What is the best seat cover for a K0?

[Clark]

Hi All,

One of the things I like aesthetically about the KO is the look of the seat, the way it arches over the back.

It seems there are a lot of seat covers on the market. Many are displayed in crumpled heap spread out flat on a table. I'm sure many (if not all) are from China and will have a shorter life span than the original. I have read a lot of old posts on seat restoration on this forum, but I didn't find an answer to the question: "which cover was made accurately and well?".

This is DRATV: http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...2002_134362079

Classic Honda Parts (most expensive) claims:

Seat Cover with Ironed Seams, just like the original. DO NOT BE FOOLED, THIS IS THE ONLY CORRECT COVER OUT THERE, WITH GAP IN THE PLEATS AT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TOP SECTION !!!This cover is as close to the original as you can get, absolutely beautiful.. Comes silk-screened with the Honda Logo.You will not be disappointed. If you are doing a full restoration, this is the cover you need *
http://www.hondaminitrail.com/gifs/70SEATCOVER.jpg
http://www.hondaminitrail.com/gifs/70KOSEATCOVER1.jpg

Then there's ebay.....

Does anyone have an opinion on the best?

Thanks,

Clark

[racerx]

At this level of restoration, the words "Chinese parts" shouldn't be part of your lexicon. I don't recall that last time CHP actually had a K0 seat, or cover, to sell. These were made domestically, at least at one time. The quality & detail was there, fitment was a beeee-otch to say the least.

The major "hit" came about 2-1/2 years ago when supplies of the orginal stamped vinyl dried-up. The seam spacing was unique. That's when K0 covers became a hot commodity.

You might do okay with an ebay seller, but it's a crapshoot. CHP's supplier used to sell them there for $80 a pop, quite reasonable for a quality cover. There's also a Canadian vendor who's been around for quite a while, but I've never seen the product in-person. I've seen some others and while the construction/materials used were okay, the covers just plain did not fit.

I've had the best luck with NEVC. They actually offer some choices. The lower-priced covers have been very good, lacking only the underseat detail where the vinyl goes over the retaining barbs...and you won't see it once it's on the bike. They also import a small quantity of top-quality seats & covers for perfectionist restorers. These are hard to get and expensive but, if you're looking for concours-perfection is an extra C-note really going to stop you?

[Bugandi]

I got a seat cover from an ebay seller by the name of SCISEATCOVERS. I was very happy with it. Was it exactly like oem, I don't know for sure. It did fit well. It came with some extra padding to go over the seat foam to "smooth" out some rough spots that had a little too much exposure to the elements and had started breaking down. And in the end, I thought it looked excellent.

[redrider37]

Classic honda is the most correct ko cover i have found and is very well made. Most the other ones have 12 pleats instead of 10 and it just doesn't look right imo.

[dennis d]

NEVC can have their local upholstery shop make one for you which is pretty nice or you may try a local in your area.I have bought one from CHP also and they're ok,but what i don't like is the top of the seat should be flat whereas theirs has humps between the seams.

[mrichard]

NEVC also has imported one from "Down under" that Beth says are excellent. I have not seen one but it might be worth a phone call.

Mike