Seat Question?

[Krooozn]

I am trying to go for an entirely custom look on my GS450/L...my plans are to change out the shocks in order to lower the tail of the bike about 2" to give the bike more of a raked out look....and I want to customize the seat. It is so big and thick, I am wanting to keep the shape of the seat, but trim down the thickness of the foam to something that would give the bike a more sleek appearance. So I am in hopes that maybe someone here has done that type of seat mod and can offer me some guidance on just what I will need to do in order to accomplish what I want.....I have this picture in my head of this totally awesome "Rat Bike".....I am a huge fan of "Rat Fink" and plan on reflecting that in my bike design...

Thanx so much....Anita

[nvr2old]

I thought the same about the seat on mine. Just too tall and too fat. I used an electric carving knife and removed two inches off the bottom of the foam, and an inch off the front to flow into the tank better. Beware, though, because as you remove from the bottom, the foam starts gets narrower. Keep checking it on the seat pan as you go. I think it looks better and it's still very comfortable.

[gsgeezer]

For sixty bucks, I took mine to an auto upholstery shop and they cut down the foam and recovered it to my specs.

[Krooozn]

Would it make any difference if I cut mine from the top, that way I would be better able to keep the seat pan width as I need it? I have thought about taking it to a professional for the remake but figured maybe I should give it a try first...I really think I can do what I want done and get the results that I am looking for...and if not I guess I can always take it in and have someone who knows what they are doing remake the seat for me....just a thought.....are you using the original seat cover on your seat or are you going to have to make something yourself? I am in hopes of using the original cover as it is in fairly good shape, no rips or tears, just a little faded and dirty.....

Thanx...Anita

[gsgeezer]

You can reuse your cover, but if you change the profile of the seat much, I don't know how it will fit. My original seat was shaped like a flat slab and now it isn't shaped like that, so I have a new cover. The sixty bucks included the cover, and they cut down the foam to the shape I wanted. If you go with new foam, or gel inserts, of course it costs more!

link to a DIY seat rehab webpage. http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/modify.htm

[nvr2old]

Would it make any difference if I cut mine from the top, that way I would be better able to keep the seat pan width as I need it? I have thought about taking it to a professional for the remake but figured maybe I should give it a try first...I really think I can do what I want done and get the results that I am looking for...and if not I guess I can always take it in and have someone who knows what they are doing remake the seat for me....just a thought.....are you using the original seat cover on your seat or are you going to have to make something yourself? I am in hopes of using the original cover as it is in fairly good shape, no rips or tears, just a little faded and dirty.....

Thanx...Anita

The only reason I went with cutting the bottom off mine was to save how smooth the factory foam is on the top. I've cut away the top, too, but it's more difficult. Upholsterers can smooth it out by applying a thin piece of foam over what you've cut away, and I've had pretty good success with that method. It just costs a little more. If you change the shape at all, chances are you won't be able to use the old seat cover. It just won't go to the shape you've changed it to very well. If you can get it done for less than $100 that's a rippin' deal. My seats have always cost between $150-$200, but they look great when done by a pro. The seat is one of the most important elements on any bike. A badly done seat sticks out like a sore thumb, no matter how nice the rest of the bike might look.