Reshaping the seat 2 - Revision history

Bokonon at 07:39, 4 July 2011

2011-07-04T07:39:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:39, 4 July 2011
Line 2:		Line 2:
	From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]		From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]

	I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. ~~I envisioned making~~ the ~~seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth~~.		I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. First, remove the cover.

	[[image:DSC05338.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05338.jpg\|150px]]

	I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.		I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth. I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.

	[[image:DSC05342.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05342.jpg\|150px]]
Line 33:		Line 33:
	I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.		I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.

	I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.		I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if I had a passenger.

	I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat~~. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future~~. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.		I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.

Bokonon at 07:34, 4 July 2011

2011-07-04T07:34:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:34, 4 July 2011
Line 2:		Line 2:
	From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]		From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]

	I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]), my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.		I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.

	[[image:DSC05338.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05338.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon at 07:33, 4 July 2011

2011-07-04T07:33:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 4 July 2011
Line 14:		Line 14:
	[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding. Don't count on getting it right the first time.		This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding. Don't count on getting it right the first time. I didn't remove any foam from the lowest point of the seat.

	[[image:DSC05345.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05345.jpg\|150px]]
Line 26:		Line 26:
	The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.		The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.

	~~I did NOT remove any foam from the lowest point of the seat. But my new seat~~ allows me to sit 2-3 inches rearward and without much forward slide (that puts more strain on the legs and man bits). I am getting more "leg room" without raising my center of gravity or being exposed to any more wind.		This modification allows me to sit 2-3 inches rearward and without much forward slide (that puts more strain on the legs and man bits). I am getting more "leg room" without raising my center of gravity or being exposed to any more wind.


	My hundred mile ride ~~today was oh-so nice...~~		'''After a hundred mile ride'''

	I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.		I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.

	I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project~~, I think~~. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.		I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.

	I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan ~~(or phase 2, if you will)~~ was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. ~~This~~ would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-~~strom~~, but ~~no cant means that~~ my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.		I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.

	~~Regarding the contours, I am not super worried about the aesthetics of a little loose fabric under my butt,~~

Bokonon at 06:32, 3 July 2011

2011-07-03T06:32:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:32, 3 July 2011
Line 16:		Line 16:
	This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding. Don't count on getting it right the first time.		This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding. Don't count on getting it right the first time.

	[[image:~~DSC05344~~.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05345.jpg\|150px]]

	I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good. I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.		I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good. I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.

Bokonon at 06:31, 3 July 2011

2011-07-03T06:31:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:31, 3 July 2011
Line 4:		Line 4:
	I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]), my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.		I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]), my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.

	[[image:~~DSC05344~~.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05338.jpg\|150px]]

	I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.		I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.

	[[image:~~DSC05344~~.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05342.jpg\|150px]]

	This procedure did not use advanced weaponry. Proper tools, like in IanJ's [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reshaping_the_seat FAQ article], would have been great to use. Since I didn't have an electric carving knife or a grinder, I improvised.		This procedure did not use advanced weaponry. Proper tools, like in IanJ's [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reshaping_the_seat FAQ article], would have been great to use. Since I didn't have an electric carving knife or a grinder, I improvised.
Line 18:		Line 18:
	[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good.		I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good. I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.

	~~[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]~~

	I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.

	[[image:~~DSC05344~~.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05347.jpg\|150px]]
			[[image:DSC05348.jpg\|150px]]
			[[image:DSC05346.jpg\|150px]]

	The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.		The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.

Bokonon at 06:15, 3 July 2011

2011-07-03T06:15:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:15, 3 July 2011
Line 36:		Line 36:

	I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project, I think. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.		I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project, I think. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.

			I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan (or phase 2, if you will) was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. This would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-strom, but no cant means that my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.

			Regarding the contours, I am not super worried about the aesthetics of a little loose fabric under my butt,

Bokonon at 17:16, 2 July 2011

2011-07-02T17:16:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 2 July 2011
Line 2:		Line 2:
	From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]		From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]

	I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a beadrider pad), my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank~~, sliding~~ onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and ~~putting~~ too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat.		I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]), my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.

	[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	~~I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older UJM motorcycle: flat and smooth.~~		I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.

	I wanted to flatten the seat so that I (a) ~~would~~ not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.


			[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	This procedure did not use advanced weaponry. Proper tools, like in IanJ's [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reshaping_the_seat FAQ article], would have been great to use. Since I didn't have an electric carving knife or a grinder, I improvised.		This procedure did not use advanced weaponry. Proper tools, like in IanJ's [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reshaping_the_seat FAQ article], would have been great to use. Since I didn't have an electric carving knife or a grinder, I improvised.

			[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

			This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding. Don't count on getting it right the first time.

	~~This is the rough cut, before detailing and sanding~~.		[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]
	~~Don't count on getting it right the first time.~~



	I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good.		I draped the vinyl back over the seat and went for a five minute ride. Brilliant! I stapled the vinyl back on and went for an hour ride. Brilliant! It felt amazing and looked pretty good.

			[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.		I'll need to add a couple staples to the vinyl and pull it tighter in a couple places. As you can see, the vinyl still looks much like it did before removing foam.

			[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

	The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.		The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.
Line 36:		Line 33:
	My hundred mile ride today was oh-so nice...		My hundred mile ride today was oh-so nice...

	I rode on the ~~beadrider~~ for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.		I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.

	I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project, I think. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.		I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project, I think. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.

Bokonon at 08:35, 1 July 2011

2011-07-01T08:35:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 1 July 2011
Line 34:		Line 34:


			My hundred mile ride today was oh-so nice...

	I ~~anticipate putting my~~ beadrider ~~pad back~~ on this ~~weekend~~.		I rode on the beadrider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.

			I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project, I think. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.

Bokonon at 08:34, 1 July 2011

2011-07-01T08:34:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:34, 1 July 2011
Line 5:		Line 5:

	[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]		[[image:DSC05344.jpg\|150px]]

			I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older UJM motorcycle: flat and smooth.

	I wanted to flatten the seat so that I (a) would not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.		I wanted to flatten the seat so that I (a) would not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.
Line 28:		Line 30:

	The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.		The seat is now quite a bit flatter. I have fallen in love again with my Ninja. This is a great comfort mod for having spent no money and about two hours in the yard. With the foam nearly level (when the bike is standing upright) I don't have the same "falling on the bicycle frame" sensation that I once did.

			I did NOT remove any foam from the lowest point of the seat. But my new seat allows me to sit 2-3 inches rearward and without much forward slide (that puts more strain on the legs and man bits). I am getting more "leg room" without raising my center of gravity or being exposed to any more wind.



	I anticipate putting my beadrider pad back on this weekend.		I anticipate putting my beadrider pad back on this weekend.

Bokonon at 08:30, 1 July 2011

2011-07-01T08:30:03Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Luggage & Touring]]
-After 25,000 miles on his 250F, our Manly Man rider got tired of being pitched forward into the tank by the seat and set out with advanced weaponry to do something about it.
+From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]
 [[image:DSC05344.jpg|150px]]