My Monkey Butt Cure

After about an hour of riding, my wife and i would have to stop for a five minute break due to monkey butt. I always wanted to get the airhawk seat cushions but at $200 for 2 i held off. Tarmacburner (thanks Tarmie) posted a link on a post a couple weeks ago about a company that made beaded seat covers for motorcycles. Their covers were roughly $50 plus shipping for 1, so i got thinking, i could do that . A trip to the hardware store and i found a beaded car seat cover for $14.99. Before cutting anything we took it for a test ride so i could return it if it didnt help. After a couple hour ride we both gave it thumbs up. Yesterday i went alone on the finished product and 3 and a half hours later was more than happy with this new cure. While riding its easy to move slightly and relieve any pressure. Just sitting on the oem non beaded seat it didnt seem to matter which way i shifted i could not stop the onslaught of monkey butt.




$14.99




I marked roughly where the cut should be for the front and back part of the seat.




Cutting one string only allowed one row of beads to be removed. Thankfully the whole thing wont unravel.




I slowly and carefully cut the appropriate strings to get close to the required shape on the corners.  I had to reweave the string wherever i thought was best and retying where required.




I had this much of the original seat cover left over.




Making sure it fits before painting.




I painted around 4 coats of satin black using a good quality spray paint.




I got about 10 feet of 3/16" black stretch cord to make the four straps required. I didnt want to use one piece bungee cord because i was afraid the steel clip on the end would eventually damage the seat where it connects to the beads.




Finished and installed.




They stay in place when the seat is opened. The seat strut is not affected by the small amount of extra weight.




The stretch cords hook underneath the seat. It doesnt affect the seat latches. With the hooks under the seat it stops someone from doing a quick grab and run with my prized monkey butt cure.

hotwings wrote:

After about an hour of riding my wife

 



"Joking" aside, that is a VERY good idea.

Very good thanks for sharing!!

Great idea Hotwings.

I envy you your ingenuity. I also envy your clean workbench. If you are ever in Ohio and would like to organize a garage, sign me up.

Very good, just bought one for my wife to try, will do your fix for my motor when the time comes!!

  Nice  

Hey....  Thanks... Off to the ACE Hardware in the AM and see what they have...

Magoo

Very very nice! Thanks for the write-up.

Glad to be of help. Nice work on the fabrication by the way. I was beginning to think you were going to leave them in their original colour!

If you are ever in England come and spend three days tidying my garage please.

Cheers,

You my friend have the patience of a saint! Nice work, you will enjoy the airflow under the tush.

Nice job,well thought out,thanks for sharing

trouble1100 wrote:

You my friend have the patience of a saint!

My three kids would disagree. 

Terrific job; it really looks nice too!

Very nice Hotwings - thanks for sharing! I noticed that for the rider you extended the beads over the sides of the seat - rather than just having beads on the flat seat surface. Do you like them better over the sides now that you have tested your seat - or is having them just on the flat surface better? Also, if anyone has found a bead seat in the states that is the equivalent -
let us know. I use an Airhawk - that I like for cushion. Will the bead seat give me cushion or would I would need to combine it with a gel mat? I like the Airhawk - except that I tend to move laterally in the twisties on the Airhawk as I am suspended in a bit of air.

Dimond wrote:

I like the Airhawk - except that I tend to move laterally in the twisties on the Airhawk as I am suspended in a bit of air.  

You've probably inflated the Airhawk too much, deflate it and then add a breath and close the valve. You don't need it inflated like an air mattress, just enough so your butt doesn't make contact with the seat.

I have the beads and the the Airhawk. I use the beads everyday, they keep the bikes seat and my seat cool. I use the Airhawk when I go on long rides. When I use the Airhawk I change between the beads and the Airhawk each time I stop for gas. If I only could only have one it would be the beads. The sun here in Florida will keep your seat hot and the beads are the best thing I have to help with that problem. They are hard but on my bottom they do not feel so hard unless I am riding for a long time and that is when I put the the Airhawk for a tank of gas. Then I go back and forth from the beads and the Airhawk.

Dimond wrote:

Very nice Hotwings - thanks for sharing!  I noticed that for the rider you extended the beads over the sides of the seat - rather than just having beads on the flat seat surface.  Do you like them better over the sides now that you have tested your seat - or is having them just on the flat surface better?   

 The beads are hanging a little over the front due to the fact that it was the factory shape of the original bead cover and i wanted to keep my "messin" with the strings to a minimum. I dont think it makes a difference if its hanging over or not because of little contact in that area.

A factory set of Beadriders hang over the front of our Burgman seat, doesnt bother anything. Did a 200 miler today on Angeles Crest Hwy, great riide, never heard one "my butt is sore" today, oh, I think I may have said that, time to make one for me.

Well, I've looked at several retail outlets in my area, not one bead seat cover to be had! I could order one from Walmart or other retailers but, by the time you add tax and shipping, then not to mention the time and effort to modify the darn thing. MUCH easier to just order one pre-made and complete from the "BEADRIDER" and be happy!!!! : )

Thanks for sharing on that. I will be keeping this idea in mind to use...

Well that was easy - and it's very comfortable.   

The trickiest part was deciding which of the lattice of nylon threads to cut so that it didn't unravel. Once I worked that out, the rest was straightforward. I didn't need to shape the back end as my bum stop is a raised back rest, under which it tucks. I ran some black whipcord around the outside and put a spot of glue on all of the re-tied knots, just for bit of added strength.

Instead of the elastic cord under the seat, I threaded a black boot lace through the beads at the back, ran it around the back rest brackets and tied it behind. That allows me to lift it off the seat, should it need wiping after rain. Even without tying, I don't think it would slip, but as said, it might hinder the light-fingered from "doing a runner" with it.

I bought the "negative" version, ie mostly black with light coloured lines, so I probably won't paint it, but I may add a coat of varnish/lacquer.

The original is long enough to make two, which makes it somewhat cheaper than buying ready made, and a whole lot more fun!

Now, does anybody know what to do with hundred or so loose wooden beads!!!

 

Tassels for the bar ends perhaps!   :flower: 

Hotwings,

Benn looking for the beaded seat cover without success - would you mind sharing which hardware store you purchased yours?

Thanks,

Rick V

RickV, I bough from good old Fleabay UK. Same thing available on the US site, though the price is higher.

US seller:  
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beaded-Car-Seat-Cushion-New-in-Box-/321188929973?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac85a21b5&vxp=mtr


UK Seller who ships:    
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODEN-BEADED-CAR-AND-VAN-SEAT-CUSHION-WOOD-BEAD-COVER-/250837538391?pt=UK_Car_Interior_Accessories&hash=item3a67151657

RickV wrote:

Hotwings,

Benn looking for the beaded seat cover without success - would you mind sharing which hardware store you purchased yours?

Thanks,

Rick V

You might try auto parts stores or Wally world. I haven't looked, but I would think they would carry them.

RickV wrote:

Hotwings,

Benn looking for the beaded seat cover without success - would you mind sharing which hardware store you purchased yours?

Thanks,

Rick V

I got mine at Canadian Tire, obviously country specific so i wouldnt know what lead to give you except maybe a trip to Canada! I would think it would be relatively easy to find in the automotive section of any hardware store. Wal-mart maybe? The box says made in china (so nothing but the best quality  )

Hotwings and Others,

Thanks for the advice on where to look - I found them tonight at our local "Auto Zone" parts store for $12.99 [US $]. Had previously checked Wal-Mart, local hardware and fleet supply stores without success.

Now I'm looking at the picture where you indicated that by cutting one string only one row unravels if I'm looking at it correctly - will think about that for a while.

RickV

  Sounds like a good deal RickV. Remember; measure twice and cut once.  

RickV. Cut the thread in the centre of the mat, rather than the edge and a couple of rows back from where you want the mat to finish.

Then you'll (a) have longer "tails" at the sides for tying knots, and (b) if you make a mistake, you have another chance on the next row.

Leave to last the cutting of the threads that run around the outside.

This thread is locked for the time-being in order that irrelevant/off-topic posts can be cleared out leaving the useful stuff in place.

The thread is unlocked again since diversionary posts have been deleted.
Please keep to the subject in hand.

Thanks for cleaning it up.

Yes its nice to have someone to remove/control the useless and most often negative rants that are posted all too often! Thanks moderators. FWIW when a new member asks an important question without a proper introduction it doesnt bother me at all because i know the frustration of trying to fix a problem with the Swing and needing/getting an immediate online response would seem heaven sent. This is how i stumbled on this site! If someone were drowning i hope you dont require a name before reaching out a hand! Should be the same here, instead of lashing out and giving a newcomer a negative response. What i do find annoying is someone with well over a 1000 posts but have only contributed 3 topics of their own but is more than willing to give negative babblings to everyone elses!
 I authored this topic (and took the time to photograph and explain the steps required) so i feel i can insert my 2 cents worth here.

Hotwings,

I can't/won't speak for others, but will say I sign in to this Forum looking for help and ideas - your sharing the bead seat idea is a great example and I appreciate it.

Finally resolved my last problem before starting to cut - finding stretch cord. Fabric, hardware and others around here didn't have what I wanted so finally unraveled a cargo net that was too big for my use and now have a lot of heavy duty stretch cord.

Was also thinking of another option for the beads - I have a Wal-Mart seat cushion that actually seems to work better on long rides than my $100 gel pad. Was thinking about removing the rubber insert inside this cushion and replace it with the beads instead and use the stretch cord to attach it to the seat - will have to see how this works - wouldn't look as good as yours but wouldn't have to paint the beads either.

Thanks again for your idea,

Rick V

If you want to take a pop at me hotwings, why not use my forum name. You recently made a load of negative remarks and smartass quips about Brit ride outs and riding in the rain so you're no innocent yourself. Do you know that instead of messing about with beaded car seat covers you can do the same for very little money with a layer of thick non-slip mesh mat.

A couple of years ago I used my Airhawk Cruiser to make a cardboard template and then used it to cut the mat to shape. I gave this to a friend of mine who complained about getting Monkey Butt on his seat, it worked fine for him and he could roll it up and place it under the seat when not in use. I'd previously used the same method to raise my height on a Airhawk with camping mat when riding behind a tall screen

Riders have been using beaded seat covers for years, I wouldn't be surprised if you got the idea from an old motorcycle magazine or off another forum.

In all my 1000+ posts I can only think of one time I've asked for advice on anything unless of course you know more than me, and that was how many units of Ultraseal to put in the Silver Wings tyres.

I also wasn't going to come back to this topic at all, but you're obviously mischief making by referring to me in all but name in your post.

Have a nice day or whatever you do in Canada.

Meldrew wrote:

If you want to take a pop at me hotwings, why not use my forum name. You recently made a load of negative remarks and smartass quips about Brit ride outs and riding in the rain so you're no innocent yourself. Do you know that instead of messing about with beaded car seat covers you can do the same for very little money with a layer of thick non-slip mesh mat.

A couple of years ago I used my Airhawk Cruiser to make a cardboard template and then used it to cut the mat to shape. I gave this to a friend of mine who complained about getting Monkey Butt on his seat, it worked fine for him and he could roll it up and place it under the seat when not in use. I'd previously used the same method to raise my height on a Airhawk with camping mat when riding behind a tall screen

Riders have been using beaded seat covers for years, I wouldn't be surprised if you got the idea from an old motorcycle magazine or off another forum.

In all my 1000+ posts I can only think of one time I've asked for advice on anything unless of course you know more than me, and that was how many units of Ultraseal to put in the Silver Wings tyres.

I also wasn't going to come back to this topic at all, but you're obviously mischief making by referring to me in all but name in your post.

Have a nice day or whatever you do in Canada.

Meldrew, thanks for another fine example of exactly what i was talking about!

Meldrew wrote:

Riders have been using beaded seat covers for years, I wouldn't be surprised if you got the idea from an old motorcycle magazine or off another forum.

Meldrew go ahead now and read the third and fourth sentences of my original topic. Oh theres where the idea came from 

 

Gentlemen,can I respectfully suggest that rather than airing your differences in open forum you use the personal messaging facility instead.

The Bern wrote:

Gentlemen,can I respectfully suggest that rather than airing your differences in open forum you use the personal messaging facility instead.

How about a good old fashioned duel!  

hotwings wrote:

How about a good old fashioned duel!  

That may be difficult being neither of your countries
allow the common citizen to own a firearm.

Doesn't anyone know what 'Please keep to the subject in hand' means?

Thread locked again until I decide whether or not I can be bothered to edit out the bickering again or just not bother and leave it locked but with the pathetic sniping left for all to see!