The Sewing Place

Motobike seat cover

Maughanorama

Motobike seat cover
« on: December 11, 2020, 12:11:26 PM »
Hi ,, hope this is in the right place .. couldn't find anything remotely similar at some point when i become better at using my machine  id like to re upholster and cover my motorbike seat.

does anybody know where i can find patterns for makes and models of bikes and custom seats?  i cant seem to find any

thank you

Efemera

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2020, 12:32:43 PM »
I made one in the dim and distant past but I took the old one to bits for the pattern....other than that I can’t help.

Ellabella

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2020, 14:25:54 PM »
I've done it and as Effie says the best way is to use the old one for a pattern.  I don't know anybody that sells patterns.  The seatmaker I know developed his own but wouldn't sell copies.

A lot depends on the complexity of the design.  Be wary of the cheap covers sold on ebay, they are usually very much a 'one size fits all' design and NO it doesn't.

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2020, 14:28:09 PM »
yer i would like to get an old tattered one to take apart and make my own pattern but trying to find the right one that i can  take apart at the right price seems difficult

Ellabella

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2020, 14:50:59 PM »
What bike is it?

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2020, 14:56:04 PM »
Suzuki Bandit Mk1, im trying to build my own gun fighter style with lady.

similar to this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CUSTOM-SEAT-SUZUKI-BANDIT-1200-600-1995-1999-MK1/193788722424?hash=item2d1eb53cf8:g:IfAAAOSwPzVfz4Nv

totally understand why people that make customs do not sell out their patterns. but it makes life difficult when trying to recreate the wheel
« Last Edit: December 11, 2020, 15:00:06 PM by Maughanorama »

Ellabella

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2020, 23:28:20 PM »
Oh a bandit seat was the first one I ever sewed when I did some work for my friend who has a seat recovering business.

It’s certainly doable, I know the first one I made was sold, so it can’t be too difficult.

Can you pick up a seat from a scrapper, even if the cover is ripped, you should be able to deconstruct it to get a pattern.

You will be sewing through several layers of vinyl so will need a fairly robust machine.

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2020, 09:07:15 AM »
yer i have an old seat that im going to reshape and build up. just the cover i need, i suppose i could try to work it out from the pictures... might not be as difficult as i think

BrendaP

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2020, 09:55:38 AM »
Don't work from pictures, work from the actual seat and make a toile.  Ideally you would use vinyl or pleather or similar for the toile but if necessary a plain woven which is very non-stretch.  Tweek the toile as mch as you need to, then unpick it and use teh pieces for your pattern.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2020, 18:46:13 PM »
Ahh I see. Do I have to take stretch into account. Basically make it slightly smaller?

BrendaP

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2020, 23:42:47 PM »
If you use leather or pleather or something similar there won't be much stretch, that's why a practice toil needs to be non-stretch.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2020, 07:39:57 AM »
Ok... I c

Thank you. Sounds like a huge project for me. But going to have a go anyway.. probably learn a few things on the way maybe swear a lot too

Maughanorama

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2020, 15:34:28 PM »
i just purchased this for £18  0_0

so is it just a case of un picking the stiches and marking out the panels on some paper to make the pattern ? maybe add some extra for seams ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSF-1200-BANDIT-1996-2000-SEAT-SADDLE/363222978558?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

thanks all

weary

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2020, 16:08:56 PM »
At only £26 for a ready cut replacement cover including postage, J P Covers has to be worth considering?  Unless of course you want something really special and/or enjoy the creative process.

Regards,
Phil.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2020, 16:10:43 PM by weary »

Ellabella

Re: Motobike seat cover
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2020, 16:18:08 PM »
Be very careful when you cut it apart or you will distort the panels.

Unless the seam allowances have been trimmed you shouldn’t need to add extra but a slightly wider allowance will give you a bit of wiggle room.

Are you planning a new colour scheme or just going for black?  I think they look good with coloured piping.