Sport Bike Leather Items?

[SusanC]

I know that most of the leather items made for bikes on Leatherworker are for cruiser style bikes. Just curious if anyone on here is making items for sport bikes? Hopefully it's not a taboo subject, but I know sport bikes riders also use saddlebags and some have tank bags and I'm sure they need seats .... so, comments anybody ???

[TwinOaks]

We decided that wimpy sport bikes should be regulated to vinyl and nylon.

Just kidding!!

I don't recall seeing anything specifically for sport bikes, so you may have found a niche market.

[SusanC]

I've done searches everywhere... including here... I have made a couple of harley seats but I sold my harley a couple of years ago. Now I've got a sport bike and wanted to make a distinctive seat but am lacking in imagination and wanted to get some ideas... but there are none

[Horrrk]

We decided that wimpy sport bikes should be regulated to vinyl and nylon.

Just kidding!!

I don't recall seeing anything specifically for sport bikes, so you may have found a niche market.

Haha! PROPER laughed out loud with that one, Mike.!! :D

Susan.. Over the past 30yrs, I've ridden a few sports bikes and now I'm on custom.. I've seen one off seats made for sports bikes, but they are few and far between, with a lot of riders not changing their seats besides perhaps having a gel pad put in..

Sometimes I find things on Google images quite easy, so you could maybe try putting your bike model and then adding 'one off seat' or 'custom seat'..it may come up with some inspiration for you?

Regards

Phil

[shadowryder]

here are a couple of sites in the UK that cater for sports/touring bikes hope this helps,

http://www.caulfieldleather.co.uk/gallery.html

http://www.diggerseats.co.uk/Home.html

laters

JJ

[SusanC]

Thanks !!!!

[Spinner]

We decided that wimpy sport bikes should be regulated to vinyl and nylon.

Just kidding!!

I don't recall seeing anything specifically for sport bikes, so you may have found a niche market.

LOL!

Susan,

I have had a couple requests for stuff but generally the sport bike guys aren't into spending a few hundred bucks for a good leather tank bag when they can get the mass produced ones for $50. The guys that do spend serious $$ on their rides typically spend it on engine upgrades and the exterior plastics. Once in a while you'll come across a guy with a strictly show bike that has custom leather done but the market isn't that big for the most part. If anything, seats would be the area to focus on for sport bikes.

[SusanC]

I'm just trying to get some ideas for a seat for myself, but I would also like to be able to make my own tank bag .... being female I can't carry everything I need in my pockets

I looked at several of the mass produced tank bags today and I wasn't really impressed..... I'm the type of person that feels a need to be different.... or should I say distinctive from everyone else. Most of the bags are black.... my bike is black (right now anyway) and that's too boring for me, not to mention, not visible enough. Add color and reflective materials here.

I took my seat off today, very cheaply made and it's only stapled to plastic, my leather seats are riveted, even the one that had a plastic seat pan.... I'm sure it will be a trial and error process .... It would be even nicer if I could find a spare seat to practice on.... off to the motorcycle forums to plead for someone's old seat

[David8386]

Look for used seats on eBay or Craigslist, also check with your local dealer they may have a seat off a used bike or one somebody laid down. I have found Harley seats there don't see why others would not be available.

Good luck

David

[Horrrk]

Being short on pockets isn't purely a female biker problem Susan..

I'm fine if I wear my camo trousers, but as soon as the weather turns and I'm back to leathers, they have a distinct lack of pockets.

I always carry my phone, wallet, camera, shades, garage remote and a torch for avoiding the slugs on the garden path..so pockets are at a premium..my only saving grace is that I wear a cut-off denim that gives me extra ones..LOL

Maybe you can make a bag that will do for a tank bag, but will be easy enough to carry your stuff around when off the bike.?

Start a new trend and sell them.. You never know, you could end up on the next Google Chrome advert.!!

I know what you mean with the whole black is boring thing..with bikes anyway.. I get comments all the time on the colour of my bike, but I love it and also the fact that its easily spottable in the crowd of matt and shiny black bikes out there now.. It's a reflection of me..bright and loud!!

I also agree with David about ebay, with the addition of the local bike breakers being a place to try, especially if you don't care about the condition of the vinyl covering.. Maybe you could use the original cover as a template for the shape if its actually in good condition.?

Just a thought..

Regards

Phil

Edited October 25, 2012 by Horrrk