Russell Day Long Seat & Seat Coverings In General

[DPK]

This may better belong in the General Discussion section.

I have a pending order for a

custom seat from Tom Simmons in Fayetteville, AR. I'm changing from an Ultimate Big Boy which, for me, seems too wide in the saddle horn area. It's great for the first 3-4 hours on the first day & gets worse from there.

To the point: I need to very soon tell Tom which covering to use. I'm interested in function over form. Tom strongly recommends a fabric seat & I agree as I often wish for a cloth seat when sitting on one of today's luxurious leather seats sweating my **** off.

Qestion is which type of fabric. Tom has enough choices to make your head swim. Mercedes has a vynlized fabric " MB Tex " that I really like in an automobile which he has available.

Otherwise, I have no experience with any fabric in particular.

My idea is to just ask Tom to use something with excellent durability, not slippery, heat reflective, that provides ventilation (MB Tex), & lastly looks good within those parameters.

Can anyone offer any advice?

[mhgoldwing]

do you mean Tom Simmons? Russell Day Long saddles are built in California I think.

good luck on seat covering choice. Variables make my head spin.

[DPK]

I did mean Tom Simmons. Another of my senior moments. Thanks.

I'm in Fayetteville right now. Will meet with Tom tommorrow & leave original seat with him for base of new seat. Maybe now I'll get his name right.

Dan

[michael2480]

Once you meet Tom you will have all the answers you need. He will give you lots of choices and tell you the advantages to each. He has been doing this long enough I don't think you will walk away without feeling you made the right choice. Tell him the tax man from KC said hi when you see him.

[paws]

You might want to think about a fabric that would be pretty-much water-proof.

Riding on a soaked seat isn't a very pleasant experience.

Good luck with your choice.

[dirtdobber]

Regardless what fabric you decide on the seat is overwhelming comfortable.

[DWATC]

I'm on my second Tom Simmons seat. He put Lincoln Mark VII fabric on both of mine. It has the waterproofing stuff under it. Never had a rain cover and rode in more than one gully washer. I spray it twice a year with tent waterproofing and water just beads on the fabric. If you haven't ridden to Fayetteville I highly recommend that. He will spend the time take pictures and fit the seat to both you and your passenger. I think you have a good idea with just letting him make most of the decisions, that's what we did both times just picked out the base color. He even suggested the thread color. Both seats are gray with red stitching.

We wouldn't have picked the red but it works great.

BTW the first seat had 80K on it when I traded it off this one only has around 8K on it but neither needed a break in period and the first one looked like new other than some cosmetic damage where my foot rubbed the seat when I put my short leg over the saddle. Again it's worth the time and expense to ride to Fayetteville.

[Solidbob]

Tom will guide you right... we also had a Caddy or Lincoln perforated velour fabric used in a light color to complement our trike color. They are all waterproof once treated, generally done prior to the riding season ( does not affect color or feel) you'll love what Tom will do for you.... he uses vinyl around the base.... no sweaty butt here!!!

[TwoBye]

Once you meet Tom you will have all the answers you need. He will give you lots of choices and tell you the advantages to each. He has been doing this long enough I don't think you will walk away without feeling you made the right choice. Tell him the tax man from KC said hi when you see him.

Ditto times 10 My new TSCustom seat is setting on my trike as we type. Not installed mind you, just setting there. All I can say is the workmanship is outstanding! And Tom is a wonderful man. Trust him.

[driver10]

Tom did our Goldwing then last year we traded it for a new Indian Road Master. This spring when we go to Eureka Springs gonna stop by Tom's and see what he can do with seat on it.

[michael2480]

Just curious, how did your visit with Tom work out? Is he building you a seat?

[DPK]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

I met with Tom this past weekend. Nice guy. Nice active / busy / well used & well organized shop. Knowledgable biker with lots of nice toys.

Took his recommendation to use a cloth / velour type lincoln waterproof fabric. He had one in the shop for repair that had been in service for five years that looked really good. It had a lot of miles on it because the repair was for a worn spot where the rider had been hitting with his boot heel getting on and off thi bike. I wouldn't even have noticed it but for Tom pointing it out.

As to time, he said would have it completed within three weeks. I plan to pick it up when I ride to Fayetteville first weekend of April for a fraternity reunion.

Anyone wanting an Ultimate Big Boy & Backrest, let me know. It's the leather model in perfect condition.

Dan