Hawk Seat Rebuild
 

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:

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...pswadad7qi.jpg

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...pssxpg1lc8.jpg

The foam is taken out.

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psoumgy5cu.jpg

The foam to be removed.

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...pspio2av6i.jpg

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

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psxuqo039q.jpg

Smoothing the surface with sandpaper.

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psa0fmdigr.jpg

Vinyl is back.

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4pfnumu1.jpg

And after

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psm5xq8lvz.jpg

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:

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2jsczsz9.jpg

Stock vinyl removed

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psdlemhvwc.jpg

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

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psjslulz3j.jpg

Topped with polyester batting from Hobby Lobby.

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psnrumuh27.jpg

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

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5q2dnsve.jpg

And the final view. Now I am in heaven!

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...psfoyxgxli.jpg

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

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

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.

:tup:

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.

that looks great, nice job :tup:

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.

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.

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

http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...pscislvb3j.jpg

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

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

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