Shaved Stock Seat Mod ?

Hi all,
I have an 82 650 Maxim, the seat material is seriously in disrepair and over the winter I had planend to re upholster, the foam is in good condition. Before I start though I have noticed some pictures where people have "shaved" the foam. I like the shaved foam look and was wondering if anyone had posted pictures on a step by step ?
Thanks in advance.

 

after you get the cover off draw some straight lines on the foam, width and length of the seat, then mark one side how you want it cut, then make a paper pattern from the first side, flip it to the other side, mark it on the foam, eye ball it a few times then cut.
i used a electric carving knife, they don't like to cut small cuts, then smoothed it with a sanding disk in a drill, they like to grab and dig in.
if you need to put some foam back, think camping sleep pad or carpet padding

 

I had a seat like that every time I braked I wound-up sliding forward and straddling the gas tank.

I finally got fed-up with it and took to carving it up and making a more comfortable seat.

I took-off the seat cover and sketched-out a much more satisfying contour with a Sharpie and Magic Markers.

Then, I set upon removing the "Slide" with a serrated-edged carving knife some new and some freshly sharpened scissors.
I finished the contouring by "Sculpturing" the foam rubber with a high speed angle grinder. When you use the grinder you must handle it like a precision instrument.
The Grinder makes very quick work of removing and sculpting the foam rubber.

Eyeball the work from every angle in good light.
When you have removed the "Playground slide effect" you use a new seat cover and upholstery glue to fit the seat cover to the new contour.

 

Wicked ! thanks for the tips !

 

I've also heard of guys freezing the foam before cutting, so it remains stiff. Haven't tried this myself, but makes sense.

 

It's -25 here, no problem there lol

 

Exactly right.

Rough-out a "Foundation" for the Seat you want to SCULPT by layering the Foam Rubber on with Rubberized Upholstery Cement.

After the Glue sets; wet the Foam Rubber and freeze it, ... rock solid.
Attack the frozen foam with a wide variety of tools.
Wire wheel
Mini Electric Chain-saw
Hammer and Chisel
Wood-carving Tools
Coarse Sure-form Tool ( Cheese grader )

 

I've customized many stock bike seats from almost every bike I've owned.

First remove the vinyl cover and plastic (some have plastic over the foam)
Then using an electric knife (or a large bread knife will work) to cut down the foam to the shape you desire. You should leave atleast 1" to 1-1/2" of foam so you don't bottom out. Then I follow it up with a die grinder to smoothen out the rough edges left by the knife. Once you get it like you want it, cover the foam with plastic first (to prevent water from soaking into the foam thru the stitches in the vinyl) then recover it with the old cover, pulled tight and fastened with the stock fasteners, or get it recovered at an apolstery shop. Have fun!