seat tear...

[fintip]

Beautiful Corbin seat in otherwise nearly flawless condition started tearing at the rear edge from the frequent outdoor removal back in Seattle. Any ideas on patching to prevent it from getting any worse?

[fj11.5]

Can't think of an easy , good looking fix , , maybe cloth duct/gaffer tape, just to stop it tearing more and keep the weather out ,,  best way would be to have it recovered, , depending on the tear, maybe careful glue it, hot glue ??

[fj12_rider]

Agree with the last comment . There`s not really a lot you can do to stop it . You can duct tape it . If its that bad get it recovered , if its not just duct tape it and that`ll keep the seat dry .

[Klavdy]

[Anti-Dive Dave]

This is putting me off the idea of ever entertaining a corbin seat.

I've had a look at many pics of corbins, and the "wear" they go through - and all seem to be very thin and start to "crumble" at the lining.  (coming away in little flakes, leaving a patchy seat)

Surely this is not normal for a seat that costs mega bucks.

The original FJ seat (and most other bikes) are that heavy (ish) vinyl.  Mines lasted since 1986, and has only worn at the rear tailpiece lip and where it touches the tank at the bottom corners.

Do Corbin seats wear quicker due to the alternative materials used?  

Or is it that people with Corbin seats ride 10 times more and 3 times harder than the average rider?

Or ..........are they 3 times heavier than the "average" rider?  

Pondering....wondering....thinking.....deciding....hesitating.....

[fj11.5]

Wondered the same myself , maybe the expenses are in the   foam and base, and mike  :biggrin:cuts costs on coverings  ,,, not sure about klavs type of glue, what if fin has a heated seat, liquid electrical tape is flammable

[Anti-Dive Dave]

maybe the expenses are in the foam and base, and mike cuts costs on coverings...

I dunno, but using a composite covering can not be good for constant use (like what we see on ebay with that Polish seller who has the embroidered seat covers for the FJ).

Yes, they look damn smart, that I will agree.  I think that's what your paying for - the looks, the style, the time to cut it etc.

But in my opinion (and it is just that....mine!), they would not last 6 months here in the wet, freezing north of Scotland.  With rain soaking into the mesh and in-between the stiching, it would freeze and split.

The cold weather means that virtually EVERYtime I ride the bike (even when the sun is out) I wear my waterproof wax cotton trousers, and they would destroy the material in no time.  Possibly.  Our everyday temperature heat average is only usually around 8 or 9 degrees C (approx 46F).  But, living next to the sea, with the sun in full view, the windchill takes it down to 4 or 5C during the day (39F).

During summer, we have seen it up to 18C (64F).  Nothing lasts long if it's made of material and is exposed to the elements up here.

Again, the seller on ebay (not corbin) states that his seats are made with "some" vinyl and the rest a compostite mesh/breathable material.  Anything that states it is "breathable" means that a) it has holes in it, and therefore NOT waterproof.  b) it WILL move and crease under use - and eventually rip or tear at those points.  Are the Corbins made like this too?

Do the Corbin seat coverings flake away due to the abundance of heat and UV and UVA/B light that you all get in Australia and America? 

I think for now, I shall stick to an all vinyl covering.  At least I now that is 100% waterproof, and I can get a new replacement FJ seat cover for around a low 2 figure sum should I need one.

Yes, I do think those corbin seats are really good looking, and set the FJ off well.  But they are just too damn pricey to take a chance on, and having to recover it in a short time after.

Sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone who thinks they are the dogs danglies. 

And as for liquid electrical tape...I've seen it all now!  Tape....in a tube.

PS:  For Corbin:  I would quite happily road test a seat for exactly 1 year riding in Scottish wind, rain, snow, ice, frosts, plenty sea salt covering and very little UV light damage.

[FJmonkey]

Any auto upholstery place can put a vinyl patch on it, it will look better than the tear looks and prevent it from getting worse. Or you cold look for a DYI kit and take a crack at it. When I saw the tear it looks more like something caught it, not wear. Both my Corbins are wearing, both were used when I got them. The first (L&G) came with the bike. The original owner gave me the stock seat as well, it looked unused. I sold it a few years ago. I don't think it ever saw the sun light. So I know the Corbin was ridden on the most. My second Corbin (a solo) is worse off, but you can tell it saw a lot of sun, no seat can tolerate that for too long. I think the Corbin just gets the most miles and suffers the fate of being loved.

[Dads_FJ]

Could cover it with something like this until a permanent repair is done:

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-sheepskin-saddle-pads.html

[rktmanfj]

A couple of years ago, the cover on my Corbin began to split at the front top.  The front edge of the seatpan split the material.  I showed it to a friend of mine who owns an upholstery shop, and he said he could fix it without making a new cover.  I was skeptical, but he did a really nice job, and corrected the problem that caused it while he was in there.



Find the right, talented local guy, and he can probably fix yours, too.

Best part was, he only charged me $40 for the job.     

[aviationfred]

I have had experience with 3 corbin seats. 1 Gunfighter with the vinyl weave pattern in the main seating area, 1 Gunfighter and Lady with the vinyl weave pattern, and one Gunfighter and Lady with the leather for the seating area. The 2 with the weave pattern I bought new for my 2 Honda Interceptors. The one with Leather is currently on my FJ and picked it up used. After 5 years of year round nearly everyday riding on the VF500 the weave area started cracking. The bike was never garaged and sat in the elements. Lucky for me i was married at the time to a women who could operate a sewing machine. She went to a local crafts store and purchased a piece of smooth vinyl. I removed the cover and the stitching for the damaged weave area. she used that as a pattern and after sewing the new piece back on. All worked great. Maybe $10.00 in total cost.

Fred

[movenon]

An upholstery shop probably would not charge to much to replace that section of vinyl. Take the seat in with you so they can see it. I reupholstered my stock seat with an aftermarket cover and it looks good but I agree that it probably would not be as durable if parked out side in the rain due to the seams involved. The stock FJ seat material is fairly thin and stretchy with no seams and is well suited for being in the elements. I had a Corbin on a BMW for many years and it had to be repaired a few times also. Fortunately its not to expensive. In the short term like Monkey said, vinyl patch or I have used "Shoe Glue" to make small repairs in vinyl material / RV Awning burn holes / yes and even a shoe once... At least it will keep the elements out and keep your foam in good shape until you can do a proper repair.
Not getting any warmer up here............

[FJmonkey]

I have used "Shoe Glue" to make small repairs in vinyl material

I had not thought of that, that stuff is very tough and remains flexible, I would use a needle and thread to close the hole up and then cover it with Black Shoe Goo if it were my seat.

[Dads_FJ]

Perhaps... if a local place won't do a repair without redoing the whole thing, you could remove the cover yourself and with the help of someone on the list, send it to them who's local guy will do the repair.  Shipping can't be too much for just the cover. 

[bigbore2]

Another vote for black Shoe Goo here.