decent seat

[sinto607276]

Hi, originally posted this in fzs600 section as that's what I have but guess anybody might be able to recommend a decent seat upholstery company in Glasgow(ish) area, as I'd like to be able to go and discuss my needs etc.
Background is that I just done a 280mile trip at the weekend with my boy as pillion.
I was getting a numb bum after about 30ish miles and after talking to my boy who's 13, age, not stone! Said he was sore too, so I think I need to get this sorted if I'm going to use this bike for weekend rides other than my usual 20 miles to work and back.
Thanks in advance.

[Dead Eye]

My seat was remoulded and recovered by Tony Archer and it is very comfortable. I had issues riding my first 600 for more than 60~ miles but I've done 350+ on the thou without any real issues. Unfortunately I don't have any further info as it was done by the previous owner I'm just very glad he did it haha

[sinto607276]

My seat was remoulded and recovered by Tony Archer and it is very comfortable. I had issues riding my first 600 for more than 60~ miles but I've done 350+ on the thou without any real issues. Unfortunately I don't have any further info as it was done by the previous owner I'm just very glad he did it haha

Well dead eye, seeing as you recommended him I looked it up, http://www.tonyarcher.co.uk
Unfortunately it's a bit far for me to go and see him lol
Found this mob in Glasgow, might try and pop in and see them
http://trimworkshops.co.uk

[Dead Eye]

Best of luck, figured I'd just let you know my setup as I don't think there are a huge amount of people with custom seats. A few have done their own modifications by getting some phone and re-stapling the cover back over

[sinto607276]

Yeah it's a minefield out there as far as I can figure lol but hey ho, got to start looking as my wee bum is not liking the seat on distance journeys :rollin

[crickleymal]

I'm thinking about doing somethingabout my seat. I could ride my old Divvy for about 90 minutes without discomfort, the FZS about 45 minutes tops. I can't afford the custom seats or the Corbun stuff so I'm looking at something like this http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=584302

[sinto607276]

I'm thinking about doing somethingabout my seat. I could ride my old Divvy for about 90 minutes without discomfort, the FZS about 45 minutes tops. I can't afford the custom seats or the Corbun stuff so I'm looking at something like this http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=584302

Think I'd rather go for the dual one

Only £70 and my son would be happy too :-)
But I would be removing the cover on my seat, taking that gel out of its holder and sliding it in, then restaple my cover back on.
The size you need for our seats is approximately 600 x 300mm
So you just need to trim this a wee bit.
I've just ordered one, so when it arrives I'll do a wee install thread on here.

[flesh]

+1 for Tony Archer but you are right its too far to visit.
I had the same issue looking around (Dunfermline) but did not find anything.

I have had 2 seats from Tony Archer for both my CB1300 and FZ1 and could not rate then highly enough.
You would have to send him your seat and he sends you something fantastic in return. He does however take as much time as he needs on the job so is often not quick.

What about looking at some custom bike makers like http://www.area51customcycles.co.uk/ who do seat remodelling and are "local".

[sinto607276]

Hi flesh, yeah I've seen there work at 51 and very impressed, but I've just ordered a pad from m&p so going to try it on top of seat first, then if it does the job, I'll take cover off my seat and put it there then just re-staple the cover, might have to trim it a wee touch to get it to fit neat, as our seats are shorter at bits than the pad, but worth the £75 punt I reckon. time will tell, I'm sharpening the bread knives already lol

[JoeRock]

Not trying to be rude fella - but if you're only doing 20miles a day (unless you've got an underlying medical condition) - your ass literally needs to toughen up a bit and get used to the seat/riding longer times!

[sinto607276]

Not trying to be rude fella - but if you're only doing 20miles a day (unless you've got an underlying medical condition) - your ass literally needs to toughen up a bit and get used to the seat/riding longer times!

I'm not trying to be rude either, but if you read the whole original post you'll see that the problem occurred during a 280 mile trip  with my boy as pillion and not the 20 miles a day commute.
As far as toughening up my ass, I think not! I like my soft ass :rollin lol

[Deefer666]

Since my brother in law gave up upholstery, I have used Tony Archer loads of times, he's cheap and his work is spot on!

[sinto607276]

Ok a wee update.....

Bought the deluxe dual gel pad from M&P
Delivery was fast and they kept in touch. So £75 out to try something to help.

Was it worth it?
Yes I think so, I placed it on top of the seat, tucked in the straps and went for a wee ride, seemed to be more comfier than stock seat but I'd expect that.

Next step, turn the pad around to see if I was using the wrong end as I think I put it on wrong way, and I mean the bigger bit on the back, not upside down.
Yes that works better :-) sits on far better....next step take off cover and put this under the seat cover.....to be continued

[sinto607276]

So I decided to go for broke and remove seat cover and try and insert my gel pad as my mate has a staple gun I can get it stapled on at a later date.
First step, remove the staples,  fairly easy using a small but blunt screwdriver I eased them up and then pulled them out with a pair of pliers. I didn't go all the way round, left the back ones on so I had some decent place from which to pull on.
The pictures will probably tell you better than me trying to explain, but I've not finished yet, will need to open it up again and either trim the gel pad or the seat foam for it to 'sit in' better.

[adeejaysdelight]

Does it work? And have you made it look any better?


I got a Viper seat a couple of years ago for touring. It works a treat, although hanging off in the bends is awkward. Still, its all day comfy and it looks great (I think).

[sinto607276]

Does it work? And have you made it look any better?


I got a Viper seat a couple of years ago for touring. It works a treat, although hanging off in the bends is awkward. Still, its all day comfy and it looks great (I think).

Hi adeejaysdelight, yeah it works, yo a degree, just done a 180 mile run with youngsterbiker today and it seems to be better than standard that's for sure. But will need to trim the foam to the shape of the pad so it sits in seat shape better. Then a cover replacement is on the cards I think.
Like the look of yours, is that just a cover or complete seat? Your in or near glasgow aren't you?

There's more info in the fzs600 forum too as guys on there starting asking questions on it.

[sinto607276]

Update....
Just came back from a 180 mile run with youngsterbiker, great day, and my gel pad done the trick :-)
So when I came home, I took off the seat, and proceeded with the next part of project.
After removing all the tape that I used to temporarily fit it, I then removed the edging on the gel pad and was going to cut the foam, but thought I'd just lay it on top for now and staple the cover, in my view it looks good, I'm pleased with the results myself, might take it of and trim the foam at a later point and maybe even try and get some more foam/packing for my seat area, at least now my butt is not sore, don't get me wrong, I still feel a bit if numbness but it doesn't get discomfortable that it annoys me, so I think it's done it's job.
See pics and let me know what you think guys.

[celticdog]

Looks like a job well foccing done there Sinto!
 
There's nowt worse than a dicky seat, particularly on a long rideout.
Many MOONS ago,(pun intended) I wore a pair of padded cycle shorts on a tour of Ireland,
helped a bit with the pain but was annoying when you wanted to stop for a p1ss  :rollin   
That staple gun looks a decent piece of kit . . . way better than the fleabay effort I used!

Anyway, hindsight is a great thing . . . I love looking at girls' arses  :lol

[sinto607276]

Cheers celticdog,  didn't take that long tbh, I suppose another big run will determine whether I strip it out and 'cut' it into the foam, but it looks fairly neat I'm my opinion,  still thinking now I've done this, I could get a cover like yours made by a guy in Falkirk (within riding distance to me and I actually work thete a lot) bit I'd maybe get a wee extra wedge put on my part of seat, make it look like a real job :lol
Staple gun was in my dad's garage, bloody amazing what he has in there and at 88, he knows exactly where everything this! So I can't 'borrow' anything :rollin
Picture of it fitted, looks like OEM I think

[Grahamm]

Bought the deluxe dual gel pad from M&P

Was it worth it?
Yes I think so,

Looks good. I've been thinking about getting one of these :thumbup