Covering L&M Low Seat Pan

[Clintster442]

So I decided that I am going to cover my seat pan myself, how hard can it be right?

I went down to Hobby Lobby and found some foam I like, a progressive polyester foam that actually gets firmer as its compacted. Neat stuff. Like cotton to the touch but as you squeeze it, the firmness increases. Really comfy and super easy to shape due to it's batting-like fluffyness. Also, its indoor/outdoor grade, antibacterial, and mildew resistant so a little water won't hurt it. I also bought a running yard of some black faux ostrich leather. Good looking stuff. Then I got a cheap little electric turkey carver from WalMart and a pneumatic stapler from Harbor Freight.

I glued the foam to the pan, let it dry, then started rough shaping it. Did a lot of testing on the bike and got it just how I want it. Then I smoothed it out with some shears. Looks great.

The problem was went I started covering it. The seat pan is fiberglass but so help me God, I could not staple into the damn thing. I had the PSI at 95 (max listed for the stapler) and the staples would just bend and not go through. I finally got one staple to go after I tried to staple the exact same spot 12 times and it 'chipped' into the pan enough for the staple to penetrate it.

I'm using regular 20 gauge 1/2" crown, 3/8" blunt tip staples.

Can anyone who has covered their own or had their L&M pan covered let me know what they used. I suppose I could always go to contact cement but I would sure rather have the security of a staple in it and don't really want to drill 150 little holes in it for pop rivets, especially if I ever want to change the fabric.

Thanks guys and gals.

[woodenhorse]

Interesting....can't wait to see it finished and on the bike....btw, how do those seat pans attach to the bike? Velcro???

[BluFury]

Originally Posted by Clintster442

So I decided that I am going to cover my seat pan myself, how hard can it be right?

I went down to Hobby Lobby and found some foam I like, a progressive polyester foam that actually gets firmer as its compacted. Neat stuff. Like cotton to the touch but as you squeeze it, the firmness increases. Really comfy and super easy to shape due to it's batting-like fluffyness. Also, its indoor/outdoor grade, antibacterial, and mildew resistant so a little water won't hurt it. I also bought a running yard of some black faux ostrich leather. Good looking stuff. Then I got a cheap little electric turkey carver from WalMart and a pneumatic stapler from Harbor Freight.

I glued the foam to the pan, let it dry, then started rough shaping it. Did a lot of testing on the bike and got it just how I want it. Then I smoothed it out with some shears. Looks great.

The problem was went I started covering it. The seat pan is fiberglass but so help me God, I could not staple into the damn thing. I had the PSI at 95 (max listed for the stapler) and the staples would just bend and not go through. I finally got one staple to go after I tried to staple the exact same spot 12 times and it 'chipped' into the pan enough for the staple to penetrate it.

I'm using regular 20 gauge 1/2" crown, 3/8" blunt tip staples.

Can anyone who has covered their own or had their L&M pan covered let me know what they used. I suppose I could always go to contact cement but I would sure rather have the security of a staple in it and don't really want to drill 150 little holes in it for pop rivets, especially if I ever want to change the fabric.

Thanks guys and gals.

Thought I already told you , My bad . I glue the foam and material both . Once you pull the fabric around the pan you glue it to the underneath also , No staples . PS If it wasnt so cold I would ride over to ya and help .

[2Woofs]

I would try Gorilla glue....but I am a female

[woodenhorse]

I dropped some of that gorilla glue on my shoes one time.....it bubbled up like that foam filler stuff..

[Clintster442]

It does use velcro actually. It is a heavier 'commercial' type velcro, not the standard stuff. I was skeptical of velcro myself till I put it on the bike and thought I was going to rip the f%^king fender off trying to get the pan off. Seriously strong stuff.

Blu, what type of glue did you use? Just the 3M spray or contact cement?

[Billyh79]

Use regular 3m spray adhesive and some clamps and have at it ! Do one side at a time use clamps to hold and also when u pull and stretch .

[J.A.T.O.]

Hey guys i know this isn't about how to secure the covering but if your doing your own seat, i found it pretty informative.

DIYMotorcycleSeat.com - Home Page

[skappiris]

I am stoked! What a great project. Your post will end up being a tutorial on seat covers for L&M. Curious if they offer a how to?

[woodenhorse]

Originally Posted by J.A.T.O.

Hey guys i know this isn't about how to secure the covering but if your doing your own seat, i found it pretty informative.

DIYMotorcycleSeat.com - Home Page

Thanks JATO!