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Post by Cameron on Jan 1, 2007 17:43:14 GMT -5
I've been shopping around for a seat with a cafe look and I haven't been able to find anything decent for under $300. So I've decided to redo the stock seat.
I pulled the material and am trying to reshape the foam to give it a low profile look. Anyone have any experience with this?
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Post by frankyb on Jan 1, 2007 19:21:19 GMT -5
Hi gumbert, I reshaped seat foam a few times years ago, and the only tool i had any success with was an electric carving knife. The one i used had two blades about 10 inches long that ran one above the other a couple of mils apart, and made a horizontal cut. Use it to sort of shave off foaminstead of carving off a big piece. That old seat foam gets sort of brittle and crumbly on the top, but should carve okay once you get past it. Hope this helps, Franky b.
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Post by milkman on Jan 1, 2007 23:59:20 GMT -5
I'm sure you checked ebay - but a world wide search under "cafe seat" returns a few nice examples, and they change all the time.
But now you've taek the top off, its probably irrelevant.
I reshaped a seat but I had an old foam cutting tool that was merely a thin wire stretched between a fork as such. Looked like a firm sling shot. A current heated the wire and it would slide right through.
If you can't get one of those at a craft store, what they call "embryonic wire" is great also. Its like a thin wire saw with handles at each end that we use for close in jobs to cut cows horns off among other things. Maybe an animal supplies, vet store could help you out there.
ITs obvious, but when trimming, LESS IS MORE. I've regretted being over zealous in teh trimming department
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Post by mildmitch on Jan 2, 2007 12:17:16 GMT -5
I've built Cafe style seats on the original seat pan before. Metal tail section and all. Also gives a "glove box" type storage in the tail. PM me. I can build one for you as well. Mitch This is on an XS650 I'm building, there is a cover or door that fits over the tail opening. The original foam was in good shape and has been trimmed down to fit. There are other options as well...   |
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Post by Cameron on Jan 2, 2007 14:36:46 GMT -5
I'm trying not to trim it down too far so that I don't have to bring in the seams on the material. Thanks for the advice on the tools.
Mitch: Thanks for the offer but I'm not looking to make it a single. I love the look but I'm not quite ready to give up the function.
I'm going to have my try at the wire and I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
Thanks all!
-Cameron
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RD
Full Member
Posts: 176
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Post by RD on Jan 3, 2007 5:01:42 GMT -5
Is that an XS 750 or 1100 tank as well?
Cheers
Rich
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Post by mildmitch on Jan 3, 2007 13:53:45 GMT -5
RD
750 on my Bike.
These photos were taken at the begining of body work, after the metalwork/shaping was done. So, it's better now, but I haven't had time to get more photos. Sorry.
Tail section also serves as a rear fender For what it's worth.
I'm going to build a similar tail for the SR500 soon.
Mitch
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Post by Cameron on Jan 30, 2007 19:46:10 GMT -5
Well, I finished the seat... for now. I looked into the Hot-wire Foam Cutters and decided to just give the hack saw a try. It worked really well with a metal blade and I used a tool thar resembled a cheese grater to shape the foam after cutting it down. Here are the pictures: www.flickr.com/photos/cameronsr500/Putting the material back on was a bit of a chore with the new shape and the 27yr/old seams. I'm going to have to take it to a prof. eventually and get the material done right. |
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Post by StewRoss on Jan 30, 2007 21:22:18 GMT -5
Hi, Looks pretty good doesn't it. Standard but different....not bad. SR  |
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Post by Cameron on Jan 31, 2007 20:04:23 GMT -5
I'll tell you though, the little hooks for the vinyl are nasty! It's been a while since I've seen the bone in my thumb...
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Post by wotavidone on Jan 31, 2007 21:20:53 GMT -5
Had a look at your photo's. This must be the best use I have seen so far for a sub-woofer box. Mick |
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Post by colinjay on Feb 1, 2007 16:31:03 GMT -5
HI,
The seat I made for my cafe' racer (the orange one in the pic gallery) was made from a cut-down std SR500 seat base and a fibre glass rear section moulded from a 1978 Ducati 900ss seat. The fibre glass work required to take the mould from the Ducati seat and modify the "hump" to fit the SR seat base was a lot of work and gave me great respect for those who work with fibre glass for a living. Lots of hours, but I am happy with the result even if it isn't comfortable to sit on, I think it look the part.
CJ
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Post by Cameron on Feb 1, 2007 19:25:04 GMT -5
Mitch:
Is your front fender stock? If not, where did you get it/what did you pull it off?
Thnx
Cameron
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Post by mildmitch on Feb 1, 2007 23:06:45 GMT -5
Cameron
The front fender is a stock painted xs 650. Same as the SR fender too. My SR and 650 both came with chromed fenders. A friend handed me the painted one. Looks better in this case I felt. I'm not sure what year it was from.
Mitch
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