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Honda ST1300 Section => Honda ST1300 General Questions => Topic started by: CallMeSteve on February 16, 2021, 11:25:05 AM

Title: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: CallMeSteve on February 16, 2021, 11:25:05 AM

I've had a sheepy on STrudel for the last couple of years, and it's shrunk considerably since new. It's reached the point now where the elastic on both front and rear covers is very visible and doesn't wrap far enough around the edges to really stay put.  I've had some extra straps sewn to the rear cover to help keep it in place. 

This surprises me since sheep are supposedly not susceptible to shrinkage in the wild.

The bike spends most of its spare time garaged, but has been caught in the rain a few times.

What's the general experience?

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: Brock on February 16, 2021, 12:02:21 PM

Sheep skin after removal from the sheep is prone to shrinkage if wet and then dried.

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: Skip on February 16, 2021, 12:32:43 PM

Can't say mine has shrunk during the 10 years + that I have had it. Been 'drenched' a few times, and mine also lives in a shed when not in use.

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: StinkyPete on February 16, 2021, 03:22:28 PM

I had one for many years, it got wet plenty of times, and never shrank.

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: Gerard & Sandra on February 16, 2021, 04:34:08 PM

Have had a sheepskin cover on Honda 900 for most of the 25 years I owned it and held its own.
Sheepskin on both seats of current Gold Wing and not a problem. Having said that Toowoomba does not get the rain now that we used to.
Rgds
GB

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: ruSTynutz on February 16, 2021, 05:03:08 PM

I've washed my sheepskin cover a couple of times since I bought my ST in 2019. No issue whatsoever with shrinkage.
I washed it in woolwash and cold water and just dried it on the clothes line...  :thumbs

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: Williamson on February 16, 2021, 07:07:12 PM

Had a coupla Good Wool https://www.goodwool.com.au/ (https://www.goodwool.com.au/) sheep skins since around 2008, one went with a bike I sold, the other was on the Russell Day Long pillion saddle, but it now sits between the child seat for the grandkids and the centre row in the Pajero.  Use to get a bit grubby in the ST13, had a coupla washes, but nowhere as much as now, spilled drinks and food, probably eventually vomit and pee.  It'll get a few scrubs over the next few years.

Had another one, a custom made bought secondhand from someone on the Forum, Gumtree, or similar.  I think it went to STimpy or Cerebral Knievel or Duncan or Dougie (I think it changed hands at Wooli), one of them will be along soon to correct me (if need be) and provide a status report or update on the current owner.

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: Biggles on February 18, 2021, 10:56:29 AM

Yours sounds like it came from a synthetic Chinese sheep, Steve.  And you know what they're like!

Title: Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
Post by: CallMeSteve on February 18, 2021, 12:19:20 PM

I believe that if you leave a Chinese sheep out in the rain it will turn into a poodle.