How to recover an old bicycle seat

Step 4 Trace old cover and cut new material

I do my best to hand-stretch the old cover into a relatively flat shape before tracing. After years (if not decades) of being formed onto a saddle, it can be difficult to try to trace it without first stretching/flattening.

I use a few weights (cans, in the photo) to help keep it flat as I'm tracing.

As I work my way around the old fabric, I gently pull it out as I trace the outline to ensure the pattern will be large enough to wrap around.

Also, be sure to test the pen you're using to trace on an extra scrap of fabric. I used a sharpie which worked, but on some thinner materials or light colors, permanent pen could bleed through.

Trim your outline loosely with scissors.

Comments

[HAZMAT2364]

Would it be possible to use an iron to get it flat without melting it?

[djeucalyptus]

I'm assuming you mean in step 4 with the old cover for tracing? Not a bad idea... it would probably work well (although it's not incredibly critical of a step... a rough outline that's larger than the original is sufficient).

[SKPhoto]

Great Instructable, maybe I can make my bikes look pretty now. For this step, I recommend using a large peice of metal (ferrous) as a base and neodymium magnets to hold it down. You can get it super flat and trace it without hindrance. I hope it helps