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What's the best way to cut seat foam?
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Posted by: KTMBLAZER---------------------
I would like to lower my seat height by cutting the seat foam, but I need your advice first. Please tell me the "Dos and Don'ts" of this procedure, so I won't screw it up.
Posted by: Fred T---------------------
I took mine to an upholstry shop where he proceeded to use an electric knife. Then he put my new gripper seat cover on it and it fits perfect.
Posted by: smarttoys---------------------
I use an electric knife and then I shape the foam with a rough file like a wood rasp or something similar to that.
Posted by: needsprayer---------------------
Not having an electric knife, I used a long and very sharp fillet knife. First I used a fine tip magic marker to mark the perimeter of the cut. Then I used a razor knife to cut along the marks. Finally take the long sharp fillet knife and work from one end to the other. Go slow and follow your outline. Pretend you are filleting a big flounder. If you do this with care no additional filing or sanding is necessary.
Posted by: Jaybird---------------------
I used a regular hacksaw on my KTM seat. Then I used an angle grinder and shaped it up.
When I cut a seat, I usually will take duct tape and line the whole top of the foam. Overlapping strip by strip all the way down. The foam sucks up moisture to begin with, and after cutting it's even worse so the tape keeps alot of moisture from washing as well as detergents out of the foam. You should never spray right on your seat though.
Actually, I'm not using my stock foam now. I went to a craft store and bought some regular old foam rubber in a large sheet (2'x2'-6"x 2"thick). You have to be careful as to how you cut, because there is just enough to do two seats with that much...otherwise hack away and plan on one.
The stuff cuts like butter with one of those cheapo utility knifes that have the little serrated, break off blades...just extend it all the way out and viola...a foam tool. Just lay the foam on top of the seat and try to cut the outline of the seat out on both sides but be generous. Don't worry if it looks too large, your cover will take care of it. I find that it's best if you have just enough overage so your cover will just make it around the bottom of the plastic. If you don't get it to go around the edge, it will be fine but it may eat your cover fast.
I duct tape this beast too but I tape the foam to the seat, that helps to get it looking decent even before the cover. Try to use a one piece cover like a black gripper and you will have one fine lowrider that is comfy to boot.
Posted by: kmccune---------------------
Quote:
Originally posted by Jaybird
I went to a craft store and bought some regular old foam rubber in a large sheet (2'x2'-6"x 2"thick).
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Jaybird thanks, for the info ....I'm rebuilding my old 81 DT 175 for my wife to ride (low seat, handles pretty good and good power) the trails on. Anyway I'm putting a Clark tank on it and want some kind of saftey seat and l you just filled me in on how to get the seat base. Now if I can figure out the seat cover I'll be set!
Thanks again
Kevin
Posted by: Jaybird---------------------
If you know of a fabric shop you can buy some pleather (nagahide sp?) and fassion it yourself. An upholsterer can have you going in notime if you arent picky on material.
If you have a cover, I like to put the cover on front and back and get everything situated. I like to start stapling the front nice and neat and work my way back. Sometimes I may even shoot a couple of staples half way down to keep everything where I want it. When I work my way close to those staples, I will puol them out as I prolly have some slack built up by then. Just keep working to the end. If your seat makes a turn upward more than half way through, you may want to put a tuck-fold with the material to gather it up at that point.
If it looks bad to you, start over...it's nothing but staples 
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