question about cutting down the stock seat

I have been inspired to try and step my stock seat after seeing the results from Fitness to Go's seat. I'll post my pics after I finish. I have a couple of questions for you guys that have experience in this sort of thing. 1. Is it VERY important to have the foam perfectly smooth before I fit the cover. I was hoping the cover would hide some of the small blemishes. 2. Do I use spray glue to get the cover to conform to the step in the seat? or do I just pull that sucker tight. Thanks for any help.

-Randy

I agree, no glue is needed.

My '08 cover is textured, but pretty thin...if that's what you have, I would spend a extra time to get'r smoooth. I thought mine was pretty good, but after putting the cover back for it's test fit, I didn't like the way it looked so I pulled it off for a second sanding.

paul

I have made more than a few.

I use a wire wheel on a die grinder and VERY CAREFULLY rough shape the foam. The wire wheel will eat foam like no other, both good and bad. Small small bites at a time..think sweeping motion. Next step is a sanding block with 60-80 grit being VERY CAREFUL to not dig or tear the foam of the seat. Take your time. Shape until done. Big chunks and holes WILL show through..be mindful of that!

No glue..a pneumatic stapler is your very best friend (15 bucks on sale at harbor freight). Warm the cover so it's very pliable and once again..take you time. After a few it seems really a crime to pay someone else to do it.

sorry guys but what is the stepped seat for? what does the finished product look like? My wife is an upholsterer so I kinda have an in for doing it but am not sure what the goal is?
thanks.

Buy some 1/4' foam to cover your work on the existing foam, then put the vinyl over that. It will hide imperfections nicely

OK it's done

Thanks for all the good advice guys.
Here's the start.

Thanks for the inspiration Fitness2Go!

$2.98 at the local thrift store

Just like cutting the Thanksgiving turkey White meat or Dark?

The air sander is good and bad. It can get you into a lot of trouble.

Thanks again for all the great advise. This thing was the best.



I borrowed a friends air stapler but I couldn't find any short staples. So I cut some.




I think I would have sanded it a bit more. It's hard to see the foam contour while the cover is off. I also like the idea of putting a layer of 1/4" foam on top. I might do a re-do after I check this out.

Great job. Long staples....bad! I'm loving the ability to touch in sticky situations.

David

Since you shaved the hump out of the middle of the seat, do you find it more comfy to sit on? Seems that it got flatter and where you sit is wider (more like a seat and less like a padded 2x4). That seems that it would = more comfy too. Your thoughts?

Ditto boys, How does the seat feal on the arse? Monkey but more or less?

It is very thin towards the front/tank, but not much different from stock as you go further back.

David

Wow, I never would have thought there was that much foam there to cut away! Sure doesn't feel like it sometimes. Looks very nice, man.

So David, that is good and bad (I think) to hear. Its not a nut cracker now is it? Would hate to clap the family jewels to have more foot to ground comfort. The link gave me a good start but a little more could be nicer. Still thinking about it.

Gary

From first impressionis it feels worse. (Didn't think that was possible.) I'll know in a couple of weeks. Got a 2 day ride coming up. Wish I had a big tank.
The good news is that I can touch the ground a little better. Looks like the next step is a Kouba link.

On the subject of keeping a comfy seat.
I thought of getting foam from Guts seats, maybe a tall and soft. Then performing the cut.
otherwise Guts makes a speed bump which may work well too.

Nice Tech article, looks like it turned out great.

Does anyone know a source for seat foam for the 08/09 bikes? I need to cut it down on my husband's TXC, but I don't really want to use the original seat. I did the seat on my KTM and it turned out fine, but I also had three other seats in case I messed up. lol