Leather seat repair

dangerjoe · 07-15-2010, 01:17 PM

Hello folks,
My new to me 1996 Nighthawk came with a carbon fiber (looking) Corbin seat. It was in pretty good shape, with just a small tear on the side and a separation at one of the seams. I could also see some minor cracking, so I got some Turtle Wax leather conditioner, and (while it could be coincidence) now I have some fairly serious cracks (see below). Now, when I bought the bike a month ago, it was sitting in a carport, so it could be that it had dried out there and I am just now seeing the effects. I just received a backrest from an Advrider.com member and the leather is much softer. My real question, though, is, is there a way to really soften up the leather to reduce future cracking and perhaps reduce the effects of what is already there? There are a lot of products out there, but none seem to address this particular issue. As an added note, the carbon-fiber leather is defined by Corbin as "Genuine leather material with a nylon weave bonded to the outter surface to provide the look of Carbon Fiber. Provides excellent friction for sport riding and a look to match."

Any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks!

SilverBullet · 07-15-2010, 02:40 PM

No product can heal leather with serious cracks. You can dye the cracks to improve the visual some though.

Best prevention product I've found is Lexol. It leaves the leather natural and subtle, not shiny and slippery. Use both the cleaner and the conditioner. Available at most auto parts, not cheap but lasts a long time.

_

dangerjoe · 07-15-2010, 11:45 PM

What if cleaned the seat real good, worked some of this -> Val-A TG-16 Tear Mender Fabric and Leather Cement into the cracks with one of these ->

and then did some serious conditioning with the Lexol?

Whadda ya think?

**amvince** · 07-18-2010, 08:30 AM

If you have the money find soemone to recover it for you. I don't know anybody in Central Texas but you can probably get it done for $100-150 by soemone who knows what they are doing, depending on the material used.

Soozy · 07-18-2010, 10:25 AM

Hmmm....I am still in the 'practicing mode'. but if you are willing to buy materials, I could make a new cover. I have a machine that handles leather, but I haven't bought any leather yet as you have to buy the whole pelt. J&J Supp;y in Fort Worth sells everything for upholstery, indoor or outdoor. They can special order fine leathers like ostrich or elephant, but they keep several cow pelts in stock.

I am about to do my Burgman seat with good naugahyde. This is the 2nd recover on it as I am working out the pattern after repositioning the foam. The first attempt has gotten rave reviews from my cohorts.

I would gain a Corbin pattern out of this arrangement, and you would gain a fresh seat to brag about to everyone you know...or you could walk away mad.

Always a possibility!

**Sleepy Weasel** · 07-18-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soozy

I am about to do my Burgman seat with good naugahyde.

Those poor little Naugas! Nobody even eats the meat, they're just harvested for their hyde!

Soozy · 07-18-2010, 08:17 PM

You should try Nauga jerky!

ed29 · 07-18-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleepy Weasel

Those poor little Naugas! Nobody even eats the meat, they're just harvested for their hyde!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soozy

You should try Nauga jerky!

If I know my rare and endangered animals anymore it seems that the Nauga is also known as the Tofudabeast, which is eaten for its plain, bland, low fat meatless meat.

Either way, I can attest to the quality of Soozy's work.

**focus frenzy** · 07-19-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed29

If I know my rare and endangered animals anymore it seems that the Nauga is also known as the Tofudabeast, which is eaten for its plain, bland, low fat meatless meat.

Either way, I can attest to the quality of Soozy's work.

ditto on the quality of Soozy's burg seat. I thought it was a new factory seat that came with her new scoot.

Soozy · 07-19-2010, 11:02 AM

I am only allowed Tofudabeast once a week.

Aww...you guys are too kind! You must want a seat re-done...

**focus frenzy** · 07-19-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soozy

I am only allowed Tofudabeast once a week.

Aww...you guys are too kind! You must want a seat re-done...

nope, got a sargent coming for the one seat with a tear in it. we just give credit where credit is due. you did a nice job.

CleatusJ · 07-29-2010, 11:25 PM

Pee trollem jelly too soften and protect any leather. It's been keeping old saddles going for 100's of years.

07-15-2010, 01:17 PM	#1
dangerjoe Join Date: May 2010 Location: central texas Posts: 21	Leather seat repair Hello folks, My new to me 1996 Nighthawk came with a carbon fiber (looking) Corbin seat. It was in pretty good shape, with just a small tear on the side and a separation at one of the seams. I could also see some minor cracking, so I got some Turtle Wax leather conditioner, and (while it could be coincidence) now I have some fairly serious cracks (see below). Now, when I bought the bike a month ago, it was sitting in a carport, so it could be that it had dried out there and I am just now seeing the effects. I just received a backrest from an Advrider.com member and the leather is much softer. My real question, though, is, is there a way to really soften up the leather to reduce future cracking and perhaps reduce the effects of what is already there? There are a lot of products out there, but none seem to address this particular issue. As an added note, the carbon-fiber leather is defined by Corbin as "Genuine leather material with a nylon weave bonded to the outter surface to provide the look of Carbon Fiber. Provides excellent friction for sport riding and a look to match." Any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks! __________________ 95 Honda Nighthawk 750

07-15-2010, 02:40 PM	#2
SilverBullet Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Humble,TX Posts: 412	Re: Leather seat repair No product can heal leather with serious cracks. You can dye the cracks to improve the visual some though. Best prevention product I've found is Lexol. It leaves the leather natural and subtle, not shiny and slippery. Use both the cleaner and the conditioner. Available at most auto parts, not cheap but lasts a long time. _ __________________ 2006 Honda VTX1300S 2003 Kawasaki Voyager XII 2002 KTM 300 EXC 1991 Suzuki DR650SM

07-15-2010, 11:45 PM	#3
dangerjoe Join Date: May 2010 Location: central texas Posts: 21	Re: Leather seat repair What if cleaned the seat real good, worked some of this -> Val-A TG-16 Tear Mender Fabric and Leather Cement into the cracks with one of these -> and then did some serious conditioning with the Lexol? Whadda ya think? __________________ 95 Honda Nighthawk 750

07-18-2010, 08:30 AM	#4
amvince Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 132	Re: Leather seat repair If you have the money find soemone to recover it for you. I don't know anybody in Central Texas but you can probably get it done for $100-150 by soemone who knows what they are doing, depending on the material used. __________________ "ALL I CAN DO IS WHAT I CAN DO" 2009 Suzuki M90 2007 Suzuki M50

07-18-2010, 10:25 AM	#5
Soozy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 1,320	Re: Leather seat repair Hmmm....I am still in the 'practicing mode'. but if you are willing to buy materials, I could make a new cover. I have a machine that handles leather, but I haven't bought any leather yet as you have to buy the whole pelt. J&J Supp;y in Fort Worth sells everything for upholstery, indoor or outdoor. They can special order fine leathers like ostrich or elephant, but they keep several cow pelts in stock. I am about to do my Burgman seat with good naugahyde. This is the 2nd recover on it as I am working out the pattern after repositioning the foam. The first attempt has gotten rave reviews from my cohorts. I would gain a Corbin pattern out of this arrangement, and you would gain a fresh seat to brag about to everyone you know...or you could walk away mad. Always a possibility! __________________ Soozy 2004 Burgman 650- 'Fly' Not Bad for a First Solo Trip Soozy's 50 First Dates Tour

07-18-2010, 08:17 PM	#7
Soozy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 1,320	Re: Leather seat repair You should try Nauga jerky! __________________ Soozy 2004 Burgman 650- 'Fly' Not Bad for a First Solo Trip Soozy's 50 First Dates Tour

07-19-2010, 11:02 AM	#10
Soozy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 1,320	Re: Leather seat repair I am only allowed Tofudabeast once a week. Aww...you guys are too kind! You must want a seat re-done... __________________ Soozy 2004 Burgman 650- 'Fly' Not Bad for a First Solo Trip Soozy's 50 First Dates Tour

07-29-2010, 11:25 PM	#12
CleatusJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: granbury,tx Posts: 8	Re: Leather seat repair Pee trollem jelly too soften and protect any leather. It's been keeping old saddles going for 100's of years.

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