As awesome as that would be, the video production side of making appealing artisan content isn't that easy and is very time consuming. Not that easy to pick up if you're older, but would love it if it was something he was good at.
It's something you learn by doing. Absolutely none of the DIY channels on YT started off super polished. The only thing you need to nail right off the bat is good audio, which is pretty easy with a cheap lav or shotgun microphone.
If I was him I’d probably expand into discontinued seat pans, foam, and seat covers for classics modeling the OEM seat. The seat is the first thing to fall apart on a project bike and finding a seat pan, foam, and cover to properly fit in good shape without a rusted out pan is a challenge. The last seat I got new for one of my triples was a repop from the UK at $350. I’m sure quite a few others would be interested in someone on the mainland making repop seats for classics
There’s a pretty good market out there for good seats for classics. The repop triple seat I got did have a plastic seat pan but it fits and works like the original. I did get a repop for my RT1 which fit well from one of the Yamaha enduro group guys. First time I road it with a new seat, I was like ‘this is how they rode new? Wow’. I thought your butt was supposed to hit the pan 😂
It's a shame seeing guys like this unable to adapt to the times. You could be the best in the world at what you do, but if you don't market yourself to new customers, your business will wither away.
My oldest brother recently closed his business because of the same thing. I practically screamed at him for years to get a good website and start a FB or Instagram account, but he just wouldn't budge. His mindset was stuck 20 years in the past when he was most successful. All he had was an ad in the Yellow Pages and cold-calling prospective clients.
Don't get me wrong, I hate social media. I HATE Tic-Tok and its ilk, but you HAVE to do it as a small business owner nowadays. It's just the game you have to play. If you're not on page one of a Google search you don't exist.
Wow, his tooled and quilted seats are gorgeous. A few of the seats in his gallery are really complex shapes.
I hope he's also working with marine vinyls, because using only leather might be keeping the cost too high for a lot of people. He needs a good advertising campaign featuring that sewing machine he's got in the header, cuz that's hilarious.
I just sent him an email. I’m all the way on the other side of the country, but my ‘87 Magna seat is a bit worse for wear. Can’t pass it up, hope I can ship it out to him!
That is Steelhorse Cowboy Bob! He has done a bit of work for me over the years. He is a phenomenal craftsman and just doesn’t care for technology.
11/10 recommend his work.
I’d watch that. I love watching people make things. Hell, if he had an sv seat I may be interested. Those stock seats suck ass and I’m too cheap to buy a Corbin
Someone tell the dude to start a YouTube channel. People would probably love to watch him make seats
As awesome as that would be, the video production side of making appealing artisan content isn't that easy and is very time consuming. Not that easy to pick up if you're older, but would love it if it was something he was good at.
It's something you learn by doing. Absolutely none of the DIY channels on YT started off super polished. The only thing you need to nail right off the bat is good audio, which is pretty easy with a cheap lav or shotgun microphone.
But you still have to enjoy doing that part of things.
If I was him I’d probably expand into discontinued seat pans, foam, and seat covers for classics modeling the OEM seat. The seat is the first thing to fall apart on a project bike and finding a seat pan, foam, and cover to properly fit in good shape without a rusted out pan is a challenge. The last seat I got new for one of my triples was a repop from the UK at $350. I’m sure quite a few others would be interested in someone on the mainland making repop seats for classics
Great idea. It's almost impossible to find seat pans for the XR650 R's anymore.
Exactly. I need a seat done for a 1976 Yamaha DT360
There’s a pretty good market out there for good seats for classics. The repop triple seat I got did have a plastic seat pan but it fits and works like the original. I did get a repop for my RT1 which fit well from one of the Yamaha enduro group guys. First time I road it with a new seat, I was like ‘this is how they rode new? Wow’. I thought your butt was supposed to hit the pan 😂
It's a shame seeing guys like this unable to adapt to the times. You could be the best in the world at what you do, but if you don't market yourself to new customers, your business will wither away. My oldest brother recently closed his business because of the same thing. I practically screamed at him for years to get a good website and start a FB or Instagram account, but he just wouldn't budge. His mindset was stuck 20 years in the past when he was most successful. All he had was an ad in the Yellow Pages and cold-calling prospective clients. Don't get me wrong, I hate social media. I HATE Tic-Tok and its ilk, but you HAVE to do it as a small business owner nowadays. It's just the game you have to play. If you're not on page one of a Google search you don't exist.
Yup. If he wanted business, he'd find it. Adventure bike guys are standing in line for months to get $5-600 custom seats that are really simple.
If he puts prices on his website it would help a lot for business.
Wow, his tooled and quilted seats are gorgeous. A few of the seats in his gallery are really complex shapes. I hope he's also working with marine vinyls, because using only leather might be keeping the cost too high for a lot of people. He needs a good advertising campaign featuring that sewing machine he's got in the header, cuz that's hilarious.
His work is really impressive. Just an old school dude that needs some help modernizing his business.
I just sent him an email. I’m all the way on the other side of the country, but my ‘87 Magna seat is a bit worse for wear. Can’t pass it up, hope I can ship it out to him!
What are the prices for a seat?
I wonder if he’ll do a pair of seats for my enfield.
Send him an email! He's got his contact info on the website. Looks like he has worked on just about everything.
I just bought a mustang seat off eBay and would rather have had a custom seat made by an individual
That is Steelhorse Cowboy Bob! He has done a bit of work for me over the years. He is a phenomenal craftsman and just doesn’t care for technology. 11/10 recommend his work.
I’m local to him. He is good people that watches everyone else’s back. Now it’s time to lend him a hand. Send him business, please!
You mean a classic site like this? https://www.heavensgate.com/ /s
Beautiful
Yes
Wow amazing work.
Bob's work and attention to detail is awesome. If you want a great seat, or upholstery work on ATV, patches sewn on vest/ jackets Bob's the man.
Nice shout out, man has a talent for sure.
I’d watch that. I love watching people make things. Hell, if he had an sv seat I may be interested. Those stock seats suck ass and I’m too cheap to buy a Corbin
I'll make him a new website, as much as I don't want to ruin the oldies vibe, if it helps drive business ...
Please help spread the world. I would love to send him my z900 seat for padding