Alright, so I’ve been messing around with my Kawasaki Vulcan, trying to get the seat height just right. It’s not a super complicated process, but I figured I’d share my experience in case anyone else is looking to do the same.
My Starting Point
I’m not the tallest guy, about 5’8″, and the stock seat on my Vulcan was feeling a little high. Not unmanageable, but I wanted to be able to flat-foot it at stops more comfortably.
The Options I Looked At
- Lowering Links: These replace the stock links in the rear suspension and can drop the bike’s height. I’ve heard they can sometimes affect handling, so I was a little hesitant.
- Shaving the Seat: Basically, you take off some of the foam padding from the seat to lower it. This seemed like a good, cheap option.
- Aftermarket Seat: There are tons of low-profile seats out there. Could be a good option, but also the most expensive.
What I Actually Did
I decided to go the DIY route and try shaving the seat myself. I mean, why not? If I messed it up, I could always buy a new seat later, right?
So, first, I took the seat off the bike. Pretty straightforward, just a couple of bolts.
Then, I carefully removed the seat cover. It was mostly held on by staples, so I used a flathead screwdriver and some pliers to get them out. Took a bit of patience, but I didn’t want to rip the cover.
Next, I used an electric carving knife (yup, the kind you use for Thanksgiving turkey) to start trimming the foam. I marked out how much I wanted to remove with a marker first, then slowly and carefully started carving away. I took off a little at a time, checking the shape and feel frequently.
It’s messy! Foam bits everywhere. I had a vacuum cleaner handy to keep things somewhat under control.
Once I was happy with the shape, I re-stretched the seat cover back over the foam. This was probably the trickiest part. I used a staple gun to secure it, pulling it tight as I went. It’s not perfect, but it looks pretty good.
Finally, I re-attached the seat to the bike.
The Result
I probably lowered the seat by about an inch, maybe a little more. And you know what? It makes a big difference! I can comfortably flat-foot it now, which gives me a lot more confidence at stops. The ride feels pretty much the same, so I don’t think I messed with the comfort too much.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a fun little project, and it saved me some money.
