shaving the seat

[Anonymous]

When shaving the seat, do you just carve off some of the top padding of the seat? Thanks.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab If you are shaving the stock foam, which is usually pretty soft, you may want to add back some better foam. Here is a popular one:

Foam from REI.com (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000& productId=311&parent_category_rn=4500448)

The stiffer foam gives better support. So you would cutout an extra 1/2 to 3/4 inches of your original foam, and then add this foam back and glue it in place. You can get contact spray glue for this. If all you do is carve the original foam, it is usually so soft that you will sink through it to the pan in a short while and that can cause some serious discomfort.

Adios,

[John Bennett]

Where I work we have a shop that uses foam to build custom seating systems for people who sit in wheelchairs all day, every day.

Our shop uses electric knives and hand sanders to shape the foam.

I've watched them do it and it works well.

[Bill Martin]

When you shave out the existing foam you may want to replace it with some gel. This is essentially non compressible so you can shave more than you had originally planned then replace some of that space with the gel. That way you can lower / alter the saddle but not have to worry about having a seat that would compress and leave you sitting on the pan or suffer from reduced shock absorbtion. Check with Darren Fraysur of Cy-Fair upholstery (281 - 955 - 9977). He may order for you>

[Yokee]

Has anybody tried Memory Foam (Viscoelastic Foam)?
I'm thinking about using memory foam from a pillow to replace the foam in my zx6r.
Any feedback will be appreciated.

[Photojojo]

The REI link was no good. Any other suppliers?

[Yokee]

Maybe this:
CLICK HERE For another REI link (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=311&parent_category_rn=40004200)

This is what I am getting:
Memory Foam (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1400539)

[gocatgo]

The guy who customizes all my seats builds up the foam combination I want, then puts a very thin layer of memory foam, the kind that lines football helmets, over the top, glueing it (spray glue) into place. That makes for a smooth and even seat. No matter how careful you are with carving and sanding foam, the surface will always have imperfections in it, and the foam cells will be opened up so glue won't stick good to it. Then you can spray glue whatever fabric you're using (leather, or heaven forbid, vinyl!) and it will secure itself firmly to the foam. Then staple the fabric onto the seatpan as normal, STRETCHING it out nicely. :mrgreen:

[bluedogok]

I think memory foam might make a nice topping but you would need a firmer foam for the base becuase if it is anything like the memory foam pillow that I have it wouldn't be long before you pelvic bones are riding on the pan. The MF as a topping (like gocatgo stated) would give a soft and smoothing touch to the seat.

[fallendown]

I put a block of closed cellular foam in the seat of my klr, it helped quite a bit, I then used a thin layer of roll out foam, like you use for tool box liner drawers, to give it a smooth appearence before putting the cover back on. The block I used was easily found at any hardware-gardening store, it started off life as a gardener's kneepad. Much better. I wanted to make the seat wider, to eliminate "pressure spots" but I am not that talented, so now I am concentrating on making "ME" narrower....

[FotoMoto]

Maybe this:
CLICK HERE For another REI link (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=311&parent_category_rn=40004200)

This is what I am getting:
Memory Foam (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1400539)

Another GREAT one is Sargent seats. Yup, they don't really advertise it, it's buried in the website and I mean buried, but you can buy blank foam from them too.

I basically followed tourmeisters method when I did mine as I wasn't trying to shorten the seat just improve it. Best bang for the buck I've done in a long time. I used an electric carving knife, 250 grit sandpaper and a heavy duty staple gun to reattach the cover. I want to try the homemade lexan shieled tip next!

[gocatgo]

Definetly a firmer foam (however firm you want it) than memory foam for the base! Then the thin memory foam layer over the top.

[Yokee]

Thanks everybody for all the feedback and advice.

I got a spare seat from ebay and a memory foam pillow from Walmart.
I only need to get the firm foam and will be ready to start working on my seat :)

I will post updates (and pics) of my project.

Erwin

[Tourmeister]

Somewhere I posted a thread with pics of my seat makeover on the GS. Should pop up with a bit of searching.

[Yokee]

Somewhere I posted a thread with pics of my seat makeover on the GS. Should pop up with a bit of searching.
Thanks, I'll find it :thumb:

[JR]

Jason H.

I've made "ME" narrower and my ST1300 seat both LOWER and WIDER. If you want to know the "trix" of the trade in doing this, e-mail: grumpy@eastex.net

Grumpy old JR
STOC 394
03ST1300ABS
Lake Livingston, TX

[Yokee]

Finally got the time,
and materials to
start shaving
my seat :clap:
.
.
.
.

Here,
a pic
before I started
:loco:

.
.
.
.

http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving01-fw.jpg

[cannondale]

Finally got the time,
and materials to
start shaving
my seat :clap:
.
.
.
.

Here,
a pic
before I started
:loco:

.
.
.
.

http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving01-fw.jpg



:rofl:

[Paoli Veloce]

Can someone recommend a competent upholsterer in the DFW area who can modify a motorcycle seat? I want to remove about 1", or so, thickness from a seat. Might need to go with a slightly denser foam to make up for the reduced thickness, so I may need help with selection from someone who knows their stuff.
Theresa, who's your guy, if I may ask?

Thanks,
Paul b.

[Yokee]

Seriously now
some pics of the materials and process
:giveup:

The spare seat and a memory foam pillow:
http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving06-fw.jpg

http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving05-fw.jpg
The staples:
http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving04-fw.jpg
I didn't remove the cover completely for easier re-asamble.
http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving03-fw.jpg

http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving02-fw.jpg
This is the last picture I took, but I removed the foam up to the middle of the two dark circles, and replaced it with pieces from the memory foam pillow.
http://www.houstonbikers.com/yokee/images/funny/shaving/shaving08-fw.jpg
It didn't lower my seat as much as I espected but is softer though :-P

[Sleepy Weasel]

Can someone recommend a competent upholsterer in the DFW area who can modify a motorcycle seat? I want to remove about 1", or so, thickness from a seat. Might need to go with a slightly denser foam to make up for the reduced thickness, so I may need help with selection from someone who knows their stuff.
Theresa, who's your guy, if I may ask?

Thanks,
Paul b.


Cash Upholstery in Carrollton (972-245-5744) added a gel pad to my DRZ seat. I went to them after a recommendation from a rider on the TXSV forum.

[SigepKat]

I need a good upholterer (sp?) in austin. My seat really needs to be recovered.

[gocatgo]

Hey Jing,the guy who has customized my seats is Carman Allen. He is in west Fort Worth. Give him a call at (817) 367-7976. Website is carmanallen.com which has some pictures. He's done four of my seats now, and if I wasn't 110% happy with it he always made it right. He loves doing motorcycle seats, but gets busy making custom boot orders so sometimes it takes him a little time to get to a seat. But worth the wait. He is a perfectionist, though - he drives me crazy! :lol2:
As far as customizing the leather cover (he doesn't do vinyl) if you can dream it he can make it. The firmness of the seat is made-to-order and is custom shaped to your very own tush.

[Paoli Veloce]

Thanks, Theresa & SW,
I was working on the idea of reducing the seat height on a Triumph Tiger.
I can just get my tip-toes down and I'd like to be able to balance on the balls of my feet. Looks like I need to lower about 2 inches. I was hoping to cut about 1-1.5 inches out of the seat, raising the forks about 1/2 inch or so, and backing off the preload in back. (I didn't want to use a shorter shock or change the link). The dealer (RPM) didn't think I could lower the bike that much. I'll email Carman, he may have already modified a Tiger seat, and can give me some guidance.

Paul b.

[TexasShadow]

Hey Jing,the guy who has customized my seats is Carman Allen. He is in west Fort Worth. Give him a call at (817) 367-7976. Website is carmanallen.com which has some pictures. He's done four of my seats now, and if I wasn't 110% happy with it he always made it right. He loves doing motorcycle seats, but gets busy making custom boot orders so sometimes it takes him a little time to get to a seat. But worth the wait. He is a perfectionist, though - he drives me crazy! :lol2:
As far as customizing the leather cover (he doesn't do vinyl) if you can dream it he can make it. The firmness of the seat is made-to-order and is custom shaped to your very own tush.Doesn't do vinyl? How much does *that* cost? :)

[TexasShadow]

Thanks, Theresa & SW,
I was working on the idea of reducing the seat height on a Triumph Tiger.
I can just get my tip-toes down and I'd like to be able to balance on the balls of my feet. Looks like I need to lower about 2 inches. I was hoping to cut about 1-1.5 inches out of the seat, raising the forks about 1/2 inch or so, and backing off the preload in back. (I didn't want to use a shorter shock or change the link). The dealer (RPM) didn't think I could lower the bike that much. I'll email Carman.Let us (or me) know what you learn after talking to him.

My case: new Whee-strom (DL650) and I'm vertically challenged (29" inseam) and a light weight (126 dripping wet).
Plan to lower seat and narrow nose. Then lower chassis with links and raise forks 3/4". When I get the hard cases mounted on, I *hope* to be able to nearly flat foot the ground, or at least have balls of feet solidly on ground.

Right now I would like to find a local..... a Texas-anywhere source for a ride-in. I'm tired of chasing down the other custom guys in CA and WA. I want to ride my bike!!

[gocatgo]

Hey, TexasShadow,
Carman doesn't do vinyl, he is a bootmaker and saddlemaker by trade - I don't think he'd waste his time on vinyl. I've spent anywhere from around $250 (for a fairly plain dual-sport seat) to $1200 (for a super-duper deluxe saddle leather tooled and braided fancy cruiser seat, pillon and backrest). I think an average price for an average fairly plain leather seat is around $400, molded to your specifications and your choice of cushness. Mine are always cut down far because I too am inseam challenged! It's surprising how much closer to the ground you can get just by having the seat done, you may not even have to change the bike's suspension.
Hope that helps. :rider:

[Paoli Veloce]

Well, I kinda solved my problem a different way. I bought a Ducati Multistrada 620 and don't have a seat problem or a reaching-the-ground problem with it.
Sorry I won't be any help re: Carman.
Paul b.

[TexasShadow]

Mine are always cut down far because I too am inseam challenged! It's surprising how much closer to the ground you can get just by having the seat done, you may not even have to change the bike's suspension.
Hope that helps. :rider: I'm hoping so. I removed the rubber bumpers from the pan this evening, sat on it and can almost plant the balls of my feet on the ground.

I called the shop in Carrollton and they may be able to do what I need. I have to make an appointment and take the bike in for the day. I'm hoping that will do the trick. If not, depending on how much further the seat takes me, there are three different length links available for the DL650. The rate of lowering ranging from 3/4" to 1 1/8".

[gocatgo]

The seat for my FZ-6 is cut very close to the seat pan, so it has firm foam (read: hard) so I don't feel the plastic of the pan. The only real problem I have found with that, besides not being cush, is that I feel more heat, especially since it has an underseat exhaust. The other seats (a Connie and DR650) have medium soft foam and are thicker. Make sure the shop that's doing the work for you selects the foam and other materials to meet what you want. Carman also glues a very thin layer of memory foam over the foam when he's finished shaping it to make a smooth surface for the leather to be stretched over. It makes for a nice finish.

[TexasShadow]

Well, I kinda solved my problem a different way. I bought a Ducati Multistrada 620 and don't have a seat problem or a reaching-the-ground problem with it.
Paul b. {insert music from Twighlight Zone} I just heard from an old friend last night, lives in Garland, she just bought a Ducati Multistrada 620.....

She and several of us are meeting at Wilhoite's in Grapevine next Sat. Join us?

[TexasShadow]

The seat for my FZ-6 is cut very close to the seat pan, so it has firm foam (read: hard) so I don't feel the plastic of the pan. The only real problem I have found with that, besides not being cush, is that I feel more heat, especially since it has an underseat exhaust. The other seats (a Connie and DR650) have medium soft foam and are thicker. Make sure the shop that's doing the work for you selects the foam and other materials to meet what you want. Carman also glues a very thin layer of memory foam over the foam when he's finished shaping it to make a smooth surface for the leather to be stretched over. It makes for a nice finish.I'll see what Cash Up. can do. There's not much foam on the stock seat nose. However, I would like to put on a sheepskin pad for the trip around the country. They are wonderful, no matter what the temp, and cushy for the butt/groin. So perhaps I can get away with shaving it down quite a bit.

[Rocket_Cowboy]

Cash Upholstery in Carrollton (972-245-5744) added a gel pad to my DRZ seat. I went to them after a recommendation from a rider on the TXSV forum.

I'll second the recommendation for Cash Upholstery in Carrollton. They the the work on Cass's SV650 seat. We were worried that we might have to get into the suspension lowering tricks (anyone need a set of SV650 lowering links?) but they got the seat right and all is good. $75 was all it took. Good stuff.

[TexasShadow]

I'll second the recommendation for Cash Upholstery in Carrollton. They the the work on Cass's SV650 seat. We were worried that we might have to get into the suspension lowering tricks (anyone need a set of SV650 lowering links?) but they got the seat right and all is good. $75 was all it took. Good stuff.That is good news! Can you relate what they did to the seat?
My dilemma is I can't ride Whee as is: I either need to lower the seat or the chassis. I have to take a day off from work and ride the bike up to Carrollton to get the seat worked on. :/
The links will hopefully be here Tuesday. I'll put the links on, lower the chassis so I can ride up there and have the seat done. If the links are no longer needed, or shorter ones will do, I can remove the Kuoba links (lowers rear by 1 1/8"). The Kevin Baker links lower by 3/4" (are those what you have?).

[Rocket_Cowboy]

They reshaped the foam in the seat, effectively lowering the seat by shaving some off the top, but also making it a little more narrow by shaving some off the sides so that it was easier for Cass to get her feet down. Another friend of ours has used them on several of her bikes, and they can also add gel pads and what not to the foam before the re-cover the seat. They re-covered the seat with the original vinyl, so you can't tell by looking at the bike that it's anything but stock.

[TexasShadow]

They reshaped the foam in the seat, effectively lowering the seat by shaving some off the top, but also making it a little more narrow by shaving some off the sides so that it was easier for Cass to get her feet down. Another friend of ours has used them on several of her bikes, and they can also add gel pads and what not to the foam before the re-cover the seat. They re-covered the seat with the original vinyl, so you can't tell by looking at the bike that it's anything but stock.
*nods* Yup, the gel pad is a good idea, but from what I've heard it adds to the height. Hence I'm wondering if shaving the stock foam down close and adding a softer foam on top of the remaining foam is do-able. Plus I'd like the back scooped out a bit and curved to fit the shape of a......well, a butt :)

Did they do all the work while she was there with the bike?

[Rocket_Cowboy]

She dropped the seat off with them, told them what she was looking for, and then came back and picked it up.

They should be able to add memory foam, etc. For the gel insert, I would think they would cut down the original foam in order to place the gel insert, effectively making the seat the same height (or lower if the shave more down), but since we didn't do the gel insert, I can't say for sure.

[TexasShadow]

She dropped the seat off with them, told them what she was looking for, and then came back and picked it up.

They should be able to add memory foam, etc. For the gel insert, I would think they would cut down the original foam in order to place the gel insert, effectively making the seat the same height (or lower if the shave more down), but since we didn't do the gel insert, I can't say for sure. Very cool! (I'm encouraged after a month of frustration with several custom saddlemakers)
When I called Friday he recommended I ride the bike up with seat. That way he/they can see how it needs to be modified with me on both seat and bike.

I hope to be on it next weekend for the 'gathering' in Grapevine :)
Thanks *very* much for the information.

[GUNNARB]

Then staple the fabric onto the seatpan as normal, STRETCHING it out nicely. :mrgreen:


I understand all the shape stuff. What I don't understand is how the stapling is done without going through to the leather on the outside. Those are some pretty big staples. Never have figured that one out.

[gocatgo]

The staples are placed on the bottom of the seatpan, oriented with the sharp points into the plastic pan on the bottom, not on the inside of the lip that the leather stretches over. That way the staples won't come out the side of the seat.

[TexasShadow]

Dropped off the spare stock seat for Whee (DL650) at Cash Upholstery in Carrollton last Tues am. Explained what I wanted to alter, and demonstrated why.

Goal: Shave foam to lower seat and narrow the nose, scoop out the back a bit.

Why:
1. I'm short :eek2:
2. I ride the nose most of the time with my inner thighs to shift the weight from my lumbar spine and herniated L4-L5 disc. It's significantly more comfy than cruiser ergos! It brings my legs closer together and feet more flat on the ground. I also ride the nose when I do twisties; I can lean better and lead with my shoulders.
3. On the open highway, I scoot back in the seat, but stock is a bit too high and the back upward slope is irritating (uncomfy).

He was skeptical about shaving it down much at all; in some places there's barely 1" of foam. The front of the nose has less. I brought along the sheepskin pad off my cruiser; I will be using one for this bike, too. He was more comfortable with that added to the seat.

It needed to be reupholstered. We chose a tacky black vinyl; a no-slip vinyl used for sport vehicle seats, including bike seats, and with 4-way stretch. It looks very nice!!! And it is tacky feeling. No excessive slipping to and back.

I picked up the seat this morning. It's lower all right! Scooped back and dished out in the back, so the rider area is longer. I like that.

But I'm not sure yet about the nose; he didn't remove much from the nose. It's all changed now, forcing my hips back and I don't sit on my inner thighs as well now. I'm going to give it some time, but I may be tempted to unstaple the nose covering and shave more off the sides of the nose; there's still enough there to shave some off, especially with the sheepskin pad on top.

The distance between seat and pegs is altered, too. Thus the angle of hips/knees/ankles. Not sure I like that as much (joints get cramped quicker), either, but maybe that's a function of just getting used to it. I'm putting the sheepskin pad on this weekend to gauge how it will be. It will add 1/4-1/2" height to the seat, but hope it doesn't add to the nose width.

I backed Whee into the Motorcycle Parking Obstacle Course at the train station this morning. *That* is a first. (Chuck will understand ;) I guess I won't need reverse afterall.

$125.00. Completed for pick-up in 3 days! Wow.

Next: side bags.........

[Gilk51]

I backed Whee into the Motorcycle Parking Obstacle Course at the train station this morning. *That* is a first. (Chuck will understand ;)

It is extremely hard to back up if you only have your tiptoes on a tall, top-heavy bike. I'm glad you got the seat done - hope it works out all around.

[TexasShadow]

Well, here we go again: shaving a seat down.

This time, I think I'll do it myself. I'm ordering a replacement foam from Guts.com. I have a choice between soft, medium and hard; I'll choose the soft or medium. Then shave it down some. Reupholster it, and then hopefully I can at least put the balls of my feet on the ground.

Anyone here shaved a seat themselves?

[gocatgo]

Hey TS, I did the seat on my dirtbike: Removed staples holding seat cover. Shaved seat with electric knife, and sanded to smooth as much as possible. Then sprayed the foam with aerosol glue spray and laid out a sheet of about 3/8 inch memory foam to fit, and sanded down the edges to blend it a bit. Stretched out original cover to fit and restapled. Smooth as a baby's bum with the sheet of memory foam over the top of the seat foam. If you're removing stock seat foam and replacing it it's a little trickier, but essentially just cut out stock foam, spray with adhesive, then replace the cutout with new foam. shape to fit as before.

IMO I'd go with a firmer foam than soft, but I'm just sayin'.

[Manfred]

I modified a seat on my Yamaha XS850, following tips from this site: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/index.php

Mucho great info on this topic there.

[TexasShadow]

Hey TS, I did the seat on my dirtbike: Removed staples holding seat cover. Shaved seat with electric knife, and sanded to smooth as much as possible. Then sprayed the foam with aerosol glue spray and laid out a sheet of about 3/8 inch memory foam to fit, and sanded down the edges to blend it a bit. Stretched out original cover to fit and restapled. Smooth as a baby's bum with the sheet of memory foam over the top of the seat foam. If you're removing stock seat foam and replacing it it's a little trickier, but essentially just cut out stock foam, spray with adhesive, then replace the cutout with new foam. shape to fit as before.

IMO I'd go with a firmer foam than soft, but I'm just sayin'.

I modified a seat on my Yamaha XS850, following tips from this site: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/index.php

Mucho great info on this topic there.Wow!! Great info, guys. That website is excellent.

I'm rethinking my approach: start with the stock seat/foam and modify that: shave down and replace some of the thickness with a more forgiving foam. In fact, I'm thinking a Bike Seat Modification Tech Day in a few weekends!!!!!! (someone else wants to do it, too) :mrgreen:

[TexasShadow]

Anyone know of places that supply various types of foam in DFW area?
Anyone else want to modify their seat? We could do a group modify thang. :trust:

[Wes]

I shaved a ZX-14 seat to put on my Concours 14. I shaved it to make it conform more to my posterior and to get a little bit closer to the ground. I also did the seat on the Warrior because it was killing my tail bone. I just shaved it to a flat surface and life improved immensely. I didn't add foam I just took away some and recovered with the stock cover. I recommend getting an 1/8" thin layer of foam to cover the seat before putting the cover back on. It helps to hide any small imperfections and make the seat look more stock.

[Manfred]

Jo-Ann's Fabrics would be a good place to check for different types of foam - I think that's where my wife took :-)

[TexasShadow]

I will start shaving/modifying the seat this Sunday. My new seat cover just arrived. :trust:

[TexasShadow]

It's almost done, and, man, is it awesome!!!

[TLRam1]

Anyone know of places that supply various types of foam in DFW area?
Anyone else want to modify their seat? We could do a group modify thang. :trust:


If I had been following this thread I would have been right there with you. I need to redo my WR450 seat somehow.

[TexasShadow]

If I had been following this thread I would have been right there with you. I need to redo my WR450 seat somehow.We just finished the seat last night. I will post photos and text in a day or so.

[DFW_Warrior]

If I had been following this thread I would have been right there with you. I need to redo my WR450 seat somehow.

I know someone who could do it for you.:trust:

[TexasShadow]

I know someone who could do it for you.:trust:
We could have another Seat Sacrifice Gathering.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/DR350/DSC02144.jpg

[TLRam1]

I know someone who could do it for you.:trust:

What I am looking to try Bill is cut down the seat and add a Airhawk. I need some seat time with the Airhawk first before I cut the seat I guess to see if this works. I saw one guy who used an Airhawk on the DS ride in AR. I have used the Airhawk on my vintage bikes and it works well, the skinny seat, I don't know but I need something better for day long seat time.

I bought a used seat for this and will still have my stock seat if needed for use in enduro races if the situation comes up or ride my KX.

[TexasShadow]

Story and photos here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10621420#post10621420) (DR350 thread, page 175, on ADV).

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/DR350/DSC02169.jpg

[DFW_Warrior]

What I am looking to try Bill is cut down the seat and add a Airhawk. I need some seat time with the Airhawk first before I cut the seat I guess to see if this works. I saw one guy who used an Airhawk on the DS ride in AR. I have used the Airhawk on my vintage bikes and it works well, the skinny seat, I don't know but I need something better for day long seat time.

I bought a used seat for this and will still have my stock seat if needed for use in enduro races if the situation comes up or ride my KX.

Hmmm... so you want to add an Airhawk under the seat cover? That would be ambitious to say the least.;-)

We could always take a look at it, but I don't want to promise anything.

[TexasShadow]

Hmmm... so you want to add an Airhawk under the seat cover? That would be ambitious to say the least.;-)

We could always take a look at it, but I don't want to promise anything.It might be more realistic to add a gel pad. An AirHawk might be too big unless using the small square cushion. Regardless, the Airhawks are inflatable. What happens if the air slowly leaks out? Also, it would be a real big bear (if not impossible) to cover it.

[TexasShadow]

<tangent>Someone asked yesterday where the name "Barney Bike" came from for purple bikes. Story below excerpted from post (linked above) on shaving/modifying the seat.

"Long, long ago in the Land of Metric Bikes, the Master of Suzuki woke up with a headache and swollen eyes. All he could see was a world blanketed in a purple haze. In a panic, thinking this visual condition was an affliction from the movie he watched the night before, and afraid that Oprah Winfrey and Whoopie Goldberg were lurking under his bed, he instructed his best student to visit the Music Master and ask for advice.

The Best Student, also an unemployed motorcycle mechanic, returned hours later with Divine Instructions from the Music Master: Master Suzuki must build a bike -tall in stature, quick muscled, with 'legs' that bounce, and a beak that struts forward like a white great heron. But this bike must be in homage to the Great Guitarist Jimi Hendrix and reflect his greatest creation: Purple Haze.

Therefore, to redeem all the sins of Master Suzuki and be cured of the purple haze that colored his world, the bike must be purple and white. Master Suzuki told his Best Student: "Make it so, Number One."

Thus, the Purple DR350 was born. And upon seeing his creation roll down the trail from his dojo, over the sacred rocks and in between the largest and smallest pine trees, Master Suzuki's world began to blossom into a variety of colors while the purple haze retreated.

Meanwhile, back in Monkey Boy Nation, the masses of monkeys affixed to Saturday morning cartoons soon called the sacred bike "Barney Bike". Because only a purple anthropomorphic caricature of a once mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, a creature named 'Barney', could transfix millions of school children and adults alike with the soma of Political Correctness*.

Thus, this is the story of how the sacred Purple Haze Motorcycle of Japan became a comical two-wheeler in Monkey Land.

So, on with how to change the Barney seat to a Bumblebee seat........."

</tangent>

[TLRam1]

Hmmm... so you want to add an Airhawk under the seat cover? That would be ambitious to say the least.;-)

We could always take a look at it, but I don't want to promise anything.

No sir, cut away some of the foam, recover and put the Airhawk on top, cut some foam away to reduce the impact on height by adding the Airhawk.

and gel might be a solution except I have never used gel and don't know how that would work for me although it works for many but I happen to have an Airhawk to try.

If this doesn't work than I can try adding back a different foam and/or gel. No experience adding back foam and whether it would stay glued in place. Maybe there are pants with gel inserts I can use in conjunction.

[DFW_Warrior]

Ahhh, well we probably make that happen much, much easier. But you would probably still need a new seat cover because the stockers aren't very compliant to foam shape changes.