Fabricating the Seat

• 1). Sketch out the concept for your new seat. Take measurements of the seat's mounting point and plan around this information.
  
  
• 2). Draw the seat's basic shape onto a piece of paper that you will use to create a pattern. Carefully cut the pattern out and check your measurements.
  
  
• 3). Place the pattern on a piece of sheet metal and trace the design onto the sheet. Using a metal cutter or grinder, cut out the basic form from the sheet metal. Refine the shape by trimming away excess material.
  
  
• 4). Form the sides of the seat by using a metal roller or brake to bend the edges at a 90 degree angle before shaping the contour of the seat. This will provide a solid area to rivet the seat cover into place later. Use metal shaping hammers and dollies to form the contours until you are satisfied with the shape.
  
  
• 5). Remove any burrs or sharp edges by gently running the seat against a grinding wheel.
  
  
• 6). Place your paper pattern onto a sheet of foam padding, tracing and cutting out the design to match the seat. Test fit the foam by placing it onto the motorcycle's seat. If the foam is too large, trim it down slightly to fit. Additional layers of foam may be cut at this time to increase the padding thickness, if desired.
  
  
• 7). Spray the seat pan with spray adhesive and let it sit for five minutes to allow the adhesive to get tacky. Carefully, place the foam padding onto the seat.
  
  
• 8). Trace the seat design onto the back of a leather or vinyl sheet. Cutting the design out, leaving at least 2 inches of extra material.
  
  
• 9). Cover the seat with the leather/vinyl sheet and secure in place with a rivets. Be sure to pull the sheet tight, working slowly from one end of the seat to the other.
  
  
• 10
  
  Attach any necessary mounting hardware and place your new seat on the motorcycle.