1989 GS500....the vinyl seat needs to be replaced...

2 Questions:   I can replace the seat cover with the same type of vinyl, but should I go with leather?

The other question is what type of foam and what thickness is a standard replacement?  I can go to a foam mart here in Burbank (CA), but I would appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

I'm planning on a leathah upgrade soon. My seat foam is in good shape but I'll be adding an inch or so of closed cell foam under the existing seat foam to raise the seating position and stretch out my kness a biT.

I went to a fabric store and picked up some marine grade vinyl and it looks sharp, despite it being a PIA and about 20-30 minutes to put on; staple, staple, heat, stretch, staple, redo.. .If you DIY watch your front staples so they don't rub against the tank...yea...

Quote from: cole on June 01, 2012, 01:06:18 AM
I went to a fabric store and picked up some marine grade vinyl and it looks sharp, despite it being a PIA and about 20-30 minutes to put on; staple, staple, heat, stretch, staple, redo.. .If you DIY watch your front staples so they don't rub against the tank...yea...

how much did it run you?
lookin to replace my fabric before I start lookin to sell and upgrade.

Jo-Ann Fabrics carries the marine grade fabric.  If I remember correctly, I paid about $16 dollars a yard and used a 40% off coupon.  Look for one...newspapers have this coupon every week.

Quote from: Adfalchius on June 01, 2012, 05:10:32 AM
Jo-Ann Fabrics carries the marine grade fabric.  If I remember correctly, I paid about $16 dollars a yard and used a 40% off coupon.  Look for one...newspapers have this coupon every week.

Thanks for the handy bit of info.  Not sure I want to admit this, but I've spent hundreds in fabric at Jo-Ann's and I didn't even think of a regular fabric store when considering re-doing my seat (small 1 inch right angle rip that is growing on the rear side of seat).  I'll have to ask next time I'm in there, but I'm sure they can order some if its not on hand at my location.

- Bboy

My foam showed up last week.  I ordered a .5" Lux HQ as the top layer and 1" rebond as the bottom layer from the Foam Factory.  Not sure yet how much I want to cut out of the rear of the seat and I'm hoping I can restretch the original seat cover over the new foam.  I'm trying to do it when its going to be rainy and crappy a few days so i don't miss much riding time.  I'm using DIYmotorcycleseat.com as a quick guide on how to reshape the seat. 

Well I followed DIYmotorcycleseat.com almost to a T and the original cover fit back on  It took me two hours of sweat and staples to restaple it but it seems to be holding just fine.  I mostly just cut the foam with a hacksaw and scissors rather than sanding it.  I didn't have an electric sander and everytime I used the rougher grit by hand it took chucks out rather than slowly sanding it.  Plus I didn't have the patience.  It took me all day to remove the cover, cut out the old spots and rebuild it with new foam and recover.  I will need to open up the passenger section again because I didn't cut enough of the old foam out so you feel a hump in the seat.  Hopefully i didn't put too many holes in it already and it goes back together.  If I need to take the cover off again I will need to get a new cover from a fabric store as I already put too many holes with the staple gun. 

Well it happened...I didn't cut enough old foam out for the passenger so I tried to remove the cover, modify and recover...and it ripped.  So I went to JoAnns and got a yard of Black Marine Grade Vinyl for about $16.  This should last me two seat covers but I wanted to be safe.  I'm a little worried because I don't own an air stapler or air compressor and I'm away from both of our families that have these tools which would allow me to get in the tight spaces.  I think if I can muscle the electric and or manual stapler, use a hammer for tight spaces and just take my time I should be able to get it back to looking new.  I'll get started tonight.  Wish me luck!!

Post picture of the process, please!

Certainly no write-up is necessary, but just some snap shots of a couple stops along the way would be AWESOME. 

I want to do this same thing, and I'm sure others do too... so a future glimpse is nice for anyone, right? 

- Bboy

Before I put the cover on I'll take pics.  I didn't even think to take pics along the way until I had it done. 

PICS! I'm not proud of the creases from the passenger level to mine but I made them even and it's comfortable as hell.  Even the fiance is comfy.    Ignore the masking tape, I put it there temporarily because I glued some of the flaps down with the spray glue.  It was still drying when I took these.

Simple and comfy! Thanks for the pics

- Bboy