Triumphrat

rmak · 10-20-2012, 10:16 AM

I'm thinking about buying a used seat off the classifieds and having it reupholstered. I've seen pictures of some great custom seats pass through the forum from time to time. I'd appreciate seeing what people have done, and also hearing about how they went about it, who they got to do the work or if they did the work themselves, best materials, etc.

Retro-Racer · 10-20-2012, 11:21 AM

Mak,

If you're looking to end up with a humpback style cafe solo seat, I just might have what you need. I dropped a bike recently which had a solo seat on it. It now has some small tears and scuff marks. Completely useable, just a bit tattered. It would be perfect for recovering being that the pan and foam are perfect. You know I'll give you a good deal. Call.

/Mike

wenzel850 · 10-20-2012, 12:13 PM

I had my seat redone by 'Spencer's m/c seat mods' www.greatdaytoride.com . The seat remained the same but is SOOOOO much better than the stocker. I forget I'm riding it's that comfortable.

ruger · 10-20-2012, 12:21 PM

These guys (Dime City Cycles) had posted once that they were going to have a cafe seat which specifically fit the new Bonnies. I don't see it but I haven't searched very thoroughly. This one is listed as "universal fit".

EDIT: I think this is the one they were going to adapt for our bikes.

luckyduck · 10-20-2012, 01:11 PM

What's wrong with just buying someone's Thruxton seat (after they upgrade to a Corbin Gunfighter)? It's far more passenger friendly than most cafe style seats.

I have a Gunfighter on my Bonnie but it does foreclose the possibility of pillion comfort.

rmak · 10-20-2012, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyduck

What's wrong with just buying someone's Thruxton seat .

Not a darn thing! However, I want a one of a kind custom seat.

luckyduck · 10-20-2012, 01:47 PM

Ha, well me too. I'm think of designing one myself and then shopping it around to local upholsterers to see if they'll make it for me. I don't like the pronounced hump on the Gunfighter (for practical purposes) but I do like the security it provides when on the highway or accelerating hard.

I think the Thruxton seat, with a mild but flat hump, and raised an inch overall (for my long legs) would be ideal for me.

Thinking maybe I should get my stock Bonnie seat custom made or have the Gunfighter shaved on the hump.

steve betts · 10-20-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wenzel850

I had my seat redone by 'Spencer's m/c seat mods' www.greatdaytoride.com . The seat remained the same but is SOOOOO much better than the stocker. I forget I'm riding it's that comfortable.

Quentin, I'm planning to do the same. Would you mind saying what it wound up costing you including shipping.

I often see pics of custom seats on Bonnes on this forum that are undoubtedly more comfortable than stock, but IMHO, they are butt ugly and destroy the lines of the bike. Some of them look like they belong on (gasp

) Harleys. To each...

road dog · 10-20-2012, 02:28 PM

I had big plans to have Loren @ Baldwin Motorbike Saddles make me a seat similar to the one shown below. I really liked the style, as the front looks like an old school solo seat, but also has a good place to mount a tail bag (or even carry a pillion). It wasn't going to be cheap, but they use the very best materials and hand make each saddle to your body dimensions, and preferred riding position.

I ultimately decided not to do it for several reasons... not the least of which was cost. So if you're wanting a good, inexpensive stock Bonnie seat to have reupholstered, shoot me a PM. I have one.

rodburner · 10-20-2012, 03:40 PM

I've cut,carved and destroyed dozens of seats for my bike, remodeled versions of all the different stock seats,Corbins for Bonnies and Harley's, steel chopper seat pans etc,but my very first custom made seat actually was one of the most comfortable. I molded a fiberglass copy of my stock pan,cut it down to size,put on 2 layers of high density 2" thick rebond foam,carved it with an electric turkey carving knife and a flap wheel on my grinder, then took it to my local boat top shop [highly skilled upholsterer's with very little work to do in winter],who stitched up the design I wanted and covered the seat in marine grade vinyl, in one afternoon for $100..