Seat Foam Question

[dragonspit]

what I have going on is, I bought a used Goldwing about a month ago. I have owned many bikes over the years, was looking for protection so I can commute deeper into the year, plus take my son on some longer trips/rides. I wanted something that would be comfortable as my commute is a little over 120miles a day. the goldwing seem to fit the bill. I test rode a few and settled on one. its a great bike as bikes go. however, I have had some lower back problems over the last year, and this bike, well it aint helpin. im not used to the legs tucked underneath you, and for wing, thats how you ride it. first two weeks, my knee felt like it was on fire. so I have two choices. try to change the conditions, or sell the bike. so I did a little fooling around and think that if I can get my seat position back a few inches and higher a few inches, that would be enough. so I found a used seat on line, that I will rebuild or recover in a custom fashion amongst other custom leather Im going to make for it., and I simply have a pad I sit on till I get this done.

I think I know what I want to do, but as I read through all these posts, I see the different foams and stuff, but what I cant find is, where do you get it all? the one Im getting, is chopped up, but its cheap. mostly I wanted the pan. I took some of the generic information on the threads and looked around the web, but all I can seem to find is these large industrial sites. onto the question...

So if I want to buy just enough foam to do my seat, and look at variable options of types of foam material, where does one go to look, or buy at such a small amount? or am I just reading past this information?

before I start work, I plan on taking pics so I can post the before and after seat, plus anything else I do ( I really want to make a custom leather clad cooler box that hangs off the back, there is a trailer recept there) and think I will cover my wind wings, and make a dash pad (its wood grain right now, and tooo much of that). so anyway. can anyone point me to where to buy some foam?

thanks in advance,

Bob

Edited August 1, 2012 by dragonspit

[Ferg]

JoAnn Fabric has a pretty good selection of foam. I assume that you know it is not cheap. Most urban areas has a store close by.

ferg

what I have going on is, I bought a used Goldwing about a month ago. I have owned many bikes over the years, was looking for protection so I can commute deeper into the year, plus take my son on some longer trips/rides. I wanted something that would be comfortable as my commute is a little over 120miles a day. the goldwing seem to fit the bill. I test rode a few and settled on one. its a great bike as bikes go. however, I have had some lower back problems over the last year, and this bike, well it aint helpin. im not used to the legs tucked underneath you, and for wing, thats how you ride it. first two weeks, my knee felt like it was on fire. so I have two choices. try to change the conditions, or sell the bike. so I did a little fooling around and think that if I can get my seat position back a few inches and higher a few inches, that would be enough. so I found a used seat on line, that I will rebuild or recover in a custom fashion amongst other custom leather Im going to make for it., and I simply have a pad I sit on till I get this done.

I think I know what I want to do, but as I read through all these posts, I see the different foams and stuff, but what I cant find is, where do you get it all? the one Im getting, is chopped up, but its cheap. mostly I wanted the pan. I took some of the generic information on the threads and looked around the web, but all I can seem to find is these large industrial sites. onto the question...

So if I want to buy just enough foam to do my seat, and look at variable options of types of foam material, where does one go to look, or buy at such a small amount? or am I just reading past this information?

before I start work, I plan on taking pics so I can post the before and after seat, plus anything else I do ( I really want to make a custom leather clad cooler box that hangs off the back, there is a trailer recept there) and think I will cover my wind wings, and make a dash pad (its wood grain right now, and tooo much of that). so anyway. can anyone point me to where to buy some foam?

thanks in advance,

Bob

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

For foam, just look in the Yellow Pages under foam, and rubber. Most larger cities will have a supplier. I had to get various foams for industrial uses whan I had my shop, and they would sell smaller amounts. If they have a close location, go check out the various types, and Durometers that they offer. An industrial supplier will have a vastly better selection than a hobby store will. I used quite a bit of high density neoprene foam for the winery labelers, along with some very low density silicone foam.

Edited August 1, 2012 by BIGGUNDOCTOR

[benlilly1]

Foamforyou.com

They have all types!

[Cyberthrasher]

go to ebay and find some "gym foam". They're fairly cheap pieces and you can stack them to fit the right height then carve to shape. It's a closed cell foam and will retain its shape longer while keeping out the water, not to mention it's A LOT cheaper then the apparently golden cushion foam at Joanne's.

[bustedlifter]

The best: http://www.ebay.com/itm/INNER-TUBE-4-80-4-00-8-480-400-8-4-80X4-00-8-PRESSURE-WASHERS-LAWNMOWERS-/130691079586?

[Bobby hdflame]

I'd recommend starting out with a base of HD neoprene foam with a top layer of medium density memory foam. The neoprene is not as hard to find as a good grade memory foam that can be used on a motorcycle seat. JoAnn's and other discount type sewing supplies will not have foam of the grade you need for a motorcycle seat.

You'll need at least 2" of neoprene for a base with about 1" of memory on top. Depending on how high the seat needs to be, add or subtract the neoprene to get you where you want but stick with at least 1" of memory for the best comfort. You can shape the foam by sanding with a high speed sander and/or a rasp like is used in body work. Be careful, you can go too far very quick.

Don't get the regular, you want the "High Quality" neoprene. http://www.foamforyou.com/neoprene.htm or http://www.foambymail.com/NE.html

I searched for a long time before finding a supplier of the kind of memory foam that I needed. Mattress topper memory foam is too soft. These people are very nice and helpful. http://sunmatecushio...eSelection.html

Here's where to get your gel. http://www.shocktec.com/products1.html

I deal a lot with the last two links I posted. Both places are really helpful. Call them and ask questions. They are both familiar with building motorcycle seats.

Personally, I'd build the base out of high quality neoprene, add a gel pad inset flush in the seat area, then cover it with medium weight memory foam. The memory foam density is determined by the weight of the rider. Sunmate has a chart for determining which foam you need. Use contact cement to glue the neoprene to the seat pan and the memory to the neoprene. If you inset a gel pad in the neoprene you won't need to glue it.

Hope this helps. It took me a couple of years to find these suppliers, and they're located right here in NC!

[Bobby hdflame]

Foamforyou.com

They have all types!

I've bought their Multi/Rebounded-Mixed Foambut I prefer the high quality neoprene for a seat base. It's quite a bit firmer.

bustedlifter makes some sweet seats using the inner tube. I haven't tried one of those but looks like it would give good support. I think he just uses the tube without any foam?? Maybe he'll post a picture of his method....pretty neat!

[dragonspit]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. thats a bit to digest. I will spend the next couple weeks lookin around and deciding but you all have given me plenty more to consider.

Bobby, sounds like that really is the way to go and what I was thinking. so Im gonna call around and check out those sites and figure out what to get. but I thought a base of sometime of strong material and gel would be best. didnt think about a softer pad ontop of the gel, thats interesting and right now really leaning towards that. Its going to get a lot of use, anyone on a GW can tell you, they ride them alot and they ride them far. I mean, Ive only had mine a bit over a month and im just shy of 3k miles. and only made one trip. so I better make something that is going to last a while. Im excited about doing it, but a bit apprehensive.

thanks all.

Bob

[Bobby hdflame]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. thats a bit to digest. I will spend the next couple weeks lookin around and deciding but you all have given me plenty more to consider.

Bobby, sounds like that really is the way to go and what I was thinking. so Im gonna call around and check out those sites and figure out what to get. but I thought a base of sometime of strong material and gel would be best. didnt think about a softer pad ontop of the gel, thats interesting and right now really leaning towards that. Its going to get a lot of use, anyone on a GW can tell you, they ride them alot and they ride them far. I mean, Ive only had mine a bit over a month and im just shy of 3k miles. and only made one trip. so I better make something that is going to last a while. Im excited about doing it, but a bit apprehensive.

thanks all.

Bob

Bob,

One thing I forgot to mention is you really need some forward pegs or what some call highway pegs on your GW. I have them on my Road King, mounted to the engine guard or crash bars. There are some really nice ones for GW's that are adjustable. 99% of my riding I have one or both feet on my highway pegs. Along with a backrest, which is another must for long hauls, it's like riding in your recliner.

If you get your feet up and legs out, you'll be surprised at how much better you'll like the stock seat.

This is something like I'm talking about.

https://www.denniskirk.com/kuryakyn/ergo-ii-cruise-mounts-w-switchblade-pegs.p496289.prd/496289.sku

These are really nice and look like they're made for the GW. If this is your first GW, check out one of the GW forums. Try the Delphi Forums.