Ducati Monster Forum

Buy Sgt Seat used from forum member here? Or completely customize my seat (and get a custom upholestery?) I alreayd bought a gel pad for he passegner seat. I wanted to give the passenger more real estate and i wanted to make my own seat more level and higher. My upholstery has little minor cuts everywhere and needs to be replaced anyway... I think the final cost would be the same, but i have the lsightest clue on customizing seats for design aesthetics and functionality.. anyone here have a suggestion on how the monster seat could be better  shaped in those 2 aspects? or should i just buy the sgt seat and stfu?  :P

Sgt + stfu  [thumbsup]

That being said, I'm having mine reshaped with a denser foam - slightly wider at the butt area and higher all over. According to my plan it will result in a SBK'ier ergonomic position - straighter legs = more control.





BTW.... are you trying to tell us you have a new girl friend?  ;D

I played around with reapholstering the seat on my KZ400 back when I first got into bikes and heres what I ended up with:  A seat that looks clearner and more minimalistic than stock.  Along with that, its not very comfortable, I slide around on it a lot, and the material (while very durrable and waterproof) looks kind of cheap.  On that note, I would say the following.  If you can find a good apholsterer that has had some experience with motorcycle seats, and  you do your planning right, make your own, if not, leave it to the pros and buy one.


Heres a picture of what I ended up with on the KZ:
(http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/44084/2967510530082403404S600x600Q85.jpg)

I am toying with the idea, except I want the exact opposite- no real estate for a pillion, and a level (if not slightly lower) position for me. I even wouldn't mind making it to where I have some storage in the bump (ala cafe seats). But I don't want to lunch a perfectly good seat, and my seat is in excellent shape.

I would check with the local shoppes to see who they recommend for reupholstery, or buy the Sargeant seat.

buy the SGT seat & stfu  ;).  Let me know if you want it because I might be in the middle of selling it as we speak. 

I bought the DP comfort seat and love it. The material keeps you from sliding forward like my stock seat. Plus it has a notch so the rider doesn't slide back into the passenger. Great seat if you can find one.

they made a new DP seat, i dont like the looks of it. THe old one was more cool looking...

anyway, im going to rebuild my seat. new foam, new cover, new shape!


edit:

Medium Dacron - 1" Thick x 60" Wide x lineal foot       1         $1.99         $1.99
Cushion or Mattress, HD36 Foam - High Quality       2         $7.28        $14.56
Dimensions: A1.00 x B15.00 x C25.00
Shipping: A) UPS Ground:        $12.99
                                                                      Total:        $29.54

am i missing anything here?  its the cheapest i could find anywhere.

What kind of fabric would you guys recommend as a seat cover? Whats on the older style DP seats? suede?

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/Jervisaurus/bluejeans.jpg)

I have a custom Renazco seat on a different bike with a suede cover and its really nice.  Just the right amount of grip.  Its not great for rain and dirt though which is unfortunate, but its probably the best material if you ride mostly in good weather.

heh denim on denim!!!

What about Microsuede? Its cheaper than alacantra. However I dont need more than $30 worth of alacantra which is what the original DP seat used for half of it.

I'd go used, then you can make the beast with two backs your seat up all you want without your ride going offline.

I bought a used replacement, then took my ruined stocker to an upholsterer. I wanted what Stu
is doing but got stock shape with better pad. No, my man bits won't be cold commuting home on those 90* sunny days.
Covered with some nice CF-look marine vinyl. Cost what a DP seat cost, ouch.

Im hoping the cover wont cost more than $100 bucks. I already have $80 in gel pads $30 in foam. a $100 cover would put me at the cost of a DP gel seat, however, it wont be the shape i want. Plus, wats teh fun in buying when you can do it yourself!!!

^^^^  That's right.  Buying something out there that's already been made better, cheaper, and quicker than you ever could: the cost of a DP seat.

Drinking, cursing, hurting yourself, spending wayyyyy too much in time and money, forcing your blood pressure through the roof, ruining clothing (which can possibly then go on the seat as upholstry.  Wink wink):  Priceless.

Here's a picture of my DP comfort seat. I got it for $150 shipped from a forum member who never installed it. I think it looks great and works really well. I agree it's not worth the aggravation to make your own. If you don't like the way it comes out, you'll be buying anonther one.

(http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/pcv57/Bike3.jpg)

i had mine done at NCMC, Ginger did an amazing job of translating my OCD detail oriented BS into a very clean seat.  ill be bringing the Fiance's bike there soon as I get some spare cash together.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/167873_145929275462573_142619915793509_203073_4456504_n.jpg)

cost was 250$+my stock seat

http://newchurchmoto.com (http://)

you guys suck at motivating me to do this.

come on. do it. you know you want to.

besides, maybe you'll be a natural and we'll be sending seats your way in the future!


inspired? send your check to Raux, C/O sdkjfh, sdjkfhkjsdhf, Germany, 66983

I dont have much a choice, i already bought everything. lol

[thumbsup] [beer]

Giddyup! Don't forget to post pics when you're done. Sorry to be such a downer

what material is that seat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-UPHOLSTERY-MICRO-SUEDE-LEATHER-FABRIC-9-99-YARD-/360207611830?pt=US_Fabric&hash=item53de0bf7b6 (http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-UPHOLSTERY-MICRO-SUEDE-LEATHER-FABRIC-9-99-YARD-/360207611830?pt=US_Fabric&hash=item53de0bf7b6)

im thinking about microsuede for the center and vinyl for the sides

do they replace the foam? i modded my seat and shaved off some of it, now im looking to get it redone by a pro, Id also need to have them make it to fit my seat cowl as i made it to fit my seat after i shaved some of the foam off.

wooo foam came in today!!! 70 degrees! cant ride cause i broke my toe the other night!!! lol

Toe breaks are never fun.

Me: Hey doc, I'm pretty sure I broke my toe
Doc (looks at foot): Yep
Me:  What kind of treatment options do we have?
Doc:  I'd start by buying a case of beers and I'd probably finish by yelling about my whore of an ex-wife and maybe even a finale of passing out naked on the kitchen floor.
Me:  ??????
Doc:  yeah, we can't do shit for ya, buddy.  Good luck.

I bought more than enough foam to redo the whole seat. I have some dacron to cover it before i do the final vinyl. If you wanted to do this to jus the passenger seat, you could reuse the old cover +  a gel pad and be under $80 bucks shipped for a nice gel seat.

Shaved down
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1713&g2_serialNumber=1)

Reused my old gel pad
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1717&g2_serialNumber=1)

Throw the new foam on
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1720&g2_serialNumber=1)

Cut to shape
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1723&g2_serialNumber=1)

Test fit
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1726&g2_serialNumber=1)

Gel for passenger
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1729&g2_serialNumber=1)

Cut down
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1741&g2_serialNumber=1)

Test fit, front is a little to steep, the bike is on a rearstand though. I might ad a tab bit of foam to level the front.
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1744&g2_serialNumber=1)

10lb lead weight on stock foam (hardly dents)
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1738&g2_serialNumber=1)

10lb lead weight on new foam, notice how theres a nice bounce
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1735&g2_serialNumber=1)


Havent finished yet since my foot started hurting from standing up. This whole process so far has only taken 2 hours and most of it was just staring at the seat and trying to figure out how i want the passenger to look. The rear will no longer look the same. I am trying to mimic the 696 seat thats more level and sudden instead of curvy like the old monster.

[thumbsup]

wow cool project, could really make an awesome looking seat with that foam, [thumbsup]

Where'd the foam come from?

http://www.foambymail.com/ (http://www.foambymail.com/)

Medium Dacron - 1" Thick x 60" Wide x lineal foot       1         $1.99         $1.99
Cushion or Mattress, HD36 Foam - High Quality       2         $7.28        $14.56
Dimensions: A1.00 x B15.00 x C25.00
Shipping: A) UPS Ground:                                                    $12.99
                                                                      Total:        $29.54

HD36 Foam - High Quality
Medium foam for regular or heavy use. HD36 Foam - HQ is a high quality foam suggested for seats, chairs, cushions, benches, and mattresses. Foam has a typical life of 16 years. (HD36-HQ foam is a 2.8 lb/ft3 density with a 38lb ILD)

xcaptainxbloodx that seat looks great!

+1

its all  vinyl, high quality flexible waterproof stuff.  the bike lives outdoors so real leather or suede wasn't really an option.

i asked around...get this...

they want $350 to make a seat cover. ( i wanted red and black), not including cost of material. mandatory purchase of 1 square yard + a mandatory $75 shippnig charge even though i live 10 blocks away....

Sunday Im going to stop by another place and if its over $120 im going to do this myself and you can all laugh as i figure out how to cause i have no clue what I am doing!

sargent seems to sell their seat covers for like... 69.99...

http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducss.htm (http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducss.htm)

dunno if that's what you're looking for but that's way cheaper than what you got quoted, and it's from sargent

I messed around with a stock seat a while back.  I cut the seat myself and formed all the foam.  Once I had the shape I wanted I had a professional recover it.  I was going for a bit more Cafe' style with the idea that a flat seat for the rider would stop the delicates from getting crushed into the tank.  It worked very well to this end and did not look bad IMO but after about 10-15 miles my inner thighs were getting rubbed pretty badly and the seat just felt too wide overall.  I did not add anything to the width but cutting the seat to make it flatter essentially made where your thighs rest wider.

BTW labor for the guys who re-covered the seat was $60

(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll97/metalmelitia03/030709004.jpg?t=1301140816)

That's the essential area to get right.
Too wide = painful for the upper inner thighs....
Too narrow = painful for the two hard "sitting bones"

I just had mine raised and made slightly wider at "sitting bones" area. Feels great.

I think your seat looks good [thumbsup]

HeMan if you want some left over material from when I re-did mine a few years back you're welcome to it.  I have some stretchy vinyl which was used in the back, and some carbon-fibre looking vinyl, not cheesy though..I don't think anyway...but hey it's free.  Did you try any local auto upholstery places?

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5544913870_ea2978c69c_z.jpg)

ps. I recall someone posting up someplace that was selling really nice looking seat covers which were relatively inexpensive.  Maybe someone knows what I'm talking about....

found it

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=26129.15 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=26129.15)

http://hydroturf.com/product/Seat_Covers_-_Sport_Bike/SB-D03 (http://hydroturf.com/product/Seat_Covers_-_Sport_Bike/SB-D03)

if he's still around looks like he can work with you and has a lot of options as far as materials.

free is fine for me! I am looking to buy Carbonfiber vinyl for the main seat and solid red for the rear nyway, this will give me something to work. I have an idea of what i want to do. I was just going to cut the 3 piece template, mark it with chaulk and sew it together and hope for the best fit.

Where are you usually located? i cant really venture far since i can neither walk very far or ride for the time being.

The few auto upholesterys ive tried do not do moto seats. did you do that seat cover yourself?  and i cant really use a OEM seat cover because ive drastically changed teh passenger seat. OEM no longer fits otherwise i would of just taken it apart and copied it.

sending PM

Just to add to some of the options, one of the members has a cool seat cover like this:
http://www.luimoto.com/product_info.php?cPath=cPath=359&products_id=155 (http://www.luimoto.com/product_info.php?cPath=cPath=359&products_id=155)

The cool part is that the passenger area looks like the rear cowl.

Anyway, I'll be watching this thread for your progress!

well, i found a nice family owned shop about 10 blocks from me who said theyll do it for $90 if they 100% replicate it. but i need it to be a bit different and i dont think the old jewish guy who spoke broken english understood that i wanted it to be a bit different. so i guess ill throw him a $20 tip or something to make up for it?


anyway, the only issue is they dont have teh fabric i want. which means i have to order it. which also means that ill have so much fabric i can have a go at it and if i make the beast with two backs up ill hand over the extra fabric for them to do it properly.

So now its to the drawing boards on how i want the design to look.

man i am meeting some really insanely nice people today. this is a little off topic but i try to be a really chill nice person ( i find MOSt people respond better that way) and most of the time they dont give a make the beast with two backs if your nice or not, but between the shop that is doing the sewing and the fabric shop in south florida, having someone be nice to you back and not try to shit down your throat really brightens up an otherwise shitty day (its make the beast with two backsing cold rainy and i havent eaten yet lol).


Anyway, i purchased 1 yard of carbon fiber fabric. red at 54"x17"  black at 54"x19" which is actually enough with about 2" of slack after staples and enough to make 2 seats. for only $FREE$ cause i used my american express points.

I had to buy a yard no matter what, and what the hell was i going to do with a yard of red or just a yard of black anyway? Now i wanna find a small slice of alcantra to throw ontop to make it look exotic!!!

found some thread at a local shop in the city. This whole time ive been looking at teh garment district for fabrics....wrong idea. you go to china town and look for textile shops!!! too bad i already ordered my stuff....30 mins ago, and they already shipped. :D

http://oshmanbrothers.com/ (http://oshmanbrothers.com/)

fwiw, the upholstery shop that redid my seat used a marine supply source for material, looked CF-like sorta like what IndustrialGrrrl posted, at least for the driver seat portion.
He-Man's all in but the next to attempt might looks there.

If it was me I'd probably opt for a seat cover for a little extra coin, sounds like they can be had cheap-ish.

i got the fabric today, and found a nice family owned shop that sells needles and threads also in teh same area as the quote to do the seat.

THe fabric looks GREAT. the black is so much darker than the OEM seat. it will really make it shine. jizzing in my pants already.

however im have performance anxiety. I have all but 1 hour of sewing machine experience.

this should be fun.

Give me a minute to remember the name of the stitching to use......

It's the stitching used by Hydro Turf for their covers (where you'd want to avoid hard bulky seams)

There are YouTube videos of it.

EDIT:
How to Sew a French Seam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb2TaHUu-U#normal)

is it just me or does that seem very bulky?

I'm reluctant to discuss French seams, or any other stitching, online [roll]

, but I think you'd be ok without the last seam she does, just the first seam and the iron pressing.
It won't be weather or chicken grease proof, so a plastic film between the foam and cover is required (?)

 [coffee]

queer eye for the Norwegian guy.

I am going to install a plastic water barrior on to the top  and glue it to the foam instead of wraping it. if water does get it, id like it to go somewhere instead of rotting away my seat. the mock up looks REALLY nice. the only issue is stitching, either you will get a kick out of my miserable failure, or be mildly impressed with my masculine touch.  [laugh]

Alright, im looking at the seat, i started cutting the pieces and my spider sense says this is too bad of an idea. Im not even going to attempt to make the seat cover, that shit does not look easy.

always listen to the spider sense, unless she is really really hot.

youre already in there man, dont quit now.

electric turkey carver will trim it easily and a layer of batting will hide all your rough chops. sewing the cover wont look right until it starts stretching over the seat.

keep at it!

haha, ^^ good motivation, but i cant get my head around wraping a 3d object with multiple pieces of fabric. This stuff isnt that stretchy.

Dropped the whole shabang there this morning, they said monday/tuesday and I urged them that i am leaving friday for a trip so i need it done on the time frame they said they woudl and he said dont worry about it.

 I trust their word, if they dont have it done by tuesday. I will do it myself.

bah i had a who writeup and fire fox froze on me. I cant upload any photographs right now because godaddy is migrating my hosts because my stupid little website runs SO PAINFULLY SLOW. (avg wait time is 45 seconds to get a page to load without pictures)....

anyway, I got the fabric and cut the first few pieces myself and decided i wanted to have a pro do it because i realized i had no idea what i was doing. Good thing i did cause they did an awesome job!

I ended up cutting too much of the black material and they had to stitch 2 pieces together to get it to fit. which kinda killed the contious piece look but adds a bit of character i guess? it goes with the whole theme of the bike!  [laugh] but they did what they had to do to get it done and they did a very good job of getting it done that way. I might end up sewing a patch in that area or something, or just leave it. i dont know. im pretty sure ill end up destroying the seat at some point in time.  :P Theres a little dimple on the right side that im going to remove the staple and pull back. I got to watch how they stretched the fabric and im pretty sure that i could do it next time around.

There is a gel pad in both the passenger and the driver seat.
Cost Breakdown
$80 in gel pads
$30 fabric ( got it for free)
$100 to recover the seat
$30 in foam.

So it ended up as the same as a DP seat, however the passenger is much more comfortable. I think it looks tons cooler. and its got a semi DIY theme going on.

With Flash
(http://img858.imageshack.us/img858/7836/onbike.jpg)

No flash
(http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2440/onbikenoflash.jpg)

(http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/972/rightsidec.jpg)

(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/20/leftsidec.jpg)

looks great man, hope it's comfy for your trip