NEW seat! Taking a chance...

[StratTuner]

I live near a fairly well known, large, Harley dealership (Quaid, Temecula), and I called there and just asked...
"who do you guys call when you need to have a motorcycle seat upholstered?"
they gave me the name of a local shop, and I went there today after work.

re-shape and recover the front seat = $150.00
re-cover the rear seat to match the front = $50.00.

Now, I know this is a big gamble. He's not a specialist, but he's been in business 22 years, and made many seats for the HD crowd.
I figure the worst that can happen is that I'll hate the both seats and end up ordering stock replacements from Honda.
Upholsterer Temecula, CA - Sweetwater Upholstery 951-225-4069
is the shop, and I don't endorse them yet since I haven't seen the work. It will be a week or more until he has time for this project, but I am hopeful.

Photos will come next. He wants to have me in to sit on the sculpted bare pads and give the OK before covering them with leather.
I hope to have photos of the fitting and then the finished product.

 

[silverhound]

Good luck and I wish you the best. I think it's a smart gamble especially since he wants to "fit the seat" to you. If it works out then you're a winner compared to what after-market seats cost. I'll be watching for your post on the results. On a side note, I have a good friend who lives in the Temecula area. Whenever I visit he insists taking me to the Tilted Kilt for lunch.

 

[pismocycleguy]

I'll be waiting to hear and see the results of your adventure.
Since he is requesting that you try the foam seat shape for fit and comfort before he adds the upholstery, that is a very good sign of an experienced professional!

 

[danrev]

I hope everything works out OK for you. I tried doing this last summer with disastrous results. Called a local HD shop to ask for a reference for an upholsterer who did motorcycle seats. Was given a name and went to the person who assured me of having done many seats. Left my seat for the modification to be done. Went back to try with just the foam before replacing the cover. Wasn't right, so more adjustments made. Took another ride on the foam and wasn't right, so more adjustments made. I lost the entire month of June doing this. Finally just told the upholsterer to cover it and call it good. Picked up the seat and rode over to the Honda dealer to order a new stock seat. When it came I put it on my NC and then ordered a Seat Concepts seat to put on my original seat pan after I tore off the botched job the upholsterer had done. I think the problem was that the upholsterer had a lot of experience doing Harley and cruiser style seats, but nothing like the NC. For what I spent on this little learning experience I would have been a long way toward a Russell Day Long Seat. I encourage you to get several references for the person you plan to use, and I do hope it goes well for you.

 

[StratTuner]

i'm getting both the good and bad outcome scenarios here... and I'm grateful for both!

 

[Fuzzy]

From Dan's experience try to do a ride in where it is accomplished in 1 visit. My Sergeant took about 4 hours. They had it right first time so no rework of foam. Could have done several reshapes and still been 1 day. Technician needs to clear calendar to focus on your seat until done. I did have to take a day off work, but worth it.

 

[Spaceteach]

Good luck on the seat. I hope you come out with a winner and please let us know how it comes out.
FWIW, I've had two different seat styles that have worked for me on different bikes. On cruisers and Gold Wings the style that worked best for me was the obvious large seat with back rest that felt like the motorcycle version of a living room chair. I could just sit in one spot and be comfortable for long rides. Unfortunately there wasn't room for that nice big seat and backrest on smaller or more sport orientated bikes, so the other solution ended up being a seat without that super comfortable "sweet spot", but a shape that allowed multiple seating positions so that I could periodically shift position on those bikes. That way, when you start to get uncomfortable you can just shift a little forward or backward or from side to side to relieve the discomfort over the course of the ride.
The only seat I'm aware of in the first category for the NC is the Russell Day Long. There are quite a few companies such as Rick Mayer, Bill Mayer, Sargent, etc. that make custom seats in the second category and there are pictures of all the seats I mentioned and more posted in various threads of the forum. At any rate, I'd suggest you take a look at the different seat threads on the forum, get some ideas on which seat shape would work best for you, and then see what the seat builder suggests based on your input. The more you can tell the builder about how you want the seat modified, the better your chances of getting a seat that works for you.
Another thing you may find helpful is to go on the Sargent Seats web site and read up on the seat fitting information they have posted in their custom seat section. It makes for an interesting read.

Hope this helps, and that you get a really great new seat.
Bob

 

[StratTuner]

I've looked over many of the seat threads, and that's why I ride with the Bill Mayer seat pad. ($140 ,see photo)
It was the only thing I could find that accomplished the "dishing" the stock seat lacks that didn't cost over $500. I'm hoping the upholsterer will see the pad and realize what I'm looking for in a re-shaped seat. It should work as a kind of pattern for him.


I came very close to ordering the Corbin seat, but the folks on the phone were .... indifferent, and then the seat got a couple bad reviews on this forum.

Would I like to have the Russel Day Long? You bet I would! Their facility is here in California, so I thought about making that an overnight trip this summer. I decided against because I'm seriously considering a used ST1300 for me and wife for two-up touring. I'd rather put the Russel on that, where it will keep my wife happy, than spend $600 + on the NC. (and of course, getting a 2nd bike is a foolish pipe dream that I know will never happen, so until RDL makes a seat for about $300, I will never own one.)

Ordering the 2014 seat sounds like a good idea! Does anyone know if it's a direct replacement...? No modification?

 

[n30r3l0ad3d]

I love the seat concepts I bought. It's perfect, but not for someone who is short. I just wish they would have followed it up with a matching rear seat and redesign.

 

[ziggie]

I wish they would have made it for short people.

 

[VE258]

You can easily do re shape and re cover seat yourself. I've done that while ago and posted the pictures here. Sander and a stapler is all you need. At very least-you can try and if not happy with results-then go to the specialist. Good luck to you anyway with your seat project!

 

[VE258]

I wish they would have made it for short people.

That was my goal, when I was reshaping the seat. I need a little drop for about 10-20mm .rather than go via complex route with lowering links, cut and weld side stand and so on-i just cut the foam on the seat, making it flatter and lower. It's worked for me.

 

[Spaceteach]

Strat,
Sounds like you've got it pretty well sorted out. Since you know, and can show the seat builder, the shape and position you're after I'd think the chances of getting something that works well for you are pretty good. When I had mine done I didn't have a clue what shape would work, so I left it up to the folks at Sargent. Luckily they knew what they were doing (since I didn't) and I ended up with a much better seat.

Good luck on the project!
Bob

 

[StratTuner]

You can easily do re shape and re cover seat yourself. I've done that while ago and posted the pictures here. Sander and a stapler is all you need. At very least-you can try and if not happy with results-then go to the specialist. Good luck to you anyway with your seat project!

My experience with making things like this is that, you are right, I can do it myself.

About the 8th seat I make will be ... OK... It would just cost too much to go through the first 7 to get there.

 

[670cc]

Well if you had to go back to stock, there should be plenty of used ones available, mine included (if the Shad works out).

 

[pismocycleguy]

If you have to re-order the stock seat then I would seriously consider ordering the 2014 seat, as it looks like it may be the new design they have on the 750 in Europe that's supposed to be much better.

Where did you see the photo of the 2014 seat?
I wonder if any of the Euro guys with a NC750 would post a photo, or a review, of the "new" seat?
It would be good to know if Honda upgraded the seat for the new NC750!
And if the newer? seat works, fits, the previous model? (NC700X)

 

[pismocycleguy]

Strat,
How much higher does the Bill Mayer seat pad raise you? Might be a way for taller riders to gain more leg room?
And does the seat pad slip or move around when your riding?

 

[SergeantChuck]

Strat,
How much higher does the Bill Mayer seat pad raise you? Might be a way for taller riders to gain more leg room?
And does the seat pad slip or move around when your riding?

I have a BMS. I don't think it raised me to much. I only have a 30 inch inseam and have always been on the balls of my feet. I'm not on my tip toes after adding that seat so I bet it didn't raise me an inch. I guess I'd need to swap my seats back out to really see if there is a difference. I just don't think it will raise someone much.

 

[StratTuner]

Strat,
How much higher does the Bill Mayer seat pad raise you? Might be a way for taller riders to gain more leg room?
And does the seat pad slip or move around when your riding?

It raises me just about 2 inches, and yes, I'm glad for the extra leg room. I can still put both boot heels on the pavement with the seat pad, and I have a 30-inch inseam.

The pad does NOT move around much at all when riding. It's strapped on underneath the existing seat, and I have to stand on the pegs and use my hand to move it if I want to move it slightly forwar or back. It's not cheap, but I do like the Bill Mayer pad very much.

 

[SergeantChuck]

It raises me just about 2 inches, and yes, I'm glad for the extra leg room. I can still put both boot heels on the pavement with the seat pad, and I have a 30-inch inseam.

The pad does NOT move around much at all when riding. It's strapped on underneath the existing seat, and I have to stand on the pegs and use my hand to move it if I want to move it slightly forwar or back. It's not cheap, but I do like the Bill Mayer pad very much.

Seriously? I doubt they are all made the same becuase there is no way my BMS raises me two inches. I'm not saying yours doesn't. Saying mine doesn't.