I just recovered my seat on Sunday. It was pretty easy for the most part and looks 100% professional. I am impressed with how it turned out.
I have a 1994 GS500E and it had the original seat cover which has been polished by 17K miles of butt. It has been baked in the sun and was too smooth for me to tolerate anymore. It only had one small tear in it which is surprising for a bike this old and with 17K miles.
I wasn't sure what material I wanted so I went to the fabric store and checked out what they had. I was tempted by a really good looking ostrich vinyl because it was a nice color and the bumps would provide a bit of traction so I didn't slip around. I ended up with a plain black vinyl that was pretty close to what I had on the bike except that it had more traction and was more rubbery feeling. The old seat material I had was getting hard and I am sure in time would start to crack.
Tools I used:
1. electric staple gun
2. 1/4" T-50 staples
3. black sharpie marker
4. good pair of scissors
5. small flat head screwdriver
6. small wire cutters
7. heat gun
8. razor
9. my brother
Things I learned doing this myself:
1. Have another person help you. By far the most important part of this job is just having another person. Just having someone to run the staple gun is huge. That way you can use both hands to stretch the leather and position everything perfectly.
2. Try a few staple guns. I went through two manual ones before I tried the electric that worked better. Many times an electric will not work as well as the manual ones so if possible, try as many out as you can. Use short 1/4" staples, any longer and they will be too long.
3. When cutting out the material, cut it out 2" wider than you think it will have to be and then add another 1". I used the old seat cover as my pattern and added 2" all around and I was still a bit tight on the sides. It worked but it took more finger strength than it needed to. Another inch and it would have been easy. You can always trim later.
Do you have any pics of the end result?
Quote from: TurkeyChicken on August 02, 2009, 08:02:54 AM
Do you have any pics of the end result?
+1, pics or it didnt happen :thumb:
I once had to recover my seat when the dog ran off with it...couldn't find it for two days. Also have to recover shoes, remote controls, tennis balls, and the occasional DVD case.
Quote from: speedsix on August 02, 2009, 04:54:56 AM
Things I learned doing this myself:
2. Try a few staple guns. I went through two manual ones before I tried the electric that worked better. Many times an electric will not work as well as the manual ones so if possible, try as many out as you can. Use short 1/4" staples, any longer and they will be too long.
Why don't you simply TELL us which electric staple gun you found to work the best, instead of making this into a guessing game? Do you really expect your GSTwin brethren to run out and buy a bunch of staple guns until they accidentally find the same model you used? Just tell us which staple gun worked best, and save the rest of us a lot of expense, wasted time, and aggravation.
Quote from: GSnoober on August 03, 2009, 09:15:54 AM
Why don't you simply TELL us which electric staple gun you found to work the best, instead of making this into a guessing game? Do you really expect your GSTwin brethren to run out and buy a bunch of staple guns until they accidentally find the same model you used? Just tell us which staple gun worked best, and save the rest of us a lot of expense, wasted time, and aggravation.
Dude, thats kinda harsh. No need to be a jackhole about it. Why dont you just see what works best for you instead of trying to beat the info out of him? :dunno_white:
Quote from: redhenracing2 on August 03, 2009, 09:36:50 AM
Quote from: GSnoober on August 03, 2009, 09:15:54 AM
Why don't you simply TELL us which electric staple gun you found to work the best, instead of making this into a guessing game? Do you really expect your GSTwin brethren to run out and buy a bunch of staple guns until they accidentally find the same model you used? Just tell us which staple gun worked best, and save the rest of us a lot of expense, wasted time, and aggravation.
Dude, thats kinda harsh. No need to be a jackhole about it. Why dont you just see what works best for you instead of trying to beat the info out of him? :dunno_white:
That's HARSH? WTF is WRONG with you? If you think my remark was "harsh", you need to learn something about reading comprehension, or keep your "jackhole" comments to yourself.
Where the fsck do you people come from? I don't remember asking for commentary from YOU or anyone else; I'm looking for information, and I'm NOT interested in guessing games about staple guns, or getting into pissing contests with someone who somehow feels entitled to "correct" me.
Don't bother me with your touchy/feely bullsh*t, "jackhole": I asked for specific information, so the OP can provide it, or not. You have the right to remain silent, and you should feel free to exercise it more often.
This forum has had more than enough problems over the last few years with moderators running wild, changing posts because they didn't "approve" of comments someone made, we sure as hell DON'T need any more of you "thought police" types here, or any more input from the "politically correct" clowns and asshats.
Here's something harsh: Get a job, get a life, or get lost, I really don't give a fsck which one you choose, but do yourself a favor and keep your "Thought Police" comments out of any threads I post in.
this is fun. I'm going to try a pneumatic roof stapler and crank up the pressure to 110psi and Ill let you guys know how that turns out. If that doesnt work out then I am going to try and use a rivet gun. If that doesnt work out then I am going to use a Mig Welder. If that doesnt work then I am going to use super glue. If that doesnt work then I am going to use chunky peanut butter and strawberry jelly.
wish me luck
Why take offense so easily?
You can't bait me with open-ended questions, so don't bother trying; I TOLD you I'm not interested in getting into guessing games or pissing contests, so either post something here on topic, or go find another thread, troll. I've been around the block a few times, and I know a troll when I see one.
FWIW, find someone else to refer to as "dude"; I'm probably twice your age, so I don't wear my hat backwards, and I'm also not the type to claim that Jesus hates ANYONE, so grow up, or go find another sandbox to play in; the senior citizens are using this one right now.
Quote from: GSnoober on August 03, 2009, 10:36:34 AM
so I don't wear my hat backwards
I am a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps. If I was caught wearing my hat backwards I would be quarter-decked faster than one could say 'yo dawg wassup'.
Quote from: redhenracing2 on August 03, 2009, 10:53:45 AM
Quote from: GSnoober on August 03, 2009, 10:36:34 AM
so I don't wear my hat backwards
I am a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps. If I was caught wearing my hat backwards I would be quarter-decked faster than one could say 'yo dawg wassup'.
wow you're a boot! Quarter decked? are you still in boot camp?
Quote from: erbilabuc on August 03, 2009, 11:06:30 AM
Quarter decked? are you still in boot camp?
I am in the D.E.P.(delayed entry program), which means that as soon as I finish my senior year of high school I go straight to boot camp. I have already been to meps and am thus required to train with the recruiter in what they call 'pool functions', which is very similar to boot camp. Yes, we get quarter decked, often for little stuff like forgetting to say sir or something.
:woohoo: what kind of staple gun was that again?
got any pics of it yet friend?
Really we want to see a picture of the Stapler after all of that! :thumb:
I use a gray stanley electric stapler from walmart, it works fine! I've used it fro everything from motorcycle seats to redoing the upholstry in my boats
and be careful with pnuematic staplers, unless you crank the pressure way down, you'll just tear right through the fabric
Quote from: redhenracing2 on August 03, 2009, 11:40:48 AM
Quote from: erbilabuc on August 03, 2009, 11:06:30 AM
Quarter decked? are you still in boot camp?
I am in the D.E.P.(delayed entry program), which means that as soon as I finish my senior year of high school I go straight to boot camp. I have already been to meps and am thus required to train with the recruiter in what they call 'pool functions', which is very similar to boot camp. Yes, we get quarter decked, often for little stuff like forgetting to say sir or something.
well i wish you good luck but i wouldnt claim myself being a marine if I was you until you complete boot camp. I know you are proud of your choice but dont claim something you arent.
i personally like hand powers staple gun over an electric one, but then again i also did my seat by myself with no help i find that an extra set of hands when the helper doesnt know what they are doing is just an extra pair of hands in my way. :thumb:
D.E.P. does not equal Marine.
I appreciate the choice you have made. I'm sure you'll make a fine one.
Quote from: GSnoober on August 03, 2009, 09:15:54 AM
Quote from: speedsix on August 02, 2009, 04:54:56 AM
Things I learned doing this myself:
2. Try a few staple guns. I went through two manual ones before I tried the electric that worked better. Many times an electric will not work as well as the manual ones so if possible, try as many out as you can. Use short 1/4" staples, any longer and they will be too long.
Why don't you simply TELL us which electric staple gun you found to work the best, instead of making this into a guessing game? Do you really expect your GSTwin brethren to run out and buy a bunch of staple guns until they accidentally find the same model you used? Just tell us which staple gun worked best, and save the rest of us a lot of expense, wasted time, and aggravation.
Without name calling and such, I'll answer this...
The reason why a model MIGHT not help is because not everyone can get the same product on the east coast vs the west coast. Granted, there's the internet where you can order almost everything, but still... to search the internet for a SPECIFIC model stapler, pay shipping, and wait a week or two for shipping.... That's extreme.
Quote from: XealotX on August 03, 2009, 06:33:34 PM
D.E.P. does not equal Marine.
I appreciate the choice you have made. I'm sure you'll make a fine one.
Yeah I know that I 'technically' am not a Marine yet. I have already got a green light on my promotion to PFC so as soon as I do actually go in that will be my rank. I really don't know what to call myself as of now, 'recruit' and 'cadet' don't quite sound right so I usually just go with Marine, even though it is not 'technically' correct.
Technically you are still a civie! Was going to do the same thing myself with the NAV woulda been an E-4 already did my Petty officer 3rd class correspondence course and everything. But, well things happened health wise. Once in basic you will (navy) be a seamen recruit you don't get your stripes until after graduation from basic. Correct me if I'm wrong there actual military guys! So, if someone ask say what you are a civilian in DEP. Otherwise it could be misconstrued and i don't think Marines take kindly to "posers".
For when you get there thanks for serving our country!
Mary
I will work on getting pics. I really should have done a before and after with pics of the process but it was my first time and I didn't know how it would turn out. I am very pleased with the look and new feel of the seat. I will try to get pics later today.
The reason I said you might have to try a few guns is because the material you use may be thicker or thinner than what I used or your hand strength may be more or less than mine. I couldn't get the manual guns to work well but it may have been because I wasn't pressing hard enough or my plastic was older and harder or something.
Anyway, I used a piece of vinyl that was pretty close to what was on the seat. I used a cheap Stanley electric gun that my brother had in his garage. It was an older one with a brown/tan plastic body. I didn't catch the model but I am sure any electric staple gun will work well. I think it worked better because it used speed instead of pressure. The manual guns need a solid surface to get them to work.
Got some after pics uploaded. Sorry, not pics of the process or the before seat but here is my nice new seat.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/GS500seat.jpg)
Here are few more. I am very happy with how it turned out.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/GS5005.jpg)
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/GS500-3.jpg)
if u use a hair dryer or heat gun you can take those little rinkles right out if you want.
Quote from: joshr08 on August 14, 2009, 11:23:40 AM
if u use a hair dryer or heat gun you can take those little rinkles right out if you want.
The wrinkle near the front is because the vinyl is just a bit tight. It is pulling the plastic pan back a little. I think it may stretch on it's own and smooth out so I am not worried about it. If it doesn't start to form up, I will heat the pan and bend it a bit so it pulls tighter.
It is not as bad as it looks in person. The pics enhanced it somehow. Must be the light. Here it is from the side and you barely notice it. I still think it looks great compared to what I started with.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm156/kgriggs8/GS500-2.jpg)
yeah i get that. What im saying and i know from experence cuz i used to cover seats for limos. if you heat the seat NOT THE PAN the vynle it will relax and the pan will go back to close to normal and the vynle will lay flat without wrinkles....not tryin to sound like a duck just thought i would tell you but its your seat.
heres one of the seats that i have done for my wifes bike.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46909.100 page six about half way down if that doesnt take you right to the page
Yikes!! this thread went downhill fast, haha. You guys don't usually act like this outside of the odds and ends forum! haha
Awesome job recovering the seat though.