Seat foam

[Skinny]

I know that this has been discussed before, but I still wonder if there is a source for OEM
Seat foam.
The cover arrived yesterday. I powder coated the pan today (had to weld two cracks, in the
same place on opposite sides). So I'm ready to go. Except the foam is garbage!
I am prepared to carve my own, but the original is unique construction.
Any thoughts or hope from those of you more experienced?

[Steve S.]

I would saying sourcing original foam is going to be impossible.  Your best bet, if you want to replace the foam is to carve your own.  Use the old foam as a pattern.  An electric carving knife is the best way to shape out the foam.  Good luck and post pictures.

[bsforever]

I do not know how extreme your original foam looks, but i do have an extra one that i would be able to part with if interested...it is not perfect by no means, but could be useable if interested. I will post a pic if you want....... bsforever!

[Skinny]

If you could post a picture(s), I would be interested.
By the way-how do you post pictures on this forum?
Thanks

[bsforever]

GTR seat foam.

[bsforever]

The foam has its form, but just has the thinner outer layer of the foam covering missing in some spots as you can see. The pics are not H.D. its the best i could do given the camera.The foam was what i was going to use for mine before finding a complete seat on e-bay. There are no extremes with it....it is only that outer layer that is rough in places.

[reed]

Skinny,
I just put a new seat cover on my other GTR this week, and if i can make some suggestions and you may have done this.
Take the seat cover out of the box and leave spread out for a few days to get all the wrinkles out i did not do this got
Busy on another job, pulled the seat cover out put it on the seat and i had to use a heat gun to get the wrinkles out.
But before i would play with the seat foam give Kevin a call at scrambler cycle he is a member on the site and he may
Have a seat you could use could use the foam on before you put the seat cover on this might save you some time and
Some patients.
Thanks.
Steve.
 

[Skinny]

Thanks for the pics
Mine is about the same.

[Steve S.]

Another method you can try is to go to a craft store and get some green 1/4" foam rubber.  Use this to cover the foam you currently have.  You apply it with 3M spray adhesive.  Once the entire foam is covered you can shape areas where needed.  I have tried this method in the past and it worked out great!  You definitely do not want to use anything thicker than 1/4".  If they have 1/8" go with that.  Any thicker and you will have a real struggle getting the seat cover on.  Good luck.

[old smokey]

Skinny,
If you're looking to add a photo within these messages, just look below the box where you type in text in the left corner where it says "Additional options" and click on that. From there it will open a dialogue box in which you navigate to where you have the photo stored (it can be on your own computer's hard drive). It sometimes takes a bit for a photo to upload so be patient.

[Bikenstein]

Skinny, another suggestion, take your seat to a local upholstery shop. They may have replacement foam of equivalent characteristics that you could shape into proper configuration and also be able to assist you in properly forming it. They also carry a superior spray adhesive that greatly aids recovering especially when using multiple layered foams.

[moonpup]

Skinny, have you had any luck yet on finding replacement foam for your seat?

[Skinny]

Moon pup,
I took our good friend Bikenstein!s advice.                                                                                                  My new cover and restored pan are at a local upholstery shop that.                                                            has done some very nice work for me in the past.                                                                                    I'm nervous about the results.
I was care full to stress that he needed to use firm foam.
I printed and gave to him as many pictures of GTR seats from the
forum that I could find.

[Bikenstein]

I hope he does a good job for you. High density closed cell foam in the proper weight is available, but there are many types. Some shops have used what is called rebond successfully, not that I'm recommending it. Though I have manufactured upholstery for weight equipment, I have no experience yet with motorcycle seats. I am still thinking a heavy closed cell foam laminated with a thinner layer of softer foam is more desirable but need to do more research.

[Bikenstein]

I found this and they seem to agree with me. This isn't all that difficult. What you are actually doing is using a firm foam to provide shape and support topped with a soft foam for comfort. I hope this helps.

http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/foam_types.htm

[Skinny]

Bikenstein,

Thanks for the site and info.
I will go talk to my upholsterer tomorrow, as I know that he  hasn't done anything yet.
After reading about the different foams, I tend to agree with you.

Lonnie