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Motorcycle Seat Pans
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We can make you a custom seat pan to fit your bike perfectly if
you are able to bring your bike into our shop. If you are not able
to do this, we have great step-by-step instructions below on
“How To Make A Seat Pan” so you can make your own seat pan
from start to finish.
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How to make a
fiberglass Seat Pan:
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We get numerous phone calls about seat pans, so we decided
to do this tutorial to show you how we make a seat pan.
There are many different ways to do this and there are many
shortcuts however, we feel that this is the best and safest way
so as to not damage your bike or paint. Make sure you do this
in a well ventilated area, in the shade and take your time.
Good Luck.
Click here for
Materials List
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Before you start, there are a couple of things to you need to figure out.
The first, is the shape you want your seat pan to be and how it will sit in
the front at the tank and in the rear on the fender. We trim the backrest
area about seven inches or so up the fender. When you add about two
inches of foam to the bottom, you will need to have enough seat pan left
for some back support. The shape of the back depends on what you like
but most of the time, we shape the seat pan to match the rear fender.
We try not to get too crazy with the shape on the fender. Something
smooth or to a point is ok but when you start doing things like flames or
something, the seat doesn’t usually come out great. Think about it.
The second thing to figure out is how you are going to mount the seat
on the bike. Since almost every bike is different, the way to mount the
seat is different and this needs to be figured out at the start. The seat
in the tutorial fits into the stretched tank area in the front and will have
a suction cup on the rear. If you send us a seat pan and want us to
install a suction cup, we can. Mark where you want the suction cup to
go and make sure that the area on the fender where the suction cup
is going, is smooth so the suction cup can suck. No holes or dents,
curved is ok. Some bikes can get a tongue on the front that can
hook into something or maybe a couple of bolts glassed into the pan
somewhere. Some seats have just velcro holding them to the bike.
I am not a big fan of this because your seat could easily fly off.
What ever you decide, now is the time. |
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We start
with 3M
Paint Tape
to protect
paint. |
Use cardboard
to cover
holes and to
make the
bottom smooth. |
Tape as much
as possible to
protect paint.
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Now we
use A/C
aluminum tape. |
Tape over first
tape carefully.
Note: we
have now
covered fender
bolts with
cardboard to
flatten. |
Cover bike
with plastic.
Be safe
not sorry. |
Wrap as much
as possible to
protect from
resin splatter. |
Put on gloves
and wax area
with mold
release wax.
Bowling alley
wax works
or car wax
in a pinch.
You need about
3 or 4 coats.
You know,
“wax on wax off”. |
Wax every
nook and
cranny to
make removal
easy.
Next: Cut your
fiberglass mat
for your layers
ahead of time,
a little larger
than needed.
it may be easier
to use small
pieces shredded
by hand about
5″ square.
You can always
add a piece if
you are short
in an area. |
With gloves,
mask and
eyewear on,
mix your resin
according to
directions and
the weather
and please, do
this in the shade.
Use your brush
to spread
on a coat
of resin. |
Take your first
layer of fiberglass
mat and start
putting it down
with your brush.
Use only enough
resin to soak
fiberglass. Use
the brush to
push excess
resin and air
bubbles out
towards sides.
More resin
does not
make the pan
stronger. |
Try to get it
in every area
and as even
as possible.
You need
at least
3 to 4
layers
of mat. |
We like to
use a layer
of roving
or cloth
for extra
strength. |
Now let it dry
over night.
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Use thick gloves
and grab an end
and pull up
carefully. |
Pull pan off and
mark where you
want to trim.
Use a Sharpie.
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It is always
easiest to
start with a
center mark
when you
start to trim.
You can use
an air saw or
a band saw or
even a cut-off
wheel to trim
your pan. |
Trim and reinstall
several times
so you get
just the shape
you want. |
Check the fit
and try to get
the pan as
symmetrical as
possible. When
you are
happy with
the shape, sand
all edges as
smooth and
straight as
possible
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There you
go, you
are done.
Now all
you have
to do is send
it to us for
the coolest
seat you
have ever owned. |
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All pictures and designs are copyrighted © 2013 and therefore protected by law and
cannot be copied or duplicated without the expressed written consent of Jeffrey Phipps ®.
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URLhttp://www.jeffreyphipps.com/seat_pans.htm
