Hawk Seat Rebuild

[green_hawk250]

After lowering the Hawk it was the time to take care about the seat. I don't know who designs seats like this? Do they have anything between theirs legs, or it is designed by women for women? I think about that on every bump on the road when hitting the tank with my balls.
So, there were two options, either remove the bulge or fill up the cavity. I decided to remove the bulge first, and check. Here are the steps:

Before:





The foam is taken out.



The foam to be removed.



Coarse fiber sanding disc used for shaping and cutting the foam.



Smoothing the surface with sandpaper.



Vinyl is back.



And after



Once done, I found modified seat pretty comfortable to my taste. What a difference!

Note: It is not shown on the picture, but I strongly suggest to add the polyester batting under the vinyl, as in the following example.

For those, who want to reconstruct the seat by adding more foam, here is experience with my
Versys-X 300.

Before:



Stock vinyl removed



Reshaped two layers of 2 inches foam ordered here: http://www.foamforyou.com/Open_Cell_Foam.htm



Topped with polyester batting from Hobby Lobby.



My wife added these. Made from marine grade vinyl, also from Hobby Lobby.



And the final view. Now I am in heaven!



Please also check my another mods:

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=241532&postcount=1
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=241533&postcount=2
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=242310&postcount=8
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=243629&postcount=10
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=247652&postcount=13
http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=248489&postcount=4

[jfeliciano15]

Great post Green Hawk
That is exactly the info I needed to get rid of that annoying rear half of my Hawk seat.
Thanks!

[BlackBike]

That K aw seat is pretty hard when I checked it out at the dealer. Ok for shorts, but can see where it would be tough for an extended jaunt.

Taking China rider principles and applying to jap bikes. Your supposed to order the high dollar replacement seat said the gate keeper.

[Megadan]

Hell, compared to my GL, my hawk is like sitting on a sofa suspended by clouds. I do wish the foam was a lot firmer thpugh. After an hour on the thing my rear end is sore.

[old kid]

that looks great, nice job

[JeremyC]

I was looking at my seat awhile back, and wondered how they stapled that vynil cover on. Got any pics of that process?

[jimwildman]

Originally Posted by JeremyC

I was looking at my seat awhile back, and wondered how they stapled that vynil cover on. Got any pics of that process?

Short staples and a staple gun, rust proof staples would be a wise choice as regular staples will eventually rust.

long staples will wind up poking you in the inseam. I forget the proper length but i have a box left over from snowmobile seats.

[JerryHawk250]

Nice job. I would like to do something similar. Like move the notch about 2-3" farther back. I fill like I'm sitting on the tank.

[green_hawk250]

Originally Posted by JeremyC

I was looking at my seat awhile back, and wondered how they stapled that vynil cover on. Got any pics of that process?

1. Don't use manual stapler. It is not powerful enough. This is the one 20 gauge stapler from Harbor Tools I used.



2. Use minimal possible air pressure or the staple would punch a hole in the vinyl. I used 65 PSI.

[jimwildman]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Nice job. I would like to do something similar. Like move the notch about 2-3" farther back. I fill like I'm sitting on the tank.

That might be best, I hate bumping into that hump everytime I try to slide back on the seat.

[Mudflap]

Instead of staples I use 1/4" long sheet metal screws. Easier and seems to hold up just as well.