Seat shaping or seat modification

[johnny42]

I'm looking for input on how best to modify my seat so I can get more of my foot on the ground when standing. 1983 GL1100 Interstate stock seat.

I removed part of the cover and see a large area where my bum goes with a large area of foam between there and the tank. Wondering if that large, raised, bulbous area is really needed? I don't sit on the part. Shaving off the vertical sides would not do much since there's hardly any foam there. One guy on Youtube removed all the foam on the sides right down to the plastic seat pan.

When i come to a stop, I slide a bit forward on the seat where it's the narrowest so I can stand. If I remove the "hump", I think I might gain an inch or so.

So... how crucial is that raised part? I've seen plenty of flat seats on bikes. If I don't touch the area my bum goes on will I be OK with removing that bulbous area or is a certain amount needed?

(and yes, I'm posing this on a few forums

[Wilcoy02]

When I had my seat done on my 83, I had the very front foam raised a little,
The sides in front were a slim as they could get it.
The butt area was lowered a little.

I loved that seat. I am 5' 8'' My feet hit the ground solidly on both sides.

[johnny42]

It seems like you're saying you removed a bit of seat where your bum goes, removed a lot of the big bump but left just a little of it there, and shaved down the sides real close to the seat pan? And that you loved your seat after doing that?

I'm only 5-5 and not getting any taller. I generally have to tip toe at stops unless I lean the bike to one side to get my whole foot on the ground. I'm also getting older and don't want to replace this bike that I've had since new.

[newday777]

How about using a needle to test the thickness of the foam areas you have in question? Cut a little, then test thickness again if you want more off.
You only need @ 1/4" foam on non seating areas just to give the shape you want of the cover.