Picked up a new seat

I got a new to me seat on ebay for $3.24. Even with shipping it was only $23.24. It does have a couple of tears but I want to try reshaping the seat and I didn't want to ruin the perfectly good one my bike currently has. The base appears to be in fine shape.

I want to make it so that the passenger seat is smaller so that I can slide back farther. And if I get it right, I can keep both seats, one for when I'm riding by myself and one when I have a passenger.

mikeg

 

Mike you can reshape the seat fairly easy but you will probably need a custom cover. I scooped about 2 inches out of mine and was able to use the cover again.

Good deal on the seat though.

 

Yea, I figured I'd probably need a new cover which is why I wasn't bothered by the tears in the existing one.

What's best way to cut the foam? Is there a particular foam I should use if I need to replace what's there once I take the cover off?

mikeg

 

Not sure of the type of foam but a good auto place should know. For cutting use a serrated knife or a hacksaw blade. I used the hacksaw blade.
Then you can actually use a rasp or sandpaper to smooth and shape.

One thing you should look at is the pan is actually shaped too so I'm not sure how far back you will be able to move yourself. Might buy an inch or so.

I did basically the same as you - got another seat and hacked it. When it turned out good I swapped the cover off my other seat and sold it.

 

I was going to spend $79+shipping for a new cover and do mine myself and then I discovered these folks: http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm
It would have cost less than $100 (shipped, no less) but I had them add a color welt which pushed it up by a whole $20.
They did a fantastic job and for only about $30 more than it was going to cost me to do it myself (with a new cover.)
I sent them a "spare" so I still have a bone-stock seat if I ever need it.

 

Bill, how comfortable was it after cutting the 2 inches?

 

The best way to trim foam for seats is a serrated blade electric knife.

Don't have one? I'll bet your local Goodwill/thrift store does for 10 bucks or less. They work really well.

 

thanks bigfitz52, i checked out that site and i think that's my route for recovering my maxim seat. I can get the stuff to do it but for about 100 bucks or so they can do it. my seat fits their reusable category for the foam and very little rust on the pan so that sounds good to me.

 

Check outDiymotorcycleseat.com
They have a lot of good info on shaping and recovering seats

 

I stumbled upon them looking for a new cover and was prepared to spend $79 for that, plus shipping, plus whatever other materials... but I wanted it to look neat and professional. They add a thin layer of new foam over the top once they steam your old foam back to life and fix any crumbly spots, etc. The Seca came with one of those goofy "grab straps" across the seat and I asked them to shave down the mounting points on the (plastic) pan for me. When I sent mine in I called and the guy basically walked me through filling out their form it was great. Nice people, fair pricing, excellent craftsmanship. A good resource. I'm about ready to send the seat from the '83 to them too.

 

Earz,

That looks like a handy website. I may have somebody professionally recover it if I get it the way I want it but I think that site should be a big help for me to shape it to what I want.

thanks,
mikeg

 

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