Rebuilding a motorcycle seat

[Shorts]

I picked up a beat up motorcycle seat for an SV650 with the intention of rebuilding to use on my bike.

I expect to tear off the old, already cut on foam and rebuild that with new material. Then I want to recover it all using leather.

On my bike foot placement is critical so I'll need the seat to be short, slimmed and shaped to enable max foot down on the pavement. What materials should I look to use that will be comfortable to ride and easily workable in my garage?

Next to cover I'd like to go with a simple leather cover. No tooling but I wouldn't be adverse to a mildly textured inlay or something relatively simple for a first timer on seats. What type and weight of leather should I look for? Seat will be black to match the colors of the bike. It is a sport standard/naked bike so I'd like the appropriate style. I'm also thinking to attach the cover I'll need to use rivets. What size and type work best for this application?

This is my first time attempting a project like this so I'm open to hear suggestions and experiences with this. I'd like this seat to last and be comfortable. It's a weekend toy plus will pull touring/road trip duties in the future. If this seat goes well I plan on doing the other seat on the bike as well as doing the pillion seat to match (I don't have passengers, instead it carries my tail pack).

Thanks yall, I'm eager to see how this turns out. I'd like to expand my leatherworking knowledge and skills. I have read through the topics on the motorcycles seats sub forum so I've got an idea. But it's always a confidence booster to hear some direct input for my project at hand.

The Red Beast

Edited August 26, 2009 by Shorts

[ETW Grumpy]

Found some links that may be helpful:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=8277

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9924

http://www.bikernet.com/garage/coxseat.asp

I have yet to do my first seat, but I have all the stuff. You want to use closed cell neoprene foam. I forgot where I got mine, but you could probably PM Roger and he would know.Hope this helps.

Levi