I'm installing a new seat cover on a stock plastic pan.  has anyone done this and what kind of stapler did you use?  I have the usual manual shop stapler, but it does not seem strong enough to fire the staple all the way home.  I'm thinking about getting an electric one, but wanted to know if anyone else had experience with it.  thx!

I've tried both the manual and electric, but neither was capable of driving the staples all the way into the plastic.  Once I used needle nose pliers to get them the rest of the way in and another time I used small sheet metal screws.

Next time i need to do this I will use a pneumatic stapler. Like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Surebonder-9600AK-Pneumatic-Standard-Stapler/dp/B00PK1BMR4/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAiA1L_xBRA2EiwAgcLKA5TFjffqy3WK5yLSzbYEyd5tx8c1lMJtEc-x_uANfUChTDOQgTlqixoC8u8QAvD_BwE&hvadid=409931315412&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028883&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16152177154195197566&hvtargid=kwd-899967739&hydadcr=1638_11256579&keywords=upholstery%2Bstaple%2Bgun&qid=1580244391&sr=8-5&th=1

Btw, where did you get the seat cover. I am ashamed of the hacked up job I did on my seat. I have a guy wanting $150 to fix it.

It's been a while but I believe I used a manual carpet stable gun.

Manual and electric staple guns are not man enough. Pneumatic is the only way to get the staples fully into the plastic seat base.
Sometimes you can use a manual/electric to place them, and then manually hammer the staples home, but it's hard work and you will end up bending the staples more often than not.

Btw, where did you get the seat cover. I am ashamed of the hacked up job I did on my seat. I have a guy wanting $150 to fix it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-ZG1000-Concours-1994-2006-Custom-Hand-Made-Motorcycle-Seat-Cover/222229498729?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

thanks for the input everyone.  seems y'all are thinking along the same lines I was.

I suggest you use the shortest staples possible.
  Shorter are take less force to drive into the plastic, less likely to bend, and the sharp end doesn't go thru the plastic into the seat cover and yer leg/ butt.. 

Ride safe, Ted

the pneumatic stapler worked like a charm.  generally used 1/4 inch staples, but used a few 3/8s for some of the thicker folds.

The pic is of the seat I ordered in the link above.  for a cheap OEM replacement, it's a fine alternative.  the guy sewed in some additional padding. so it softer to sit on.  That may be counter to a good seat though as firm usually does better for long hauls.  YMMV

Dave, you know that I really hate to admit that you did something right.
But,, "that looks good"!   

Ride safe, Ted

Dave, you know that I really hate to admit that you did something right.
But,, "that looks good"!   

Ride safe, Ted

 

That looks very much like the seat cover I ordered.
You got that on ebay right?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-ZG1000-Concours-1994-2006-Custom-Hand-Made-Motorcycle-Seat-Cover/222229498729?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I haven't got mine yet. My seat has been cut off about the same as yours. I am hoping I can add something to it so it is a little longer.

Yours is looking really nice. Excellent job in stapling  it down.  I guess I have an excuse for a pneumatic stapler now....!

BTW, that little Flash Gordon thing behind your seat. Did you make that? how is is constructed?

BTW, that little Flash Gordon thing behind your seat. Did you make that? how is is constructed?

if you are referring to the cowl on the back, yes, that's custom.  we cut the front and rear semi-circular panels first and got the angle I wanted.  then we just cut some flat steel and wrapped it over and tacked it in.  then a bit of grinding to clean up the corners.  it still needs finish welding and work to make it "perfect".  I just threw this paint on it rather than leaving it in primer.  prior to that, we built the base frame.  picture here.

I have a Porter-Cable pneumatic and it will staple anything to anything.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-Pneumatic-18-Gauge-3-8-in-Crown-Stapler-TS056/204460975

Yep, same issue for me with the manual gun, not enough power to penetrate the plastic. For those who used the pneumatic staple guns, what was your operating psi? Someone mentioned that you do not want it too much power either.

Thanks

deuce

I have a relatively small HF compressor.  no idea how accurate the gauges are.  I had mine at about 80 and there were very few staples that didn't seat well.

I cheated. I bought the seat cover on Ebay and took it to an upholstery shop and let them put it on for me.  They also smoothed out the rough foam the previous owner used a kitchen knife on.

I cheated. I bought the seat cover on Ebay and took it to an upholstery shop and let them put it on for me.  They also smoothed out the rough foam the previous owner used a kitchen knife on.

Yeah, but I have the luxury of knowing mine looks home made.   

I bought a Sargent brand OEM style cover a few years back and put it on with a manual stapler using 1/4" staples.  I might have used a few 3/8" or 5/16" staples here and there.  I did use a small finish hammer on a few staples to sink them good.  I also used a hefty bag to cover the seat foam first.  Otherwise, it worked fine and nothing has popped up.  Been doing it this way since motocross bikes in the 70's.