Delboy's Garage Project Bandit, 'How-To' Re-cover a Motorcycle seat.
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- Pushing ever forward with project Rat Bandit, the seat covering had become hard and brittle like old PVC as they all do, so a scour or eBay turned up a ready to fit, pre-shaped vinyl cover for just £15, and with a pro upholstery job costing at least 4 times that, why farm it out when you can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. Here's how you can do it, and make a respectable result with some simple tools and a bit of common sence... how hard can it be.. enjoy.!
Now 13 years old and still helping people. Just did my old seat yesterday, and with the help of this video got it right the first time, looks brand new!
Thanks mate, can't beleive this old video is still helping people out.. Glad you could use it.. !
Mate 10 years have passed on this vid and it's still helping ppl hahaha thanks mate
Glad to hear it, and thanks for the feedback.
I've done my seats many a time over the last 30 years but I learned something, I never realised that it was possible to make the foam softer, always something to learn in this life!
I am not an upholsterer either. Did a project of replacing 80 bus seats. Found that if you put the cover in the dryer for about 10 minutes, it stretches great.
This is the best motorcycle seat renovation instruction video on RUclips. I recently bought my first bike a 2004 Suzuki sv650, and the bike is in great condition but needs a new seat and instead of spending 300+ dollars on a new seat. I can do this. Thank you. :)
Well done Stephen, am glad to hear it's been able to help you, it's not too hard once you see it done eh?... good luck with it and enjoy your renovation, Del
Where did you buy your sv seat cover from?
Del, Just wanted to let you know that the whole reason I joined the forum and followed your Delboy's Garage channel was this video. I was looking for a DIY on how to re-cover a motorbike seat. Google took me to your video... the rest is history. Here is a link to my channel and my first video. Making this video gives me a whole new respect for how much effort you and Penny put into your channel. Thanks a bunch, it is sincerely appreciated.
Project 1988 Honda VF750c Super Magna Part 1
Mike R
Hi folks. Just a little tip for the used staples. Put a magnet inside a plastic bag, and let the old staples stick to the outside of the bag. (DO NOT put the staples inside the bag with the magnet). When you have finished the job, simply turn the bag inside out and remove the magnet. All the old staples are in the bag for easy disposal. Simple idea from a simple mind.
+Edward Griffin That's clever, I like that !
Moonfleet41 Thank you again Delboy. Say Hi to Penny for me. (It is Penny isn't it?). I only found you today and have watched three of your videos/films. Looking forward to seeing some more. (About four years worth to catch up on i think).
+Edward Griffin Make yerself a cuppa and grab a Crunchie and get stuck in lol... and yeah, tiz Penny Pitstop - she says Hi back!
Moonfleet41 Right now watching Q&A #12 with two pints of milk. Love penny's laugh, it's infectious.
Brilliant! I’m going to try it. 👍
I think you were having trouble with ur staples because you might have been using the 'flat tip' ones? On another video, they recommend the pointed tip staples, as they penetrate harder surfaces better! :o)
Thanks again on another great video, I wiil be starting the seat recovering this weekend, today and yesterday was rust removing on the wheel rims and the clocks, Thanks I am getting a great buzz from all your great tips.
Thanks Jimmy...good luck with the seat, hope it goes well for you buddy..
Just bought a sheet of vinyl leather material to recover my seat on my Bandit .
I've shaved 25mm and reshaped the foam with sandpaper and a block .
I've short legs you see !.
You're video has given me some tips.
Thank you.
Most welcome Sir, glad it helped you and thank you for your kind feedback!
Did you need to glue or ok with staples?
@@empiresrikesfat I used glue and staples , some people don't use glue but the original seat cover was glued so that's why I used it .
@@kevinspalding5470 cheers mine wasn't glued so probably won't glue, thanks for feedback
Enjoying and learning from all of your videos. I thank you and my 1997 Bandit 1200 thanks you. Cheers from the U.S.!
Thanks Paul...much appreciated, and im glad the videos can help you, take care.. Del.
Awesome video! Have a -97 Bandit GSF1200S myself, and just put in an order for a new cover.
The local shop wanted 1000 - 1500 SEK (~107 - 160€) to re-upholster the seat. This saves heaps.
And also, watched your vid on plastic welding, super. Gonna repair the front cover that has cracked above the right indicator after this.
reshurc Thanks buddy, that's great news... it's not hard to do, like the plastic welding, just a little patience and time... good luck with it!
Hi Del & Penny, Jo again :-) part of my new bike project (turning it into a Cafe Racer style) was to change the horrible seat that is on the 440 LTD. This video, and your trick to wet and freeze the foam was ACE! I bought an old seat to test it out on first, went well so gave it a try on my own seat today. Currently waiting for it to dry so I can fit the seat cover I made for it Yesterday.
Greatest thanks for that little tip!
Jo
Jocelyn Hill Great news Jo... glad to hear the videos can help you, always feel free to drop us a line if you get stuck! Take care, D&P!
This guy is the Gordon Ramsey of motorcycle seat wrapping
Just found this vid and love it!! Given me inspiration to do my own here in Oz. I would have put a little split tubing over the front edge to ensure the cover won't be split again by that edge… Cheers and well done!
Hi mate... that's a good idea as long as it was very thin tubing as the cover I bought was quite tight... the general trick is to actually trim back the plastic base by about 5mm and leave the cover a little slack or whatever works! Thanks for watching all the way from Oz!
I just did this to a 2017 Hayabusa and your so right about the staples not going in all the way, very frustrating.
Are that great del....I'm replacing my seat cover on my 1981 suzuki gsx 750 expertise as always del cheers
"Its messy but its beef" I love that phrase. Lol. I'm stealing that one from you.
Thanks for yet another great video. Going to see if i can get one here in Cape Town for Bandit. Always a pleasure to watch your videos. regards Mike.
Good luck with it Mike, I hope it goes well for you buddy...
Great job. Excellent work presentation with many details!!!
+Αφωτιστος Φιλέλλην Many thanks..
Here I am watching in 2019. My word Del, you have come a long way. Still interesting stuff though. Many thanks.
Thanks Stewart, its been a long old journey with many bumps in the road.. but i wouldn't do it any different if we started all over again..
....I've just sent for a new cover for my Hornet...and I'm terrified in case I made a rat's arse of fitting it...but this has helped a lot, so thanks! On the e-bay site they mention using a hairdryer to soften the seat plastic first to help with the staple penetration.
Hi Steve, hairdryer's not a bad idea, or if you've got goo enough weather, do the job out in direct sunlight... leave it for 1/2hr in direct sun to soften up and you'll be amazed how easy it is, and that includes the seat base, so the staples pop in easy! Good luck with mate!
You worked bloody hard on that. A work ethic, you have!
+homerfj1100 Thanks mate, the end justifies the means aye??
Thanks for the tips and videos. I will definitely be recovering the seat on my R1.
Well done Nick, thats what we like to hear... good luck with it mate.. Del.
Some folks recommend leaving the new cover out in the sun before installing... but you're in the UK! lol
Cheers mate, good luck with the seat, there's nothing better than doing something yourself, as even if you balls it up you can buy a pre-made seat cover like I did here and just staple that on instead... good luck with it, Del
When I cover my Vespa seats I use several bulldog clips with bits of rubber to stop the metal digging into the cover and allows me to stretch into place with the aid of a steam cleaner jet if its a contour fit, once the cover is exactly where I want it I can staple strategically going round and round and then take the clips off one by one and staple last bits, looks good :)
Great video. Will try this over the weekend. Nice work!
Yeah that would work, it is important to soften that edge if you are bending the vinyl over it, but the pre-made cover I bought had a piped lip around the front so it was a lot stronger... ...thanks again for watching buddy... take care Del.
Great guide dude! I'm just about to redo my seat as duct tape isn't working anymore and the tips on this video helped alot cheers!
Thanks mate, i guess the proof is in the eating....its still on there and not one bit of it has lifted....thanks for watching.. take care. Del.
Excellent, detailed instructions. Thank you.
Great stuff Delboy. Here's an idea for all those upholsterer's out there who may have scoffed at your abilities. Why not post a RUclips response video showing how an upholsterer would do it, so we can all learn by your example. It's easy to tear down work someone else has done, much harder to be corrective and constructive. Delboy, I think you did a great job!
I had it ready just in case the vinyl was a bit stiff, when you're stretching the cover into place it can be handy to soften it and make it more supple, but I didn't need to use it, cheers Del
a couple of dollars will get you a small magnetic parts tray. that will help keep staples nails etc concentrated. As a backup I got a handled magnetic bar between two wheels that acts like a " mine sweeper" for the shop floor, and driveway. A neighbor had a roof done, and the sweeper was a tire saver.
Re: old staples; keep a magnet handy, works great to hold onto them so they don't end up in your knees, ..., or tire.
I’m researching for mine I’m a seamstress so ima attempt to make my cover too but I’ve learned abit from this video
Excellent work! Wonderful video! It worked even with that silly staple gun! Great job!
I've actually gone out & bought a pneumatic staple gun :)
Very handy tutorial, takes a lot of the trial n error out of it.
Hi mate, that was a pre-made cover bought from Ebay and was pretty inexpensive, I seem to remember something around £15, but it was a long time ago, you can buy vinyl from textile companies and on Ebay too or, like my current Rat build, you could use an old waterproof coat or material off an old sofa.. all sorts of options if you look around!
Love the bit on sanding the foam to revive it. Thanks!
As I was watching just yesterday thought the accent was familiar but the facial hair and different backdrop from your current garage threw me off. I hadn't realized it was you until you responded to my comment.
I found this video a while ago and saved it to watch when I was ready to change the seat cover on my bike. That was before I discovered your videos and how much I appreciate them. Thanks again Del!
I'm wondering how this worked out. You mentioned in the video that you don't do adhesive between the seat and the cover. Does your theory @ cover settling pan out or does the cover get wonky?
Hi Ali, yeah, been at this a long while now... and moved on a bit since then. Its important for the cover to able to move independently of the foam as sitting on and moving about on a seat shifts the cover about... and if its glued to the foam, it will break it up eventually.... some factories even put a layer of plastic under the cover to help to slid about naturally.. Thanks for your comment, good to hear you saved this for a day you'd need it.. thats what we hope folks will do.. take care. .Del.
Is there something you'd recommend if cracks have developed in the foam? There are a couple 1cm deep and 3-4cm long from where the cover cracked and the foam went with it. I'm considering either an adhesive or light batting over the foam before putting on the cover.
Still have a few projects to get to before tackling this, but its definitely getting worse now that the old vinyl has gotten dry and seems to be disintegrating at an accelerated rate. Working on building furniture and prepping our car for sale.
Hi Ali, I;m not an upholsterer buddy, but have seen them work, and what they would do with that is replace it... even if you just slice it down with an electric carving knife, thin slithers at a time, until you get below the crack and then stick a fillet of foam back on top to the right height... either that, or you could glue it closed using upholstery glue from a spray can, then glue a very think layer of foam, maybe 5mm thick, across the top to seal it in before fitting the cover... hope that helps, Del
Never mind, have another go mate, take your time and you'll get it right... good luck with it.. Del.
Great video. I like the sanding hint.
Love your bike. I have a bandit too that needs a new seat
Another great video tutorial buddy ;-)
Doing my Daytona seat this week, but will use a "Little" spray adhesive for the flat part of the seat, just cos I think it might look a bit saggy after a ride?
keep up the good work!
If the seat plastic is warm, you can easy fire in the staples. So do the job in your living room, and leave the seat and the new cover a few hours there to warm up. If you have little money left, go and get an electric staple tool. They are MUCH stronger than the manual and after 138 staples your arm will like that very much.
Upholstering seats is difficult. There will be cursing and second set of hands is much wanted. But it's amazing how it does come together once you get the hand of it.
Cheers, good luck with it, cheers for watching! Del
I died laughing when you said "give it a little bit of love" when you pulled out the hammer... LOL Good Video. I'm not going to use glue either when installing the cover in case I f it up... I can then remove it if needed and reset it.
Good call Dennis....proper upholstery guys dont use glue...and you know how it is..a little love with a hitting stick can work wonders aye..lol thanks for watching buddy.. take care.. Del.
Hi Alex...lots of luck with the leather mate, its no amateurs game that.! Even upholstery guys will need a few years experience and some talent to get a leather seat right. It wont stretch like you said, but you do have to stretch it in the right places to get it to sit right on the foam, and the pro guys will use a steamer to get it to move and soften...also it has "Memory" and will stay where it stretches most, meaning you'll get a saggy middle unless you make a 101% job of it..good luck, Del
Top bloke,my bandit cover's gone exactly the same way and i've ordered the piped cover,thanks for the tips :-)
I had a **** of a time getting new vinyl stapled onto the viffers seat. I used an electric staple gun as well, that plastic is tough stuff. Glad you made a video, mine would have been un-watchable... 3 hours of swearing!
That looks great
got mine to do at some stage but it can wait for now... just as a little tip i tried on another seat of similar design which might help.. the front edge as you mentioned is actually quite sharp and i used several lengths of gaffer tape across the front edge of the plastic to soften it abit... did that seat about 3 years back and the lad who has the bike still has the same cover on and no sign of splitting...need to sort out a staple gun as being a hamfisted bugger i would end up using nails haha
@lilfear Ha ha, i went and sent the link before i opened this one... i bought it from a guy on ebay here in England who was selling them cheap for £14 or so... i think you can buy them like that over there, but if not, im sure he will ship you one, its just an address and a postage charge, nothing much to it.. let me know if you strike out and ill have a looksee if i can find his details..
I've just done mine using the piped edge cover,what i would highly recommend if you've got one is using an electric staple gun,recovered mine in an hour and looks good,no puckering. Stanley staple gun ebay £17 1000 staples for gun £3 again ebay
Going to make a seat cover black and red for my cbr 600 thanks for the advise it will make it a lot easier now thanks dude :)
You are the Man !! 😊
Nice one gave me more confidence to do mine.
I have had a torrid time trying to recover my scooter seat,i even used a heavy duty staple gun with a mix of 6mm & 8mm staples but I still struggled and the end result was ok but the underside was a mess of bent staples just like on the video,i think a good quality electric or air powered staple gun is required if you want a clean and tidy job but there an expensive item to buy, the main problem with hand held staple guns are that when you push down on the trigger when it fires it causes the stapler to bounce off the plastic base momentarily.
Mike, I ended up using an electric gun after years of hand guns ( although Rapid hand gun is ok but not long nosed ) and air guns with noisy compressors. About the only electric one with a good name is the Maestri ( Italian) They`re about 140 quid from Amazon but one thing......be careful of not going mad with the scissors when you`re near that electric mains lead. I very nearly came to grief once for that reason.
You need a narrow staple gun that uses narrow staples not the standard 10mm ones
Hello you do great job , i have Suzuki gsx 750 inazuma and need to make carb synchronisation.Can you help me with another video how to do it correctly ?
Hi, great video! Just wondering did you buy a vinyl that was specifically made for your bike?
This is one very nice video, a great watch. nice tips thanks a lot. What grit sandpaper did you use on the skin? 600?
Hi Johny, no the paper to sand back the foam needs to be really course, more like a 180 grit..
Moonfleet41 Ah alright, thanks.
Thabk you so much for another great video! I've tried several sets of handlebars on my 01 B12, but am looking for low with minimal pullback. What bars do you have on this one?
Hi buddy.. my favourite bars ever are "Renthal Superbike Ultralow".....available from eBay mate.. !
Wow. You've been doing videos quite a long time. I have a Honda Rebel 250 that needs a new seat. This will help me!
Hi Jeff. yeah it seems to have been for ever.. can't watch the old one though, shows me how much ive aged..lol
@Rasd4Metta ha ha, half the time i have no idea what i have said afterwards, i just ramble on inanly as it comes out, ill have to make sure i dont post any videos under creative commons or they may get edited to make me look a bit erm... 'san francisco'....oops.
@adaml2012 Hey, its great when it worls like that, im glad the video can help you out, thats exactly why i post them up, good luck with it, its great fun and rewarding too.... take care.. Del.
Still catching up, Del... this is really nice work. Reminds me I need to sell my original Fatboy seat on Ebay when I get home! On another subject near and dear, how about a bike dolly fabrication video at some point? With all of your scooters, you’d probably get some benefit moving them around the garage I bet?
Hi Gary, that would be a good project for sure but i only move the bikes straight in and straight out, dollies are more for sliding them sideways inside larger garages, so i dont think id ever actually use one... Good yo heat from you buddy.. have good week.. Del.
Moonfleet41 yep I understand that now that you say it. At some point, I’m going to build one myself I think.
Thanks for the videos Delboy. I've watched many of them over numerous projects.
I have a buddy that we'll say just had fire damage to his scoot. His saddle, near the apex/tank was burned through to the foam (the foam is fine oddly enough). I want to make a custom soft face mask, so I have purchased some upholstery leather. Using the leftover material, I plan on patching his saddle, and add some custom stitching to it. How do you propose I bond or attached the leather to the vinyl?
There's not much point in patching a seat, this cover lost less than the price of a lunch, but I guess if you wanted to, there are products out there that are designed to bond soft materials like vinyl... perhaps have a surf and see what you can find!
thanks ! good video i feel like i can do it now. 1981 suzuki sp500 .
Thanks mate, appreciate you watching.. Del.
I would have done this years ago but I just didn't believe that a stapler could get these staples in! what stapler is that? I thought I'd need a pneumatic one
oh and then come at them with the pin hammer got it
The problem with the MK1 seat at the front is that the sponge was too thin and weak, so the plastic base cut through it with time.
Of the four of these seats I've recovered I reinforced the design of sponge on the inside and outside so the base wont cut through it, problem solved.
Its possible to get the staples in neatly all around the base and make them lay flat but it takes some patience and a stapling gun with a forward facing handle.
I've got an electric staple gun from Stanley that works VERY well for upholstery. I'd like to re-upholster my seat with some added foam to raise the seat height. I'm looking to pick up an inch in seat height. Is there any specific foam you would advise for raising your seat height?
Hi John...i would talk to an upholstery company if it was me...see what they advise for a bike seat...obviously you should go with the usual foam replacment trick of three layers to get it smooth and comfortable...a harder layer to give the bulk of the thickness, one you can sand and carve...and as you can never get carved foam really pwrfect, then a medium layer about 10mm thick to cover that..and finally a really light weight 'wrap' layer about 6mm thick to even out the finish.... this also gives a progressive feel to the seat and keeps it 'factory feeling' when you sit on it... Hope that helps buddy... let us know how you get on..all the best.. Del.
ha mate, you are touching on the skilled world of the upholsterer, and i cant just 'say' how to do it,,,there are many skills that take years to perfect in that field, basically you just have to slice the foam thickness down before you put the cover on...but to achieve it without it looking like a pigs breakfast is years in the practice...sorry not to have a ready solution mate....but better to be honest...all i did here was staple on a ready made cover...take care. Del.
Cheers Delbys good job on the seat
we can supply PU gel pad which can be inserted into your motorcycle seat for comfort sitting.
Delboy I have a slight lip on my seat which because of my size I'm sat on.would buying one if these foam pars already covered in anyway degridate the balance of the bike as I would be slightly higher.thanks as alwaysian
Hi buddy, making your seat a little taller won't affect the handling of the bike as people are different heights, but may feel a little weird for a few days till you get used to it !
Cheers Delboy on that I have ordered the seat pad as didnt fancy cutting the foam as would rather add to it.
Nice job! Don't be so hard on yourself!
You're welcome Jack, hope it goes well mate.. Del.
And I had thought I had heard everything! Great tip at 10:30.
Nice bike👍🏼
Very useful video, informative and helpful as always. Did you use the hair dryer in the end?
Hey man I would really need an opinion for my 1984 ninja 900r. The seat is acting up the same as yours, so will definitely have to re-cover it. But I can't decide wether to buy a new foam element for the seat. It costs around $120, but I guess it would make a world of difference. Not sure if a 33 year old foam would be magically fixed with a simple sand-down?
I am not sure in what kind of state it currently is, but by the inspection holes in the bottom of the seat, the foam appears really hard and nearly brown as opposed to bright tan new color.
Have you taken the cover off and had a look..?
Not really, I don't really feel doing this myself so I'd probably have someone else do that for me and I don't wanna end up without a seat until I get all the materials ;) I guess the only was is to tear the old cover off...
Yeah, exactly, well if it has to come off anyway, nothing to lose..!
Hmm, we didn't get to see when or if you put the heat gun to work, and what areas of the seat.
+ut1004bp Cos I didn't need to, fitted like a glove !
Good video. The seat on my Bandit is actually in perfect shape, but I just want to sit Lower in the bike. Thanks for the Sanding tip, I'll try that first!
I found the link man was wondering where u got the premade seat cover?
Del, Im looking at removing the slope/pitch off my seat. Im not sure about the thickness of foam to add - building 1/2" layers okay? Im worried I wont have enough cover to re-staple. Your advice?
Hi Steven, Not sure what seat you're working with, but 1/2" layers wont really do much to change the shape to any degree unless you add lots of them... i guess it depends on the amount of spare vinyl you have underneath, if you add too much height, even if there is enough spare, then the existing staple holes will show on the sides...hard to know without seeing it buddy.. how much height to you need to bring it up by..?
Its a Yamaha XJ6. Its soft enough, Im going to take some off the back to remove the pitch - stop pushing me forward. So Im hoping not to need much - 1/2" closed cell foam and 1/2" firm open cell foam to level the seat.
The staples are heavy duty - thickness ~1mm. Is your staple gun heavy duty?
good job, by the way, why the hair dryer for in the beginning?
+Joao Trindade I said it at the time, it helps to soften up the vinyl when you are trying to stretch it over the seat, makes it more pliable...!
Thanks bro!
Do you think that by taking the skin off the foam will go flatter, sooner?
Foam breaks down over time and wear, so yeah maybe, but the trade off is a more comfortable ride and it wouldn't be hard to whip the cover off and add a layer of 10mm foam to build it back up....i guess after you have ridden it far enough to brewak it down, it will be time for another refurb anyway... cheer...Del.
Moonfleet41 Thanks Del, good point. I'm about to rip the vinyl off my Hornet seat and re-skin it, and after watching a couple of other videos I'm also tempted to stick in some gel to make it even cushier. My other half sits on the pillion too, and she's often heavily hinting that it's rock hard, so with your vid and a few others I'm keen to give this a go! Thanks again for the tips.
@boredofitall Oh i had that too, just edited it out so i look kewl and calm and know what im doing...lol
Where can you buy pre made seat covers from
Where do you get the seat cover
Great job on the seat buddy! Awsome job. I know how you feel about the staples not going in, I did a seat before for my brother inlaw, and the staples, what a pain in the ass!
I should just say one thing that I did noticed buddy!
You said "strap on" and "tush" in the same video. So I'm not quit sure what kind of video you were trying to make, but you might want to becarefull what you say in these videos! Hahahaha :P lol
I tried to do mine and mad a right t##t of it but some good tip here ill try again wish me look... Thanks
@berkelusa Hi Rob, i know how that feels, sometimes life gets in the way hah.?... hope the platoon are all well... cheers. Del.
i think we know how to hammer in staples, but to make sure the seat hugs the foam
Advice...one how do I actually use the Harley touch up paints as there is nothing on it on how-to . ..(two micro bottles of orange/gold metallic..that cost A FORTUNE !)...but just now .a whole slice of black paint just fell off my sportster bottom yoke exposing a silver alloy...it looked fine one minute ..next ...
Have you never seen a touch-up paint stick before buddy..?
it's not the engine black stick if you mean that..i's two bottles - Candy orange ..one a base & one top coat .Should I treat exposed metal first with a basic under coat or just use the bottles as given . I,m not a great mechanic or body spray pro...just trying to do my best....
Ok, always use a little basic primer over bear metal... and if its the brush on type, just layer it up bit by bit to cover the damage... its just a case of making the best job you can. .
Thanx ...appreciated
cann you send me the link of this cover pleas ....and for video well don man i always follow your videos u r a pro