1979 CB750L. My first cafe/brat project. Denver Area

[trek97]

That’s an awesome job.

 

[V10Pilot]

Well I had an issue while sewing the skirt on the top cushion and had to scrap the whole thing. The machine ate the leather. I decided as much as I like the diamond stitch, it’s a little played out. I may revisit it again later but I’m going to try this pattern. I was looking for design inspiration and came up with this retro futuristic layout. I hope I have better luck with the skirt this time. That was friggin frustrating having to throw away all that work.


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[trek97]

The new top is looking cool.

Seat covers can be difficult and frustrating work.

 

[Maritime]

That's funky. Might look pretty good. It's easy to do the lines in the leather with most machines but you need a pretty robust one to start going through the multiple layers when you attach the skirting part. Also make sure the needle is for leather, makes a big difference.

 

[V10Pilot]

Thanks guys. I’ll probably make another seat so I can swap between brat and café depending if I have a passenger. I’ll do the single as diamond pattern again.
The issue wasn’t with the needle punching the leather, it was with the bobbin mechanism getting all knotted up and winding itself so tight and pulling the leather down into the machine. I worked for half an hour to free it up but had no choice but to cut the leather the get access to free it. It it was my very first attempt at sewing and seat design so I shouldn’t have expected perfection. Either way I learned a lot and this new seat is coming along nicely with no flaws so far. I’m getting a feel for machine settings and the way the materials want to be worked.


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[sandmanred]

Looks great so far!

When the thread balls up in the bobbin area it's likely the top thread tension too low. For a good stitch the top thread ends up getting looped all the way around the bobbin and then the loop gets yanked back up to finish the stitch by that arm the pulls up on the thread fed from the upper spool. When the upper tension is too low the arm can't yank the loop up tight and it leaves that hairy mess that balls up in the bobbin area. It's always good to make a practice run on something pretty similar to the stack you are trying to sew to check your stitch quality. Tension adjustments can be necessary when what you are sewing changes.

Youtube also has some great videos on solving tension problems, you can probably even find them specific to your machine.

 

[V10Pilot]

Thanks for the tip sanmanred. I found I had the tension wheel set too low and once I tightened it up, the stitches cleaned up and the machine hasn’t jammed again (yet).


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[V10Pilot]

Took a break from the CB and rode the ZR-7S up Mt. Evans 14,130ft (4,307m). Highest paved road in North America.


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[trek97]

Wow that's so nice.

 

[V10Pilot]

Seat is complete!


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[The Jimbonaut]

I honestly think it'll be a cold day in hell before I try to stitch my own seat. Kudos man, nicely done.

 

[V10Pilot]

I honestly think it'll be a cold day in hell before I try to stitch my own seat. Kudos man, nicely done.

A lesson in frustration for sure. I started to pick up tricks and techniques and it got easier to get what was in my brain to the real world. It’s still not perfect but after all the work I did on the mechanical portion, it would have felt like cheating to pay someone else to make me a seat. I still need to make another one for single seat cafe riding.


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[cbrianroll]

Looks good! Look into a roller foot adapter for your machine also....helps it go a bit smoother...always use a fresh needle too....be careful going too big of needle or your holes will be bigger than your thread.check out leatherworker.com for good info on leather sewing, needle and thread types and sizes.

 

[V10Pilot]

Shakedown run. All seems to be working so far


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[The Jimbonaut]

Cool man, well done - I'd love to see some more photos!

 

[trek97]

 

[V10Pilot]

Took it out for a quick evening cruise.


Sent from my iPhone using DO THE TON

 

[pidjones]

Nice photography. I like that you retained fenders. You can ride when roads are wet without pumping water up your nose.

 

[The Jimbonaut]

Looking good man, got any profile shots? I'd love to see this looker in daylight too, but these photos are indeed great

 

[Georgelogue]

I purchased a 79 cb750L in march... im into the wiring of the munit basic.... straight up stealing your wiring diagram! thanks and super appreciative of all the documenting! great looking bike.