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Repairing a P-38 seat cover

Discussion in 'Maintenance and Repair' started by PaulM, Feb 15, 2022.  |  Print Topic

  1. PaulM

    PaulM

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    England (UK)
    City:
    Portsmouth
    Ride:
    P-38
    So, after only 4 rides I found this torn seam at the front of my P-38 seat cover (viewing from below). Repairable? How?
    10750-9f178003042fb28ef2eb230fc3c6061c.jpg
    When I installed the cover I didn't notice the velcro fastening. So maybe the seam tear is the result of not fastening it?

    IMG_20220212_220909_HDR.jpg
     
  2. steamer

    steamer

    Region:
    East
    State/Country:
    PA
    City:
    Altoona
    Ride:
    Zevo and Wishbones
    Name:
    Tom
    It doesn't seem to me like Velcro could be so much stronger than that fabric that not using the Velcro would have led to failure of the fabric.

    I doubt the fabric can be repaired adequately.

    I'd contact Tim B and see what he says.
     
  3. PaulM

    PaulM

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    England (UK)
    City:
    Portsmouth
    Ride:
    P-38
    I'm not convinced it's a good design. Three pieces of fabric come together in that seam: the mesh, the front seat pocket and the seat pad sleeve. And the mesh is not reinforced there, unlike at the sides. I've emailed Tim asking him to reassure me that a replacement cover should I order one is going to fare better. I have the new rounded seat and there are incomplete instructions on how to install the seat cover. I'm not the only person who's been confused.
     
  4. steamer

    steamer

    Region:
    East
    State/Country:
    PA
    City:
    Altoona
    Ride:
    Zevo and Wishbones
    Name:
    Tom
    I didn't realize how different the mesh design for the current rounded sear frame is. I got new mesh for my older style 'horned seat frame and it's pretty simple and durable. I wonder if the older style mesh would fit on a rounded seat frame.
     
  5. PaulM

    PaulM

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    England (UK)
    City:
    Portsmouth
    Ride:
    P-38
    Two things: I've repaired the seat cover and secondly, I'm wondering if I was sent a smaller cover than I should have for the large frame.

    I repaired it with strong nylon thread with the addition of some upholstery seat base webbing sandwiched between the seat mesh and the seat pocket material. For good measure I then applied super glue along the stitched seat webbing.

    It looks to me like the seat pocket is not far enough on. The velcro is about 1.5 inches away from where it needs to be to fasten it, meaning the seat cover would need to be about 3 inches longer. Is it possible I was sent a medium size seat cover when my frame size is large?

    As a result the seam of the cover is/was in a position where it is subjected to more tension and hence it pulled apart?

    I've emailed Lightning Bikes again to ask.
    IMG_20220219_114135.jpg
    IMG_20220219_122556_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220219_122628_HDR.jpg
     
    A.D. likes this.
  6. steamer

    steamer

    Region:
    East
    State/Country:
    PA
    City:
    Altoona
    Ride:
    Zevo and Wishbones
    Name:
    Tom
    Your theory about the mesh being the wrong size seems plausible. Comparing it to my bike, the gap between the mesh and the frame on the sides seems too large.
     
  7. PaulM

    PaulM

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    England (UK)
    City:
    Portsmouth
    Ride:
    P-38
    I hadn't thought about the width, but that could be another reason the seat pocket is not covering the front of the seat properly.
     

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