Repairing a tear/wear on a motorcycle seat

[COOLMACHINE]

Hello Everyone. Hope all is well. Been a long time since I have visited. Of course, I still miss the ride.
I have a question for you all.
Anybody ever try to repair a tearing/wearing through, vinyl seat? and if so, what did you use? (brand name) and what was the outcome?
Thanks in advance for your input. Safe riding and keep it on 2 or 3 wheels. Jerry

 

[Jeriatric]

Hello Everyone. Hope all is well. Been a long time since I have visited. Of course, I still miss the ride.
I have a question for you all.
Anybody ever try to repair a tearing/wearing through, vinyl seat? and if so, what did you use? (brand name) and what was the outcome?
Thanks in advance for your input. Safe riding and keep it on 2 or 3 wheels. Jerry

A good upholsterer can remove the panel that has worn out and stitch a new one in. But there may be an appearance difference between the new material and the old, it's likely not going to be noticeable except to those who know what you did. FWIW.

 

[Bob Denman]

For an interim patch... Lay some electrical tape over the damaged area and CAREFULLY use a soldering pencil to melt it into the rip... :shocked: I used this little trick for years on snowmobile seats since they kept putting buckles on the boots that'd rip the seats every time you came up short on a mount or dismount... :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

A small hole can be patched successfully, but a tear is usually fatal. Most tears are at seams, and rip at the stitches, so both side of the hem are gone. In addition, the stresses on a motorcycle seat are substantial, so repairs seldom last long. Best solution is a new seat cover or replacement of the panels by a professional upholsterer. In the meantime, Gorilla Tape works wonders.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

a hole

A small hole can be patched successfully, but a tear is usually fatal. Most tears are at seams, and rip at the stitches, so both side of the hem are gone. In addition, the stresses on a motorcycle seat are substantial, so repairs seldom last long. Best solution is a new seat cover or replacement of the panels by a professional upholsterer. In the meantime, Gorilla Tape works wonders.

It is actually a hole and not a tear. looks to be wearing out where a gel pack was installed in the seat. I know the seat days are numbered. Jerry

 

[NancysToy]

A whole can often be repaired with a vinyl patch kit, especially if you can remove the cover to glue on a backing patch or maneuver a patch throught the hole. The heat vulcanizing/texturing process is tricky, though. You may want to consult a professional. Look under "vinyl repair".