Where to gte foam 'backrest' for Tillett seat

[ultramarine91]

Hi guys

I have recently bought a race spec Roadsport that I am using on the road for the moment, until I race next year. Everything is hunky dory except that after ten minutes my kidneys start tingling as the lower left side of my back is getting quite a pummelling.

The car has the tillett GRP things. Is there a recommended supplier for a lower lumbar fitting?

Help appreciated

[redboy]

ultramarine91 said:

Hi guys

I have recently bought a race spec Roadsport that I am using on the road for the moment, until I race next year. Everything is hunky dory except that after ten minutes my kidneys start tingling as the lower left side of my back is getting quite a pummelling.

The car has the tillett GRP things. Is there a recommended supplier for a lower lumbar fitting?

Help appreciated

Have not seen a lower lumbar pad.... you could try Tillet themselves? The Caterhams I have seen seem to use the quilted leather pad which covers most of the seat and is made by Oxted Trimming. Mine was about £60 + vat and postage.

[Murph7355]

Pretty sure Demon Tweeks sell this sort of thing.

Or you could use a small towel rolled up - lot of people swear by this method in plenty of cars (think Physios even suggest it).

Also, you don't carry your wallet in your right back pocket do you?

[Tango7]

There are Oxted tillet pads which are full length coverings for the centre of the seat. I think its Reverie who have a similar product but made out of several smaller pads rather than the one long one from Oxted. These are ideal for keeping your backside a bit warmer but not really for added comfort (most people, including myself, find tillets absolutely ideal for long distance travelling over the leather/cloth S types). Otherwise as Murph says use a small towel of cushion to support your lumbar region - or ask someone like Jill Judd for a more professional tailored item... to do the same job.

[gra001]

Two part expanding polyurethane foam mix and mould it exactly yourself. £24.95 from GPR.

[CanAm]

SWMBO uses a thing called a Cushtie for the small of her back in our S-type leather seats. I think it's rubbish as the standard seat is fine for me, but she swears by it. It's a very squishy bean bag type of thing, which you can buy over the Internet. We did see them for sale in a Motorway Service Station, but obviously more expensive there.

[ultramarine91]

Many thanks guys, some good suggestions here.

The guy who owned the car before me modded the seat in a way that doesn't suit my back. Will look at the foam option first for a snug fit, if no good will look at the more 'luxurious' options.

Not sure if the towel will get thru scrutineering but may be worth a punt!

[Murph7355]

ultramarine91 said:

Many thanks guys, some good suggestions here.

The guy who owned the car before me modded the seat in a way that doesn't suit my back. Will look at the foam option first for a snug fit, if no good will look at the more 'luxurious' options.

Not sure if the towel will get thru scrutineering but may be worth a punt!

If you're racing, have you considered removing the seat completely and doing a full foam seat?

[RobM77]

Most people (CC included) will reccomend a moulded seat for racing (two part foam expands to suit you), so you could just switch straight to that. I love mine, but I've never tried it on the road. It's a bit of a technique getting it right, but there are places that will do it for you (I think CC were about £200 for mine).

[ultramarine91]

I would certainly consider removing the Tillett seat and going for just foam, not sure about routing of the harness though.

I guess I wouldn't have half these questions if I had time to attend a race meeting this year (which is certainly my intention)

Is Grand Prix Racewear the best place for the foam seat kit? Don't mind giving it a go.

[RobM77]

ultramarine91 said:

I would certainly consider removing the Tillett seat and going for just foam, not sure about routing of the harness though.

I guess I wouldn't have half these questions if I had time to attend a race meeting this year (which is certainly my intention)

Is Grand Prix Racewear the best place for the foam seat kit? Don't mind giving it a go.

The two part foam can be bought anywhere, but its the technique that's the important bit! It's something that you really need to have done a few times before you can get it right. Having said that, plenty of people do improvise and work it out for themselves.

The harness routing is easy for all but the crotch strap, for which you just cut a hole in the base. The other harnesses are well clear of the edges of the seat, which will stop at your shoulders.

[gra001]

Get a strong large bin liner (you may need two taped together to make it longer)and whilst you sit on it with it in the car get somebody to pour the mix in. Make sure you move around so that it wraps around you at the back and sides and lift your bum otherwise you will have none at the bottom. After about 15-20 mins it`s done and all you need to do is trim. The shoulder straps miss the back and go over the top and the lap and crutch straps are accomodated by cutting holes in the foam. Cover with tape and away you go. All in price??....................£50 tops.

[SimonY]

(Copied from a previous post of mine)

Might as well get technical now, if you don't want the seat to shrink:

> make sure the room and the components are the right temp before you start, usually between 18-22 C
> look at the data sheet to find the correct mix - it is usually 1:1 on volume but something like 1:1.14 on weight - it is important that you get it just right
> this means adding and mixing in one pot to ensure that you don't leave anything in a pot used for measurement, weighing is easiest to get the correct measurement
> mix with a mechanical mixer, something like a drill with a paddle
> mix part A on its own before you add part B to get plenty of air into the mix (apparently this is worthwhile)

> seems to take approx 300-400g of each for the base, and 400g+ of each for the back (depending on how tall you are, I'm short)
> easier to top up than scratch foam off the inside of your car

btw attempting to do the whole lot in one go for a first attempt is a disaster waiting to happen, also if you have a lowered floor you might well need some other foam to raise yourself up a bit.

[rubystone]

How about finding your nearest Caterham race team and enlist their help? After all, they must have performed this exercise a million times and thus know all the pitfalls?

[Cuzza]

ultramarine91 said:

I guess I wouldn't have half these questions if I had time to attend a race meeting this year (which is certainly my intention)

As you live in London, take a drive down to Lydden tomorrow where the Grads are racing

Foam seats are the answer unless you just happen to be Tillet shaped.

[ultramarine91]

Thanks chaps