Motorcycle Seat Pans

We can make you a custom seat pan to fit your bike perfectly if
you are able to bring your bike into our shop. If you are not able
to do this, we have great step-by-step instructions below on
"How To Make A Seat Pan" so you can make your own seat pan
from start to finish.

How to make a
fiberglass Seat Pan:

We get numerous phone calls about seat pans, so we decided
to do this tutorial to show you how we make a seat pan.
There are many different ways to do this and there are many
shortcuts however, we feel that this is the best and safest way
so as to not damage your bike or paint. Make sure you do this
in a well ventilated area, in the shade and take your time.
Good Luck.

Click here for
Materials list

Before you start, there are a couple of things to you need to figure out.
The first, is the shape you want your seat pan to be and how it will sit in
the front at the tank and in the rear on the fender. We trim the backrest
area about seven inches or so up the fender. When you add about two
inches of foam to the bottom, you will need to have enough seat pan left
for some back support. The shape of the back depends on what you like
but most of the time, we shape the seat pan to match the rear fender.
We try not to get too crazy with the shape on the fender. Something
smooth or to a point is ok but when you start doing things like flames or
something, the seat doesn't usually come out great. Think about it.
The second thing to figure out is how you are going to mount the seat
on the bike. Since almost every bike is different, the way to mount the
seat is different and this needs to be figured out at the start. The seat
in the tutorial fits into the stretched tank area in the front and will have
a suction cup on the rear. If you send us a seat pan and want us to
install a suction cup, we can. Mark where you want the suction cup to
go and make sure that the area on the fender where the suction cup
is going, is smooth so the suction cup can suck. No holes or dents,
curved is ok. Some bikes can get a tongue on the front that can
hook into something or maybe a couple of bolts glassed into the pan
somewhere. Some seats have just velcro holding them to the bike.
I am not a big fan of this because your seat could easily fly off.
What ever you decide, now is the time.

We start with 3M Paint Tape to protect paint.	Use cardboard to cover holes and to make the bottom smooth.	Tape as much as possible to protect paint.	Now we use A/C aluminum tape.
Tape over first tape carefully. Note: we have now covered fender bolts with cardboard to flatten.	Cover bike with plastic. Be safe not sorry.	Wrap as much as possible to protect from resin splatter.	Put on gloves and wax area with mold release wax. Bowling alley wax works or car wax in a pinch. You need about 3 or 4 coats. You know, "wax on wax off".
Wax every nook and cranny to make removal easy. Next: Cut your fiberglass mat for your layers ahead of time, a little larger than needed. it may be easier to use small pieces shredded by hand about 5" square. You can always add a piece if you are short in an area.	With gloves, mask and eyewear on, mix your resin according to directions and the weather and please, do this in the shade. Use your brush to spread on a coat of resin.	Take your first layer of fiberglass mat and start putting it down with your brush. Use only enough resin to soak fiberglass. Use the brush to push excess resin and air bubbles out towards sides. More resin does not make the pan stronger.	Try to get it in every area and as even as possible. You need at least 3 to 4 layers of mat.
We like to use a layer of roving or cloth for extra strength.	Now let it dry over night.	Use thick gloves and grab an end and pull up carefully.	Pull pan off and mark where you want to trim. Use a Sharpie.
It is always easiest to start with a center mark when you start to trim. You can use an air saw or a band saw or even a cut-off wheel to trim your pan.	Trim and reinstall several times so you get just the shape you want.	Check the fit and try to get the pan as symmetrical as possible. When you are happy with the shape, sand all edges as smooth and straight as possible	There you go, you are done. Now all you have to do is send it to us for the coolest seat you have ever owned.

All pictures and designs are copyrighted © 2010 and therefore protected by law and
cannot be copied or duplicated without the expressed written consent of Jeffrey Phipps ®.

Jeffrey Phipps Custom Saddles
9961 Apache Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33412
(561) 333-4151 - Fax (561) 333-4818
Toll free 1-866-566-4877

Motorcycle Seat Pans

How to make a fiberglass Seat Pan:

How to make a
fiberglass Seat Pan: