stock seat modification...

[repoe3]

so if anything, i have not been a vocal foe of the stock seat. sure it allows you to slide forward, stressing some precious areas, sure it can start to burn from pressure points after a 8+ hour day in the saddle. but getting ready to do a medium range trip with the girlie friend and she requested something a tad more supportive. so last night i did the unthinkable...without a replacement/backup seat in case something went terrible wrong...i removed most of the staples in the seat cover and started peeling. it came off without too much drama. areas where the adhesive was stronger made for more of a chore and also around the edges small chunks of the foam stayed behind. none of which is a problem as the pieces all line up when the cover is put back in place.

i had some tempur foam armor inserts that appeared usable as seat inserts. two peices from first gear elbow/forearm and a back protector piece. cut the two pieces to form one wider one for the passenger seat and used the back protector use as a strip down the middle. while i cut/removed sections of the stock foam so the tempur foam would sit flush, i left in the foam at the very front to make a flatter frontal section with a slight rise. this should dampen the sliding effect. took me a couple few hours to get up the nerve.

still need to pick up spray adhesive and staple gun to reinstall the cover. from just hand tightening it, it looks pretty good. there made be some impressioning seen through the cover, but i may also look for some thinner foam just for the sake of having a topping layer.

have no idea how it feels and wont get a chance until later this week. hopefully i didnt just turn the bike into a torture rack...i know some of you think that is what it already is...but i digress.

full report later in the week.

repoe3

[JustAnotherSquid]

Originally posted by repoe3
took me a couple few beers to get up the nerve.

Fixed.

[repoe3]

was sticking to the diet cokes...i needed the twitchy eye and shaky hands to feel i was in complete control of my motor skills.

repoe3

[850dunstall]

i just got back from 2 x6hrs... i can now say that even my bmw has got my butt sore...

the front is a little low and the dished area from my fat tush is to square along the stepped edge... (no passenger) (we don't need no stinking passengers...that why they invented the rt's)

me thinks a gell section might be the answer... but i'll try it on top first.

[repoe3]

yeah i was a bit daring to make the permanent modification prior to an actual ride. call me young or stoopid, either one works most of the time.

forgot to ask if anyone else had info on mod'n the seat. like sourceof other foam, gel, etc. thanks.

repoe3

[repoe3]

oh and i will post pics after the job is complete. the end result should be near stock in appearance, except for the area up front where i beefed it up.

repoe3

[smallj]

I chopped up the seat on the DRZ 250 to lower for my stubby little legs. Looks like hell but it rides well.

[repoe3]

yeah that is what i am trying to avoid. so far so good. might add a thin layer of eggshell faom on top. i have seen some of the iron butt riders' seats and they are, by far, function over form riders. not a bad thing, but do like thw looks of the bike and try not to do anything to detract from its nice looks.

repoe3

[markjenn]

Hope it works out. I did a DIY mod on my stock ZRX seat and if I'm honest about it, I think I made it worse (which is saying alot as the stock seat is pretty bad).

- Mark

[John Lyon]

About a year ago, I pulled my seat apart at someone's suggestion and removed foam from the bottom side only (I didn't pull the vinyl away from the foam). This helped flatten the seat so I didn't slide forward into the tank.

Then I started wearing one of my old pairs of bicycling shorts that have some gell inserts in the butt area. The combination of these two things now allow me to stay in the ("stock") saddle for 5+ hours (actually, last weekend it was about 10-12 hours, with stops, on Saturday), without even having to take Tylenol. I'm not sure, but I think the bicycling shorts are really important, and my results got much better when I started wearing a higher quality pair (these were about $150) with the gel inserts.

[repoe3]

i hate mix results. i want a stellar performance from my mod. but in all reality, what the hell do i know about seat shaping and padding?!?!?! i think with the final layer of egg crate foam, all witll be good and i will have a nearly stock-like appearance and no lumpy looks from it. of course i am sure i added a few ounces to the seat's weaight by the liber use of duct tape along the seams of the foam sections. not that anyone is counting calories on this bike

BTW, the stock cover material is actually quite nice. thick enough, plyable enough, seems like a better choice than leather any day.

repoe3

[blusxv]

Hey Repoe3,
Did you ever see these seat conversions, airrider I'm not to crazy about the stock seats comfort but i like its looks, I might give it a try. They cut out the stock foam and replace it with an air bladder and gel pad. it sounds like a good idea.. I just wonder how well it works, has anyone seen these before?



Mike

[repoe3]

nope, never saw those, but they do sound like a good idea. after this little experiment, figure if i have to do it again, it will be easier. but i may have to buy another seat cant imagine i ruin it though.

repoe3

[Don Ro]

Congrats on the courage, repoe3.
.
Bought a new '03 Lemond Buenos Aires bicycle recently - want to loose 25 lbs. - and have discovered through bike forums that the #1 complaint cycle riders have is seats/sore a$$/etc. Tons of used seats for sale out there. Anyway, what I've concluded is that the heavier leather Brooks saddle is in a class by itself because the leather detents to one's 'seat bones.' (Weight weenies aside, of course) Word is that gel seats don't do the trick 'cuz the weight needs to be carried on our seat bones. 'Been wondering if anyone has thought of wrapping a piece of full grain leather under their S's vinyl cover - across the top and all the way down the sides, of course. Whatchya'll think? Just a thought.
.
Post some pics of your process, please, repoe3. Not just the 'after' pics, if you'd be so inclined. Thanks.
.
"Leather has a capacity to conform and shape that is not present in today's plastic shell saddles. A leather saddle will both yield and shape more when you sit on it and it will also break in to the shape of your particular anatomy. (I broke my hip a few years ago and now all my BROOKS saddles have asymmetrical dents in them because I am asymmetrical.)"
.
http://www.wallbike.com/Brooks.html
.
Best,
.

[repoe3]

heres where i will agree and disagree with you...tempurpedic foam is the alternative to tkaing shape to the butt bones and thus aiding in dampening fatigue. i actually used bicycle seat shape and padding when i considered the process. by putting the tempur foam where i would think they would be on a bicycle seat, figured it would at least be comfortable even if it does nothing to subside the enevitable. i guess what i was thinking with leather is how it would or would not hold up to the elements such as the vinyl used on the stock seat. i have seen some nice leather seats but just think about how hard, dry, and faded they will eventually get.

repoe3

[Don Ro]

repoe3...
.
"...if anyone has thought of wrapping a piece of full grain leather *under* their S's vinyl cover..."
.
As in, between the cover and the foam cushioning.
.

[repoe3]

yeah i caught that part, that is why i was clarifying my comment was based on the use of leather on the outside...your idea has some merit. as long as the leather was cinsistent in thickness, appearance would not be a problem as it would be hidden.

your idea has me thinking of various materials that could be used as a final sandwich on top of the tempurpedic, without detracting from its ability. i think leather could, depending on thickness, detract from the foam's natural ability. i may add another layer of thinner egg crate foam or maybe even a spandex layer for a stretchy "container" of sorts, then the stock vinyl. will take copious pics tonight as i wrap up the seat project.

you know, everytime i think i have nothing else better to do, something like this pops up. i am never in a planning stage it is more of: idea, thought, act, get halfway through it, go buy everything else needed to finish.

just so everyone knows, the tmepur foam armor i am using is available seperately from first gear for like $30 in their pre-made shapes, not stock squares or anything. but their shapes make for easy use and allowing for all sorts of configurations. part of what makes these types of projects so fun is the various uses of materials for alternative applications

repoe3

[repoe3]

posted pics and lost them...too many so now i lost the code/scripts of where they were....

wil try again later...



repoe3

[shannonnunley]

whaz dat made of? German Panda Bear?

[JustAnotherSquid]

Der Frankenseat.