Cafe seat, buy or make pros and cons

[DSmoke]

Hi all,

I am about to start assembling parts for my first cafe project, GS450S. I have looked all over the internet for seats and have found a few that I like. At the top of the list is a seat from Carpy's http://www.cb750cafe.com/products-page/seats/the-vincent-seat/.

However, I thought about making a seat so it can be exactly what I want and built to match and fit the bike perfectly. So I read a bunch about making a seat. This appears to be very time consuming, especially for a first timer. I am a remodeler and have a knack at that type of stuff, but I know there will be more sanding on the first one that probably necessary. Kinda like drywall work, it takes a practice to get to the point where you need very little sanding.

So debating between the expense of a bought seat at $130, vs the time and cost of making a seat, I am on the fence. I figured I would have $40-$50 into making a seat. I would love to hear what your experiences are to help me decide. Thanks!

 

[jsharpphoto]

I'm about %60 of the way done making my own fiberglass seat. I think your estimations on how much it will cost to make are too low.

My seat will end up costing closer to $90, and I didn't have to buy any foam for shaping. There's not much markup on the fiberglass seats, when you think about the precision involved by comparison to a one off seat. The shops that support this site have access to better quality materials and resins because they buy in bulk. The stuff they use is not the shit from home depot.

I'd say there are only two reasons to make your own seat.

1. You're a DIY'er who wants to put a "built not bought" sticker on their bike.
2. No one makes the seat you want.

Saving money is not a valid reason to make your own seat, because it's founded in a false economy.

 

[J-Rod10]

That is a good looking seat.

You'll have to add the $150 or so it will cost you for upholstery at a local upholster for a one off cover too.

 

[emcarthu]

That is a good looking seat.

You'll have to add the $150 or so it will cost you for upholstery at a local upholster for a one off cover too.

+1

And don't forget you're gonna have to mod it to fit your GS450S.

 

[DSmoke]

Thanks. I am a DIY'er. That is how I started my business many years ago. Now I do everything on my bikes, but sanding for hours and hours, and hours does not sound like fun. I am struggling with the fact that I would like it to fit the bike perfectly though. Decisions, decision.

 

[o1marc]

I have the longer version of that eat on my bike. Airtech-streamlining has the same seat for roughly the same price. If I wanted another one of those I would buy it, not make it. JSharp summed it up. You won't save any money really making your own so the only reasons to do so would be the reasons I am running into on my other bike, I want something of my own design that no one else makes and fit to my bike perfectly. I will add that I am not looking forward to the messy process of making your own.

I had to modify this because it was too wide at the tank but it was easier to buy it and modify it than make it from scratch. This seat is actually 37 years old.




I'm going to call BullShit on Carpy on this statement about this seat:
I designed this seat base about 11 years ago now and have used this on my designs and sold to all around the globe, this is a really good and sturdy seat base that I took many months in getting the look bang on.


It's the same exact design that's been available for 40 years