Studding your own C50 stock seat?

[James_C50]

Greetings!
First of all, I just want to say, this forum is great and you guys have been a great help!
Secondly, I was wondering if anyone would know of a way to add your own studs to the stock C50 seat. If possible it would be a great cost savings!
My wish is to remove the passenger seat and replace it with a studded fender bid. This with a studded seat would look awesome!
Just a thought!

[bud van houten]

i just studded two seats and two backrests this weekend. have to admit though, they were harleys. i did my intruder lc when i got it also. you can get the studs from tandy leather and i also put conchos on mine which they also have. in fact, if any of you go to tandy much, they have recently added a line of motorcycle items.
most seat are stappled on from underneath. first take a white grease pen and measure and mark where you want the studs (i usually space them 1" apart). then remove the staples from underneath where seat cover is attached to seat frame. install studs (i use a flat screwdriver end to bend the ends over) then re-install cover. i use an electric stapler with 1/4" staples. very easy. i have gotten to where i can do one in about an hour or two. good luck, bud

[James_C50]

Thanks Bud! Do they call them "studs" on their website? I couldn't find them.
I found the conchos. What are they? how do they differ from studs?
Thanks again!

[bud van houten]

actually, they call them "spots"...sorry about that. also, i usually use the 1/2" ones on the seats. later, bud

[bud van houten]

forgot to answer about the conchos. the one i get are about an 1-1/2" in diameter. they have two slots in the middle to loop a piece of leather through. it's a little difficult to explain in writing, but you have to hold the conchos where you would want them and mark through the slots with the grease pen. remove concho and take a razor blade and cut the leather where you marked. then you will need a piece of thin leather(you can get scraps of it at tandy)cut the width of the concho slots and about six inches long(you can make them longer if you want, they will be doubled, so you'll actually end up with 3" long thongs.) i then thread the leather through the slots cut in the seat, then through the concho slot, starting at the top slotand then through the bottom one and as you pull, it will tighten the concho to the seat. some people tie them around the concho, but i like this look better. as i'm doing this, i use a commercial super glue to sort of hold it all together at different points. make sure you have it where you want it before dropping the glue on it. you can go to any seat site(mustang, etc) and see the conchos on there seats. again, good luck, bud

[Rickster]

Studs are waaayy overrated, I know 3 people that had this done, and there bikes wern't any faster.lol.

[James_C50]

When you get to be my age, It's more about the bike looking the way you like it and not how fast you get there. Besides, the C50's appeal is it's classic look ,not it's speed. Keep it slow my friend!

[James_C50]

If anyone is interested, I found out that mustang seats actually sells the "spots" and the "conchos" with the leather ties "AND" they have instructions on how to install both! They are under "accessories" on their website.
You can stud your own seat with 40 studs and 2 conchos with leather ties for about $16.00, not to mention you did it yourself!
Life is good!

[bud van houten]

at tandy leather you get 25 spots for $1.99 and the conchos can be bought in a 10 pack for $2.99.
i had never seen the "how to" on the mustang site, but if you can bend the spot tabs over with your fingers, you have some awfully tough fingers, and i have never used super glue on the spots and have had them on my bike for years with no problem.
good luck with however you do it. think you'll like them, they really ad to the appearance of a cruiser. later, bud

[James_C50]

Thanks Bud! Ordered them today, can't wait! Curious though, how did you cut the slits in your seat. Did you have a special tool or something.
Thanks again!

[bud van houten]

tandy sells a tool for that, but i use a single edge razor blade for the concho slits(x-acto knife could also be used). for the spots, i punch a hole with an awl(ice pick), then push them through the leather and bend the tabs with a flat screw driver. that's what i was saying about there site stating to bend them with your fingers. man, that would wear my fingers out pretty quick. might want to get a small piece of vinyl and practice a little, but i think it will come along great once you get started. i really enjoy doing them. worst problem i have is holding onto them. i have big hands, and they are very slick and small. later, bud