Harley Sportster, Custom 'Cafe Style' seat foam !

[@ianbendall3116]

Del, you was doing so well until you stuck all those off cuts on🫣

[@flyinggyros9745]

Sit on it for a couple of hours before you make it smaller. Read a news paper or something to pass the time. As we get older, even at your age, we need more comfort in our seat for those longer rides. It may look big but it will compress over time. Alan

[@Moonfleet41]

Totally agree.. i need it comfortable above all else, done my time in pain on tiny seats after 50 miles.. and i had an electric knife.. lent it out.. and you know the rest .lol!

[@Goldwing1500rider]

Never ever loan your tools !!!! You certainly should know the rest !!! 😂

[@Goldwing1500rider]

You must’ve had lot experiences carving a turkey or chicken to carve the seat !!! Lol…. Can’t wait see the covers on it. You’re making it interesting.

[@jamesweber4938]

I did a reshape on a GL1800 seat and just kept going out for a couple of hours ride to make sure it was comfortable before getting a cover made for it. If it needed some adjustments I would do that before the next ride. You are right about cutting the foam, it is very messy. I bought a cheap electric carving knife to reshape the foam.

[@Moonfleet41]

You're right mate, testing it repeatedly is a great way to go, sadly the bike's not finished, but will be sitting on it on the lift plenty before we go to upholstery!

[@ObsessiveCarDetailer]

I love the way you see any task as a challenge and not a stumbling block Del. Well done mate👍. The only thing I would say when using that knife, I was always told "don't cut towards your thumb, cut towards your chum"🤷‍♂

[@wobblysauce]

Looks good, now just need to blend it into the tyre hugger… it is that extra drop that makes it look off to me, cut or blend down

[@springy-2112]

It's really hard to judge with it being foam coloured. Maybe a little more off the rear hump bit. But can you stretch a black bin bag over it to get a better idea maybe? Any way it's good to watch while I'm at home with lovely virus I've been avoiding since 2019! Typical, 2 years off sick no virus. 9 weeks back half the work force has it. Peace and love as always ✌️ ❤️

[@Moonfleet41]

Sorry to hear that buddy, It looks like that virus isn't finished with us all yet.. Hope you feel ok and are on the mend buddy... stay safe and in touch D&Pxx

[@richardwhittle2302]

Taking shape Del. Think you can add Sculptor to your many skills now 😉

[@steveflorey8663]

High Penny and Del. It's the colour of the foam combined with not having a seat on the bike for a time that makes it seem large. Wrap a black piece of material around the seat. I believe the expression is "Optical Illusions". Keep up the lovely work, I am always looking forward to the next posting.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, you're right! Thanks also for your kind words, D&Px

[@stevewalker2736]

I actually quite like it - everyone goes down the usual cafe racer single seat hump route, but this looks a little different - a bit like a classic Vincent or something. Maybe take a little out of the width for the rider seat, but the pillion part looks fine. I'd definitely go with it for day 1 - it's something you could easily change at a later date if the mood took you...

[@kokkolollo]

Looks good! I would shave it down a bit more in the front though

[@davidashton9580]

Hi Del, how about a mist spray of mat black ⚫️ on the fome just to give it a uniform shape, it might give you a beter Idea of what you like . Excellent project this nice one 👍 .

[@rsbharley4766]

Nice video Del & Penny., great hob mate. As for the size , you are right on the money with stand back and look at it for a few of days . Enjoy the last part of your week. Cheers

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate👍, glad you approve, it'll need a bit off the top i think... got to have it ready for the upholsterer in time !

[@joepie221]

Del, you are a man of many talents. Looks good.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Joe, but hardly, im taking it to a friend of mine who is a talented upholsterer, and when i watch her do it, it makes me realise how much there is to learn.. Almost happy with the shape, just need to ponder it a little and maybe sit on it a few more times..!

[@renzovc]

Another great video brother ! I really enjoyed how you sculpture the seat ! love how the shape of the back came out ! Keep up the good work brother ! can not wait for the next one ! stay safe guys cheers from new york !!!!!🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you Renzo for your kind words... hope you're both keeping safe and well there and keeping warm, we saw it's a bit chilly, like it is here, roll on summer! Always good to hear from you both, have a great week, D&Px

[@loddude5706]

5:15 "So this is how Playtex work their engineering magic eh, clever stuff!" Shape wise; stretch black 'something' over it & re-eyeball that before getting radical with the kebab knife again, it does look a bit 'Alien meets Fats Maggot' without it's dark jacket, so . . 'Use the force Luke - y'know, ask Penny & then say 'Y'right.' : )

[@myz06rocks]

I’m not sure if my observation helps but if it was a sport bike style seat it might not have the mushroom tops on the sides. It might just be straight from the back of the bike straight up to the tank. Maybe a very small amount off the sides but maybe 15% of what it is now?

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing mate, all these things are subjective and I need a little time to stand back and look at it to see what feels right... thanks for your kind support, as always... I'll get it to a satisfying shape before we take it to the maestro for a cover.

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

🤔 IMHO,, It looks Spot On Mate 🙌. As you well know,, Measure 30 times,, ✂️ Cut once. Brilliant, using the scraps for filling 🙌! Leave it as is 🙏. Now,, the BIG question,, What color leather and the pattern 🤣. Cheers 🍻, G. Standing by.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks buddy..👍 Upholstery day tomorrow. !

[@huguesdube-bonhomme7599]

A True artist Del! You sprinkle memory foam on your seat just like Nusret Gökçe does with salt on meat 😅😜 always love your vidéos! Have a great week to both of you!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you kindly Sir, we're glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrew1977au]

Well done, personally I think the back is to large, thin it down, maybe even smaller up near the tank. Looking forward to see what you decide.

[@matty2361]

Looks like you hit the cowel with the disk there bud 😦

[@Moonfleet41]

Touched the top of the bolt head..!

[@matty2361]

@@Moonfleet41 Happy days

[@rikturna]

G’day Del, Check out the standard seat on a 2012 FatBob. That might just be enough style you may be looking for.

[@okupantgb]

Yeah, maybe little bit to shave off from the back end 🤔

[@JoeAndary]

Great design Del. If you're unsure of the size, it could be the colour. Wrap it in a black garbage bag.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, had a few squints at it offline and you're right, with a cover on it, it doesn't look so 'sudden'!

[@skyjac92]

Standing and staring is a big part of the process. Well done

[@LS-uv9gg]

Huh! I'm amazed by the whole ground up foam and glue trick, I never would have thought of something like that in a million years. I agree with what a few others have mentioned, being that it's standing out as a bright yellow thing suddenly where there was nothing before, I'm sure is helping to tilt things a bit visually. If it was black and the rear fender/lighting etc., was mocked up, it may help with the contemplation of dimensional cohesiveness you want to achieve. You'll make it look cool regardless though, of course hee hee.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, work in progress!!

[@marklaramie7393]

That's pretty cool, lookin good, I'm not a fan of adding chrome, maybe just some subtle touches of it, but that unpainted front fender, I like it looking chrome, like back in the 60's - 70's era bikes

[@shaunglendinning]

Great upgrade as always Del! Looking forward to seeing whats next. Cheers.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Shaun 👍, glad you enjoyed it mate!

[@howder1951]

Looks good Del!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks 👍

[@richardrussell500]

To each his own... but I think it is too tall in the rear. My two cents :-)

[@daveansell6212]

Little bit big me thinx.

[@flyinggyros9745]

Hey Del. If you have to do that agin you might try an electric turkey carving knife. Alan

[@ekim000]

Yip, that's the ticket. I did exactly that with a diy couch reupholstery job I once did. Works especially well if you give the blades a good stropping first. I used a paper wheel on the bench grinder for that.

[@davidpritchard8229]

Thanks Del

[@andyjrichie6709]

May I add, that if you have a cheap tin of black spray, spray the seat black and it may give you a better idea how it could look and see where you carving out. Great video Sir

[@Moonfleet41]

I like that idea, good thinking sir. !

[@andyjrichie6709]

​@@Moonfleet41 great thanks, that could deserve a shot out 😂 very much enjoying your hard work

[@alexphillips8387]

Yum, looks like doner kebab!

[@jayboorum4524]

Looks out of proportion to the size of the tank to me.Perhaps,as stated earlier,it’s the color of the foam making the seat appear too large.All the same,thank you for sharing the technique.

[@steveharvey2203]

As a question...with the Sportster, you've gone all swoopy and sleek which looks classic cafe race stylee. Are you going to shape the rear fender at bit? looks a bit clunky all cut off square at the back.

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes obviously Steve.. still to be finished !

[@grosbeakmc]

Hey Penny and Del, another great video in the books. Really nice work carving up that seat an re-shaping it - it's sculpture of a kind, innit? Great result and looking forward to next steps. Take care, be well and ride safe!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, that's a sensible description I guess, it's a bit like sculpture, not my skill set usually, but fun to have a go with, happy with the results. Have a great week there, D&Px

[@gerardcullen5131]

Del you are moulding the harley to perfection lovely job

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you kindly Sir.

[@Butterfly07949]

Brilliant and timely words of wisdom from Del really spoke to me that did! Remembering the olden days at the start of the channel and sanding off the skin of the foam on the bandit. You're a dab hand Del. Getting on with mine soon fed up with the custom seat I had made for me. I sink down to the base so going to make my own out of a army sleeping mat with a hidden gel pad. Then it will be a long ride out to the coast 😅 All the very best to you and Pen

[@Moonfleet41]

My word, that's some memory, I remember that video!... seems like a long time ago mate... keep safe and God bless, D&Px

[@loganalomar9919]

The shape looks right with the 2nd hump seat, but might need to come in slightly on the sides. A bit too much girth for a slimmed down ride.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

Getting closer and closer! As to being too big, I like the idea of dusting it with black paint to give your eye a little help deciding, since it will look bigger to our eyes since the color is much brighter. The upholstery will also tighten it up, since the cover will pull it all the way down to the base. I say trust your a$$ more than your eyes. At the end of the day, that's whose opinion matters most!

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing mate, at the moment the comfort's spot on, I don't want to loose that, maybe the back's a little high... thanks for your support mate.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

@@Moonfleet41 Maybe wrap the seat tightly with plastic cling wrap to "preload" the foam and hold it tight to the pan and dust the plastic wrap with flat black paint while you mock up the rear fender (or mudguard to you guys across the pond) and tail light and license plate hardware. Then, you will have "lived with it" a few days in as close to the shape it would be in if it had a cover already on it, and the layers of the hump will get a chance to marry together even better under slight tension. Whatever you choose to do, it will fit your needs better than any assembly line seat ever would.

[@jamesmich4973]

That was like magic

[@REKLESSWOLVES1]

🤔 So that`s where all Penny`s Bread Crusts go, you`d make a cracking sarnie Del with all those layers LOL 😂, looks great though, love the shape. Just watched the seat cover video, looks brilliant mate. They all start out looking shite and a bit Mickey Mouse but once it`s shaped and sanded you get to see the design you had in your head. I`de be happy to park my farty arse on that seat mucka. Have a bostin weekend, love to Lady P x

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate.. glad you enjoyed it.. no seat looks good under the cover.. but like all things, the preparation makes the result aye !

[@mick.Walker]

This might be a really odd question, but I have been looking for that exact style of knife, to replace an existing worn our one, where did you get it, do you have a link or a name as I was struggling what search trum to use, obviously I dont want it to cut a seat, great job on the bike so far, all the best.

[@mick.Walker]

3 days later with likes and replies to comments made after mine and not for the first time, I seriously dont know why I even bother asking a question or even commenting anymore

[@dckkr9657]

Looks good but if you want to modifie the mudgard he is maybe a bit big . Just look for a few days and it will shape in your mind .

[@n22pdf]

Looking good Del.. I hope you have Penny her bread knife back 😉🤩👍👏

[@Gorbyrev]

That looks absolutely amazing!

[@rickrogers2649]

I never tackled a job like that. I'm amazed how smooth that last tool got the foam. I'm guessing that was a rasp of some sort. The powered foam trick was really cool. The height will make a nice backrest but I think it's a wise decision to wait a bit before having it upholstered. Comfort is king, not like those TV bike builds where they glue some leather to a slab of steel. I guess it's good enough to ride those bikes on and off a trailer though. 😁 Big thanks to you and Penny for this lesson and also for cleaning up the aftermath in the shop. You weren't kidding when you said this would be a messy job. Blessings and peace my friends.❤👍👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing Rick, comfort is king, I can't put all this in to the bike and then have to tolerate it being uncomfortable... so I've got one chance to get it right... it's maybe a bit chunky on the rear end, but I could slim that down before it's upholstered... and the final finishing block was just a sanding pad and some 120 grit paper, seems to do a grand job, I'm no expert at this, but spoken with the upholsterer and that's good enough for her to work with, so am happy... Thanks for your support mate, D&Px

[@Rinkydink73274]

Great job Del,but I think a little smaller all over..

[@arnybarmy]

Nice work as usual Del - It will look fantastic when it's covered - I think it's spot on size-wise!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, I need it comfortable most of all, just got to be sure before we take it to upholstery!

[@blackbetty883]

Hi Del , first time watching one of your vids made me hungry , watching you carve up that foam made me head straight to the kitchen to make a sandwich , the power of suggestion eh , well that's my excuse. Great video as always Del , ingenious and informative. More power to you mate ( and Penny too of course ).

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks for your kind words of support Alan, it makes all the difference!

[@robertchambers8317]

Fantastic!! I find it difficult with a £500 foam saw and 20 years of upholstery experience. That really was an impressive video Del. Well done mate!!! 👍🏼

[@Moonfleet41]

My word, thank you for such kind praise and coming from a professional, that truly is praise indeed... I just did it as I saw it, I know an electric carving knife would have been a better tool for the job, and indeed I used to have one, but lent it to someone and you know the rest lol

[@tinks43]

Like carving a kebab, nice job on the formation of the back using the off cuts 👏🏻

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate 👍, hope you're all well there?!

[@vrocuk2099]

Another great video :)

[@woodysdiy8998]

Brilliant series and interesting content.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate.

[@Questioneverythingg730]

It’s great Del, Your mudguard is giving the impression of too much weight. Cut it back to follow the underside of the seat profile and it will look sweet 🙌

[@Moonfleet41]

I believe I said I was going to do exactly that in the video!

[@Questioneverythingg730]

@@Moonfleet41 yes you did but I was meaning in relation to your seat being ‘ too big’ possibly as you said. I think the seat will possible balance out with the mudguard modified and the seat needing no further work. If that makes sense 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes Bobby, I see what you mean... I'm pretty sure I will slice down the rear hump a little as I do want to retain the comfort support, but the mudguard at this point is a blank canvas, I'll noodle up some inspiration for that soon!

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

It looks good with work u put into it.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks 👍

[@jimmcgovern7515]

Are you having any more issues with your heart? It seems like you've got everything under control. Keep charging buddy!

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes mate, sadly... a few problems lately, mainly due to the stress of You Tube and all that comes with it, but life goes on mate, every day is a gift.

[@jimmcgovern7515]

@@Moonfleet41I've been dealing with heart issues and poor circulation for over 30 years. I’m 67 now and still BASE-jumping with the young pups. The trick is to keep living life like your hearts not a problem. Don’t let it derail your dreams for even a second. Keep charging!!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you so much Jim for such inspiring words of encouragement.

[@piersquarless7731]

I am not a harley guy but that has that super cool cafe racer look, as well as the low bars, nice, hope your well my man

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks buddy, still battling the health issues, but life goes on... but good people around me. Take care and keep safe mate, D&Px

[@nicholasbishop3300]

Looking really good mate Nice job Nick Australia

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Nick 👍

[@davidpring9751]

Nicely done Del 👍 are you still going to fill in the gaps that connect to the tank, or are you happy with the way it is and leave it like that?

[@gerrypowell2748]

Good work👌

[@mikehowarth6165]

Looking good del,just a thought,have a look at lepera seats,to get the basic design, regards Mike Derbyshire

[@HD2O13XL12OOC]

Wow! thats pretty cool! Looks like a "step up" with tail bone support. You never fail to impress.

[@davidshearer9545]

Del 🤔have a look at the street 750 seat! I think it looks like what you might be doing shape wise 👍

[@MintyGusto]

Agree with others, you made that look far too easy! 😉 Looks good to me, but it won't be right until you're happy with it mate. Interesting to see you use the ground down exercise mat material to fill in over the top. Not seen that before and it looks like it works really well!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks buddy, not claiming any points on the ground up foam, it's a total bodge just to fill in the holes... tbh I could have bought a slab of foam, but from the DIY it's pretty expensive and I only needed a tiny bit, so just being a skinflint really mate, already a little overspent on this build already!

[@IainDuncan-bf5pr]

hi m8 i think the seat looks great its the back mudgaurd that looks short m8 anyhow im sure you will get it to where you want it to be atb iain

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing mate... work in progress... mudguard yet to be considered!

[@IainDuncan-bf5pr]

@Delboy's Garage still think it will be a cracker when your done m8 they usually are bud

[@rodneydelaney9227]

White always looks bigger visually.

[@masterlordking]

Starting to look like a Hayabusa seat