Dirt Bike or ATV Graphics and Seat Cover Installation on 4Strokes.com

Sooner or later the graphics on your thumper are going to start looking ratty. You have a couple options, either take your bike to a shop and pay to have them do it or save some money and do it yourself. Follow along below as we show you a basic installation of a new seat cover and tank graphics on a Honda XR400R. Other models are very similar.

Decals are pressure sensitive so make sure you press them down firmly. If decals are not completely pressed down and adhered, dirt will get underneath and they will never stick!
Do not apply graphics to a new fuel tank prior to installing it on the bike and riding a few times. Mold release residue in the pores of the tank will cause the new graphics to stick poorly. In time the gasoline vapors will help remove this mold release residue.
Install new graphics and decals under warm conditions, but don’t use a heat gun or other adhesives. Start from one end of the graphic and gradually press it into place to avoid trapping air under the decal.
Most upholstery shops will install a seat cover for a minimal charge if you're not up to the task.
Another graphics installation method: When installing new graphics, mix a solution of water and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the surface where the graphics are to be applied and the back (sticky side) of the graphics. Apply the graphics and squeegee them from the center out to remove air bubbles and water. The soapy water solution allows pre-alignment of the graphics. By MotoXsparx

1. Remove the seat from your thumper and pry the staples up with a sharp screwdriver and remove with a pair of pliers or side cutters.	2. If you're installing a matching seat cover and tank graphics, place the seat on the bike and temporarily tape the tank graphics in place. Mark where the lines run from the tank graphics to the seat cover with a pen or pencil. This will give you a reference point on where to line up the tank graphics and seat cover as you're installing them.	3. Inspect the plastic seat base for any sharp edges (typically on the bottom edges). Remove any sharp edges with a razor blade and/or fine sand paper. You can also use duct tape to cover the sharp areas. This will help protect the seat cover from tearing from the inside out.

4. An air stapler designed primarily for upholstery with ¼" staples makes the following steps a breeze! This particular air stapler was purchased from Harbor Freight Tools for just $25.	5. Fit the new seat cover over the base. Ensuring the cover is centered, tack the front and back edges down. Now heat the sides of the seat cover with a hair dryer or heat gun and pull them around the middle bend of the seat and tack both sides down.	6. Pull and tack down the rest of the front section, working your way towards the rear of the seat. Alternate from side-to-side as you tack it down. Cut the material around any bosses are infringing areas. Make "V" cuts in the corners where you end up with excess material. After completion, if there are any wrinkles left in the seat cover, remove the corresponding staples, stretch the offending areas and re-staple.

1. Start by removing the original decals from the tank and/or shrouds. A hair dryer or heat gun may help in the decal removal process.	2. Most plastic has flashing or an uneven area from the manufacturing process. You can easily remove or flatten this area out with a razor blade and/or fine sand paper. This is generally not required on shrouds.	3. Thoroughly clean the plastic with a low residue cleaner such as contact cleaner, brake cleaner or Xylene. Make sure all sticker residue is removed then wash with mild soap and water, rinse and allow to dry.

4. Temporarily tape the new graphics to the tank or shrouds. If needed, trim the graphics to allow for a better fit and/or to aid in alignment with the seat cover graphics.	5. With the new tank/shroud graphics temporarily taped, make short outline marks around the graphics in a few different locations. This will give you a guide when applying the new graphics.	6. Remove a couple inches of the protective backing towards the front of the graphics. Align the graphics with the marks you made earlier and press down.


7. Working from front to back, pull the protective backing from off and press the graphics down as you go. Work in small increments to prevent air pockets.	8. Tank graphics completely installed.	9. Completed and matched set.