SuzukiSavage.com - Fiberglass King/Queen seat

MulletViper

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Fiberglass King/Queen seat
01/27/12 at 13:55:14

I would like to build a fiberglass seat pan for my trusty thumper. Alas! problems... I want it to have a hump like in the picture below. Would anyone be able to tell me... If I were to mock up the hump with cardboard and then fiberglass over it, Would the seat be structurally sound? i.e. Would I be able to put my wife's caboose on this thing without it collapsing?

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NicholasTanguma YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 33	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #1 - 01/27/12 at 19:44:19 American Dreams in Japan does a traditional style king and queen seat that utilizes the factory backrest, and it seems to work fine. http://www.american-dreams.jp/shopMail/frame14.html
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thumperclone

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #2 - 01/27/12 at 21:10:08

MulletViper wrote on 01/27/12 at 13:55:14:

I would like to build a fiberglass seat pan for my trusty thumper. Alas! problems... I want it to have a hump like in the picture below. Would anyone be able to tell me... If I were to mock up the hump with cardboard and then fiberglass over it, Would the seat be structurally sound? i.e. Would I be able to put my wife's caboose on this thing without it collapsing?

http://www.chrome-addiction.com/prodimages/drag-specialties_ds-901200.jpg

cardboard to make the shape then resin/epoxy let it cure then fiberglass w/ more resin/epoxy..

resin/epoxy an old shoe box to see how strong it is

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verslagen1

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #3 - 01/27/12 at 23:03:42

MulletViper wrote on 01/27/12 at 13:55:14:

Would anyone be able to tell me... If I were to mock up the hump with cardboard and then fiberglass over it, Would the seat be structurally sound? i.e. Would I be able to put my wife's caboose on this thing without it collapsing?

Since you're covering it with fiberglass, the cardboard plays no part in the finished strength, just weight unless you can peel it out afterwards.

Just make sure to have enough glass on it to be strong enough.
Not a bad idea to try a small box then stomp the crap out of it.

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dasch Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1137	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #4 - 01/27/12 at 23:23:17 I serously doubt it would carry the weight without some sound metal supports below. I modeled a fender out of fiberglass once over a cardboard mold... I was not happy with sturdiness at all. Engineer a braced metal piece under the fiber, that's my advice.
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MulletViper

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #5 - 01/28/12 at 12:39:14

I was thinking that the fiberglass wouldn't be strong enough, just wanted to make sure since this will be my first time using the stuff. I think I want to try building up the hump with layers of foam glued together. After I get it covered, does anyone think the shape may shift? I want to only have to do this once, and do it right. You guys are like my own private think tank

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Built2Last Serious Thumper Offline Tempt Fate Posts: 1447 FTF Gender:	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #6 - 01/28/12 at 15:11:01 Go ahead and do it right then, don't crappity smack with the fiber glass and fab some metal, foam pad it.. and cover it with your choice of fabric... like a real seat.
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dasch Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1137	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #7 - 01/29/12 at 01:25:36 yup. Wife is too important to drop and lose, hehehehe
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thumperclone

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #8 - 01/29/12 at 07:58:23

MulletViper wrote on 01/28/12 at 12:39:14:

I was thinking that the fiberglass wouldn't be strong enough, just wanted to make sure since this will be my first time using the stuff. I think I want to try building up the hump with layers of foam glued together. After I get it covered, does anyone think the shape may shift? I want to only have to do this once, and do it right. You guys are like my own private think tank

arent surfboards made that way..

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dasch Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1137	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #9 - 01/29/12 at 08:08:26 It seems so... none of us can vouch for shape shift or load bearing, MulletViper... I personally want to sit on something proven.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28637 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat Reply #10 - 01/29/12 at 08:44:09 I can't see anything close to that, fitting on our stock frame... ... but if you do manage it, it's going to be a very top heavy ride... ...
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justin_o_guy2

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #11 - 01/29/12 at 09:13:50

IF I was determined, Id get a used seat & strip it to the pan, Build a cardboard mockup & figure where to put angle braces on the pan to mount the fiberglass, The underside, I dont think, can be left open. It will need a X in it to make it strong in the side to side area. Y9ou can biuild it, but its not gonna be a one day project.. gonna take some layin in bed & thinking time, what to do & WHEN to do it,, to make it work out..

YOu ever start assembling something only to have to take something back\ apart because something else had to get put together first? Thats "Building yourself a bear trap".. & fabricating something leaves many opportunities for just that,, Think it thru first, all the way,

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WD

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Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Reply #12 - 01/30/12 at 04:07:00

On a period seat like that, the hump is usually a high density foam with a softer layer over it so the seat has a touch of "give".

You can build the hump in with fiberglass, you just have to make a frame from 10 gauge steel wire or 1/8" bar stock before you start laying up the glass and resin. Use a heavy mat on both sides of the wire form, and make double sure to get every air pocket out. If you aren't used to fiberglass, white/light colored spots are air pockets. Use a good body filler spreader to force out excess resin. Two layers top and bottom, then 2 layers of tight woven glass cloth on the top. Cure for a couple weeks, then rivet some marine grade carpet over the top. Cut foam of your choice to shape, round and sand the edges. Cover the foam with a rubberized (backside only) outdoor fabric, then upholster with a marine or arctic weight vinyl or aircraft grade deerskin.

I've taken a few of those seats apart over the years. The high end ones have a steel seat pan with carpet on both sides.

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