I started out doing this type of work at the of 15 when I went to work for my uncle at his upholstery shop near my home. I apprenticed there by helping take apart seat mechanisms and recovering them. From there I went to work doing electric sunroofs in new dealership cars which helped me in understanding the way in which metal is shaped and formed. I later started back up in the upholstery business for my uncle and built a greater skill for sewing and pattern making which later led to me building and shaping my own seats for the motorcycles that I had acquired along the way.

I did not like anything that was out on the market and buying a seat that would fit my custom built chopper was a very unlikely success. So I learned to hand form my own seat pans and build my own seats form the ground up. I just started doing it for my self .My real passion was for airbrushing and pin striping the bikes. When I sold my first chopper to a guy here locally someone that built bikes here professionally saw the seat and wanted them made for all the shop bikes so it basically started there.

After doing the seats for a while I realized that there was a need for the pans to be made as well so I purchased the necessary equipment for forming the pans from raw materials. As far as the tooling is concerned that was something I learned from picking up some old leather working tools that I found in some of my mom and dads old junk. I started tooling any of the old scraps of leather that I could find laying around the house. I have now started working on building one off custom bikes from hand building the frame on up . My first offering in the bikes that I will be building is the Early Bird . It has the first set of leaf spring forks that I have built and they have proved to be well built. I rode them for 600 miles on the 2007 El Diablo run , and boy was it a blast . Be sure to look out for more bike builds in the future and check out my leaf spring forks that are for sale in the parts section.
I have finished the early Bird custom board track motorcycle. This bike will be offered for sale in the $50,000 range after it finishes the AMD show in Sturgis, Smoke Out East and Smoke Out West. This bike has been in Daytona bike week shows, along with the V-Twin Expo. This bike is going to be in the September issue of Iron works. This bike features many one off custom Rich Phillips parts. I started with a one off single down tube custom frame. The bike features my leaf spring forks. The leaf spring front ends are now in production. The engine is a pan head with a kick start. The air cleaner is a Goodson. The tank is a one off gas and oil combo. It has one off polished stainless steel oil cooler, battery box and exhaust pipes. It has my mid controls. I used copper hard lines and braided cloth wiring. The fender has custom one off struts. The seat is one of my new board track style seats, and it utilizes a Fox air shock suspension. This bike is a true labor of love.
I am now offering for sale several complete show bikes, custom choppers, bobbers, board track, and customized Harley soft tails. The soft tail will be for sale in the, $30,000 range. This also includes motorcycle frames that come with a, MSO Indian style leaf spring forks and front ends. The board track frames and the leaf spring forks will give your build that vintage and nostalgic appeal. I also have Springer handle bars for sale.
I am able to make just about any shape and size of custom motorcycle seat and pan. Many seats start with a conversation a custom chopper builder that wants a seat that fits the size and style of the motorcycle. Often custom art work is needed, which I am able to provide. But often I start with a stock or aftermarket seat, like Corbin, LePera, Mustang, Danny Gray, full dresser, Gold wing, Honda Yamaha, Suzuki, Triumph Norton. BMW, classic, touring or something vintage. The most common seat style I make Is the spring mounted solo seat with a matching p-pad. One of my custom or matching saddle bags are also a common purchase. Tool and saddle bags are pricey but well worth it. Next the padding requirements are addressed. One of the favorite padding options is a medical grade gel pad. Next is how the seat is upholstered. My specialty is tooled veg tanned leather, with custom art work. Like the one I did for the Biker Build-Off and Twisted Choppers. The next option would be exotics, all of which I have available, like genuine alligator, shark skin, stingray, ostrich, buffalo, kangaroo, hair on cow hide and elephant. Also available is, alligator, ostrich and elephant embossed cowhide. The next option would be how the seat is sewn. I can sew the seats with, my horse saddle, sewing machine or hand lace it with kangaroo hide lace. Seats can have embellishments like rivets, eyelets, Concho and studs. I also offer p-pads, battery covers and tank covers. Passenger pads like seat pans can be made to fit custom sizes. The veg tanned seats can be dyed many colors like saddle, light brown, red, black, antique black, black and brown combination. After the seat is dyed it is coated with, a coat of, Aussie leather conditioner. I make custom one off, one of a kind seats for Harley Davidson, Buell, Cruisers, Softail, Deuce, Dyna, Wide Glide, Low Rider, Super Glide, Road Kin, Electra Glide, Ultra Classic, Sportster, 883, 1200, 883 Hugger, Fat boy, Night Train, FXD, FXDX, FXDL, FXDXT, FXDWG, FXSTC, FXSTD, FXSTB, FXWG, FLSTF. FLSTS, FLSTC, FXSTS, FLHR, FLHRCI, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCUI, XL 1200, XL 1200S. XLH, VROD, INDIAN, BSA, whew, you name it I can cover it. In addition to a seat you can have a matching wallet, or wrist cuff made.
I also make seat mounting hardware like 4130 chrome molly seat hinges, weld on spring mounts. And coil over seat shock systems that are available in weld and bolt to the pan versions. Also seat springs in the barrel type and in the hair pin type. I also have bolt on taillight with license plate brackets, for choppers, bobbers, Harleys and custom motorcycles. I have several choices in retro and vintage taillights, like model A Ford Duo lamps, with a lenses that says stop when the brakes are applied and classic Cadillac, taillights. The stainless steel model A taillight has a light that illuminates the license plate. The license plate bracket is made by me in my shop and then I send it to be powder coated at a professional shop that coats all my powder coat work. These taillights look great on stock and custom bikes. I also have exhaust pipes that will fit most V-Twins. I also have custom Rich Phillips tee shirts for sale. I also make Wrist cuffs and wallets. If you want a quality American made part, with style and attitude, get it at Rich Phillips Cycles and Leather.

- Rich Phillip's