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Posted

Okay, here's my dilemma...

I do gun leather and western saddles, I've done one set of motorcycle bags that almost gave me a nervous breakdown (lol) and have been asked to cover a metal seat for a restored HD 883 hardtail.

One of my customers brought me the metal seat, I told him I probably would not be able to spend the time right now researching and experimenting with covering it. It's for a friend of his and he insisted I keep it and give it some thought.

The owner wants a nice heavy, 6 oz. or so black skirting leather cover with no more that 1/2" pad and no piping or designs. Old school is what he said.

I have no idea where to start.

I can take a pic of the metal seat foundation if needed.

I have looked at some tutorials here and everything seems to use piping.

If any one has any suggestions it would be helpful and in the off chance I will not do it, is there any one here that he can ship the seat to and discuss what he wants and then get it?

I think this customer just has too much faith in my abilities and I would at least like to send him to some one who can do it justice.

Thanks, George

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Posted

If you post some pictures of what it is I'm sure someone will be able to help out. Being a hard-tail, I'm not sure if what you have would be a stock seat as the term "restored" implies. So, with that in mind I don't want to mislead you at all without knowing for sure what you're dealing with. Also, what do you mean by "piping"?

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Posted

If you post some pictures of what it is I'm sure someone will be able to help out. Being a hard-tail, I'm not sure if what you have would be a stock seat as the term "restored" implies. So, with that in mind I don't want to mislead you at all without knowing for sure what you're dealing with. Also, what do you mean by "piping"?

I'll try to get a pic posted tomorrow, been doing holsters since 6 this a.m.

Not sure where the seat came from, he just handed me a metal seat base with the bolt studs on the bottom.

The piping I'm referring to (probably the wrong term) is the round leather covered cord that is sewn around the edge of the seat to help the bend over at the edge of the seat. On a saddle I would call it a welt.

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Posted

I was thinking it was something like that. It sounds like he would be opposed to any kind of lace job then since that's what that usually ends up looking like. He's probably looking for a stitched construction. Honestly, so far at least, since you're doing saddles it doesn't sound like this would be too bad of a job for you. But, we'll wait to see what you're dealing with exactly :).

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Posted

I agree..pictures will be a big help.. ;)

Top and underneath views, so we can see the shape and also how the cover fastens already, if it has one?

Regards

Phil

Being defeated isn't the worst thing in life..giving up, is..

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Posted

post-18937-0-70099900-1351688295_thumb.jpost-18937-0-00255300-1351688316_thumb.j

Here are a couple of pics of the seat they want me to cover. Hope this helps.

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Posted

Simplest and easiest, would be to follow Roger's tutorial on how he stretches leather over the edges and rivets it to the underside, smoothing and cutting off extra as he goes. That will eliminate the lace or "piping"

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Posted

Simplest and easiest, would be to follow Roger's tutorial on how he stretches leather over the edges and rivets it to the underside, smoothing and cutting off extra as he goes. That will eliminate the lace or "piping"

Yep, that's what I was hoping to see out of the pan. You can either stretch it over, or follow one of David's tutorials but just saddle stitch the two pieces together instead of lacing it. I would also use some closed cell foam (easily available as "gym foam"). That will match the customer's requirements and be pretty easy to get done.

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Posted

Nice base to have a go with, George.. ;)

I agree with the others about the way you can tackle this and that with your saddle building skills it should be a piece of cake.

You said you thought, the customer just has too much faith in your abilities..maybe you need to do this to prove your abilities, to yourself??

Now grab it with both hands and be sure to post pics.. ;) LOL..

Regards

Phil

Being defeated isn't the worst thing in life..giving up, is..

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