Recovering a Motorcycle Seat — DIY Guide

A worn seat is one of those things that immediately makes a motorcycle look older than it is. Cracked artificial leather, saggy foam, lack of grip – all of this can be remedied with a new cover. The good news: you don't need an upholsterer for this. With the right cover, a staple gun, and a little patience, you can re-cover your seat yourself.

What you need

A suitable seat cover [seat covers], a sturdy hand stapler with matching staples, a flat-head screwdriver to remove old staples, and a clean work surface. Optional, but recommended: spray adhesive for foam, a hairdryer to warm the artificial leather in tight spots, and safety glasses.

Removing the old cover

Turn the seat over and remove the existing staples with the flat-head screwdriver. Work evenly from one side to the other to avoid damaging the foam. Pull off the old cover and let the foam dry completely – especially if moisture has already penetrated. Damp foam will later lead to mold and odor under the new cover.

Now is also the right moment to inspect the foam. Is it heavily compressed or crumbling? Then a Sitzfleisch gel pad [to Gelpads] can help, which is inserted between the foam and the cover and evenly distributes seating pressure.

Preparing the new cover

Unpack the new cover and lay it out at room temperature. Let it sit for some time – the material will relax and become easier to work with. Our covers have a center marking (an "I") on the inside, which helps with alignment.

Fitting and aligning the cover

Place the cover face down on the work surface and position the seat on top. Align the cover centrally – paying particular attention to ensuring that the seams run parallel to the edge of the seat. First, secure the cover at the front and back with one staple each, without stretching it too much.

Optionally, you can lightly spray the seating surface of the foam and the inside of the cover with a foam-compatible spray adhesive. This greatly facilitates positioning and prevents the cover from slipping when stapling.

Stretching and securing

Always work opposite: first stretch and staple one side lightly, then the other. This keeps the cover even. Pull moderately – too much tension distorts the seams, too little creates wrinkles. For adjustable staplers, start with low pre-tension.

At corners and tight radii, a hairdryer helps: heat softens the artificial leather, making it easier to lay around edges. If necessary, cut small triangles from the excess material to neatly overlap and staple it.

Finishing up

Once the fit and tension are right, secure the cover evenly with staples. Trim any excess material – but never cut through seams. Check the parallel alignment of the seams one last time. For regular riding in the rain or uncovered parking, impregnation with a suitable product for artificial leather is recommended.

No tools, no desire?

We also offer an installation service [to the installation service]: send in your seat, we'll re-cover it, and send it back within a few business days.