do with pattern randomness of the material? In any case. One other note for folks trying this at home. If the resin starts to gel up at all while you are working do not use it you need a very liquid resin to get the smoothness you desire. I rather think this second seat turned out awesome. I still am going to use some of the icing i bought at napa to glaze it ultra smooth. But impressed with myself i am. Probably ended up spending as much to make it as i would of to buy one ( in the end) although if you do it right the first time it will only cost you like 50 bucks to make one. This one has the exact dimensions and shape i want though so i am happy. Thanks for the advice/ input I am gonna get this sucker glazed up now.


By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/axeugene27">axeugene27[/url] at 2012-06-20

By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/axeugene27">axeugene27[/url] at 2012-06-20

[kneedragger74]

Yes, much better. That looks real good on there, sir. Good job.

[Cafe Redneck]

Yep, 2nd one looks a lot better. It took me 2 try's also. I put a lot of hours in mine. Sad part, I use to work with fiberglass everyday for 6 years as a real job.

[rocketman]

Very nice on the 2nd!!!!  Would you advise against going 1 coat matte and the rest cloth?  I am only asking for stiffness?  I am about to do the KZ  and would like to nail it on the first try.  Thanks for the tips

[axeugene27]

Well I think that the matte is prob a lot better as far as producing a stiff seat Just make sure you do small sections at a time and DO NOT use the resin once it starts to set up. I wouldn't try to do the matte again i just couldn't get it to work. For this second seat i used 3 layers of fiber cloth and did 2 layers of resin to stiffen it up and it is good. You should save 2 blocks of foam and elevate the mold so you can get the sides to lay flat. It makes it easier to cut in the end too.

[kaimojurgis1]

Will probably sound stupid, but.. How do you put it on the frame? Do you drill some holes on the sides or on the flat part to bolt it on? I hope you will understand the question, my english is not that fluent yet.

[axeugene27]

I  sandwiched some flat steel in some high density foam and bolted that to the frame I topped it with some velcro and put velcro on bottom of seat pan Seat holds on firm and is easy to just pop off if i need to service the battery. Once i get the seat painted I will post some pics of the set up.

[Caf'd Out]

Nice work dude. I am in the process of making a seat myself. It is my first attempt and it can be a royal pain, as you said. I actually ended up cutting the front half of the seat right off and starting over again because I didnt like how it met the tank. Good thing about glass is that you can cut and re-do when needed. Interested to see the finished product.

[axeugene27]

Thanks man here are some shots of the seat on the bike in color coat now just waiting on decals and I will get er cleared. Also got an upholstry quote for $120 detailed vinyl. So i will prob save myself the headache of learning to sew and just hire that out.


By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/axeugene27">axeugene27[/url] at 2012-06-25

By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/axeugene27">axeugene27[/url] at 2012-07-10

By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/axeugene27">axeugene27[/url] at 2012-07-10

[RoadRash]

Hey, that came out really nicely! Kudos to you!

[axeugene27]

just to button up this thread though i would post a pic of the finished seat in upholtry on the bike. Thanks for the input guys don't know if i would make a seat myself again. It came out pretty nice in the end but it was super messy really time consuming and prob almost just as expensive as buying one. anyways I am pretty proud of it.

By axeugene27 at 2012-07-27

By axeugene27 at 2012-07-27

By axeugene27 at 2012-07-27

[Eyefonez]

Where did you get the leather cushion? Did you make it yourself?

[axeugene27]

It's vinyl and no I hired out to have it upholstered. Just took it to a local custom auto guy threw him a hundo and got it done in one day. I have done all of the work on this bike and it was hard for me to hire it out but sewing is not something I do well and i wanted it to look good. and look good it does.

[diggerdanh]

The product looks great. Nicely done.