TOTW Mustang Motorcycle Seat Production Build

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Kyle Bradshaw of www.CruiserCustomizing.com visits Mustang Motorcycle Seat and shows the hand made process by which every seat produced.

All Mustang seats are made by hand in the USA at the Three Rivers, MA production facility. Mustangs corporate offices are located in Terryville, CT less than an hour from the factory. Every single step in the process is carefully managed by just a few professional seat builders who have been trained in the trade of seat building. As Al (President of Mustang) said many times, “You can not hire a seat builder. They are made.”

Step 1: The Seat Pan

The process starts with a 1/2″ Fiberglass mold which is then coated with a gel coat spray and then set to the side to dry. When the gel coat has cured, the mold is sent to the chopping department where fiberglass is sprayed onto the gel coat. When the proper consistency has been achieved, the mold is taken to a bench where resin and a catalyst is rolled out, completing the fiberglass process. Before the fiberglass has a chance to dry fully the mold is taken to the cutter, who trims down the edges and makes the pan workable. After the seat hardens, the very rudimentary fiberglass seat pan is separated from the mold.

Step 2: The Finishing Department

Once the seat pan as been made it is taken to the finishing department where the flashing is sanded off, rivet holes drilled, automotive edge guard installed and brackets are attached. The edge trim is a very important component which provides a soft edge for the cover to stretch around. This prevents tears of the cover from hard and sharp fiberglass edges.

Step 3: Foam

Mustang uses their own proprietary blend of chemicals to produce their liquid foam in house which then rises and becomes the perfect balance of squishiness and support for the perfect motorcycle seat! As a general rule, the foam rises in about fifteen seconds to fill the mold and is ready to be released and handled in as little as ten minutes.

Step 4: Trimming

After the foam has cured, it is then moved to the cut and trim department. Every seat is hand trimmed for the perfect shape!

Step 5: Seat Cover

All seat covers are cut by a really neat Vector machine which strategically nests all panels so as to minimize waste. This machine works quickly and products perfectly cut material. If stud and conches are needed, the studs are hand attached and the conches are hand tied before the panels are sent to the sewing department. Sewing is all done by hand and these seamstresses are amazing! Every seam has been stitched twice! Once to connect the two pieces, and then the top stitch which provides strength. Once the cover is finished, it is sent to assembly.

Step 6: Assembly

The seat pan, foam, and cover all are all brought together for final assembly. In this stage, the operator glues the foam to the seat pan using a water based glue. He/she then centers the cover on the seat and begins the cover attachment process. In my opinion, this was the most tedious section of the entire build. This is the step that must be perfect!

Step 7: Final Inspection

When the seat has been completed it is sent to Final Inspection. Here the seat is carefully looked over. The inspector checks to see if the nose is straight, seems are correct, and if the cover is centered. I missed a rivet … and she had to correct my mistake… OOPS! But then again, that is what the inspector is there for! After fixing any imperfections, he/she gives the seat a serial number, a warranty label, attaches installation instructions, and then sends the seat down the conveyer to shipping.

Step 8: Shipping

As the seat reaches shipping, it is handled by Mustang for the last time. The seat is bagged, tied, boxed, and then set aside for the carrier.

MUSTANG SEATS are truly hand made seats made right here in the USA. Every seat is physically touched no less than ten peoples who collectively put in more than 5 man hours to create even the simplest seats! After looking at the heart, time, effort, and materials that go into Mustang Seats, it is no wonder Mustang totes themselves as “The worlds most comfortable motorcycle seat!”

We hope you have enjoyed this Mustang Motorcycle Seat Tip of the Week.

Until Next Week,

Take care & Ride safe!

Kyle

Duration : 0:8:39

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