KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => Kawasaki Owners => Topic started by: ChaChi on October 27, 2012, 10:22:49 AM
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Hey guys
I love the new forum, looks great! Did everyone lose their login tho?
Anyway, I am in dire need of a nice seat cover for my LTD as my original is finally too far gone to repair... I have been looking at these Tskinz ones
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1980-1982-KAWASAKI-LTD-4-6-SNOWMOBILE-SEAT-COVER-NEW-/150547866251?pt=Snowmobile_Parts_Accessories&hash=item230d5a228b... Has anyone bought this one? Any info on it at all, comments?
I am wondering if anyone knows if this pleated one would fit an LTD?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/78-82-KAWASAKI-INVADER-INTRUDER-PLEATED-SEAT-COVER-NEW-/150787856399?pt=Snowmobile_Parts_Accessories&hash=item231ba8180f
I really wanted to keep the original look because I love that OEM seat cover, but it seems that no one has NOS ones (I know dreaming) and to get someone to make one is beyond my budget....
I appreciate any replies!
Thanks!
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The seat that Tskinz uses in his picture is bolted to my 1980 4/6. It looks great after 2 years of sitting outside (well ,with a cover on it anyhow) and it fits perfectly. He used my seat as a pattern and asked if he could use pictures on Ebay. How could I say no!! It works fine in the colder weather, no cracks or split seams . He does a great job!!
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Thanks for the reply Jim, makes me feel good about getting it! I'll mention you were the deciding factor in getting it! :)
Did you have any trouble stapling to the old plastic seat base? I have renforced mine with west system fibreglass resin and 1/4 inch plywood... I just know the plastic isn't as soft as it once was... I maybe better off to pre drill rivet it on?
At least I made the mounting system a lot nicer! With some hex bolts and nuts that are fibreglassed onto the seat base... I'm actually glad I had a clamp break under the seat because sooner or later that seat would have flew right off the back!!!
Cheers
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I used a hand stapler on the first cover I did and it was tough to get through the plastic, a little heat from a hair dryer helps. The second one, I used an air powered stapler and once I got the pressure right, it was much easier. Might be tough with fiberglas on there. Staples don't go through fiberglas too well. If you use rivets or screws, you might want to make some straps or use oversize washers to give them more grip on the fabric. Take your time and make sure the cover is warmed up good before you start.
A little extra foam in there never hurts too..
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I never have had good luck installing seat covers. I've tried manual staplers, and an electric one without success. I have my local upholstry shop install my covers. They don't charge much, and they have a steamer that helps install/stretch the covers without wrinkles. And they have staplers that will go into the plastic (barely!).
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Thank you for the replies guys!... I have a heat gun we use for removing some types of flooring I will make sure everything is warm and see if the electric stapler works...
I just ordered from TSkinZ last night and today I finally get a reply from Image enterprises saying there replacement covers looks just like the factory kawasaki ones... They're 185$ though....
Any thoughts? I see TSkinZ says sales are final and I h8 doing that to them because I did commit to buy, but I so had my heart set on the quilted factory look. Just couldn't afford the 300 bucks I was quoted to make a custom cover like the factory one!...
Ahh well if this is the extent of my problems for the week, I'm happy! lol
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Get what you want. If you want the factory look, then go with Image. The Tskinz one is smooth, but for a daily rider, I didn't mind. You are the one paying for it so you can choose what you want.
The first cover I did on my 1980 340 Invader was from Image and it looked great, lasted a long time, and probably still looks great (sold the sled) I had it for about 7 years with the Image cover on it. Parked outside with a cover on the sled.
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The T skinz guy was great about refunding the money and cancelling the order because it hadn't shipped and I was on it so quick on cancelling!
Image is custom making a quilted cover for my 81 LTD. He told me they make covers in house! The guy was awesome to deal with on the phone, I've bought LTD pistons from him in the past and it sounds like he will continue to be one of the only suppliers of such things!
Really appreciate all the replies guys! When I get the cover I will be sure to finish the thread with a picture of the seat!
Cheers
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Please put up some pics when you get the cover on.
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Guys i have the ltd and am having the same issues, a close friend of mine does custom work. I'm taking my seat to her to see if she can handle it. I am hoping this will give us another avenue to have seats for the ltd with the original look.
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Sounds good, please post up a picture for us and I will do the same!
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i got a and new cover for the ltd from east coast upholstery , but be warned i couldnt get through by phone and had no email response,I place the order on the weekend and then tried to contact during the week them to confirm the order because i got no response. I had to call pay pal and open a claim which i hated to do, once i did that, they got a response and they sent my cover. iys totally plain with no padding so now i have to get to my friend and see what she says....
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Mine was just shipped yesterday because image had to make it, I should see it sometime this coming week I hope!
Pictures to come!
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Here are the pictures as promised, very impressed with the cover! It is nicer then the factory one in several ways. It isn't quite as black as the original however which would be my only complaint...
Very good looking, strong, and more comfortable then factory!
I did however break a trunk loop and need to rethink how it mounts, hence why it's open slightly!
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One more!
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Also this is the first seat cover I have ever installed and I feel I did a pretty darn good job, but not exactly perfect...
I ended up having to soften the entire seat base in front of the fire place, for a few hours, before my electric stapler would shoot fastners into it. I also re enforced the base with 1/4 inch ply on the foam side and west system fibreglass resin. I sank in some 3/8's SS nuts into the ply/glass for mounting, this turned out great, the seat is not going anywhere now... I actually can't believe I was going nearly 100mph sitting on a seat with a broken seat pan, It could have ripped off at any time with very little force!
Either way this base cost 200$ ish, depending on your location shipping may change the price a bit! I was quoted 300 plus to have it re done professionally with the quilted design, so I am happy... Not really something I loved spending that many bucks on, but the end result is a nicer seat!
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It looks great! Next to the Interceptor seat, the LTD pleated seats are my favorite.
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wow that looks great!
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Wow... that seat looks impressive! Bob at Image is awesome to deal with! I have bought Kawasaki items from him many times.
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I agree! Completely, I almost can't wait until the next time I need to order something from him! LOL
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I have dealt with Bob at Image for many years... he is a fair businessman. He tries to carry and reproduce "quality" parts for Kawi's and Merc's. In talking to "some" vintage riders in the past "some" claim he is overpriced. Well, as I stated earlier... he is a fair businessman. If you are looking for junk, don't call Bob. Some people will never understand how good business works. I do believe in the old saying "what goes around comes around" and with that Bob is a top notch guy willing to go alittle extra to help us all out. We need to "appreciate" his "willingness" cause' when he is retired from business, where will you go for that "quality" part/seat cover?
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I totally agree 100%
I need to get a few more parts before he hangs up his coat!
You get what you pay for when it comes down to it... The seat is nicer in some ways then the factory kawasaki seat cover! I know getting that elsewhere wouldn't have been easy or cheap!
I got kawasaki NOS LTD pistons from him in the past and they were priced very fair considering what they were!