Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

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Lejaun79
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Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:15 am

Yesterday I have started working on the basic shape for my Cafe Racer seat. I am new at this so I hope I do not bugger it up.
I am also going to be doing the fiberglassing myself. I have also never done any fibreglass work myself, so it's all just going to a big learning experience for me.
Bellow I will post some pics as I go along, for you guys to comment and give advise, maybe it will help someone else to do this job themselves.

Step 1 make 1000 measurements
Step 2 make sure you got spray glue.
Step 3 make sure your small kids don't poke their fingers into your Floral Foam blocks.
Step 4 have fun cutting.

I was supposed to use spray glue, but used craft glue instead.
Don't do this, It makes it hard to cut out your shape, because the craft glue is very hard when it dries.

Image

Late night, I could not wait, so I just grabbed a bread knife and started cutting. After doing 1000 measurements.
PS. measurements don't help much once you start cutting away, because you cut all your guide lines away anyway. So you just do it by eye.
I'll carry on cutting & shaping tonight.

Image

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Volker_P
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Volker_P » Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:12 am

Interesting work.
Lejaun79 wrote:PS. measurements don't help much once you start cutting away, because you cut all your guide lines away anyway. So you just do it by eye.

You could make card molds for the profile at important locations.
Cosky's great (free) online manual: http://cosky0.tripod.com

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Hoonda87
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Hoonda87 » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:13 pm

That green floral foam is the F**king Devil. You're going to have fun separating the fiberglass mold from that powdery crap. Good for you though. I might try white craft styrofoam next time. Its a little more difficult to cut, but you can pick up a special electric knife at a craft store for like 10 bucks that will absolutely glide through it. It's a lot stronger than that floral foam, plus you won't have to worry about kid fingers messing up all your hard work.

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:02 am

Now we're talking.
Just a bit more sanding down and checking it on the bike to see if it looks good.

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:20 pm

And re-checking if it looks ok.

Image

And here's some more toys I will play with tomorrow.

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:08 pm

step 5
Before staring the fibreglassing, check if the "U-bar" you made you is the correct measurement.
Amend your design if need be.
Image

Step 6
Remember to listen to the experts. If they say do not add the hardener to a full tin of resin in one go...then don't.
I learnt the HARD way. Really, it went hard before I could use 1/4 of the tin.
(please note that this is my very first attempt working with fiberglass, so I just had the internet google professionals' knowledge.
I applied about 1kg of resin and about x4 layers of glass-fibre (300mg) so far.
And wear rubber gloves, this helped.
I guess If you know what you are doing you will tell me to wear protective eye-wear and mask, but this is SA and we play rugby. hahaha
(if you do not know what I mean...rugby players do not wear protective gear)
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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:34 am

Almost done with seat, just some more measuring and fitting to do.

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Mon May 06, 2013 6:55 am

And it's almost done.

Image

And now even closer to being finished, next step will be the upholstered seat.

Image

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JorgenL
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby JorgenL » Mon May 06, 2013 2:38 pm

Man, that looks really sharp!
Good work!

Are you planning on keeping the battery in the stock location?

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Mon May 06, 2013 2:50 pm

Yes, I will be replacing the side covers with something else, but keep the standard airbox and battery in that position.
The guys here in SA suggest I stay away from the pod filters, we have wet winters and the wind is always blowing in Cape Town :(
I was thinking of making a small compartment under the bumbox to store cellphone/ wallet, or gloves. There is enough space under there to store a bike cover.

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Lejaun79
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Lejaun79 » Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:03 am

My seat is finally awesome.
just need another topcoat spray and then I have to fit the tail light.
Sweet.

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usbear
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby usbear » Sat Jun 08, 2013 4:50 pm

Very nice work on the seat!
Yes keep the factory air box, or make another one to fit later when you have everything else perfect.
Are you going to fashion a rear fender and mount it?
Your bike looks very clean, I am surprised as your location eats chrome and plated accessories.
Did you figure out how to get things shipped in easily?
I checked around a bit and was told that FED EX had a program that works the best for your location.
Keep up the nice Clean Work!
Bob

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Fixxxated
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Fixxxated » Mon Jun 10, 2013 6:44 pm

You're my hero. I might just have to do this and consider selling the one I (stupidly) bought off of Dime City.
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Volker_P
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Volker_P » Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:06 am

Respect!
Great result. :)
Cosky's great (free) online manual: http://cosky0.tripod.com

forum links to common technical issues

If you really like this site and you would not like to see it vanish soon, have a look there: Urgent: Future of HondaCB650.com Forum

Tikbalang1
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Re: Cafe Racer Seat - work in progress

Postby Tikbalang1 » Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:10 pm

Hey quick question, how and what did you use to mount the fiberglass mold to the bike frame? I am in the process of building my own seat and could use some help...

Thanks!!


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