Home Seat Conversion?

[gypsy]

I posted this on another site but thought I would try here too:

I know I have seen a 'how to' on cutting down the stock FJR seat and adding 'aircraft foam' (?) to give the seat more density. I saw this a while ago with pictures and instructions. Now I have searched all the FJR boards and tech sites I am aware of and I cannot find the damn thing again. Anyone else know of this?

gypsy

 

[FJRocket]

I think Bounce did his own mod. I also did mine. You can see it at my website. The seat is immensely better for me than stock. However, it is not an iron butt remedy by any means. If I wasn't ordering an '06, I'd probably get a Russel.

It's an easy mod to do, and a slight change can be very helpful. Just to lower your butt cheeks and leave the front by the tank taller is an improvement.

I went back and added a third layer of pink foam just to improve the contour. That makes it 3 layers, blue, green and pink... each a different density. Before I added the soft pink layer, I essentially dished out the heavier foam underneath to conform to each cheek and my buttcrack. Ala some other seat manufacturers. Please keep in mind that using the stock foam to cover the seat backbone is a real good idea. Leave 3/4 to 1 ich over the pan to build on. Worked for me, anyway.

Having the shape more contoured to fit my ass made a big difference on being able to distribute the load. I still get monkey butt, but it takes about twice as long as it did before. And I don't like staying in the saddle from full to reserve anyway.

Oh, and BTW, if you live where it's COLD, the astronaut foam gets rock hard at about 40 degrees F. It will warm up to your butt, which can actually help the support, but when you first sit on it, it is a ROCK. And it may take 10 -15 minutes to settle in. YMMV!

 

[FJRandy]

I heard if you fart on it, it speeds up the heating process.

 

[Pepperell]

Confor Foam

 

[Yambone]

Here's my home grown seat and I've been extremely happy with it.

Roll your own seat

Stole all these ideas from FJRocket, so check his web page, but I differed in that I did cut all the way to the stock pan. The 3-layer composite Confor foam Pepperell listed worked like a champ. The big thing is to get rid of the forward pitch of the stock seat. The Confor foam is really easy to sculpt.

If you are interested in how it looks when you are done, you may need an 'expert' to tighten up the vinyl. Worst case scenario, if you foul this up, you may then be forced into getting the Russell, Sargent, etc...

 

[gypsy]

Thanks guys,

I figured I would try this first before shelling out for an expensive custom seat. I also have a Sheepy Hollow cover that will hide my poor seamsmanship.

Thanks again,

gypsy

 

[jbay]

Just out of curiosity ,what kind of staple gun is used that has the power to penetrate the seat pan ?

 

[FJRocket]

I used your basic $16 Stanley manual staple gun with run of the mill staples.

 

[Bounce]

I think Bounce did his own mod. I also did mine.

Not me. I'm on my 2nd Russell in as many bikes. I know just enough to not mess with success.

Russell Group Buy

 

[FJRocket]

Sorry, Bounce. Someone out there had another technique that seemed pretty good.

You are right, though. I don't think I could ever hack a seat to anywhere near the level of the pros.

 

[jbay]

I used your basic $16 Stanley manual staple gun with run of the mill staples.

I guess I need a new staple gun.

 

[TejasFJR]

I grew up in my dad's upholstery shop and we did all sorts of seats for all sorts of things. To the above instructions, I'd just add the following tidbits. If you have an electric knife, they really make cutting foam a much more manageable process. Also, you might consider stopping by an upholstery shop and picking up a small square of dacron to help "smooth out" the shape. Something like this maybe:

https://www.upholsterysupplieswarehouse.com...6910/778087.htm

And lastly, if you take the cover all the way off, leave it out in the sun before you re-attach it so the vinyl will soften and make it much easier to stretch in place and get a better finish.

 

[moby one]

Didn't Trinibob do something with a gell insert?

Chime in Trini, Trini, where are you???????????????