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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 06:29:10 PM

Title: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 06:29:10 PM
I have decided to make my own seat cowl and this is what I came up with. This is the smallest I can make it without any modification to the OEM seat. I did drill a hole to the tail ( underneath the grab bars which is taken off for this solo seat cowl ) to mount the solo seat cowl. This is also my first time posting a picture, so if this does not work give me a little time and I will figure it out eventually.

(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/vhmpyr/IMG_1611.jpg)
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/vhmpyr/IMG_1612.jpg)
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/vhmpyr/IMG_1614.jpg)
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/vhmpyr/IMG_1643.jpg)
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/vhmpyr/IMG_1644.jpg)


Thanks to Mary I figured out how to post the photo on this forum and on this thread..... :thumb:

you all enjoy the pics
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 06:30:33 PM
holy crap...the pictures are huge...
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 06:34:58 PM
whats going on here....now i dont see any pictures
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 07:00:55 PM
(//)http://www.photodump.com/vhmpyr/d75bfd714cdb0bd7.JPG.html
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: Bluesmudge on May 24, 2009, 07:03:45 PM
WOW. That's really good! How did you match the suzuki pearl white so well, how did you do the decals, and how did you secure the cowl to the bike?
Great job  :thumb:
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 07:06:01 PM
Im trying to post more photos but I seem to be having size problems....
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: cafeboy on May 24, 2009, 07:06:56 PM
Great job there.
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 07:07:41 PM
(http://my.photodump.com/uploads/vhmpyr/a553fb488d84cfe6.JPG?81dd8de87a5c8942.JPG)
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 07:10:17 PM
sorry guys..I give up...I cannot post any photos on this thread without going to the link....if anyone can help me post them on this threat by all means...
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: utgunslinger13 on May 24, 2009, 08:09:43 PM
Looks great man, but need more details!  What did you use as a form before the fiberglass? Any pictures of you making it?

Thanks,

Nick
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: Toogoofy317 on May 24, 2009, 09:41:15 PM
Very nice! If I get the pics up will you make me one! PLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEEEEE! Oh, well if you put them on photobucket which is also free just scoll down to the IMG cut and paste and this is what you get!


(http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/Motorcycle/vhmpyrsolocowl.jpg)   (http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/Motorcycle/vhmpyrsolocowl-1.jpg) (http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/Motorcycle/vhmpyrsolocowlclose.jpg)

Mary
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: Toogoofy317 on May 24, 2009, 10:08:57 PM
BTW Cafeboy makes a nice handy dandy solo Cowl that he is selling in the FS/FT section. I am so amazed with all of the talent we have on our board!

Mary
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 24, 2009, 11:07:35 PM
  {{{{   Looks great man, but need more details!  What did you use as a form before the fiberglass? Any pictures of you making it?   }}}}


Sorry guys but I do not have a photo of me building the mold...I just used a regular cardboard box and started using masking tape to start the process until I got the shape I wanted. I will be making another one soon and I will post the process step by step. It took me one weekend to build the whole seat cowl, it was the finishing and sanding that took the longest.

To give everyone the idea of the whole process, I started with the cardboard box and started using masking tape to build the shape I wanted. After the cardboard was in place I started cutting fiberglass cloth into smaller segments ( approximately 4 inch by 5 inch ). Then I started mixing Jelly Resin Fiberglass Bondo on the cardboard box mold while I was started placing the pre-cutted fiberglass cloth ( at least four layers ) before it dries up. At this time I have the shape and it was time to remove the cardboard mold. As far as finishing touches goes and for extra strength on the seat cowl, instead of using regular bondo I used the metal bondo ( I got it at autozone and its twice as much as the regular bondo, bit its worth it because its a lot stronger and harder ). Regular bondo was used for finishing touches because it was easier to sand.

I will take more Photos of the  seat cowl to let everyone see how it mounts. Beware though, cause I had to drill a hole underneath the grab bars ( which is taken off  by the way ) to hold it in place.

Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: drincruz on May 25, 2009, 05:30:02 AM
wow, nice work! so the cowl is screwed on to the seat? hmmm...so it's not too easy to remove it if you need to ride 2-up? 

well, either way, awesome job man. looks sweet!

cheers,
~drin
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 25, 2009, 08:40:49 AM
It takes 30 seconds to remove the screw and detach the cowl and another minute to put the grab bars back on. Right now I am trying to come up with a way without using any screw.
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: scottpA_GS on May 25, 2009, 09:11:07 AM

AWESOME JOB!  :thumb:

That looks great! I love the carbon look on it too  :thumb:
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: kml.krk on May 25, 2009, 09:34:46 AM
this is insanely awesome. I think I'll be trying to make my own.
Thanks very much for sharing the instruction on how to make it!!
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: vhmpyr on May 25, 2009, 10:09:39 AM
thanks guys....

The carbon fiber sticker was not supposed to be there but the first time I had it painted, I went to the gym with the paint not totally dry ( I had a back pack ) and I chipped some of the paint. So I decided to place that there for extra protection, thats another reason it took me so long to finish the project cause I re painted like three times.
Title: Re: solo seat cowl
Post by: tt_four on June 06, 2009, 09:38:28 AM
The seat cowl that came with my triumph had 4 little tabs on the bottom, two on each side, spaced about 5 inches apart. You could lift the seat up, and slide the cowl right onto the back of the seat. I know you're beyond that stage with the fiberglass, but maybe you could get some little 90 degree metal brackets, and bolt them on, or if you trust it, you could get some plastic pieces and epoxy them on.