76 standard seat

Reilly · Posted: July 17, 2008, 1:34 pm Post subject: 76 standard seat

Looking for your thoughts on a seat for a 76 standard. It's the original, pretty ripped on the sides, foam not too plushy anymore, the pan is not in terrible shape, although a bit rusty. I know there is a replacement on MikesXS, also I saw some ads in the VJMC mag that I am responding to. But -- I'm not sure i want another vinyl or "pleather" or whatever it is seat. I was thinking of having the seat copied in leather. Discuss.

Cooltouch · Posted: July 17, 2008, 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

To me, the most important aspect of a seat is comfort. Next comes cover materials, and last comes looks. Okay, granted -- safety is important, too: you don't want a cover material that is so slick that you're sliding all over the seat.

Leather is a higher maintenance item than vinyl. You won't want to leave it in the sun for long periods, it will require regular treatments with a good conditioner (like Lexol), it will probably wrinkle sooner than vinyl will, and you'll want to avoid getting it wet. I'll bet it will also be more difficult to install than vinyl as well. Lastly, a quality, marine-grade vinyl will probably outlast leather by a significant number of years. For all these reasons, I think vinyl is a much more practical way to go.

Best,

ichael

raftercliff · Posted: July 17, 2008, 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

I agree about the marine grade vinyl. It is very durable. I have recovered a few seats over the years and the stuff holds up very well. It's also very comfortable.

Leather is very durable but it requires much more attention unless it never sees any weather. The sun will simply eat it up.

Reilly · Posted: July 17, 2008, 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Thanks for your thoughts! This really helps me with my decision. I do ride in the weather so durability is important.
Erin
1976 XS (my avatar shows it)

nj1639 · Posted: July 17, 2008, 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

I would guess leather would stain especially after you just missed that 8 point , 250 pound buck that jumped into your lane while you were doing 55 mph. Smell something?

raftercliff · Posted: July 17, 2008, 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Funny!

penn71911 · Posted: July 17, 2008, 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Hey Stranger! Good talking/riding with you sunday. I dunno if you got a glimpse of the seat on my bike, but I covered that with marine grade vinyl. Love it, it's very durable. If you decide on vinyl, make SURE it's marine grade... it's much thicker than your run of the mill vinyl material.

xs1961 · Posted: July 17, 2008, 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Mine, standard vinyl in Triumph Bonnevile style, 10 years old & still as new..Forget leather, it stinks,stains & soaks up water..
Click on image to enlarge..

Reilly · Posted: July 21, 2008, 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Hey Ruby's seat looks great! Thanks for the pic.

Hi Chris! I didn't notice your seat, but maybe you could tell me where to go to get the seat recovered/remade (needs new foam too) around Baltimore. I would like it to look original. I can't sew, but since it's vinyl can't I just glue it together? I'm thinking West Marine would have stuff like that.

What do you all think about the seat on MikesXS? My seat pan is pretty rusty, but could be cleaned up, and I recently lost a hinge pin somewhere on the road -- wire works well temporarily. Smile

-thanks for all the advice
Erin

xs1961 · Posted: July 22, 2008, 2:08 am Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

oops...Embarrased - I havent named my bike - Ruby is my baby daughter , the photo was in the same folder as some of her photos.. Embarassed

weekendrider · Posted: July 22, 2008, 9:20 am Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

xs1961 there was a post last week where you had lots of names for your bike. Laughing

And none of them were Ruby. Wink

xs1961 · Posted: July 22, 2008, 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

LOL !

I like her this week...Amazing how a weekend un-ridden & locked up in my garage can make her behave & help me to appreciate her again ....

...Same applies to the bike... Twisted Evil

Retiredgentleman · Posted: July 22, 2008, 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

xs1961, you have a warped sense of humour, just the type I like Laughing

Reilly · Posted: July 22, 2008, 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

The topic is about a seat, Gentlemen!
-e

xs1961 · Posted: July 22, 2008, 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Youre right , sorry gents...
back to the seat - the Bonneville pattern vinyl gives great grip & also helps stop your bum ( butt in US lingo) sticking in warm weather....ahem..

weekendrider · Posted: July 22, 2008, 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

There are two different auctions for '76 seats on e-bay right now. The 2nd looks like it has a really nice pan. If I were doing a recover I would just use a local upholster. A friend just had his done on his Hxxxa $65 for new foam and nice vinyl.

Barbara · Posted: July 22, 2008, 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Hi All,

This is interesting, because my "D" is going to need another seat. I've worn out two, if you count the present one, with it's repaired tears and general wear. I used to be able to pick up stock bits from people who were chopping the bikes, but that seems to have dried up.

An alternative here is to go to a boat canvas/upholstery business, and they can build one with the marine-grade vinyl, but they actually want U.S. currency, if you can believe that! I recovered a BSA seat myself, but since I want this one to look good, I'm afraid I'll have to pay for the service.

The seat I have now has about 30,000 miles on it--is that normal wear?

(I name all my bikes--eventually. I have a Triumph that is still deciding on it's name...)

penn71911 · Posted: July 22, 2008, 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

I just wrapped mine myself... bought some marine vinyl from Joanne fabrics nearby... I wanted to change the profile of the seat anyway so I took an electric carving knife to the foam till I got the shape I wanted... then just stretched the vinyl over it...

BUT... if you want it to really look good... and I know you wanna keep the stock look, I would go to a local place... sorry I don't have any to recommend.. time to hit the yellow pages I guess!

drifter · Posted: July 22, 2008, 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

>>(I name all my bikes--eventually. I have a Triumph that is still deciding on it's name...)<<

If I read this right, then I'm like you...I let the bike eventually decide on its own name. As of now, my XS has no name.

Dave

Reilly · Posted: July 24, 2008, 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

Ok thanks everybody for the opinions and advice. That helps me clear my head on what I want to do with it.

Also, my bike has a name too. It's called "YEAH BABY!!"
At least that's what I say when I open the throttle, and my friends on their fat old harleys are shocked. Very Happy

killtrip · Posted: July 24, 2008, 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: 76 standard seat

This is funny.. I'm the same way, let the bike earn a name. My step dad and I were just talking, his old harley was named arnold.

Anybody remember the show green acres? the pigs name was arnold. shortly after he got the bike, he got it stuck in the mud.. ever since then, it was arnold.

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