KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX250 / KX125 => Topic started by: lhazc on April 26, 2007, 01:29:56 PM

Title: installing new seat cover
Post by: lhazc on April 26, 2007, 01:29:56 PM
what is the best/easiest way to put a new seat cover on?
 the old one is stapled on.
 I dont think the staple gun I have will do the job :-P too light weight.....
do you just get some heavier staples and hammer them in? :?
thanks.
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: Platypus on April 26, 2007, 03:01:58 PM
The only way I have ever done it is with a heavy duty staple gun.  I imagine you could buy the staples with the flattened head for hammering.  I would try to wrangle up a heavy duty stapler though.
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: Jeeks on April 27, 2007, 08:29:02 AM
Get a heavy duty staple gun from your local hardware store.  You'll find more uses for it than just seat covers. :-D
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: kx666 on April 27, 2007, 12:58:13 PM
throw the cover in the dryer, this will heat it up. then buy the best staple gun you can find and 2 buddys.

good luck  :wink:
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: MadKaw on April 29, 2007, 02:19:15 PM
1. GET STAPLE GUN, if you have a compressor its a valuable addition to your air tools.
2. the heat is a good tip, the dryer or I usually lay it out in the sun for a little while, it gets nice and plyable.

ok, now your ready...start with the ends, the front end has a little pocket to slide the seat into. then pull it tight and staple the rear along the edge making sure to get the staples into the hard plastic seat pan. after you get the rear done staple the front(don't count on the pocket to hold it forever.)

then start to work on the sides, in the middle first, one side then the other. then just work from the middle on each side towards the endsbeing sure to pull the cover tight for EACH staple...therefore hammering won't work.

this all takes about an hour to do it right. just be patient and don't staple your finger, it sucks.

just pull the cover tightly and pull the wrinkles out as you go. you'll be happy with the results, and be proud that you didn't pay someone to do it.

have fun...MK
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: kx666 on April 29, 2007, 02:59:40 PM
1. GET STAPLE GUN, if you have a compressor its a valuable addition to your air tools.
2. the heat is a good tip, the dryer or I usually lay it out in the sun for a little while, it gets nice and plyable.

ok, now your ready...start with the ends, the front end has a little pocket to slide the seat into. then pull it tight and staple the rear along the edge making sure to get the staples into the hard plastic seat pan. after you get the rear done staple the front(don't count on the pocket to hold it forever.)

then start to work on the sides, in the middle first, one side then the other. then just work from the middle on each side towards the endsbeing sure to pull the cover tight for EACH staple...therefore hammering won't work.

this all takes about an hour to do it right. just be patient and don't staple your finger, it sucks.

just pull the cover tightly and pull the wrinkles out as you go. you'll be happy with the results, and be proud that you didn't pay someone to do it.

have fun...MK

what is sun???  :? i am from the greater seattle area...
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: MadKaw on April 29, 2007, 05:02:05 PM
well, I'm i n Texas...we got plenty enough for everybody! :evil:
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: KXcam22 on April 30, 2007, 02:49:39 AM
You almost need an air stapler to get proper penetration through the plastic seat base.  Past seat covers weren't too  bad , but my latest N-style gripper was so tough to put on I ended up taking it to a upholstery shop.  It even took them 2 tries. Cam.
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: ebers17 on April 30, 2007, 02:28:28 PM
Kxcam22, its funny you mention the n-style gripper seat cover, because just before I came on here I was wrestling with that same seat cover, and put it in my truck to drop off to someone to do it for me.  Trying to put that Nstyle one on is brutal, I'm second guessing getting that one.  If One Industries made one of their grippers for the 500 I would've gotten that, its an awesome grip and not too bad to install.
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: lhazc on May 01, 2007, 09:01:57 AM
wouldnt you know it, the seat cover I bought is a  :evil: N-style gripper seat cover............  :-(
 wow,   Im thinkin I may just need to take it somewhere......... :-D

 
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: alan on May 01, 2007, 11:37:36 AM
I don't care what anyone says putting on seat covers are an art, Just like graphics. There are some of us that are good at it and then there are people like me that will pay the others to do it!  :oops: :oops: :oops:
Title: Re: installing new seat cover
Post by: azdirtrider75 on January 07, 2009, 04:53:09 AM
Yes, installing seat covers are hard. But unlike graphics you CAN start over if you screw up; just take out the staples and start over. I just did a N-Style seat cover the other day on my 2002 KX250. I was a bit nervous and worried that it'd look like crap but it looks great. If you've never done it before allow you self some time and have patience. It took me about an hour. Better than paying someone to do it though.