David

Thanks Bob, That means a lot, especially coming from you. Dave Thanks again everyone. Dave

Thanks for commenting everyone! Dave

Thank you all, I'll keep you up to date when we hear from the painter. Thanks again, Dave

Actually it was one in last month (September) and one this month (October). Thanks, I'm very pleased with it. Dave

Last Month in Cycle Source I had a nice two page spread on another bike with my seat.

I wasn't too sure where to put this, but I guess "show off" is appropriate.. I had my first cover bike with on of my seats on it this month.

Thank you all for the input. There is no word on bike colors yet. This leaves me a bit in the dark with regard to finishing the seat; doesn't it? Dave

This is the seat that I am currently working on for Jeff Cochran. He may want to leave it natural; as you see it here. Trying to decide on the best lace color. Any suggestions? Should I do a row of decorative lace on the front too? What do you think? Dave Theobald

The Tandy book is actually a booklet.... cost about $6. Called: How to Lace That is how I learned Dave Theobald

Not meaning to start a big argument here, but the Eco Flo line of dyes will NEVER stand up to the use that those pouches have seen. Look for Fiebings on line and use an alcohol or oil based dye. They have a variety of brown dyes including russet that should be able to be used to mix the color you want. They are available in 4 oz bottles so a half dozen different colors won't cost you an arm and a leg. http://www.fiebing.com David Theobald

A beautiful job Kevin; for a very worthwhile cause. Dave

Here is Kevin's web site. http://www.fabkevin.com/home.htm Dave

Thanks for the nice words Bobby, for seat hardware, without a doubt the best comes from Fabricator Kevin. You can probably get the pan from him too. As far as a book for the lacing that's the easy one. Check out Tandy Leather. They have a booklet it's about $5-$6 called How to Lace. Good luck with your seat. Dave

Hey Bobby, Nothing wrong with making your own pan, but why go to all that effort....They take an awful lot of time to cut bend drill and powdercoat, when you can buy a great one for $60 or less. Neoprene.... I use Foam and More in Troy, MI. If you want an old style pogo style seat pan look up Spitfire Customs..... Ask for Bill Schalk Sr. Dave

Hey J You really need to scale those photos down so we can see them. Dave

The only thing I would critique is those pans need some curvature to them....a flat solo seat like that will have you riding the rear fender in no time. As far as lacing. I never use a needle. I also never us a lacing chisel. Those slits will rip out when some big dude biker bounces his 250lb carcass on it at 70 mph... for about 6 months. (This is especially true if you use kangaroo lace) Instead of slits use holes.....they are MUCH stronger and won't rip out. Otherwise nice seat.... a very worthy first project. Dave Theobald

I'll try to answer some of the questions. 1. Padding thickness. Depends on the seat pan style. Is it designed to be the thin chopper style seat? Or is it one of the thick padding seats like a stock HD seat? For the chopper style, 1/2", 3/4" or 1" is about right. 2. How much larger do the leathers have to be than the pan. If you are doing a chopper style seat with 3/4" neoprene padding. They should be about 3/8" larger than the pan. You understand of course that the top and bottom leathers are not the same. You will need to make separate patterns for both. If you are making a thick padding seat there is no back. You have the top and a side piece of considerably thinner leather. 3. Rivet the back to the pan....no glue at all.... at least in my seats. Well, the padding is glued to the pan but no glue on the leather. I encourage you to teach yourself to lace. Tandy has a small booklet call How to Lace......It's less than $5. It isn't rocket science, give it a try. Dave Theobald

Beautiful Caroline, Your basketweave lacing looks great. Dave

If that's a practice piece from your scrap box, I'm selling my tools. Do NOTHING with it. Frame it and enter it at IFOLG..... smile when they hand you a ribbon. Dave