Restoring an old Race Seat

[56_oval]

Nice looking work there. What is the material for the top, stitched part?

G

Teazer told me that they came with faux suede, so that's what I used for the insert. I gotta admit it came out a lot better than expected.

[56_oval]

56; you never can tell how many are watching by the number of post/comments as they maybe so enthralled that they just forget to say anything---like me. I just recently picked-up a CB305 without the seat and after looking at whats available and the prices for stock seats, I have been thinking of making a cafe racer/sporterized bike with a seat like this (looks to be more comfortable then a traditional cafe racer seat) and with pipes like the one in the picture.

Is the form of the back of the seat made just with foam or is there a fiber glas or plywood insert to give it shape?

Are these seats made from a stock seat pan as the underside of of your seat seems to have two bolts holding down the rear of foam/insert?

Where did you get your material?

BTW i are you into 1956 ford's (by your handle)? The first decent car I had back in the 60's was a 1956 ford two door coupe with 292 Thunderbird V8 (had all of 150hp) it had the first ford heater that actually put out heat, all the old flathead fords would freeze you out.

Thanks for the effort of posting the pictures---I have never tried redoing a seat but with you burning the trail I may give it a go.


Clarence

I don't know if anyone is paying attention to this thread, but I'll update it either way.

The seat is a factory race seat from the 60's. It was part of a race kit Honda offered back in the day that came with alloy fenders, seat, megaphone exhaust, clip-on's, velocity stacks and a few other goodies. Check out theses pages http://www.honda305.com/parts/manual/CY ... _125.shtml for a list. Those parts can be hard to find. I got lucky and found that old used in a field.
As far as the seat goes, it is a metal pan, but with a little thought and planning, I'm sure you could make one out of fiberglass. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't seen one out there already.

[56_oval]

Coming along nicely. Can't wait to see a finished product.

Thanks Joe, I appreciate that. I was going to go with your suggestion, but I decided to leave the foam alone for now. It actually isn't in that bad of shape. The front where the material spit is the worst part.
I got most of it put together, but I am not happy with how the front turned out, so I will probably take it apart and redo the front half. I'll post some pics soon.

[56_oval]

56; you never can tell how many are watching by the number of post/comments as they maybe so enthralled that they just forget to say anything---like me. I just recently picked-up a CB305 without the seat and after looking at whats available and the prices for stock seats, I have been thinking of making a cafe racer/sporterized bike with a seat like this (looks to be more comfortable then a traditional cafe racer seat) and with pipes like the one in the picture.

Is the form of the back of the seat made just with foam or is there a fiber glas or plywood insert to give it shape?

Are these seats made from a stock seat pan as the underside of of your seat seems to have two bolts holding down the rear of foam/insert?

Where did you get your material?

BTW i are you into 1956 ford's (by your handle)? The first decent car I had back in the 60's was a 1956 ford two door coupe with 292 Thunderbird V8 (had all of 150hp) it had the first ford heater that actually put out heat, all the old flathead fords would freeze you out.

Thanks for the effort of posting the pictures---I have never tried redoing a seat but with you burning the trail I may give it a go.


Clarence

I don't know if anyone is paying attention to this thread, but I'll update it either way.

I forgot to answer all your questions earlier. The pan is metal and the bolts you see are for the rear seat mounts that the PO welded on, so I took them off.
The materials are easy to get. I got mine at Joanne's Fabrics. The vinyl was on sale for around $6 a yard and the faux suede was $16 a yard, but I only need about half of that. When you're sewing vinyls and thicker materials, use a think 100% polyester thread for strength. We'll know after a few months of riding if this cover will hold up. If not, I think I will get it professionally done next time.

As of late I've been wanting either a '49 Ford truck or an early '50s Ford sedan, but that will have to wait until school is finished. My handle is from my previous obsession that will manifest itself again one of these days, VW's. I've always loved the late 50's Bugs. I had a '56 for a couple of years and that where the name came from.

[56_oval]

Here's the completed piece. I did not use new foam. I probably should have, but the foam was in pretty good shape considering. The only downfall is that if I am not pleased with the foam, I'll have to make a new cover cause the new foam wouldn't fit under it.









Some of the seams were a bit off, but I already have twenty plus hours in this project and I didn't think it would matter for a daily rider.

[bikedoctor99]

Very nicely done!! Your series of pictures really are a fine example of a step by step DIY. I recently put my cafe on on the road and for 600+ miles have been riding on a 3/8 high density pad- OK for the track, but I'll be happier with a bit of padding. Tomorrow I'll make patterns and buy materials. Thanks for the inspiration, and definitely keep us updated.

[56_oval]

Very nicely done!! Your series of pictures really are a fine example of a step by step DIY. I recently put my cafe on on the road and for 600+ miles have been riding on a 3/8 high density pad- OK for the track, but I'll be happier with a bit of padding. Tomorrow I'll make patterns and buy materials. Thanks for the inspiration, and definitely keep us updated.

No problem, I enjoyed it myself. Without padding, all the materials cost me around $20. Not too bad...