Hitchcocks Forum

Evening folks,
I have my eye on the smaller trials single seat from our good hosts and would like to know if anyone has any experience with leather work... even at 13" across it's about 3.5" too wide and I'd like to keep the dimensions of my back end (Alan R - behave yerself!) in proportion. The mudguard is slimmer than standard and I do plan to hardtail it and remove the toolboxes eventually it so this seat would look too wide, in my opinion. I imagine the construction is similar to this kind of thing




And the article in question is this





I reckon the fixing points are workable with the my standard 500 Bullet frame, and I'd like to attempt removing the 4 outermost springs to narrow the seat base to my requirements - confident with metalwork but this is a new challenge - but how to rework the cover?

Any thoughts? Should I find an old Bantam/ Lycette type seat base that's already a bit knackered to practice on before shelling out the 70-odd quid for the real deal?

I know you can get replacement covers but leather work is something I ain't that experienced with.

Looking forward to your comments,
Cheers,
Peter.

PETER!!--PETER!!----I'm the epitome of good taste and decorum, honestly !!....ALSO, I have something that might be to your advantage..........Contact me on }---- thegreatbear111ATHOTMAILDOTCODOTUK ( You'll have to use the normal e-mail convention)and I can tell you more........

Hi Peter, I have the same seat on my Electra, and covered it with a thick piece of natural brown kudu leather (on top of the original black cover) and riveted through the steel flat bar frame of the seat, in 3 places either side ( and again at the back). It works great and looks fine, a bit like an old horse saddle type of leather. I'm also not a leather expert, so I had it done locally at a saddler's.The springs are not the greatest quality, and I've had a few snap (I'm sure it's nothing to do with my weight, although admittedly it might be slightly over the average in Chennai). I replaced the broken springs with some second-hand ones bought from Hitchcock's. You might want to pick a couple up to have on standby. Good luck with your endeavours.

Hi PETER--------- have sent you a reply to your E-mail received....

hi peter,i had this seat on one of my bike s it was ok but i far if you make it smaller it would be very uncomfortable i eventually went for the larger seat which i find more comfortable on the arse its not the harley style seat!!atb paul.

should say fear not far ! typo