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For the entire duration of my build I've been dreading two things, wiring and upholstery. I'm now at the point where I need to do both… Luckily I ordered a part months ago that didn't fit my build, which I've managed to trade in exchange for professional wiring help, but that leaves the seat. It's not that I'm afraid of upholstery, it's just something that I'd rather not do myself, but I couldn't get anyone excited about doing the job. So finally this week I decided to suck it up and get it done. This is my tutorial on one method (albeit a white trash method) of doing a seat. I stole tips and tricks off of the web, and in lots of places I just BS'd my through. I hope this helps someone; you guys have helped me MASSIVELY on my build. Thank you. (By the way, I apologize if I get long-winded… If nothing else there are lots of pretty pictures….)
Back when I was making my seat pan I designed the mounts to give a good angle and height to the seat, but what I didn't realize is that their location (so close to the edge) makes upholstery almost impossible. This was challenge 1. My other challenges included: no source of leather, no idea how to work with leather, no real plan, and no real desire… Fortunately I gained all of these things as time went on.

My pan:

 

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Through my research online I decided on a method that involves riveting an old leather jacket over a camping mat (somewhat like this, although he used vinyl). I altered the recipe and instead of the camping mat I used a professional grade gel-pad and a layer of ¼" closed cell foam (the gel pad retains temperatures, so if I leave my bike in the sun all day and go for a ride I risk losing my ability to reproduce…. NOT GOOD…. The foam prevents this). I understand that covering an expensive gel pad with an old jacket seems crazy, but for all of the advice that the local upholstery guy (and owner of 23 Triumphs) had given me I really wanted to throw some cash his way. I set my mind to finding an old leather jacket, but the problem was that none of the local second hand places had one. I decided as a last hope to post a wanted add online on a local board, and the next morning when I got up I had two jackets sitting on my doorstep. I never even met the guy, all I know is that his name is Cory and he answered the call, Thank you random Cory, your old jacket has gone to a much better place.

 

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My supplies:
Automotive door edging (for the edges of the pan to reduce the chances of tearing)

Rivets and washers

The Gel Pad (made by ProPad, it's a lot like 2 thin pieces of plastic filled with one massive orange booger)

The ¼" foam (A scrap donated by my upholstery guy)

 

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Industrial strength sticky-in-a-can

And Random Cory's Jacket

 

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Step 1 was to measure, scribe and sharpie a line around the pan for the rivets to go on.

Then I covered all of the powder coated surfaces that I didn't want to mess up with masking tape.

<O></O>
The next step was to put on the door edging. The brackets (especially the front one) made this process suck a little, but after a bunch of trial-and-error trimming I managed to get it to fit together. I ended up using both sticks that come in the pack. If you look close at the sides of the pan you'll see where they meet. I chose this spot because it's the only point in which the ends are on an inward angle. For future reference, I learned that by trial as well&#8230;.. (Dumb bastard)

 

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At this point I attacked Random Cory's jacket with a pair of scissors. I managed to harness a piece from the upper back big enough to do the job. It did however have a seam through it, which aesthetically didn't bother me (though it did make applying it symmetrically a little tricky), but its ability to let water through concerned me a bit. This was easily remedied with one strip of chrome-on-a-roll up the back.

 

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Now as the next picture shows, the gel pad unfortunately didn't come in the exact shape of my pan, which meant I had to cut it. Although this job sucks, it is possible. Cutting through the booger-sandwich was a time consuming process involving countless breaks to clean and re-lube my scissors, but after a while I ended up with the shape I wanted.

 

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Based on the new-found shape of my Gel pad, I marked and cut the foam to an approximate size.

 

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At this point I went back to the pan. Realizing that although the rivets would need to be in specific places in order to get the wrinkles out, I was forced to just mark based on symmetry and hope for the best. It seemed like a far better plan then drilling as I went, which I knew would end with either a hole in the leather, or in my leg.

 

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Now it was time for the glue. As it turned out I got to this phase at about midnight on a Thursday with the outside temperature being roughly -13 degrees Fahrenheit. This meant that the job needed to be done in the garage with the doors closed&#8230; Glue smells like happy&#8230;
First I glued the gel to the pan, and then the foam to the gel.

Having to hold the edges of the foam to the gel as the glue sat seemed like far too much work, and seeing as I was high as a kite from glue fumes at this point I decided to wrap it in half a roll of painters tape and go to bed. End of day 1. Time spent: 1.5-2 Hours.

 

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Day 2:
After setting up my rivet station I took off the tape and found something that was beginning to look like a seat.

Now as I said earlier, the crease running down the middle of the leather didn't really bother me, but I knew that it would drive me insane if I riveted it to the seat crooked. Because of this I started my riveting in the middle and worked my way out. It would have probably been smarter to start at an end, but considering my situation I think everything worked out alright.

 

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Now I didn't take pictures every time I put in a rivet, because although it's a little tedious, the actual riveting goes fairly quick. I did the first 4 rivets on my own, but then the girlfriend was called in to help. Holding the leather at just the right angle to prevent wrinkles, poking holes with a punch, and running the rivet gun turned out to be tricky. I think it could have been done without the spare hands, but I'd be willing to bet money that the outcome would have been a little sloppier.

 

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As you can see it actually worked, and my randomly selected rivet-points turned out to be pretty well placed. I ended up having to drill 2 extra holes (which was a little sketchy considering that one slip would cause the bit to cut the leather) but overall my pre-drilled spots worked.
Then after some trimming and gluing I ended up with this:

 

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End of day 2. Time spent: 2-3 Hours.

 

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I'll be the first to admit that it's not the best looking seat out there, it looks like some shmuck did it in his basement, but that's because I DID! And I'm thrilled with the outcome.
Costs:
(Costs are in Canadian dollars, The American dollar costs are estimates that take into account the exchange rate and the differences in prices between Countries)
Door Edging: $10 CAD, $8 USD
Rivets and washers: $8 CAD, $6 USD
Gel Pad: $140 CAD, $80 USD
Spray Glue: $12 CAD, $8 USD
Foam: Free
Random Cory's Jacket: Free
TOTAL: $170 CAD, $102 USD

In reality the Gel pad isn't necessary, the camping mat will do the job for a tenth of the cost, but with that being said this seat sure is comfy!
If this thread helps just one of you guys make a decision, it's done its job. Thanks again to everyone for all of your help with my build.
<O
Bruins.

 

[littlebike]

Great Job, great "HOW TO" post. Now with that first one made make another with the leftovers and sell it , and you'll brake even FREE SEAT. Can't beat that!!

 

[skinthead]

I dunno what you were bitching about that seam for...looks very cool. I was looking at it as though you were going to run the seam length ways across the top of the seat...I would have, but that is just me.

Hey, a custom covered seat would have cost you more, and you'd not have the pride to say you did it yourself. Really nice job, and really great write-up.

Excellent!

I have an old pair of chaps I was gonna do the same thing with...

 

[BigShem]

Hey Briuns I think it looks kool very kool indeed my friendbut now let me ask you was just wondering i never did one before but when you use the rivets can you feel them when you sit on it or is there enough material that you dont notice.....

 

[Okie Pete]

Very nice thanks for sharing . Very creative . I saw a seat covered with a boot top once .

 

[No honestlyitsme]

nice job man, some pictures of it on the scoot would seal the deal.