Does anyone know if there are lowering kits available for this bike? A friend of mine told me he has seen them, but no service shops around here say they're available. I'm looking to get about an inch off the height in some way or another. If not, are there thinner seat pads or anything I can get somewhere?
Someone was making them here at one time, not sure if they still are. Other bikes will fit. Stock length is 7-1/16".
http://www.venhorstrocks.com/SUZUKI_GS500F_PARTS.html
A couple of thing to consider...the side stand will be too long but can be shortened and you may have a hard time using the center stand.
Do a quick search for "dog bones" and select Search for all terms ..........there will plenty to read.
I got more than an inch off of my 500F with a cut seat. Make sure someone good does it; whoever the dealer outsourced it to did a crappy job, and I had Rich (of Rich's Custom Seats) fix it. Rich charges about $150 to others' ~$100, but the seat fits my butt perfectly and my feet are now firmly on the balls rather than tilted on one tippytoe; well worth the money. I like to do what I can with the seat and leave the suspension intact if I can.
Thanks a lot. I called my buddy's service shop and they don't do anything with kickstands, so lowering it would be a lot of work. They refered me to an upholsterer and he said he charges $100-150 to get it trimmed up. Hopefully it'll turns out well.
If he doesn't ask to see you sitting on the bike before he trims, go elsewhere, IMO.