'90 KDX200 seat cover problems...

[criggs9901]

Hey everyone, I recently took up a bit of a project on my '90 KDX200 and ran into a bit of a snag. The bike actually belongs to my girlfriend who happens to be just under 5'2, and so far we've compensated for her height by softening the suspension down as far as possible so she can just put one toe down. Decided to replace her seat cover for cosmetic reasons, and figured I'd shave the seat down while I was there so that we can set her suspension a little better and still allow her to touch a foot down. Got the seat all trimmed up (as good as it'd get, anyway), went to put the seat cover on, and realized that the seat is now too curved to fit the cover correctly. So basically wondering what any of you guys have in mind to get this seat done back up. I tried stretching the cover as best I could, but it eventually bows the seat back on itself, and will start to tear where staples are. I don't mind making my own cover, but I've never done it before and am not sure where/how to start. Any suggestions?






And yes, I know that foam is hideous. The tape is holding foam where legs will otherwise rub on a hard plastic edge, and I can't get the foam filed any smoother, it's just too soft.

[KDXGarage]

Have you considered paying a pro? An upholstery shop may be the ticket. Otherwise, you might need to skip the normal method of front, then back, then sides. I have never done one before, but I would try front, then middle and go back.

[david]

For starters, it doesn't look like the correct cover as there isn't any curve built into the front area. I agree with Jason. A professional, custom cover is your best bet.

[Bmarc]

Get a heat gun. Start at the rear. Work your way forward. You will have to remove staples and redo several times. Just keep heating stretching and re staple. Then do it again. I did my 90 seat cover that way. There are several YouTube videos on covering that may help.


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[Bmarc]

It didn’t turn out perfect but it certainly worked. Watch you don’t staple over where the hardware goes.


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[K50X200]

https://www.yourautotrim.com/al4stvi.html
4-way stretch vinyl (recommended by someone on kdxrider sometime in the past)...
and maybe a can of this...
https://www.yourautotrim.com/daphitesphea.html

[criggs9901]

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I called around a few upholstery shops, got quotes ranging from $90 to $200. Kinda hard to justify spending $200 to cover that old foam seat, especially when the bike only cost me $700 bucks. I'm wondering if it's worth trying to wrap myself? I know that large curve will cause some issue, really don't wanna waste too much more money, haha.

[KDXGarage]

Where the he&& do you live?? My buddy got an '87 seat done for $20 back in 2003. WOW! $90!

I would try to go from the front the middle and from the middle to the back. I don't see you doing the front, then the back and work toward the middle like a normal seat.

[criggs9901]

I live in Southern California. Called a bunch more places today, lowest quote I got was $40-$50, highest I got was $300. Went to a fabric store the other day and got a 5x3ft sheet of black vinyl for 4 bucks, tried to wrap it myself but no matter what I had huge wrinkles all over. The problem I'm having is that I can't stretch the fabric tight around the front without it pulling forward from the back, and vice versa. The curve is just too big. If I'd known that shaving the seat would cause this issue I probably wouldn't have done it, haha. Talked to one upholstery shop near me that seems pretty knowledgeable, and were willing to do some gripper material for not too much. Going in to check it out Monday morning.

[criggs9901]

Ok, the seat is back on the bike. I ended up paying $140 for a custom cover, in a black vinyl that is very soft and grippy. Definitely more money than I intended on spending, but it looks great.





Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, really glad to get this done.

[KDXGarage]

Looks good!