DIY- Recovering seats with Custom Seat Creations Seat Covers

bryan · January 1st, 2009, 07:04 PM

What you need:
Seat Covers From http://www.customseatcreations.com/n250_2008_new.html
Allen wrench from the bike's toolkit
10mm wrench from the bike's toolkit
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Flat Head Screwdriver
Pliers
Staple gun
10mm staples
Spray Adhesive (I used Elmers Craft Bond that I was able to pick up at Walmart)
Scissors

The first thing you need to do is remove both of the seats.

To remove the seat you have to first remove the side covers. (use the phillips head screwdriver)

Then remove the two allen bolts that hold the seat on.

With the seats both off, you need to remove the original seat covers and the bracket/strap that is on the rear seat.

Use the 10mm wrench from the bike's toolkit to loosen the nuts that hold the metal bracket to the rear seat.

With both nuts and washers removed you can take the bracket and the strap.

Now use the flat headed screwdriver as a wedge to pry the staples out. When a staple has been pried out enough, use the pliers to finish pulling the staple the rest of the way out of the seat. Repeat this process until all of the staples on both seats have been removed.

With the seat covers now completely removed you are ready to install your new covers.

Spray the surface of the seat with the spray adhesive.

Now position the seat cover onto the seat and smooth it out stretching it tightly onto the seat, this may take more than one try but make sure you have the cover positioned the way you want it before you start stapling. Custom Seat Covers recommends using a hair dryer to heat up the covers to make them more stretchable, I just let them sit in the sun for a little while and I didn't have any problems.

With the seat cover positioned the way you want it, you are now ready to staple it down. Custom Seat Creations says to staple the rear, then the front, then the sides/corners. When you are stapling the cover to the seat make sure to stretch it tightly. Also, try to staple in the same general area that you removed the original staples from. If you staple too close to the edge, in some places you risk putting the staple all the way through to the other side.

The corners are a PITA!

When you have the seat cover stapled down all of the way, use your scissors to trim any of the excess vinyl.

The rear seat is done pretty much the same way as the front seat.

First spray the seat surface with spray adhesive.

Next, position the seat cover onto the seat. I lined up the front part along the seam first.

After the cover is positioned and stretched tightly onto the seat, staple it down. When you are stapling the cover down it is very important to make sure everything is stretched tightly! When I was stapling the rear seat cover on, I stapled down the back in the center then the front and I worked my way down the sides until I got to the front corners.

Now with the cover stapled completely to the seat, trim any of the excess vinyl.

Now you can attach the new strap.

With the strap attached, replace the metal bracket and secure it with the nuts and washers that you removed from it earlier.

Now you are ready to put the seats back on the bike. The rear seat is a snap and to re-install the the front seat just need to screw the allen bolts back in, line the side covers back up and screw them back on also and you are all done!
The front seat.

The rear seat.

Back on the bike.

Here are a couple slightly better pics, they still aren't great, my digital camera really sucks.

kkim · January 1st, 2009, 07:17 PM

cool, Bryan. Nice setup.

I believe the owner of CSC, Becky, is a member here... Custom Seat Creations

Plasmatoast · January 1st, 2009, 07:58 PM

I just finished installing my seat cover yesterday, the front of the drivers seat was the hardest, then maybe trying to make sure the fabric patterns stay where you want it to.
Custom seat creations has added some new styles for the 250, even one for the special addition bike

grandmaster · January 1st, 2009, 09:14 PM

looks great, nice work.

Custom Seat Creations · March 1st, 2009, 08:12 AM

Bryan,

Great job on the install and the fantastic photos!

~Becky

zartan · March 1st, 2009, 03:04 PM

Thanks for the write up! I love the dyi threads. Nice seat. I am wondering if the green will stay bright. Please keep us posted.

ninja250r19 · March 1st, 2009, 05:01 PM

looks good, what is the purpose of the strap anyway? i took mine off the seat as i feel it looks cleaner without it.

k-os · March 1st, 2009, 05:06 PM

I think the strap is there for passengers to grab onto.

Custom Seat Creations · March 1st, 2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja250r19

looks good, what is the purpose of the strap anyway? i took mine off the seat as i feel it looks cleaner without it.

Purely cosmetic.

Sound Wave · March 1st, 2009, 06:58 PM

wow. just went to their website. that special edition one is so nice!!! you guys with the special editions gotta check it out!

camaroz1985 · March 1st, 2009, 09:19 PM

That is nice.

I just put mine on. I only got the rear cover. I wanted the look of the cowl without the hassle of switching back and forth from seat to cowl, for passengers and when I put the saddle bags on.

Here is a cell phone pic of mine.

johns_d · March 20th, 2009, 10:34 AM

i just got mine today. the CF power blue matches the 09 perfect. gonna get the cover for the rubber thing on the seat cowl later

komohana · March 20th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns_d

i just got mine today. the CF power blue matches the 09 perfect. gonna get the cover for the rubber thing on the seat cowl later

HALT! WHO GOES THERE!?!

just kidding! haven't seen ya before and jus wanted to say hi!

johns_d · March 20th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komohana

HALT! WHO GOES THERE!?!

just kidding! haven't seen ya before and jus wanted to say hi!

i think that was my first post! i guess it's about time, thanks for the welcome

Custom Seat Creations · March 20th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns_d

i just got mine today. the CF power blue matches the 09 perfect. gonna get the cover for the rubber thing on the seat cowl later

I'll have to mark that down. Thanks!

January 1st, 2009, 07:04 PM	#1
bryan aka:2008ninja250r on Kawi Name: Bryan Location: Weymouth MA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 6	DIY- Recovering seats with Custom Seat Creations Seat Covers What you need: Seat Covers From http://www.customseatcreations.com/n250_2008_new.html Allen wrench from the bike's toolkit 10mm wrench from the bike's toolkit Phillips Head Screwdriver Flat Head Screwdriver Pliers Staple gun 10mm staples Spray Adhesive (I used Elmers Craft Bond that I was able to pick up at Walmart) Scissors The first thing you need to do is remove both of the seats. To remove the seat you have to first remove the side covers. (use the phillips head screwdriver) Then remove the two allen bolts that hold the seat on. With the seats both off, you need to remove the original seat covers and the bracket/strap that is on the rear seat. Use the 10mm wrench from the bike's toolkit to loosen the nuts that hold the metal bracket to the rear seat. With both nuts and washers removed you can take the bracket and the strap. Now use the flat headed screwdriver as a wedge to pry the staples out. When a staple has been pried out enough, use the pliers to finish pulling the staple the rest of the way out of the seat. Repeat this process until all of the staples on both seats have been removed. With the seat covers now completely removed you are ready to install your new covers. Spray the surface of the seat with the spray adhesive. Now position the seat cover onto the seat and smooth it out stretching it tightly onto the seat, this may take more than one try but make sure you have the cover positioned the way you want it before you start stapling. Custom Seat Covers recommends using a hair dryer to heat up the covers to make them more stretchable, I just let them sit in the sun for a little while and I didn't have any problems. With the seat cover positioned the way you want it, you are now ready to staple it down. Custom Seat Creations says to staple the rear, then the front, then the sides/corners. When you are stapling the cover to the seat make sure to stretch it tightly. Also, try to staple in the same general area that you removed the original staples from. If you staple too close to the edge, in some places you risk putting the staple all the way through to the other side. The corners are a PITA! When you have the seat cover stapled down all of the way, use your scissors to trim any of the excess vinyl. The rear seat is done pretty much the same way as the front seat. First spray the seat surface with spray adhesive. Next, position the seat cover onto the seat. I lined up the front part along the seam first. After the cover is positioned and stretched tightly onto the seat, staple it down. When you are stapling the cover down it is very important to make sure everything is stretched tightly! When I was stapling the rear seat cover on, I stapled down the back in the center then the front and I worked my way down the sides until I got to the front corners. Now with the cover stapled completely to the seat, trim any of the excess vinyl. Now you can attach the new strap. With the strap attached, replace the metal bracket and secure it with the nuts and washers that you removed from it earlier. Now you are ready to put the seats back on the bike. The rear seat is a snap and to re-install the the front seat just need to screw the allen bolts back in, line the side covers back up and screw them back on also and you are all done! The front seat. The rear seat. Back on the bike. Here are a couple slightly better pics, they still aren't great, my digital camera really sucks.

March 1st, 2009, 08:12 AM	#5
Custom Seat Creations Sportbike Seat Covers Name: Becky Location: Colorado Springs Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 10' Special Edition Tribal 250 Red/Black ; 08' Ninja 250 (RIP by a cager); 05' Honda CBR 600 Posts: 235	Fantastic! Bryan, Great job on the install and the fantastic photos! ~Becky

March 1st, 2009, 03:04 PM	#6
zartan ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: zartan Location: spam la Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 R Posts: A lot.	Thanks for the write up! I love the dyi threads. Nice seat. I am wondering if the green will stay bright. Please keep us posted. __________________________________________________ "Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision" Colin Powell

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January 1st, 2009, 07:17 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	cool, Bryan. Nice setup. I believe the owner of CSC, Becky, is a member here... Custom Seat Creations

January 1st, 2009, 07:58 PM	#3
Plasmatoast ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Augusta Me Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R - 08 250R - 03 250EX - 86 KLR 250 Posts: 60	I just finished installing my seat cover yesterday, the front of the drivers seat was the hardest, then maybe trying to make sure the fabric patterns stay where you want it to. Custom seat creations has added some new styles for the 250, even one for the special addition bike

January 1st, 2009, 09:14 PM	#4
grandmaster ninjette.org member Name: Levi Location: St. George, Utah Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, CR125R Posts: 191	looks great, nice work.

March 1st, 2009, 05:01 PM	#7
ninja250r19 ninjette.org newbie Name: Andy Location: Albany Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 1	looks good, what is the purpose of the strap anyway? i took mine off the seat as i feel it looks cleaner without it.

March 1st, 2009, 05:06 PM	#8
k-os ninjette.org sage Name: Andy Location: Sheboygan, WI Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1988 Honda Hawk NT650, 1989 Honda Hawk NT650, 1997 GSXR750 Track Bike Posts: 890	I think the strap is there for passengers to grab onto.

March 1st, 2009, 06:58 PM	#10
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	wow. just went to their website. that special edition one is so nice!!! you guys with the special editions gotta check it out!

March 1st, 2009, 09:19 PM	#11
camaroz1985 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Carlisle, PA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 WR250R, 2006 Ural Raven (Sold), 2009 Versys Green (Sold), 2008 Ninja 250R Green (Sold) Posts: A lot.	That is nice. I just put mine on. I only got the rear cover. I wanted the look of the cowl without the hassle of switching back and forth from seat to cowl, for passengers and when I put the saddle bags on. Here is a cell phone pic of mine.

March 20th, 2009, 10:34 AM	#12
johns_d ninjette.org newbie Name: Derek Location: Bean Station, TN Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R candy thunder blue Posts: 6	i just got mine today. the CF power blue matches the 09 perfect. gonna get the cover for the rubber thing on the seat cowl later