Seat build...XS 360 / 400 (official seat build thread now)...

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

I really like the shape, good work. I need to pick up one of those graters too, would save me a lot of work.

I'd be screwed if I didn't have 'em!

Did this idiot really become a member just to prove he's too lazy to work on his own bike? Mission accomplished!

I know, huh Rich. And why did he choose my seat thread to do it?

It kinda reminds me of the one Deviant1 and I made for his cafe 750 from an old outboard motor cowl!
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10995.msg96589#msg96589

tWisted & Deviant, I took a huge amount of inspiration from that seat build! The depressing thing about it is just how long ago that was!


Thanks to all of you for the kind words.
-Jeff

 

[Ringo]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

That's looking really good, hurricane! Great job with the filler, such clean lines.

 

[djelliott]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

Opinions aside (fyi, my opinion is I like it) this thread is one of those that truly shows the art involved in what we do. Good job for keeping it in the garage.


I keep forgetting that as part of my penance for buying a seat pan during my build I promised myself I'd make one in the future. Well it's the future and this thread has inspired me to get on it. Thanks man.

 

[DreadRock]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

LOL now i feel bad because i got mine from airtek lol i did work up a sweat looking and man the tape measure about killed me ... very nice work man i like it ....

 

[CCRider]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

New guy here. Not a big fan of molded fiberglass bumpstop seats. A decent upholstery shop can sculpt a beautiful cafe seat from your stocker which has real padding. Not only is it more comfy for your giant ass, but also provides some cushion for your gal. You never know when that might come in handy...

Cheers!

No relation. : (very nice work on the seat, BTW)

CC

 

[cleeuw]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

I think the angled up part underneath is a great line - definitely like it. I don't think you need to move the bump back any further, unless you're trying to fit a very little lady on the back?

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

No relation.

(very nice work on the seat, BTW)

CC, that means a lot to me, coming from you. When I first joined up here at DTT, Essprosso Love was one of the builds that just blew me away! A huge amount of admiration, and inspiration has come from your build....so, THANKS!

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

That's looking really good, hurricane! Great job with the filler, such clean lines.

Same goes for you too, Chris! Le Mans is one of my faves!

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

OK, so a slight progress update...

I ended up adding about an inch of thickness to the bottom of the "plug". I figure that the extra will make lay-up and trimming easier in the long run. More work now, but should pay off later when I make a handful of seats. On to some photos of how it sits right now...

Screwed and glued heavy duty oak ply to the bottom. It's solid, and after I get the plug to baby's ass smoothness, I plan on adding a "platform" layer to that.

I also extended the front of the seat for easier lay-up and trimming...

I really liked the sharp lines in the earlier pics, but I could just see it getting chipped too easily, so I radiused them slightly...

Thanks to everyone for comments and inspiration!
-Jeff

 

[DreadRock]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

Looking very cool ! really like the shape you got there . are you leaving it shape edged or going to round the corners ?

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

No plans to change anything as it sits now. The main body of the seat matches the tank (took a direct mold from the tank). I liked the sharper edges on the "pan" area where the pad will go, so no plans to change that.

If it rains this weekend, I'll block it out and get it in primer.

 

[b5iveS4]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

Looks so awesome, pic of it on the bike?

 

[b5iveS4]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

also, are you going to cut it up at an angle like in the picture of it on the bike? Like to follow the white lines on the tail

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

Thanks Bryson!

Right now, it will not fit on the bike. It's a solid "plug" and closed on the bottom.

Once I pop one out of the mold, it can be trimmed as desired. Either flat or angled on the bottom. I plan on following the white lines in the pic. The frame will follow that same line from behind the shock mount, and be closed under the seat to house the battery and whatever else. Might do a small "glove box" opening under the padding.

 

[b5iveS4]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

Oooo, that sounds awesome. I can't wait to see it trimmed and cut to the shape it'll finally be.
When I first got my XS, a friend of mine said, "you gotta get a new tank on that thing...maybe a cb tank"
I totally disagreed with him. I really love the square shape of the tank and I described the shape of the tail
that i wanted to make for it. I told him i wanted it to follow the shape of the back of the tank. You're making the exact
tail that i envisioned and probably even better than i had it in my mind. Can't wait to pick one up when they're ready.

 

[xulf13]

Re: Seat build...opinions wanted

This is by far a very nice seat build. i can now see everything I did not do right when making mine. Please take some photos of when you're laying the glass (or have someone take the photos) Good job so far.

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...XS 360 / 400 (official build thread now)...

So, I spent some time at the paint shop this weekend...

Seat plug all cleaned up and ready for a few coats of high build primer...

After the high build primer and a guide coat is sprayed...

First block sanding with 180 grit paper, dry...

Another guide coat and block sand with 400 grit paper, wet...

After the 400 block sand, 3 coats of epoxy primer/sealer are applied...

Mounted to a piece of melamine shelving...

In a couple of days, I'll wet sand the epoxy with 1500 grit, then 2000 grit and it will be ready to make the female mold. Unfortunately, my Subaru needed a fuel pump and knock sensor this week, so that's going to delay the supplies order from USC until next paycheck. So it goes. At least it will be ready.

Cheers,
-Jeff

 

[hurricane7]

Re: Seat build...XS 360 / 400 (official build thread now)...

This is by far a very nice seat build. i can now see everything I did not do right when making mine. Please take some photos of when you're laying the glass (or have someone take the photos) Good job so far.

Thanks, man! Which seat of yours are you talking about? I like both seats on the XS. I've only seen one post of the 2nd seat, but I really liked the shape. Not that I didn't like the "brat" style seat, but in my opinion, the cafe one is a much better profile.

I'll try to keep the camera close when I do anymore work!

Cheers,
-Jeff

 

[b5iveS4]

Wow, that looks awesome!

 

[cyclefreak]

Wow, I can't believe I am just now finding this thread. The seat looks great, can't see a single flaw in it from the pics. Love seeing work like this done by the actual builder!