Author Topic: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?  (Read 1295 times)

Offline CallMeSteve

  • Steve, Ruth and STrudel
  • Legendary Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 828
  • Thanked: 470 times
  • Eatons Hill, Brisbane.
Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« 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?
A man rides on his STeed, says “Why am I short of attention? Got a short little span of attention”.

You can call me Steve, with apologies to Paul Simon.

 :wht13

current:
ST1300 2014 Police

pre-kids:
CX500
CB900
CB400NB
CB350
1964 Yamaha YG-1 80cc

IBA #76608,  FR #1170
 

Online Brock

  • Tardis Tech
  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 8713
  • Thanked: 1692 times
  • White is the fastest
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2021, 12:02:21 PM »
Sheep skin after removal from the sheep is prone to shrinkage if wet and then dried.
Brock
Asian Correspondent
2003 Honda ST1100PY



Ulysses #32829
STOC #8239
OzSToc # ??
Kinross WA
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Offline Skip

  • Legendary "1000 Club" Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1237
  • Thanked: 247 times
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #2 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.
'15 BMW R1200RS
Getting wind in my hair while I still have some.
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Offline StinkyPete

  • Defected to a BMW
  • NR2016 Group
  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6533
  • Thanked: 2946 times
  • Blackwood, SA
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2021, 03:22:28 PM »
I had one for many years, it got wet plenty of times, and never shrank.
IBA #59146   OzLapper 2012 & 2019

Yamaha XS650  (The Black Wobbler)
Yamaha XJR1300 (Rocket Ship)
Honda ST1300 (Beautiful Bike)
BMW R1200RT (Technically Perfect)
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Online Gerard & Sandra

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 383
  • Thanked: 168 times
  • Mt Rascal Qld 4350
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #4 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
07 Honda Goldwing
03 Honda ST1300
87 Honda CBR1000F
81 Honda F2C 900
78 Honda K750
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4430
  • Thanked: 2791 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #5 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


2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Online Williamson

  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5062
  • Thanked: 2200 times
  • ST Legend
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2021, 07:07:12 PM »
Had a coupla Good Wool 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.

Cheers,  Williamson (AKA Michael)

Motorcycling, the best time you can have with your pants on.
eBiking, the second best time you can have with your pants on
Afterlife, up there for the climate, down there for the company.
If I'd known I was gunna live this long, I woulda looked after myself better
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Offline Biggles

  • NatRally 2018 - Mackay
  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *
  • Posts: 14026
  • Thanked: 2473 times
  • Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #7 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!
For the modern man who lives in the city, riding a bike might be one of the only ways to escape the humdrum monotony. To take off and ride. To be both at one with nature and one with the bike. To feel masculine. Adam Piggott

OzSTOC #16  STOC #6135  FarR #509  IBA #54927
 
The following users thanked this post: CallMeSteve

Offline CallMeSteve

  • Steve, Ruth and STrudel
  • Legendary Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 828
  • Thanked: 470 times
  • Eatons Hill, Brisbane.
Re: Should sheepskin seat covers shrink over time?
« Reply #8 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.
A man rides on his STeed, says “Why am I short of attention? Got a short little span of attention”.

You can call me Steve, with apologies to Paul Simon.

 :wht13

current:
ST1300 2014 Police

pre-kids:
CX500
CB900
CB400NB
CB350
1964 Yamaha YG-1 80cc

IBA #76608,  FR #1170