buckling buckets

i received my speedster bucket seats (the ones with the two verticle slots in the back) from kirk and installed them yesterday. these things are so flimsy that the backrest buckles and bends as i take corners. i also noticed that the backrest is about 6" lower than the original seat. has anyone had a similar experience with these seats?

Yes, I got replacement slot-back seats from VS and there is definitely some flex there. At first I wasn't sure if I liked that, but apparently I just got used to it and don't notice it anymore. If you find it intolerable somebody will probably want to buy yours and you can get a stiffer version from another source, I've heard Fibersteels' replacement seats are stiff, but a little more $. All the original style slot-back seats I've seen in person or in pictures are pretty low in the back.

George,

I know that it would be a shame to open up a new seat assembly, but if you're talking about the seats that are covered with vinyl on the seat and seat back and have either a separate vinyl piece or carpet glued to the rear facing part . . .

Why not remove the vinyl or carpet and add another layment of fiberglass resin and mat. Let it cure, and reassemble.

Twice as strong as the original, and no more flexing. Just be sure to clean the fiberglass surface with acetone or brake cleaner to remove all of the mold release wax. Most of these seats came apart in the hot sun because the glue was over a micro thin coating of wax, not directly on the fiberglass. One hot day, the way melted and the seats began to come apart . . . literally . . . at the seams . . .

Luck! Let me know how you make out. I can wait, no sweat, just let me know when to forget about the deal.

Take care,

TC

Excellent idea TC, I may try that later.

tc,

i'm gonna talk to kirk at v.s. first, hopefully today. i'll let you know how i make out.

geo

If you are going to add additional glass/ resin it is recommended to use 80 grit sand paper to prep the surface. Always use acetone to clean the surface prior to glassing. The acetone will remove the greases and waxes. If you wanted the side of the back supports stiffened up you can add multiple strip layers to create support ribbing. A 2" band of 6 oz glass with 8-10 layers would work. If you want to lessen the layers by half you can sandwich two layers of carbon fiber in the ribs. In a few weeks I may have some extra carbon left over for you. Vinylester resins are the premium resin of choice. Tensile strength is greater and negligible shrinkage. It's cheaper than epoxy. Another very important thing epoxy can be layered over polyester resins. Polyester cannot be layered over epoxy.
Good luck
Joe

I knew that . . .

Good tips Joe. I used epoxy resin to do some surface patching on a fiberglass boat a few years ago. With a little practice its amazingly easy stuff to use, but you can make a quickly hardening mess if you're not careful. Got to have the acetone for cleanup and surface prep. And after I got the Speedster I used epoxy with fiberglass mat to reinforce beneath a crack in a bumper. I recommend anybody not familiar with it to practice on a piece of plywood or some kind of scrap.

I knew that, too . . .

TC, I knew that you knew that...

I knew you did . . .

George

How much did you pay for these speedster bucket seats? (vinyl or leather?)

Thanks
Phil

They were $400.