A funny argument to hear is always the one between sport bike style riders and cruiser style riders. Whose seat is more comfortable? I have a customer who has scoliosis, she is more comfortable on a sport bike but likes cruiser. Her solution was to have both bikes using the sport bike on long trips because it accommodates her back problems better.
It is honestly no secret that sport bikes weren't initally designed for long road trips however the good news is that more comfortable seats are available for the sport touring, sport bike and duo sport riders. Customizing your own seat is not as hard as you think. The good thing about foam is that if you make a mistake, it can be glued by on!
Take a moment to read this information located on this great website which I mentioned in a previous blog: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/comfort.htm
Here you will read about the bone structures in our bodies which can cause mild or extensive pain if the seat is incorrectly shaped. Being on a bike away from home and experiencing anything from heat rash to pelvic or tailbone pain is not something to laugh at. This type of pain can become down right debilitating and dangerous because you are no longer concentrating on your riding skills. In short your world becomes centered around your rear!
Narrow seats can put undo pressure on lower extremities area, however this can also be alleviated through the insertion of a gel pad, high quality foam and/or widening the seat platform on the existing pan. Narrow seats can be comfortable when coupled with the correct "lean" position.
If your seat is uncomfortable and you cannot ride for more than 45 min without having to get off to get away from the discomfort OR if by the end of the day you have developed a feeling of being "bruised", I would highly recommend that you do not attempt a long trip until you have had your seat adjusted by a professional. Take the time to find someone in your area who can see you sit on the seat, this type of analysis cannot be done over the phone or by email!
It's the difference from being safe or sore and sorry!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
More Information On Seats
Many people either don't have the cash to have their seats adjusted and/or would rather do it themselves. In the last couple of months, I have been busy learning about all kinds of good stuff. One of the topics which was brought to my attention was fitting seats to a rider. Bob, my web guy, wanted me to do his seat but he live about a 12 hour drive from me in Salt Lake City, Utah. Creating a new seat cover is easy, however, adjusting the seat without the person in front of me is more difficult. In essence I need to see your butt and how is fits on the seat!
To ensure a perfect fit I made a suggestion of finding a top quality seat builder/upholsterer in his area. Bob chose to do the seat fit alteration himself and came across a website put up by Charlie Bennett; diymotorcycleseat.com. Charlie has numerous pages on how to adjust your own seat by adding or cutting out foam, information on how to locate and fix pressure points and more. Charlie has taken a huge amount of time in compiling his website which is easy to read and has lots of photos. I highly recommend his site.
After creating the fit Bob wanted he went for a test ride, yep he road on the seat without a cover just to see how it felt. Once he achieved the shape he was after Bob then found Dale Hancock (www.dalehancock.com) whose was work is amazing. Dale would be completing the seat covers as well as back rests for his Royal Star Venture.
The ability to partner with other craftsman is awesome. I meet a lot of interesting people this way and am also able to provide better assistance to my customers. Check out both of the sites mentioned above you'll find them interesting.
Footnote: Dale Hancock has offered to take my skills up a notch by allowing me to learning some of his techniques. Wow!
To ensure a perfect fit I made a suggestion of finding a top quality seat builder/upholsterer in his area. Bob chose to do the seat fit alteration himself and came across a website put up by Charlie Bennett; diymotorcycleseat.com. Charlie has numerous pages on how to adjust your own seat by adding or cutting out foam, information on how to locate and fix pressure points and more. Charlie has taken a huge amount of time in compiling his website which is easy to read and has lots of photos. I highly recommend his site.
After creating the fit Bob wanted he went for a test ride, yep he road on the seat without a cover just to see how it felt. Once he achieved the shape he was after Bob then found Dale Hancock (www.dalehancock.com) whose was work is amazing. Dale would be completing the seat covers as well as back rests for his Royal Star Venture.
The ability to partner with other craftsman is awesome. I meet a lot of interesting people this way and am also able to provide better assistance to my customers. Check out both of the sites mentioned above you'll find them interesting.
Footnote: Dale Hancock has offered to take my skills up a notch by allowing me to learning some of his techniques. Wow!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
My seat is uncomfortable
People often times say things like, "I love to ride but after about 45 min I want to get off and walk" or "I didn't go because my butt couldn't take that long of a ride" or "I love my bike but I hate my seat". So this blog posting is dedicated to seats and how they affect you and your posture which can equal comfort or pain.
Most people get a bike for a variety of reasons: looks (high on the list), speed, affordability, it was a husband hand me down or loyalty to a make/model. What most people do not first look for are the ergonomics of a bike and whether or not it actually fits them.
There are four factors that come into play when it comes to how comfortable a bike will be after say, one hour of riding.
You see can spot the cruiser folks rolling down the road with our feet up on our highway pegs, our backs and shoulders rounded, looking somewhat "comfortable".
However what this does to your spine is cause the lower back to roll under you placing pressure on your spine, which places pressure on your tail bone, WHICH sends pain down your legs etc.
There are a few styles of seats out there that, unfortunately, make it VERY uncomfortable for a man. The seat style look somewhat like a sling, up in the front and the back. Sadly enough our man tries to get away from the pain by scooting up or back and in some instances riding on the back of the seat smashing it down, all the while attempting to lessen the torture. Need I say more?
For those of us with uncomfortable seats, after a while, you may start to find yourself doing the "left-right cheek dance" during which time you're hoping to find a comfortable position. What our brain fails to tell us is that the pain in our legs is not coming from our legs. Pain seems to show up away from where it starts.
What to do:
My first recommendation is to ride and think about your butt. Wait for the discomfort to start and 9 out of 10 people will find that the pain/discomfort starts in the area of your tail bone, hips or lower back. This is why the rider will find him or herself constantly repositioning their feet; its basically the only thing we can ajdust while riding.
Next look at your seat, if your seat is styled to be more of a slope than a chair, then you are in a position that will eventually place pressure against your tail bone and this will cause you to slump, adding insult to injury. Your next step is to have your seat adjusted by a qualified person who knows motorcycle seats, but first there are a couple of adjustments you can make on the bike itself that won't cost you a dime or possibly less than a seat make over and can possibly solve your issue.
Most people get a bike for a variety of reasons: looks (high on the list), speed, affordability, it was a husband hand me down or loyalty to a make/model. What most people do not first look for are the ergonomics of a bike and whether or not it actually fits them.
There are four factors that come into play when it comes to how comfortable a bike will be after say, one hour of riding.
- Handle bar position
- The position of your mirrors
- Location of your feet
- Your style of seat.
You see can spot the cruiser folks rolling down the road with our feet up on our highway pegs, our backs and shoulders rounded, looking somewhat "comfortable".
However what this does to your spine is cause the lower back to roll under you placing pressure on your spine, which places pressure on your tail bone, WHICH sends pain down your legs etc.
There are a few styles of seats out there that, unfortunately, make it VERY uncomfortable for a man. The seat style look somewhat like a sling, up in the front and the back. Sadly enough our man tries to get away from the pain by scooting up or back and in some instances riding on the back of the seat smashing it down, all the while attempting to lessen the torture. Need I say more?
For those of us with uncomfortable seats, after a while, you may start to find yourself doing the "left-right cheek dance" during which time you're hoping to find a comfortable position. What our brain fails to tell us is that the pain in our legs is not coming from our legs. Pain seems to show up away from where it starts.
What to do:
My first recommendation is to ride and think about your butt. Wait for the discomfort to start and 9 out of 10 people will find that the pain/discomfort starts in the area of your tail bone, hips or lower back. This is why the rider will find him or herself constantly repositioning their feet; its basically the only thing we can ajdust while riding.
Next look at your seat, if your seat is styled to be more of a slope than a chair, then you are in a position that will eventually place pressure against your tail bone and this will cause you to slump, adding insult to injury. Your next step is to have your seat adjusted by a qualified person who knows motorcycle seats, but first there are a couple of adjustments you can make on the bike itself that won't cost you a dime or possibly less than a seat make over and can possibly solve your issue.
- Raise or lower your handlebars. This can make a world of difference.
- Check your mirrors. You shouldn't have to move to see directly behind you. Do not set them to see the corner of your shoulders. Have someone stand about 15 feet behind your bike and then set your mirrors.
- Sit on the bike and see where your feet are, under you, behind you or in front of you.
- See if your foot pegs have an alternate position which you can move them to or consider purchasing floorboards. These provide a flat surface thus eliminating any points on the bottom of your feet. Floorboards can be pricey however, on a long trip they're awesome.
- Is your windshield line above or below your sight line? In other words; are you looking through the windshield, over it or is the edge right in your way. If the top edge of your windshield is in your field of vision, looking into lowering it or having the windshield cut by someone who knows how to cut Plexiglas.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Apparel alterations-can you do it?
I often get asked about apparel alterations, especially those having to do with jackets. It's not a secret to find that as we get older our bodies "shift", whether you get thinner or larger the bottom line is that your jacket may not fit from one season to the next.
So the question of "can you take my jacket in" or "can you let my jacket out" becomes a complicated one. Often times people will gain or loose weight in their mid section or in their shoulders thus causing things to no longer fit right and maybe even become uncomfortable. There are also folks who been given or have bought jackets with sleeves that are too long.
To explain why it is very difficult to alter a motorcycle jacket, I'd be best tell you about how the patterns are made. A quick version is this: the pattern is gauged per size. One pattern can be made bigger or smaller for each size needed. HOWEVER, they are not just widened at the side seams, each pattern piece is made gradually larger thus creating a larger well fitting pattern for each size. (Or smaller, which ever the case may be.)
Being that jackets are complicated pieces you have to picture the shell being created and then the lining and then they are both sewn together. If this is well done, how they both come together should be somewhat of a mystery and the result being a smoothly crafted jacket.
So picture the alteration....Oh My God....you have to start dismantling the jacket alter the appropriate pieces and put it all back together at the cost of generally buying another one.
Still don't want to part with your old friend? The solution then is to check your area for a tailor like at a men's store then see if they can recommend a tailor who works in leather and as I always say, "make sure they KNOW how to work with leather"! They can take meausrements which always assures a great fit in the end.
So the question of "can you take my jacket in" or "can you let my jacket out" becomes a complicated one. Often times people will gain or loose weight in their mid section or in their shoulders thus causing things to no longer fit right and maybe even become uncomfortable. There are also folks who been given or have bought jackets with sleeves that are too long.
To explain why it is very difficult to alter a motorcycle jacket, I'd be best tell you about how the patterns are made. A quick version is this: the pattern is gauged per size. One pattern can be made bigger or smaller for each size needed. HOWEVER, they are not just widened at the side seams, each pattern piece is made gradually larger thus creating a larger well fitting pattern for each size. (Or smaller, which ever the case may be.)
Being that jackets are complicated pieces you have to picture the shell being created and then the lining and then they are both sewn together. If this is well done, how they both come together should be somewhat of a mystery and the result being a smoothly crafted jacket.
So picture the alteration....Oh My God....you have to start dismantling the jacket alter the appropriate pieces and put it all back together at the cost of generally buying another one.
Still don't want to part with your old friend? The solution then is to check your area for a tailor like at a men's store then see if they can recommend a tailor who works in leather and as I always say, "make sure they KNOW how to work with leather"! They can take meausrements which always assures a great fit in the end.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A bit about my customers
I have the most awesome customers! In the past six years I can hardly remember having had a "difficult" or "rude" customer. The people that come into my shop or who contact me by phone and email are some of the nicest people I have ever met and I don't have a clue as to what most of them look like!
I have several customers who have stayed in touch with me over the years and other who are now personal friends. I have lots of repeat customers who appreciate that I remember them and know their personal tastes.
I have customers like Bill and Dee in Redding, Ca who wouldn't have it any other way than to have me stay in their "hotel motorhome" each year for the city's big bike event. There is Wally in Searcy Arkansas, Chuck in Salem Oregon, Dorathy in San Diego, California, Emilyn in Reno Nevada, Pauline in Napa California, Bonnie in Reno Nevada and many many more.
I can't forget the people who have written thanking me for having sold them evaporative cooling vests which they said truly saved their lives. Or those who thanked me for the advise I gave them on how to do things themselves. It's all very cool.
These folks have become sort of an extended family to me because we keep in touch and its not always about business. They bring to me as much joy as they say my products bring joy to them. Its a wonderful exchange.
So to say that I merely have a business would be to fall short on what it is all about for me. Its an exchange of laughter, being able to share my skills with others and the ability to touch people all over the US, Canada and other countries as well.
It's all so very awesome to me and I thank each person who has ever allowed me to sell them a product and/or make them something that they had been looking for. You guys rock!
I have several customers who have stayed in touch with me over the years and other who are now personal friends. I have lots of repeat customers who appreciate that I remember them and know their personal tastes.
I have customers like Bill and Dee in Redding, Ca who wouldn't have it any other way than to have me stay in their "hotel motorhome" each year for the city's big bike event. There is Wally in Searcy Arkansas, Chuck in Salem Oregon, Dorathy in San Diego, California, Emilyn in Reno Nevada, Pauline in Napa California, Bonnie in Reno Nevada and many many more.
I can't forget the people who have written thanking me for having sold them evaporative cooling vests which they said truly saved their lives. Or those who thanked me for the advise I gave them on how to do things themselves. It's all very cool.
These folks have become sort of an extended family to me because we keep in touch and its not always about business. They bring to me as much joy as they say my products bring joy to them. Its a wonderful exchange.
So to say that I merely have a business would be to fall short on what it is all about for me. Its an exchange of laughter, being able to share my skills with others and the ability to touch people all over the US, Canada and other countries as well.
It's all so very awesome to me and I thank each person who has ever allowed me to sell them a product and/or make them something that they had been looking for. You guys rock!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Careful, "things" can grow on leather
Leather has a mind of its own. The reason I say this is because its not at all like fabric. Leather can hold moisture which you can pick up from the air not necessarily from rain. When storing any leather garment take care to make sure that it hangs "freely" in a dry room before putting it away. By this I mean don't stick it in the closet or leave it rolled up in a saddlebag until spring. You'll know that you have a mold problem by the smell and color of the leather, it looks kind of dusty almost greenish.
Depending upon the area of the US that you live in, you need to be aware of what can happen to leather in a damp environment. Keep in mind that leather consists of fibers that have been chemically treated in order to preserve the "skin". These fibers can hold moisture and within them mold can start to grow. If left for long periods of time mold can ruin leather or leave it with a smell that you can't get rid of.
There are commercial products that will get mold off of leather or you can do it yourself. Here's how: first using a damp rag wipe the mold off of the garment, preferably outside so you don't breath the mold. Clean all areas which include both the lining and the leather itself. Frequently rinse out your cleaning rag. It does not hurt to use a mild soapy solution like Woolite or even Fiebings Saddlesoap (its the best) then wipe again with another clean rag. After wards, condition your leathers with a good quality cleaner. If using Saddlesoap you get to skip this step.
The most important part is that once you clean the garment you must let it dry thoroughly. A word to the wise: Don't let leather hang too close to a wood stop or furnace...you can fry it like bacon. It then become really ugly! Good luck and remember spring is just around the corner!
Depending upon the area of the US that you live in, you need to be aware of what can happen to leather in a damp environment. Keep in mind that leather consists of fibers that have been chemically treated in order to preserve the "skin". These fibers can hold moisture and within them mold can start to grow. If left for long periods of time mold can ruin leather or leave it with a smell that you can't get rid of.
There are commercial products that will get mold off of leather or you can do it yourself. Here's how: first using a damp rag wipe the mold off of the garment, preferably outside so you don't breath the mold. Clean all areas which include both the lining and the leather itself. Frequently rinse out your cleaning rag. It does not hurt to use a mild soapy solution like Woolite or even Fiebings Saddlesoap (its the best) then wipe again with another clean rag. After wards, condition your leathers with a good quality cleaner. If using Saddlesoap you get to skip this step.
The most important part is that once you clean the garment you must let it dry thoroughly. A word to the wise: Don't let leather hang too close to a wood stop or furnace...you can fry it like bacon. It then become really ugly! Good luck and remember spring is just around the corner!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
On another note
We often times don't stop and think about our communication skills until it's too late. Better yet we all tend to blame it on the other party who we're sure misunderstood what was being said but let's talk a minute about how much trouble we can save ourselves if we just slow down.
Bob and I made the decision to changes web host servers. EasyASP Hosting could not provide us with the ability to enlarge photos so that my customers could see the details of my work better. No problem...Bob found another host. In the meantime he asked that I relay our plans for closing our account which was to happen at the end of December. Being that EasyASP Hosting does not have a live body to speak to a very long process was initiated and every web owners nightmare occurred; my site was taken down without my permission.
I would like to blame everything on them but I can't. What transpired was that the important wording stating "Please be aware that we will be closing our account as of the end of December..." was left out of my email and only "we will pay until the end of December" was what they read. Needless to say the site was down for 3 full days and the worst part was that I have lost all of the online exposure which had me up there in the search engines.
What can you do? True if EasyASP Hosting would have real people to speak with the issue could have been resolved the same night it was taken down but when a company chooses to do away with live customer service and go to the world of long drawn out emails a lot is lost. Would I recommend this hosting company to anyone, "NO" especially if you still value the ability to speak to a real person. Onward and upward. :)
Bob and I made the decision to changes web host servers. EasyASP Hosting could not provide us with the ability to enlarge photos so that my customers could see the details of my work better. No problem...Bob found another host. In the meantime he asked that I relay our plans for closing our account which was to happen at the end of December. Being that EasyASP Hosting does not have a live body to speak to a very long process was initiated and every web owners nightmare occurred; my site was taken down without my permission.
I would like to blame everything on them but I can't. What transpired was that the important wording stating "Please be aware that we will be closing our account as of the end of December..." was left out of my email and only "we will pay until the end of December" was what they read. Needless to say the site was down for 3 full days and the worst part was that I have lost all of the online exposure which had me up there in the search engines.
What can you do? True if EasyASP Hosting would have real people to speak with the issue could have been resolved the same night it was taken down but when a company chooses to do away with live customer service and go to the world of long drawn out emails a lot is lost. Would I recommend this hosting company to anyone, "NO" especially if you still value the ability to speak to a real person. Onward and upward. :)
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