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My seat needs to go on a diet

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by jonathon, Jul 18, 2010.

  1. jonathon

    jonathon Member

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    So this is how she's looking at the moment.

    [​IMG]

    I have a few mods in mind but the first thing I want to do is trim my seat right back, it's way too fat at the moment, comfy, but ugly.

    So... at first I was thinking I could pick out the staples and just shave about half the foam off, then pull the skin back over and trim the excess, but after looking at the countours I realise that might not be so simple, there are 'lips' at each end that scoop up to the tank and around the rear light. do you guys think this would be possible?

    Or should I go for new upholstery option?

    Also, i'm hesitant to cut up this seat, it's in good knick, but i just don't need too much cushion. Was gonna try and get an old seat and keep this is case people want it when i sell it?? Whatta you reckon?

    cheers

    J
     
    jonathon, Jul 18, 2010
    #1
  2. BillB

    BillB Active Member

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    That seat looks fine.
    Unless you are going to chop it and make it a hard tail.
     
    BillB, Jul 18, 2010
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  3. streetmaster

    streetmaster Member

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    Slap one of those cafe race style seats on there, along with a set of clubman bars. IMHO
     
    streetmaster, Jul 18, 2010
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  4. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    The seat looks in good nick, get another one to play with.
     
    wizard, Jul 18, 2010
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  5. lopezfr2

    lopezfr2 Member

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    don't mess with a seat in such good shape. you don't want to get half way through the chop and decide you wish you hadn't done it. you can get one off ebay for cheap, and chop it up to your liking.
     
    lopezfr2, Jul 19, 2010
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  6. Bushy

    Bushy Active Member

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    Bushy, Jul 19, 2010
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  7. Swissjon

    Swissjon Member

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    Sorry, gonna differ with everyone for a change..

    It's ugly. The bike is lovely, the seat is just plain ugly.. It looks over inflated and fat.

    If I were you, I'd pull the staples out and take a look under.. It looks as if the standard seat has just got extra foam under it.. If you're lucky, you won't need to cut anything, just take out the extra foam and staple the cover back on.. If not, just staple the cover back as it is and buy a standard one and sell this one on fleabay.

    Personally I think that seat detracts from the value of the bike, not adds to it. It doesn't fit witht he sweet lines of the machine you have.
     
    Swissjon, Jul 19, 2010
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  8. jonathon

    jonathon Member

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    Yeah cheers guys.

    Swissjon, you seem to understand where I'm coming from, i'm not sure who's idea this seat was but i'm thinking they had a g/f who demanded a comfy ride if she was gonna be riding pillion.

    I'm hesitant to chop up a seat in such good nick, i've found a guy who will sell me an old ratty one.

    I'm wondering what people think of those online places that sell upholstery that is ready to staple on. Does it fit the way it should, can you choose how low profile you want it??

    cheers for the input

    J
     
    jonathon, Jul 19, 2010
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  9. Swissjon

    Swissjon Member

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    LoL.. Or a bony bum!!

    Not sure about for the XJ, but I bought a replacement cover for my XJR which fitted really well.. Cost me $60 on fleabay.. Fits really nicely, and has the colours I chose, and even has an emroidered XJR and Yamaha logo.. Unfortunately he's no longer trading. But I refitted it twice.. Very easy job, and I wouldn't have a problem refitting the old one either, cos I was careful taking the staples out. Personally, that's what I'd do, just to find out what's under, it's free, and easy to do.

    If you find a good one that does it for the XJ, let me know, cos mine is all tatty.
     
    Swissjon, Jul 19, 2010
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  10. 1904xj

    1904xj Member

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    Wow mate you can really make a seat that looks like mine out of that...
    I bet you wouln't have to refoam just reshape and cover....
    Nice bike man..
    A set of dragbars or clubmans are the way to go with that baby....
     
    1904xj, Aug 22, 2010
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  11. Desinger_Mike

    Desinger_Mike Member

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    I would be willing to bet if you pulled the staples you would find some additional foam (like swissjon said).
    It's only a couple staples of work for a quick look.

    It does look "excessive" padding.

    I've had good luck with B&H (in the states) for covers $75 http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/ord ... YAMAHA&HP=
     
    Desinger_Mike, Aug 22, 2010
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  12. thorin

    thorin Member

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    yeah, what he said!
     
    thorin, Aug 22, 2010
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  13. thorin

    thorin Member

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    kinda reminds me of a caterpiller crawling over the back of the bike.....
     
    thorin, Aug 22, 2010
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  14. serenmaster

    serenmaster Member

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    im sure some one restuffed it
     
    serenmaster, Aug 23, 2010
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  15. zap2504

    zap2504 Member

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    Too much foam padding for sure, but I'd be afraid that the vinyl cover would look way off without the padding. Maybe construct a new seat like the other lister here in Modifications (fiberglass-on-construction-foam)?
     
    zap2504, Aug 25, 2010
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  16. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Somebody had that seat made like that; the cover has been contoured to fit it.

    I would get another seat to play with; that one looks like somebody spent some $$$.
     
    bigfitz52, Aug 25, 2010
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  17. Swissjon

    Swissjon Member

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    $$ maybe. But it's sooooooo ugly. Why spend more just to keep something that looks like THAT???
     
    Swissjon, Aug 25, 2010
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