1980 Dohc seat, I'm thinking of building my own

[Ghost-Flame]

Here's the thing, all the cool cafe seats are built for sohc. I have a seat pan. Has anyone tried to build the rear cowl up using fiber glass or shape it out of wood (some tight grained hardwood like walnut) then cover it with a thin pad for the cowl and a thicker seat cushion out of memory foam. Shape the whole deal so the front flows into the rear. Then upholster the whole thing with leather.

[Ghost-Flame]

look what I found onthe interweb.

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22549

I'm gettin the idea...

[Piute]

 Check out the begining of the "my free bike " (in search)witch became ChromeRibs WaterBuff.,we all tthru out a few idea's for him,he did agreat job check it out.

http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=456789&query=subject%3Amy+subject%3Afree+subject%3Abike&days=0

[Ghost-Flame]

Thanks Piute... Lookie here custom seat pan build for $50.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT6P7qaUPLw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=klcwT2IMznU

Herm Narcisco builds a seat , from dime city cycles.

[shinyribs]

Go for it! The mat used in the custom fighters thread is awesome.The mat with the real big weave. The stuff used in the video is kinda weak. I used that stuff (video mat) to make a hood for my race car one time. It required so many layers that it ended up heavier than the steel hood and I ended up with $300 worth of conversation piece. Go to a body shop and get some of the good mat with the heavy weave. I have used old blue jeans for mat before and it was real strong. Fiberglass requires more patience than I have and it is not quite as cheap as people say it is. A gallon of resin with hardener runs about $40. By the time you buy brushes and mat you can easily get another $40 in it. Of course,the foam blocks will add even more money to the project. If you go the foam route,you can use a brush dipped is gasoline to fine tune your mold. Works good if you want you put some grooves,reliefs...that sort of stuff in your basic shape. A lil dab'll do ya on that,though.

I'm definitely NOT trying to talk you out of it,just dont want you to think it can actually be built for $50. It'll cost more than that.Probably once you're all said and done I'd say you'd have at least $100+ in it. But that is not a bad price for a custom seat!

Go for it Ghost! I'd love to see what you come up with.When it comes to fiberglass,Piute is the resident expert of course

Wanna borrow this for a mold?

[Piute]

  If you know what your doing it's fun and don't take but a wkend,lot of work ,but once you have a mold it good for about 5-6 .And I'd sell for as much as you could buy else wer'e's ,custom is custom.
                    GOOD Luck.
 
                         ""  It's never too late to start something new! ""

[Piute]

                 For the heavy stuff use Glass for shower pans .I make 4-5 layer blankets just to staRT A BIGG PROJECT ,It'll bend and flex couple 1"x2s" on a boad will use to catch edges get that bow then add mo fresh glass to keep that bow ,kinda get the idea,years of playing with the stuff.

[Ghost-Flame]

Thanks SR and P, you two guys are a wealth of information.

I am going to try to make the shape of the dime city one. Money is not my first concern within reason, $100-$150 is worth it to have what I want. I just can't find what I want for a dohc frame.

Once I get my engine squared away and ready to be put back together by an engine builder, its apart and I have ordered all the parts for the rebuild. Just a side note... The engine is going to have to wait a month or 2, I was supposed to have a $2000 bonus in august looks like it won't come til sept or oct. So, the engine will wait in boxes til then.

I am going to start with the frame next. I think I'll do the seat pan first. once I build the pan I'll take it to an upholsterer for foam and cover. I want to build enough room in the cowl for a gel battery and electrics.

Tell me if I am wrong, a gel battery can be layed on its side, correct?

I can't wait to get started. do you have proper names for the webbing I need, both heavy and fine? Also any suggestions on brand of resin? I'll be looking online.

[Ghost-Flame]

is carbon fiber any good for this project? or is it overkill, is it harder to work with than fiber glass weaves?

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search_subCategory.do?categoryName=Carbon%20Fiber&category=522&refine=1&page=GRID

[fathacarl]

How did you make out with your seat?
I made mine using the fiberglass pan system.
I used some thick foam for padding and shaped it with a hand sander/grinder.
I had it covered at a trim shop.  total cost was about $225.00.
I'm sure you can find someone to cover the seat cheaper than what I paid.  $200.00