Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

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Paulrs
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Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#1 Post by Paulrs » Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:52 pm

Having received good feedback around my efforts restoring mirrors, I felt another pictorial DIY guide may be appreciated. This time showing how to make a seat pad suffering from severe butt wear that looks like this:

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Turn into one that looks like this:

Image

Firstly you need to order some very stretchy vinyl:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COLOURED-MOTO ... gppdsphS_A

Medium is enough for at least 10 seat pads!

This vinyl is stretchy, but I was concerned the seat pad was a little delicate, so I made a wooden former the same shape as pad.

Image

Cut a piece of Vinyl (aligning stretch direction marked on by vinyl supplier) and fix with screwed on block on one side, stretch around wooden former and staple into place. Much effort/care required at this stage, as you should be able to get all the creases out. The visible surface must be nice and smooth.

Image

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Leave it for a week or so to adopt its new shape.

Now move on the the old seat pad. Firstly we need to rebuild the butt worn corner. I used the this polymer sealant as it dries like a firm-ish rubber and things stick to it (unlike silicone).

Image

I cut a shaped spreader to help reform the curve at the top of the pad. Build up the filler slowly in layers as it shrinks. Leave for a couple of days between each layer to allow it to settle. This is the how the rapair looks:

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After the week (or two), remove vinyl from former and make a masking tape hinge at the bottom so the new cover can be swung round inline with the seat pad (cutting the vinyl at the bottom to length can make this easier). Stick down with upholstery spray adhesive. I started in the middle of the pad face and worked outwards pulling the vinyl tight. Then work around the edges, keep pulling the material tight to get rid of any creases. Think where material needs stretching and stretch it, before letting it contact the contact adhesive!

Finally tidy up the rear side of the pad, once out of sight you can split/cut the Vinyl to make it easier to stick down neatly. Finished off the underside like this:

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Sealing the joint with this

Image

The texture of this vinyl is not exactly the same as the original seat pad as its pattern is a little finer. Its a little less shinny than the seat, but the seat cover is original and I suspect polished from years of use.
On the bike it looks really good and will do nicely until I win the lottery and can buy a NOS genuine seat pad!

Image

Hope this is some help and good luck if you give it a go.
Paul

Ade SYM
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#2 Post by Ade SYM » Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:21 pm

Really Nice Job, it looks great and a much cheaper alternative to buying something of an equivalent standard.

Thanks

Ade

BigGuy
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#3 Post by BigGuy » Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:35 pm

Thank you, good info there!
Shake "N" Bake!

silverstrom
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#4 Post by silverstrom » Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:46 pm

That looks quite nice. Great job.

snivag
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#5 Post by snivag » Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:03 pm

That looks great buddy.

"On the bike it looks really good and will do nicely until I win the lottery and can buy a NOS genuine seat pad!"

Do you know if you can even buy these now, I've looked everywhere and can't find one?

Paulrs
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#6 Post by Paulrs » Sat Oct 21, 2017 5:37 am

I have seen used pads, but most seem to be in a similar condition to what I had. An upholster near to me offered to make a cover, but this had a stitched seam on view.

NOS or mint used pads do surface occasionally, and should one come to light and the seller know how rare they are, the price will be high.

As my repair came out better than expected I now feel less tempted to offer silly money for those that do come up.

Regards
Paul

vma500
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#7 Post by vma500 » Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:38 am

Nice restore

Thanks
my bikes :RD500 2X ,RD 350 F2 , RD 350 31K,RD350 4LO,RG500,RG250 WW,RGV250,TZR250 3MA,TZR250 3XV,NS400r,NSr250 mc21,KR1250S,

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jackson.40
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#8 Post by jackson.40 » Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:46 am

Great work!, thanks for sharing :cool:

Steve

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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#9 Post by jackson.40 » Sun Oct 22, 2017 6:35 pm

Nice seat pad on ebay......................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-rd500l ... SwiIxZ7Mhy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Steve

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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#10 Post by vma500 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:41 am

300£ no thanks Steve :shock:

Btw i hope it s also possible to restore screens ?
Wfr
Mario
my bikes :RD500 2X ,RD 350 F2 , RD 350 31K,RD350 4LO,RG500,RG250 WW,RGV250,TZR250 3MA,TZR250 3XV,NS400r,NSr250 mc21,KR1250S,

Ade SYM
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#11 Post by Ade SYM » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:42 am

jackson.40 wrote:Nice seat pad on ebay......................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-rd500l ... SwiIxZ7Mhy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Steve
Cannot believe the prices of these seat pads!!

I wonder if it will sell for this price?

Ade

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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#12 Post by rd84 » Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:47 am

Brilliant !

Cheers
Paul

on2wheels
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#13 Post by on2wheels » Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:49 pm

Anyone knows if I can have someone do this for a fee? Preferably in US but anywhere else is also ok.

Thanks.

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pstamper
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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#14 Post by pstamper » Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:57 pm

Sweet job on the pad. Just sold a rear tail and hope he sees your write up.

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Re: Restoring the Solo Seat Pad

#15 Post by Martman » Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:53 am

pstamper wrote:Sweet job on the pad. Just sold a rear tail and hope he sees your write up.

Very timely on this.. hope I can replicate it as well :-)
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82 RD350LC
1990 XTZ 750 Super tenere
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'2019 F750GS - hers

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