Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 38
XT 600 seat covers

Hi all, I am needing to recover the seat on my '89 XT 600 before the foam starts to get damaged. I was just wondering if anyone could give some tips on where to get a good quality, good fitting one. I'm looking at the mo but there are a few on the market. Many thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Jul 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: merseyside,UK
Posts: 13
David Laberth Overland and rally,I recently got one for my 86 XT and am very pleased with the quality and fit, black side panels and red seat looks good and was fairly easy to fit as long as you have a good stapler.Well woth the extra few quid IMHO.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Jul 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
Dave Lambeth (member on here) goes by the handle of "custardgrub" on ebay & has a website here.

Mezo.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jul 2012
bacardi23's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: XXX<-Portugal->Azores->Santa Maria (island)
Posts: 1,544
Or go here:

mx graphics - stickers moto Blackbird Racing


Vando
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Jul 2012
BlackDogZulu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Wales, UK
Posts: 753
I fitted one of David/Custardgrub's seat covers recently. Good quality and good fit. My top tips:

- If the seat foam is damp (e.g. if old cover split), take the cover off and leave it to dry out thoroughly before fitting the new. This can take days.

- Take your time with the new one, don't rush.

- Have a hair dryer on hand to warm it up and help with folding/stretching the awkward bits.

- Use a really good staple gun. A cheap staple gun just won't do it.

- Fit the cover as tight as possible (i.e. least spare material) at the back of the seat, as you will need all the material possible at the front end to get round those awkward curves where it turns up at the tank.

- Tack roughly into place every 4-6" and then go back, tension the material and staple properly.

- Use pliers, pincers or whatever to get the material really tight before stapling. Baggy seat covers look worse than what they are replacing.

I'm 90% happy with mine (front part looks a bit amateurish) but I would do it better a second time. When I refurb the bike I will get a new cover and do it again. I will get it from David again, because I am 100% happy with the covers he supplies.
__________________
2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 38
Thanks guys, ordered one from David Lamberth and it arrived this morning, looks great, will get around to fitting it next week. Thanks for the fitting tip BlackDogZulu, ment to ask for fitting tips when I ordered it. After a shock rebuild, new linkage bushes and painted swingarm, thought a seat cover wouldn't hurt just to finish things off.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Jul 2012
BlackDogZulu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Wales, UK
Posts: 753
Happy to help. I meant what I said about letting the foam dry. My old cover was split in several places and the foam had got soaked. It was a winter's day when I decided to replace the cover. I got on the bike to do some shopping, and wondered why a) my arse was so cold, and b) why the bike had gained about 2" seat height. By the time I got home, my arse and family jewels had turned to stone and the seat height was back to normal. Basically, I had been sitting on a block of ice which the heat from my bits had melted over the course of the trip.

I had the foam out, squeezed out the excess water and left it in a dry garage for a few days, then in the house next to a radiator for a few more days. Then I put the new cover on.

Then we had another cold night, and - guess what - seat turned to a block of ice again. There must still be water in the foam. So if you have a few days before you need to fit the new cover, let the foam dry. If you didn't have any splits in the old cover, you may be OK, of course.
__________________
2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 62
XT 600 seat covers

Is it worth pointing-out here that cold temperatures will make the seat-cover much more brittle and likely to split? The bike gets freezing cold in the winter, you sit on the seat and before you know it, its cover has a split.

Come winter-time, first thing on a frosty morning, before you ride off on the bike, get a nicely-warmed hot-water-bottle or suchlike and leave it on the seat (where your arse will be) for five minutes or so. It will save the seat and your arse will 'thank you kindly', too.

Take care.

Last edited by Bigfoot 2; 7 Jul 2012 at 22:59. Reason: grammar
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 9 Jul 2012
BlackDogZulu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Wales, UK
Posts: 753
Great idea. My butt will love you for that.

(Take that the right way ...)
__________________
2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 22 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 38
Thanks for all the tips guys, just fitted the seat this evening, looks great. Good tip with the hot water bottle.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yamaha XT 600 personalization Zergman Yamaha Tech 179 30 Jun 2020 23:50
Leaky Bing Carb Fix .. Replacing the Seat _CY_ BMW Tech 4 22 Nov 2019 04:25
wanted seat for xt 600 ben south TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 2 May 2012 06:34
Corbin Seat Tiger 800 John Hubbard Triumph Tech 1 6 Feb 2012 15:08
For Sale: DRZ 400 'Luxury Comfort' Seat Harty TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 14 Jan 2012 22:26

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:41.