Seat height

bought a 81 xj750 for my wife. Seat height is to tall for her.
is there a way to lower the seat height. i think it is at 31"
would like to get down to 28 or less.

thanks
jimid

 

Custom seat or shorter shocks maybe...

skillet

 

Yes, from what I have read a lot of guys buy sportster 10.5 shocks, or suzuki savage, about a 2 inch drop if I remember

 

I was very uncomfortable and dissatisfied with the Stock Seat on my 750 Maxim.
Everytime I grabbed some brakes ... I'd be sitting half-way up the gas tank.

Solution: Re-design.

You need to do a few tricks.
In the long run; its worth it.

You need a SHARP "Double-serrated Knife"

A sharp, deep, double-serrated knife will let you carve, cut and slice the seat foam.

Other customizers tricks:

Saturate the foam. Hard freeze. "Shape" with Sure-Form Tool
Angle Grinder. Brain surgeons touch. Curve, smooth and design.

Electric Thanksgiving Knife.
(Never tried it)

 

I'd have to second the idea from Rickomatic with the seat. I've done several of them and they work/look good too.
I just pull the staples out and peal back the vinyl from the front of the seat to access the riders section (no need to remove it completely) Then make a mark on the side of the seat with a marker so it's even on both sides. try about 1" to start out with, you can always take off more later if need be. Then cut off the top layer of foam with a serrated knife (electric knife also works well for this)
I then use a 4" diegrinder with a fine sanding wheel on it to smooth out the edges of the foam where you just cut to round them off.
Take a test fit - put the seat back on the bike and sit on it to see if it's low enough for you/her now. You can always take off more foam if need be.
Recover the seat with the vinyl and staple it back on the seat pan. You will have to stretch it some because of the foam removed, but make sure you pull it even on both sides to get it to looks right (could turn out crooked if your not careful) There you go, your in business now!


I

 

Trimming foam off the seat worked for my wife. I cut 1 1/2 inches from the seat foam and lowered the shocks another inch by shortning the shock springs. She is 5'4" and fits on the XJ1100 quite well.

 

I think my seat sits at just below 24", lol. It was quite a bit of work though!

 

Oh ya, I forgot, I changed the back wheel on my Seca from a 19" to one from a 750 Maxim which is only 16". That brought it down even more and raised the RPMs a bit. Talk about "A BAT OUTTA HELL"!!

 

My seat height is 25" suzuki savage shocks and cut seat foam...
just like others...good luck to you

 

Re: Seat height solved

Thanks all. I took about 2- 1/2" of foam from the seat.
worked well.

Thanks

 

I ran across this page and book marked it. The seats look beautiful but there a bit pricey. Has anyone used them or could recommend another place that does similar work?

http://www.sargentcycle.com/yamaha.htm

 

i cut the seat foam out on my 83 seca and wound up with a big square hole had to fill it with sleeping pad foam now my seat is hard as a rock but i think i like it that way