GS500F Lowering & Seat Modification

[SlvrSVT00]

Hi all, New rider here.  I just got a 2007 GS500F... I am "vertically challenged" (5'0 on a good day)   Anyways, I have done some searching on this site and gotten some ideas for lowering the bike to fit me better.  I have already installed some rear lowering links, it dropped the bike about 2", this was still not enough (touching with balls of my feet), I do not want to drop it any further for fear of clearance issues etc.

Anyways to cut to the chase, I was wondering how much material you are able to remove from the seat? 1-1/2"-2"?  I would then put a gel pad in for comfort.

I am assuming if I remove some off the top and shave the sides down a little I will be good to go!!!

edit:  Additionally, any good places to buy gel inserts?  I found this place: http://www.davidscottco.com/Results.asp?cat=4
Was not sure of any others ppl have used!

Thanks in advance!

Kristen

[Infinite Dimentia]

seeing as you lowered the rear, did you also lower the front?

[SlvrSVT00]

Not yet, I have not ridden it yet.  Even though ppl say they don't notice a huge difference if they don't lower the front... I ask myself... would I have 'only' lowered the rear end of my car? Answer=NO...


I am looking at either getting a pair of clip-ons or getting some handlebar risers so I can get them out of the way of the front forks, it is on the list.

[Bluesmudge]

The seat has a lot of foam on top of a plastic pan. You are just going to have to take the cover off and start visualizing. The hard part is not going to be cutting off X amount, but making it look good with the rest of the seat once you pull the cover back over it (assuming you care about making it look good) and being comfortable. I would say 1.5" inches is all you should go off the top until you experiment with it a little. You should be able to shave almost all of the foam in the wing areas which will make the most difference because the leg length you do have won't be wasted going out before going down.

Just take it very slow, you only get one go so its better to shave too little than too much and then try again.

I recommend handlebar risers far before clipons, for the height challenged.

[utgunslinger13]

Joshr08 might have some tips for this, I believe he has done some work with shaving down the seats and adding gel inserts.

[pronator]

I remember this from a different thread. The regular link was busted but Rema1000 pulled it up from the archives:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040718050306/http://oldsport.home.comcast.net/gelpad/index.html

[pronator]

Maybe it could get linked in the Wiki Upgrades under "Seats"? This could be the DIY option. 

[utgunslinger13]

That is a great writeup!  The only way it could be better is if that person came and did the mod for you!  And at only 35ish bucks, not to shabby!

[joshr08]

yeah not to bad.  not exactly how i would do it but hey for a DIY project    thanks ut bud i already got a pm on how to do this and i replied then relized this person is in michigan so i might be able to help out even more then just over the net. if need be.

[utgunslinger13]

You should meet up with the OP and do a write up exactly like the one linked to above so we can compare and contrast! lol

[joshr08]

lol....we will have to see if the OP whats help in person or just over the net.  I sent them a very detailed write up off the top of my head on how to do it but its not the same writing it as doing it and showing with pics

[DoD#i]

I remember this from a different thread. The regular link was busted but Rema1000 pulled it up from the archives:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040718050306/http://oldsport.home.comcast.net/gelpad/index.html

Well, I have to agree with the Martini Drinker (there does not seem to be any name mentioned other than Lucky the dog, and who knows if that's his real name...?) That gel pads seem WAY overpriced, and a bicycle seat (or bicycle seat add-on cover) is probably a much more cost effective way of getting some than the highway robbery that upholstery suppliers or motorcycle suppliers seem to to manage to get away with (68 bucks for a sheet that would only cover one place, when I looked a couple of weeks ago). Then again, I don't know that I have a need for gel - it's just the hip new thang in seats.

[SlvrSVT00]

Thanks guys! It doesn't seem that difficult to do, it would just be nice to do it /get it right the 1st time.


Josh I will be in touch with you, I have a guy in Taylor that specializes in this and does it for relatively cheap. 
And FYI for whatever reason I could not get that link to work 


I have a feeling after everything I do to get this bike to "fit" better... I will be very frustrated with my parents for making me wrong!

[Roadstergal]

The '01+ bikes have 'wings' on the sides of the tank that push your legs out and make it harder to get your foot down.  Just trimming those will do a lot to make the seat more comfortable and the bike narrower.

And - put your left foot down and keep your right on the peg.  Short people can ride tall bikes that way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvgLkuEtkA

[SlvrSVT00]

Thanks for the tip! I had to do something when I got the bike home I could BARELY tippy-toe it, and I couldn't put the kickstand up... With my right foot down my left foot just dangled too high 

I can't go on youtube @ work I will have to watch that later tonight!

[gs5oofever]

Hey someone with a new 07 like me, very cool. Welcome and congrats. So you haven't had a chance to ride it yet eh? I wonder how it will feel for you. I have thought about taking mine down an inch sometime. Did you talk to the shop about cutting the stand also? I heard on this forum, if you lower past 2 inches you should cut the stand at the end to shorten it (not in the middle though) and repaint it. Something to really consider. It shouldn't be hard or expensive for a shop to do. Good luck on your seat modification. Post some pics if you get it done. Maybe you can take a shot as you go, each new stage. Could be useful for the rest of us. I may lower mine bike and change up the seat foam so my partner can ride it too. She really wants too, but with her lack of footing, it is too heavy for her and she feels nervous about it. Keep us posted.

[SlvrSVT00]

Yeah I have not ridden it yet, I dont feel comfortable enough with my feet barely touching.  Yeah Dropped it 2" the bike still sits ok, if I go any lower with the links I will have to modify the stand.  My old boss has a welder @ home he already said he would modify the stand for me if I need to, just cut it and weld the foot back on.