Seat Height

Forums

I have found a very nice MK3 Interstate which I would love to buy unfortunately I am rather short in the leg and can only just reach the floor with one foot.

Any suggestions as to how to lower the seat height would be appreciated. I have seen lower seats on e bay from Asia. Has anyone tried one? If so how well did it fit and what was the quality?

I have considered raising the fork legs to have some protruding through through the top yoke and also considered shorter shocks. Would this make any appreciable difference? Would it adversely affect the handling?

For those with deep pocket…

For those with deep pockets, I think that frames with a lower profile are made or perhaps you could modify yours on the same principle?. There is a considerable difference in height between the old Avon SM and modern tyres if you are using them.You could get your boots custom made with the equivalent to the once popular internal raised heel. Narrowing the seat nose makes a difference too.

RGM supply or used to , a…

RGM supply or used to , a seat with a cut down front section for shorter riders, or just get your modded by a firm like P&P Seating in Birmingham'

sam

Try www.rk-leighton.co.uk…

Try www.rk-leighton.co.uk

R K Leighton Motorcycle seat restoration

The forks are not designed to protrude through the top having a taper fit to the top yoke. Doing so would effect the handling.

Cut down the seat but DO N…

Cut down the seat but DO NOT soften the rear suspension. I did by two clicks as I weigh 11stone. First time out with a bit of 'spirited' riding and the back tyre was shagged.

You could consider going t…

You could consider going to 18 inch wheel rims. My present Commando has an 18 inch rim on the back and although that only means 1/2 an inch lower, it is noticeable so could be worthwhile if the lower seat doesn`t quite give enough. As for handling, with just the rear changed to 18 inch it feels like it turns into bends slightly quicker but is hardly discernible.

Regards, Al.

Can't paste the link in b…

Can't paste the link in but a photo is attached showing a seat and the ebay link.

Attachments interstate-lowered-seat-tiff

I know it's ill-bred to j…

I know it's ill-bred to joke about peoples' names, but I can't help noticing that the originator of this seat-height thread is Kenneth *Perch* (hope you find a solution that helps you enjoy the Interstate ! )

Previously kenneth perch wrote:

I have found a very nice MK3 Interstate which I would love to buy unfortunately I am rather short in the leg and can only just reach the floor with one foot.
Any suggestions as to how to lower the seat height would be appreciated. I have seen lower seats on e bay from Asia. Has anyone tried one? If so how well did it fit and what was the quality?
I have considered raising the fork legs to have some protruding through through the top yoke and also considered shorter shocks. Would this make any appreciable difference? Would it adversely affect the handling?

Thanks for all the replies…

Thanks for all the replies very helpful and I have followed up some of the leads.

RGM seats are supplied by R K Leighton who unfortunately don't produce the seat which hinges.

I had also previously spoken to the e bay vendor who was the person, from Asia, referred to in my initial post. He was able to modify it to my spec and was extremely helpful. Hence my request for any experience people had had with the company.

From comments, repositioning the fork legs or shortening the shocks would adversely affect the handling. As I expected.

Speaking to a couple of members of the local branch of the VMCC I have found a gent close to home who has done some excellent work covering and modifying seats for them and it transpires a restored bike a bought a number of years ago. I have arranged for him to do the work for me.

Highly amused by the name reference but I would prefer to sit on the seat rather than perch on it.