Anybody do this?

[showtime586]

I just recently bought a bike that has a factory graphics kit, with the matching seat cover. The previous owner was real short and whittled down the seat foam. Has anyone replaced just the foam? I have located foam, replacement seats, even ones with taller foam for taller riders (I am 6 ft.). I was just wondering how hard it is to replace just the foam. Thanks for any replies...:)

 

[MikeT]

Depending on how strong your stapler is it isn't that bad. My brother brought the plastic seat, the foam and cover to an apolstery (sp?) shop and they put it on as good as the factory for $12. Not bad.

 

[Jaybird]

It's not a hard job, just a little tedious.

Many will say you can use a hand stapler(like a Stanley) but I find them useless for a good job.

I use a Craftsman air staple gun.
Put the foam in place, put the cover on. Most will have a small pocket for the front to fit in. Pull the back as tight as you can and put a couple of staples in to hold it there.

Put a couple in on the front. I like to them work from front to middle then back to middle, pulling the sides tight and even about every 2 inches and placing a staple on both sides to hold it. You may find that when you get to the middle you may have to fold the excess into a crease. Just staple a couple times right over the crease on both sides.

Now go back and pull things taught again and place a staple in between your first staples.

Usually it will look kinda sloppy untill you are nearly done, but things seems to shape up towards the last few staples.

If your cover is a thick vinal, you will find that warming each area up with a hair dryer makes things work nicely.

Take a look at a stock seat job to see where the best place for the staples are.

Try not to have too much air pressure on your stapler, as it will tend to slam the staple all the way through the cover.
Don't be afraid to put too many staples in.

Good luck.

$12 bucks for a pro job aint bad. Tell them you want it nice and tight.

 

[showtime586]

Thanks for the replies. Here is the kicker:

Seat foam $59.00
Complete replacement seat $85.00
Custom seat (With 1" taller seat foam) $105.00

Buying just the foam seems to be the less practical alternative.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Yep, that custom seat with the taller foam and the pro-fesh-un-all installation job would be da ticket!

 

[JWW]

I just went through the same thing. I was fortunate enough to find a shorter rider near me. We just swapped seat foam.

 

[showtime586]

This seat was whittled down to the point that it looks like a trials bike :) :)

 

[Jaybird]

You know, I didn't even think about this before, but I just changed out a seat on a '98 400f to the standard height foam.

Check to see if it will work, but I have a tall foam available.

 

[BadCRC]

I've got a quick question... So is the "tall" foam softer as well? Or just taller for tall riders? Thanks. :thumb:

 

[Jaybird]

I think Guts and others have some softer tall seats. To me it defeats the purpose.
(shrug)

The one I'm offering showtime seems harder than stock.

 

[motometal]

some of the Yamahas have such thin seat foam in the first place, there isn't much room for cutting down the seat. I think people would be better off lowering the bike using other methods. Some times when you cut down the foam, it makes it harder to slide up on the very front part of the seat (put your nuts on the fuel filler cap) for turns, so in other words shaving the seat foam totally screws up your ability to turn properly. Just my opinion.

 

[showtime586]

Jaybird,
Thanks for the offer. I should have been more precise in my post. The bike is an RM 250 that I bought last week. The seat on my 02 YZF is still in perfect condition. :)