Copying the seat cowl, Half 1.

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KAWASAKI H1R 1970. The restoration of an icon… : Copying the seat cowl, Half 1.







Copying the seat cowl, Half 1.

I discussed earlier my pal Janne is getting his bike an increasing number of prepared. He requested me some time in the past how the work on the seat cowl is progressing… A few posts in the past I mounted my very own seat, obtained the push buttons again on there, fitted the oil tank, painted the underside and so on, and so on. And I lastly concluded that my cowl DOES match. Meaning I can use my outdated, battered and repaired cowl to make copies. The measurements are OK. Earlier than telling you about that mission I´d like to indicate you precisely how far I´m prepared to go to maintain my stuff saved in a protected and handy approach. I talked earlier about my additional crank, rebuilt by Ebbe. I´ve been questioning tips on how to maintain it protected one of the best ways. Cranks are delicate and may simply unfastened their true if dropped or dealt with roughly. They should be saved in a steady and inflexible place. I imagined an appropriate wood field to retailer it in with a risk to safe it and perhaps maintain different spares as properly. I purchased such a field, however as I used to be taking a look at them within the retailer I got here throughout these “flight circumstances” in several sizes. Actual neat containers/suitcases made for transportation of fragile items reminiscent of cameras, sound gear and so on. Now, that´s my sort of answer!

 The case is sturdy plastic stuffed with 3 layers of padding that may be “picked” in to completely different shapes to deal with varied objects with or with out their very own casings. Right here I´ve began on the primary layer and made holes for the crank.

And right here it’s fitted with the second layer. The third, and final layer goes on prime and retains the crank in place it doesn’t matter what. I prefer it! There´s room for another delicate spares across the crank. Possibly I´ll retailer some pistons and so on right here afterward, we´ll see!




































Again to the seat cowl! I purchased materials for this mission some time in the past from Germany. Keep in mind it was unimaginable to seek out the proper cloth? Not possible is a robust phrase, I do know. I’ve not discovered any, that´s for certain. Individuals within the “recovering” enterprise have been fairly puzzled with the floor of the duvet and a few the blokes I talked to talked about “flocked” vinyl as a risk. I haven´t ventured any additional in that route. I obtained a couple of sq. meters of Alcantara as a substitute and that´ll should do. I additionally purchased a “padded” liner to make use of beneath the duvet to make it a bit softer and to present it a bit “plush” look between the appears on the highest facet.

Time to take my mom´s outdated stitching machine out. That is the one machine I understand how to make use of. It’s from the early sixties and nonetheless work like a allure. Effectively, not fairly, as we´ll see in a bit! I do love the classic look it has. That´s for certain!







First off, loading the machine with a heavy responsibility needle, heavy responsibility cover thread from the boating provider. No huge deal! That went properly.





















The quilt is fabricated from three elements plus reinforcements and buttons. I outlined the seat floor very totally taking measures usually. To this define you could add a margin to stitch in, a seam allowance. That’s the reason it appears barely greater. I added 2 cm on both sides. Higher protected than sorry.

Subsequent is the “padded” liner. Approx 1 cm of soppy foam rubber on an artificial cloth. I lower it utilizing the seat floor alcantara as a template. It feels a bit thick, however we´ll see the way it performs out ultimately. “No guts, No glory” as we are saying within the airline enterprise!







The liner wants no seam allowance so it may be lower all the way down to the precise measurement of the seat floor. That´s performed right here. It’s at all times good to check match every little thing you do versus the outdated cowl.











Right here´s a check on the seat with the padding on. Seems OK!




















Since I´m going to make extra of those I must doc what I´m doing as I am going alongside. The elements are copied on to paper throughout the course of to make templates for the approaching covers. Right here´s the template for the liner being outlined.

And right here it’s being examined on the seat. Be aware I lower a bit outdoors the outlines to have a margin for error making the template. Throughout this becoming it was lower to precise measurement. As you may see I do every little thing again and again. testing, testing and testing! Expertise have proven I must do it that approach…. I usually make errors and this fashion I can remove a few of them.

And one last check of the liner template contained in the seat. Matches like a allure.
























To make the seams on prime of the seat cowl I needed to measure fastidiously and switch the measurements from the template to the Alcantara floor. 35mm between the seams and a complete of 5 of them alongside the whole size of the seat. These should be precisely centered and evenly spaced. Higher watch out right here. 

With the seams outlined on the seat I connected the liner on the bottom of it and pinned the 2 materials collectively. Time to begin stitching! Being cautious I examined on one other piece of cloth simply to get within the “movement” of stitching once more. It was greater than 2 years in the past I did it so a refresher appeared applicable. And that is the place issues went downhill quick…. Our classic stitching machine all of a sudden turned actual “classic” and didn´t perform in any respect like it’s purported to. I spent a few hours making an attempt to repair it however resigned, tucked every little thing away in anger and sank down within the couch to look at 3 episodes of “Braking dangerous” as a substitute!    F**Ok !!




That´s why this publish is labelled “Half 1″….


I´ll be again when I’ve mounted the wretched machine!


/Per

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