So how can I fix this?

Ninja Rob · May 25th, 2016, 07:46 PM

Look at what the Texas heat and humidity did to my seat. How can I fix it? Is there like a replacement kit? I Googled a lot of stuff but I need a better direction.

Z1R rider · May 25th, 2016, 08:13 PM

An upholstery shop, unless your handy with a sewing machine. Probably cheaper to buy a good used one.

Ninja Rob · May 25th, 2016, 08:59 PM

I would rather just replace the material with something durable.

crazymadbastard · May 26th, 2016, 06:55 AM

go to a a boat upholstery shop they can help.

Macharity · May 26th, 2016, 03:32 PM

At that point you don't need an upholsterer...you need a new place to live!

No more complaining from me about how hot it is wearing full leathers in 85 degree weather

Twisthem488 · May 26th, 2016, 04:33 PM

I wouldn't think sewing is really needed. Just get something like neoprene and staple it on.

toEleven · May 27th, 2016, 04:44 PM

A member here has a DIY on their blog. RECOVERING: A “HOW TO” OF REUPHOLSTERING A NINJA 250 MOTORCYCLE SEAT

courtesy of @wendyjboss

alex.s · May 27th, 2016, 05:59 PM

boat vinyl + staple gun.

you probably want to redo the foam while you're at it. hot wire cutter makes the foam work about a million times easier.

verboten1 · May 27th, 2016, 06:22 PM

New cover

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-250...hU~jNf&vxp=mtr

New seat

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-198...3D191882247020

Both super cheap.

wendyjboss · May 27th, 2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verboten1

New cover

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-250...hU~jNf&vxp=mtr

New seat

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-198...3D191882247020

Both super cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toEleven

A member here has a DIY on their blog. RECOVERING: A “HOW TO” OF REUPHOLSTERING A NINJA 250 MOTORCYCLE SEAT

courtesy of @wendyjboss

It's true -- the seat can be had for about $35.00. I had a piece of good quality vinyl sitting around for another project that I never got to and so used it. It was a vinyl remnant and cost me under $10.00. I think the advice to get marine quality vinyl or naugatuck is good. You do have to really stretch the vinyl to get it tight against the foam. I used a heat gun. If you choose to do your own, make sure to get the right material and don't overheat the vinyl. Plus the staples you'll need are 1/4 inch. The 1/2 inch staples are too long. Last, but not least, the hardest part of the job is the stretching and finishing of the vinyl. You have to keep working it. It's a few hours job I think to get it right, but I only did it once and maybe someone who really knows what they're doing can do it faster.
So the tradeoff is time and save money or just pay someone $35.00 to do it.

Ninja Rob · May 29th, 2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyjboss

It's true -- the seat can be had for about $35.00. I had a piece of good quality vinyl sitting around for another project that I never got to and so used it. It was a vinyl remnant and cost me under $10.00. I think the advice to get marine quality vinyl or naugatuck is good. You do have to really stretch the vinyl to get it tight against the foam. I used a heat gun. If you choose to do your own, make sure to get the right material and don't overheat the vinyl. Plus the staples you'll need are 1/4 inch. The 1/2 inch staples are too long. Last, but not least, the hardest part of the job is the stretching and finishing of the vinyl. You have to keep working it. It's a few hours job I think to get it right, but I only did it once and maybe someone who really knows what they're doing can do it faster.
So the tradeoff is time and save money or just pay someone $35.00 to do it.

Where did you buy that vinyl? I don't think anyone within 75 miles repairs vinyl seats. I would have to do it myself.

wendyjboss · May 29th, 2016, 08:36 PM

I bought the vinyl at a fabric store. I had planned to use it to reupholster some bar stools ... so I figured it was reasonably good quality. Often those stores have remnants of fabrics and can be had very reasonably.

If you go that route, make sure the vinyl you buy is slightly stretchy. It will help to get it to conform to the seat.

Keep in mind that it needs to be water repellant too. I think that is generally a quality of all vinyl, but that some are more water repellant than others. I tested mine by dripping water on the seat, but I'm still going to treat it with something as soon as I get around to finding a water repellant that is rated for vinyl. A lot of the popular repellants for outdoor clothing and such is not rated for vinyl. I might just armor-all it regularly until I find what I want. It's a precaution that I'm taking just because I did not use marine grade vinyl.

I'm very happy with the way my seat turned out. It's less slippery than the stock cover, and more comfortable even though I didn't do any mods underneath to the foam.

May 25th, 2016, 08:13 PM	#2
Z1R rider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Roger Location: Mitchell, South Dakota Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Oct '16	An upholstery shop, unless your handy with a sewing machine. Probably cheaper to buy a good used one. __________________________________________________

May 25th, 2016, 08:59 PM	#3
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	I would rather just replace the material with something durable. __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle.

May 26th, 2016, 06:55 AM	#4
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	go to a a boat upholstery shop they can help. __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

May 26th, 2016, 03:32 PM	#5
Macharity ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Washington DC Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 36	At that point you don't need an upholsterer...you need a new place to live! No more complaining from me about how hot it is wearing full leathers in 85 degree weather __________________________________________________ Riding is not a solo act, it takes two. You need to listen to the bike, as much as, you need the bike to listen to you!

May 27th, 2016, 04:44 PM	#7
toEleven Slower than you. Name: toEleven Location: NoVA Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR, CB750, EX300 (半蔵) Posts: 667 MOTM - May '16	A member here has a DIY on their blog. RECOVERING: A “HOW TO” OF REUPHOLSTERING A NINJA 250 MOTORCYCLE SEAT courtesy of @wendyjboss __________________________________________________ DISCLAIMERv1.0: There may be more info on the topic than this forum post. Conduct your own research. If another thread is linked or quoted, go read it yourself.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 26th, 2016, 04:33 PM	#6
Twisthem488 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: KS Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58	I wouldn't think sewing is really needed. Just get something like neoprene and staple it on.

May 27th, 2016, 05:59 PM	#8
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	boat vinyl + staple gun. you probably want to redo the foam while you're at it. hot wire cutter makes the foam work about a million times easier. __________________________________________________

May 27th, 2016, 06:22 PM	#9
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	New cover http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-250...hU~jNf&vxp=mtr New seat http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-198...3D191882247020 Both super cheap. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

May 29th, 2016, 08:36 PM	#12
wendyjboss wendyjboss Name: wendyjboss Location: Massachusetts Join Date: Jun 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Honda CBR 500RF (On its way), 2004 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 86	I bought the vinyl at a fabric store. I had planned to use it to reupholster some bar stools ... so I figured it was reasonably good quality. Often those stores have remnants of fabrics and can be had very reasonably. If you go that route, make sure the vinyl you buy is slightly stretchy. It will help to get it to conform to the seat. Keep in mind that it needs to be water repellant too. I think that is generally a quality of all vinyl, but that some are more water repellant than others. I tested mine by dripping water on the seat, but I'm still going to treat it with something as soon as I get around to finding a water repellant that is rated for vinyl. A lot of the popular repellants for outdoor clothing and such is not rated for vinyl. I might just armor-all it regularly until I find what I want. It's a precaution that I'm taking just because I did not use marine grade vinyl. I'm very happy with the way my seat turned out. It's less slippery than the stock cover, and more comfortable even though I didn't do any mods underneath to the foam.

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