How to Install a Motorcycle Seat Cover
Motorcycle seats see a great deal of wear and tear, especially if the vehicle is exposed to sun or the elements. The motorcycle seat, made of leather or vinyl, will eventually crack, fade and tear due to sun exposure, frequent use and weather. A vast array of motorcycle seat covers can be purchased online. Replacing the seat cover can be done at home using tools that will be found in most home workshops.
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Things You'll Need
- Motorcycle key
- Screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Heat gun
- Hog rings or staples
- Hog ring pliers or staple gun
Instructions
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1
Remove the motorcycle seat. There will be a keyhole around the seat; insert the key and turn it, then lift the seat as if you were accessing the storage area below. Some seats simply lift off, while others are hinged. If hinges are present, remove the screws that attach the hinge to the seat bottom.
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2
Remove the old seat cover. Some seat covers have a zipper along the underside. Some motorcycle seat covers have snaps along the underside, while others are attached with hog rings--C-shaped rings that are similar to staples. Some have staples on the underside. A pair of needle nose pliers or a flat head screwdriver can be used to remove staples and hog rings; otherwise, the cover can be unzipped or unsnapped and simply pulled off.
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3
Turn the new seat cover inside out and heat the underside of the fabric for a couple minutes using a heat gun. Leather and vinyl expands and stretches when exposed to heat.
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4
Turn the seat cover right side out and place the seat cover onto the seat. It's usually easiest to place it over the front of the seat first, then pull the back part over the back portion of the seat. This must be done quickly, while the seat cover is still warm and pliable.
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5
Fasten the seat cover to the seat. The method will vary depending on the precise type of seat cover. If there is a zipper or snap closure, fastening the seat cover is fairly straightforward. If there is a metal lip around the bottom of the seat, you'll need to fasten the seat cover to the lip using hog rings, which are squeezed closed with hog ring pliers. If there is a wood bottom, you'll want to staple the seat cover in place. For stapling or hog rings, pull the leather or vinyl taught and begin by placing staples or hog rings at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock to ensure that it's stretched evenly over the seat.
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6
Replace the seat onto the motorcycle and lock it in place. Some seats simply slide into place and you'll turn the key in the lock to secure the seat in place. Other models have a seat cover that flips up using a hinge. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the screws to affix the seat to the hinges.
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Tips & Warnings
Seat covers come with directions; read the directions, as they will indicate how the cover should be secured to the seat.
If you do not have a heat gun, you can use a hair dryer instead.
It's important to remove the old seat cover before you install the new one. Vinyl-on-vinyl or leather-on-leather contact will result in rips and tears due to the friction that occurs during use. Also, seat covers are generally very tight fitting, so most will not fit if you try to put one cover over the other.
If the foam has been sliced, you will need to repair it by applying glue to each side of the slice and pressing the sides of the slice back together. Use a fast-drying glue like Super Glue.
The entire seat will need replacement at an automotive interiors/upholstery shop if the foam is crumbling or disintegrating or if there is mold present. Mold can occur if moisture enters the foam through a hole in the seat cover.
Always purchase a seat cover that's designed for your precise bike model. Otherwise, the seat cover won't fit properly and it won't have holes or cuts for fixtures like hinges.
References
- Photo Credit motorcycle image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
