Saddle is a goner

[scudemax]

Hey, my 2003 A500 seat is rapidly disintegrating. Has anyone had this issue and/or had one re-upholstered?

[Shfls]

Hey, my 2003 A500 seat is rapidly disintegrating. Has anyone had this issue and/or had one re-upholstered?

How many miles is on the bike? Does it sit out in the weather? My S-500 has about 27,000; is always garaged and I am starting to see some wear. I have been thinking of having it re-done and taking about an inch or so out of it so that it would sit lower and also effectively raise the windshield height.

If I have it re-done I have been thinking of having some kind of cloth cover made as well as a custom fit waterproof rain cover.

DH

[scudemax]

Thanks, yes mine has 26500 and is in the weather 5 days a week since I commute with it. No reliable shady spot there. I keep it in the garage when at home. The cloth cover sounds like a good plan because the vinyl has really gotten brittle from UV, I suspect.

[Shfls]

Yeah, mine sits out in the sun, too when I'm at work. I use Meguir's leather cleaner, conditioner...which is also ok to use on vinyl. It has kept the material from getting brittle, but I am still showing some wear spots from getting on and off. The cleaner stuff does make the saddle a little bit slick, but soon wears off. I have not had any problems associated with it, though.

[Manfetti]

I had a lot of problems with the cleaners on mine and actually had to get it re-upholstered. I picked out some mi-price range material and it turned out great. That was about a year ago and it's holding up better than the original... plus, I think it looks better!

Matt C.

[Shfls]

Les see a pic, Matt...

[Manfetti]

You got it, Don... http://www.scootertrap.com/photos.htm
I have a few posted where you can see the two-tone material, similar to the orginal design.

Matt C.

[BigBurlyMo]

Damn fine job on the S500 two-tone seat, Matt. Where did you get it done?

I had to have my pillion cut to let me sit farther back in the saddle to keep the handlebars from banging my knees. Because the pillion was over the hump, I had to have the saddle padded higher to make it level. Although it's now comfortable, the upholstery job was butchered and I need it re-done. Because the guy cut my seat's frame, it probably invalidates the factory warranty. Next time, I will use someone who hasn't escaped from a mental institution.

P.S. I'm looking to buy a salvaged replacement seat (the whole assembly, including main saddle and pillion). Know of any 2006 S500 wreck owners who want to make a few bucks?

[Shfls]

You got it, Don... http://www.scootertrap.com/photos.htm
I have a few posted where you can see the two-tone material, similar to the orginal design.

Matt C.

Thanks, Matt. I like the 2 tone. I may try to match the maroon on mine. I'm also thinking of making it a cloth seat with a fitted rain, car wash cover.

Good job on the pix, too. Right now I'm refinishing the muffler. I painted it with a semi gloss black, and the swing arm behind it is silver. I used a 500 degree paint. If it doesn't stay on I may be forced to buy a Leo Vince. That would be too bad wouldn't it?

I'm really interested in the NOS that you put on. Tell me about it. Like how well it works, cost etc..

I simply must have more power for passing and steep hill climbing. I am going to be looking at Yamaha's new Star 1300 water cooled V-twin. I am trying to find something price wise that would allow me to keep the scooter, but I just don't know. If I end up having to keep just the scooter, I'll spend some bucks and fix it up. I really would like to have some engine work done, but I don't know if anyone even does that to these bikes.

Don

[S500boy]

Thanks, yes mine has 26500 and is in the weather 5 days a week since I commute with it. No reliable shady spot there. I keep it in the garage when at home. The cloth cover sounds like a good plan because the vinyl has really gotten brittle from UV, I suspect.

Until a viable solution comes up in the market, why not look for methods in upkeeping the vinyl?.....unless of course, it is not possible. I know there are ways to treat leather but what about vinyl?

[Manfetti]

Thanks guys!! I ove the look and the feel of the new seat. The faux leather reaked havoc on my butt last year on the 1500 mile trip. The new vinyl is much more comfortable for the long rides. I found the place by looking our Yellow Pages and finding an upholsterer that worked on auo and motorcycle seats. I went there and picked out the material and I believe that it was around $180 for both parts of the seat and the backrest.... lifetime warranty!!

The NOS was more or less an attempt to shock some people and a little of the winter boredoms. It works but I rarely ever use it... more for shock and awe when I get into a conversation with a Harley guy. I need to start getting their reactions on film... pretty funny... especially when I pass them... haha!! Not a useful tool for everyday driving but fun nonetheless. It cost me about $100 in parts because I looked up what was needed for the system and just bought the parts seperately.... the tank, a paint ball gun CO2 cannister form Wally World (before I banned them for LIFE), the rest of the parts came from home improvement stores and the internet. You'd be suprised how cheap it is to find some used fogger NOS jets on eBay.

Matt C.

[Shfls]

Thanks guys!! I ove the look and the feel of the new seat. The faux leather reaked havoc on my butt last year on the 1500 mile trip. The new vinyl is much more comfortable for the long rides. I found the place by looking our Yellow Pages and finding an upholsterer that worked on auo and motorcycle seats. I went there and picked out the material and I believe that it was around $180 for both parts of the seat and the backrest.... lifetime warranty!!

The NOS was more or less an attempt to shock some people and a little of the winter boredoms. It works but I rarely ever use it... more for shock and awe when I get into a conversation with a Harley guy. I need to start getting their reactions on film... pretty funny... especially when I pass them... haha!! Not a useful tool for everyday driving but fun nonetheless. It cost me about $100 in parts because I looked up what was needed for the system and just bought the parts seperately.... the tank, a paint ball gun CO2 cannister form Wally World (before I banned them for LIFE), the rest of the parts came from home improvement stores and the internet. You'd be suprised how cheap it is to find some used fogger NOS jets on eBay.

Matt C.

Thanks, Matt. So you just squirt into the throttle body?

[Manfetti]

You got it! It's actually fogged in through the air intake.

Matt C.