Tired Butt

billnapabill · Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:12 PM

Lotsa choices to make huh?........just a coupla things to consider.
Gel cell retains heat. Look for lower back support when looking at seats and last but not least, the most padded seat is not always the best for your back end. Your Harley touring saddle is likely one of the softest padded seats avalible. Corbin gets my vote but they are pricey and take some getting used to.

smitty901 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:51 PM

New seat 300 or more no way of knowing for sure how it will fit if it don't you out the cash.
Your seat reworked by Meancity 50-150 maybe repadded reshaped to fit you. If it comes back not what you needed they make it right with you.

Dr. Doolittle · Nov 3rd, 2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

I bought some gel pad material and some foam from Walmart. The pads are from a yoga mat and a "gardening pad". They are a soft, gel-like pad with a "closed cell foam" material, so they will not absorb water.

The theory I used to make the "new pads" was sort of counter intuitive. I didn't really put any material/padding where I had a sore spot. I left that area "open" but left foam in the area around that spot to proved support and relieve the pressure point.

I used my design for a while to make sure it worked. I used some shrink wrap to attach the pad to the top of my seat while I was riding. Once I got the design I wanted, I took my old seat off and swapped out the padding.

The stock seat cover on my 07 UC was really easy to remove. Just a few staples, so a tack puller and needle nose pliers are all that is needed. I just used a staple gun with 3/8" staples to put the cover back on.

I just removed the staples to free up the padding under my portion of the seat. I left the passanger section alone. You just peel back the seat cover, then there is a plastc membrane/sheet to keep water out. Then you will see the cheap foam. It it really not hard to do. A little time shaping and snipping. The seat cover when pulled tight and stapled keeps everthing in place. Cost me $28 total.

To me the key was NOT adding padding to a sore spot. You need to lift/support the areas around it.

Awesome!! How long ago did you do this? I'd love to know how the home made version holds up over time. Sounds like you basically did what Mean City does for you.

I might have to pull my old stock seat down off the shelf and try this. Stock SG seat looks awesome but I could only sit on it for 30 or 40 minutes so I ordered a Sundowner. Sure would be nice to slap my "modified" stock seat back on for local cruising.

Porter · Nov 4th, 2009, 09:57 AM

It has held up for over a year. I did it in April of 2008 and haven't touched it since.

The gel/memory foam is a little difficut to shape. I used one of those box cutter/razor blades that you can extend really far out of the holder. It stays sharp and the long length help when you shave and taper the foam. I spent a lot more time than I needed to shaping the foam. It does not need to be perfect. You get compression from the plastic wrap that is on the seat (just under the stock seat, vinyl cover) as well as the vinyl itself when you pull it and re-staple it. This smooths out the foam irregulareties from shaping a great deal. Thickness is what matters most and as long as you are close and pretty even, it will be fine. Also, I did add pieces of different density foam in different areas. I cut them so they were snug as I pulled the plastic and cover back on. They have not shifted or moved at all. No glue was used.

I and 6'4" weigh 238lbs without my riding gear on. The seat works well for me for up to 3 tanks of gas, getting off just to refuel. I don't expect the seat foam to last forever, they all break down from compression, but so far so good! Now that I have a pattern that works for me, getting new foam and cutting it out will be really easy. I will miss the stares from everyone as I drove around with foam and shrink wrap under my butt at 70 mph for about a week to get it just right!

Dr. Doolittle · Nov 4th, 2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

I and 6'4" weigh 238lbs without my riding gear on. The seat works well for me for up to 3 tanks of gas, getting off just to refuel. I don't expect the seat foam to last forever, they all break down from compression, but so far so good! Now that I have a pattern that works for me, getting new foam and cutting it out will be really easy. I will miss the stares from everyone as I drove around with foam and shrink wrap under my butt at 70 mph for about a week to get it just right!

I was going to ask about that!

zoood · Nov 4th, 2009, 11:14 AM

I have also shaped my own seats. May I suggest, instead of using the knife that you used. Use an electric carving knife. Like the type you would use for carving turkey. Dont let mama catch you using it!
The cut will be consistent. I have made my own seats from the pan up. I did it for myself. It is a lot of work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

It has held up for over a year. I did it in April of 2008 and haven't touched it since.

The gel/memory foam is a little difficut to shape. I used one of those box cutter/razor blades that you can extend really far out of the holder. It stays sharp and the long length help when you shave and taper the foam. I spent a lot more time than I needed to shaping the foam. It does not need to be perfect. You get compression from the plastic wrap that is on the seat (just under the stock seat, vinyl cover) as well as the vinyl itself when you pull it and re-staple it. This smooths out the foam irregulareties from shaping a great deal. Thickness is what matters most and as long as you are close and pretty even, it will be fine. Also, I did add pieces of different density foam in different areas. I cut them so they were snug as I pulled the plastic and cover back on. They have not shifted or moved at all. No glue was used.

I and 6'4" weigh 238lbs without my riding gear on. The seat works well for me for up to 3 tanks of gas, getting off just to refuel. I don't expect the seat foam to last forever, they all break down from compression, but so far so good! Now that I have a pattern that works for me, getting new foam and cutting it out will be really easy. I will miss the stares from everyone as I drove around with foam and shrink wrap under my butt at 70 mph for about a week to get it just right!

Porter · Nov 4th, 2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the electric carving knife application!

That's what I love about this board! There is almost always someone with tip that seems so simple and obvious after I hear it, but I would have never thought of it myself!

Nice work on the seat by the way!
I like the color.

Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:12 PM	#11
billnapabill Play The Throttle Ride: FLTRSE3 Join Date: Jun 26th, 2009 Posts: 164	Re: Tired Butt Lotsa choices to make huh?........just a coupla things to consider. Gel cell retains heat. Look for lower back support when looking at seats and last but not least, the most padded seat is not always the best for your back end. Your Harley touring saddle is likely one of the softest padded seats avalible. Corbin gets my vote but they are pricey and take some getting used to. __________________ "I'm gonna ride till I'm Satisfied" Walter Trout

Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:51 PM	#12
smitty901 Retired Moderators Ride: 2007 Road glide Join Date: Jan 1st, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,019 My Mood:	Re: Tired Butt New seat 300 or more no way of knowing for sure how it will fit if it don't you out the cash. Your seat reworked by Meancity 50-150 maybe repadded reshaped to fit you. If it comes back not what you needed they make it right with you. __________________ The Infantry leads the way

Nov 4th, 2009, 09:57 AM	#14
Porter Warming The Wheels Ride: 2007 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jun 3rd, 2009 Location: Elkridge MD, USA Posts: 58 My Mood:	Re: Tired Butt It has held up for over a year. I did it in April of 2008 and haven't touched it since. The gel/memory foam is a little difficut to shape. I used one of those box cutter/razor blades that you can extend really far out of the holder. It stays sharp and the long length help when you shave and taper the foam. I spent a lot more time than I needed to shaping the foam. It does not need to be perfect. You get compression from the plastic wrap that is on the seat (just under the stock seat, vinyl cover) as well as the vinyl itself when you pull it and re-staple it. This smooths out the foam irregulareties from shaping a great deal. Thickness is what matters most and as long as you are close and pretty even, it will be fine. Also, I did add pieces of different density foam in different areas. I cut them so they were snug as I pulled the plastic and cover back on. They have not shifted or moved at all. No glue was used. I and 6'4" weigh 238lbs without my riding gear on. The seat works well for me for up to 3 tanks of gas, getting off just to refuel. I don't expect the seat foam to last forever, they all break down from compression, but so far so good! Now that I have a pattern that works for me, getting new foam and cutting it out will be really easy. I will miss the stares from everyone as I drove around with foam and shrink wrap under my butt at 70 mph for about a week to get it just right!

Nov 4th, 2009, 02:30 PM	#17
Porter Warming The Wheels Ride: 2007 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jun 3rd, 2009 Location: Elkridge MD, USA Posts: 58 My Mood:	Re: Tired Butt Thanks for the electric carving knife application! That's what I love about this board! There is almost always someone with tip that seems so simple and obvious after I hear it, but I would have never thought of it myself! Nice work on the seat by the way! I like the color.

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Tired Butt

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