Options for lowering my 81 xs1100sh...???

[HarJim81]

I find the seat height a little high on my ...sh. What options are there to make it lower ? Also my stock seat is really hard and uncomfortable . Besides replacing it what are some cheaper options ??

[tweeleft]

The guy I got my SF from included some 85 virago rear shocks. They are a inch shorter. He also said he lowered the forks in the triple but the kickstand made the bike stand straight up. I haven't put the shocks on yet

[fredintoon]

I find the seat height a little high on my ...sh. What options are there to make it lower ? Also my stock seat is really hard and uncomfortable . Besides replacing it what are some cheaper options ??

Hi Harry,
you can remove the stock foam and replace it with a thinner pad of better material.
If you e-search "seat foam" you should be able to find the comfortable modern stuff.
The existing cover should still work with thinner foam.
I don't see you lowering the seat by more than an inch that way though.
You can also lower the bike. Let the fork tubes up through the triple trees and fit shorter rear shocks.
Be aware the exhaust will ground real easy on corners and both stands will need to be modified.

[xs11lover]

Bigger boots

[DirtyNasty]

I am going to do what I did to my XJ750 Midnight Maxim....cut the seat foam lower and use high density foam...it's like the memory foam for your arse. ha ha. Also one of the best covers for a seat is to use black ostrich leather..it's tough and very maintenance free. Looks great and gets a lot of complements. My wife had it done for me when I was deployed, cost right around $100 bucks for them to do everything.

[Phoenix Rider]

I have an aftermarket King & Queen seat that Yamaha offered for the specials. It was a little expensive to get it redun with new foam and leather being a large seat, but it was lowered about 1 1/2 inches. I also put XV1100 virago shocks that also dropped it about 1 inch. I'm 5"6" and I am not flat foot with both feet, but it is low enough to manouver without getting off and pushing it.

Wayne

[HarJim81]

Thanks

Thanks for the tips everyone . I thought about changing the shocks but wasn't sure what other model would be compatible . I will check around locally for some quality foam and covering . Thanks again guys . Harry