P-38 seat ties.

In a message dated 6/20/08 12:03:08 PM, Scott Yoho writes in part:

> 
> Under the seat fabric I added a grommeted "underseat" made of Phifertex fab=
> ric<http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/poweron/Detail?no=3D82> which presuma=
> bly doesn't stretch when wet). In addition to keeping the seat from getting=
> close to the wheel this also acts as a protective barrier if the seat and =
> tire do meet (the underseat will rub on the tire first). I've also replaced=
> the cording with zip ties through the grommets in both the P38 seat and th=
> e underseat.
> 
> Early results are very positive - I've ridden in the rain multiple times wi=
> thout any hint of a problem, and I had problems every time it rained before=
> .
> 
> The new problem is that some of the zip ties seem to work loose after a few=
> rides. Maybe I used the wrong ties? Mine are the "Commercial Electric" bra=
> nd, distributed by Home Depot. I seriously doubt that I've applied them bac=
> kwards as they only seem to catch one way. 
> 
My answer to problems I have had with my P-38 seat lacing is to use a couple 
of wraps of Spectra cord from the mountaineering store REI to brace the seat 
at the lumbar support reflex curve. This stretches less than the nylon cord, 
and I suspect it will also do so for the nylon zip ties you are using.

 Plus I find that it saves the cord and the eyelets from ripping out over 
time in that region. I use the cord that is about 6mm in diameter and do a cats 
cradle pattern. For rain I fashioned my own mud guards out of high density 
black polyethylene sheeting.