Tron
Bearded Sheep Whisperer
Hey everyone, Heres a quick how to on making a cheap flat seat, great for 2 up, from materials you can buy at the local shops.
Materials:
1 Lexan plastic snow skate, or skateboard deck.
1 Yoga Mat
Jig Saw
Rough grit sandpaper
All purpose glue
Leather, large enough for your seat
Heavy duty stapler, and staples
Step 1: Make a cardboard template of the size and shape of your seat.
Step 2: Take your board and transfer template onto the board. This step counts, measure twice
Step 3: Cut general shape out with jig saw. I cut a channel (not in pictures) into the front of the board that will allow it to slide into place using the existing seat/tank mount. it was about a 1/8" wide by 1 inch deep.
Step 4: Use your rough grit sand paper to round of the edges of the board, and smooth out your cuts. With the plastic board I used it went very quick and easy to do. If your using a skateboard, a file may work better for you.
Step 5: Cut your yoga mat to shape. On mine, Since the board had a layer of foam already on it, I only used 1 layer of the yoga mat, but put a bit of a step up on the front of the seat. Gives the seat a little extra character and shape.
Step 6: Paint on a layer of your glue, stick the yoga mat on, and get some weight on it for the glue to dry. I actually used carpenters wood glue and it worked great.
Step 7. Trim up foam if necessary, cut your leather similar shape to board with about 2 inches all around. Lay the leather down, and start stretching and stapling. This step is basically just playing with the leather till you get it stretched across nicely without creases.
Step 8: Ill be adding a small mount from the hardware store on the rear of the seat that will allow me to screw the back end into the top of the stock seat hoop. It will be painted black and nearly undetectable.
And your done!
This was my very first seat build, and I really lucked out with the board. Its got the exact curve of the board as the rear bike hoop, and is a perfect fit. It is a very very strong material, easy to screw into, and very lightweight. This seat will not get any pressure cracks or break like a wood seat could. I like a thin, firm seat, but if you want it softer, some thicker foam will do you just fine. Anything from a camping pad, carpenters kneeling pad, or just some scrap closed cell foam works great.
For the leather, try and get some that has a bit of flex/stretch to it. You can also use an old leather jacket or couch.
Enjoy! and Good luck. Pictures of it on the bike will be posted in a day or two.
Materials:
1 Lexan plastic snow skate, or skateboard deck.
1 Yoga Mat
Jig Saw
Rough grit sandpaper
All purpose glue
Leather, large enough for your seat
Heavy duty stapler, and staples
Step 1: Make a cardboard template of the size and shape of your seat.
Step 2: Take your board and transfer template onto the board. This step counts, measure twice
Step 3: Cut general shape out with jig saw. I cut a channel (not in pictures) into the front of the board that will allow it to slide into place using the existing seat/tank mount. it was about a 1/8" wide by 1 inch deep.
Step 4: Use your rough grit sand paper to round of the edges of the board, and smooth out your cuts. With the plastic board I used it went very quick and easy to do. If your using a skateboard, a file may work better for you.
Step 5: Cut your yoga mat to shape. On mine, Since the board had a layer of foam already on it, I only used 1 layer of the yoga mat, but put a bit of a step up on the front of the seat. Gives the seat a little extra character and shape.
Step 6: Paint on a layer of your glue, stick the yoga mat on, and get some weight on it for the glue to dry. I actually used carpenters wood glue and it worked great.
Step 7. Trim up foam if necessary, cut your leather similar shape to board with about 2 inches all around. Lay the leather down, and start stretching and stapling. This step is basically just playing with the leather till you get it stretched across nicely without creases.
Step 8: Ill be adding a small mount from the hardware store on the rear of the seat that will allow me to screw the back end into the top of the stock seat hoop. It will be painted black and nearly undetectable.
And your done!
This was my very first seat build, and I really lucked out with the board. Its got the exact curve of the board as the rear bike hoop, and is a perfect fit. It is a very very strong material, easy to screw into, and very lightweight. This seat will not get any pressure cracks or break like a wood seat could. I like a thin, firm seat, but if you want it softer, some thicker foam will do you just fine. Anything from a camping pad, carpenters kneeling pad, or just some scrap closed cell foam works great.
For the leather, try and get some that has a bit of flex/stretch to it. You can also use an old leather jacket or couch.
Enjoy! and Good luck. Pictures of it on the bike will be posted in a day or two.
