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ghetto seat adjustment
#483752 03/18/2012 12:38 PM
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The 2011 America has a 1-piece seat that attaches like the Speedmaster. It has a pocket under the cushion to store the owners manual. I dont keep mine there. But it provides an access point to add some closed cell foam for improved comfort. The new for '11 America has a seat almost 1 inch lower than previous models, I wanted it a little higher and more padding but like the look and didnt want to replace it.

Get some closed cell foam. Well I just used some drink koozies, cut the bottom off then cut them to fit whatever shape feels right. Stacking 2 gives you 1 inch of added foam support that is firmer than stock. Since they are between the factory foam and the base pan they do not alter the look of the seat in any way and are easily removed or changed around. Costs nothing and I liked the result.

2011 America seat bottom:


What I used:


Inserted where the owners manual usually goes:


By the way Im going to have a little more time to post here because 5 hours after this picture was taken my left thumb (the one in the picture) was crushed and I lost about 20% off the tip and part of the end bone.


2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014) 2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster 2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
outerbanks #483753 03/18/2012 12:57 PM
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Second Wind
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Man I hate that you got injured.

The mod is awesome though. I love ideas like that.


I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago. Edgar Allan Poe
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
outerbanks #483754 03/18/2012 1:08 PM
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Bar Shake
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Quote:

I lost about 20% off the tip and part of the end bone.




That sucks about your thumb. I hope you recover and get back on the road soon.


"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
PES #483755 03/18/2012 7:32 PM
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Loquacious
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Sorry about your thumb.

I like to hear about cheap DIY fixes for our bikes.
The ingenious home made wood bike lift or the cable tie speedo cable fix.
Your seat fix is another fine example.


Dinosaur.

"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland

"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson

"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
outerbanks #483756 03/19/2012 4:57 AM
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Stickman Yogi
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How the heck did you crush your thumb?

Btw... sorry to hear about your injury.


Live to love, love to live.
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
Keith #483757 03/19/2012 11:13 AM
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Hey Keith,
Ever done something 100 times before then get stupid, tired have a momentary loss of intelligence...well I sure did!

Got up saturday and washed both bikes, while I had the bags and seat off I thought up the added foam idea. Put everything together and went for a ride. Got back home and while it was hot changed he oil (3,000 miles on her now) put it on the hoist and cleaned and lubed the chain. Finished spraying lube on the chain and just had it idling in 1st gear when the rag I forgot I was holding in my left hand caught the chain and pulled my hand into the sprocket before I realized what was happening. Ouch. My wife picked up the end of my thumb and drove me to the hospital (what a sweetheart) while I had time to reflect on what a dumb-ass I am. The surgeon put me back together with great skill and sent me home the same day. I got lucky it could have been worse. Doc says function and appearance should be ok.

I have been working on bikes, cars, boats anything with an engine for most of my 48 years and never did anything this stupid before. Damnit I know better. Well whats done is done.

I could have come up with a cool lie about what happened but then I thought well no maybe it will serve as a safety reminder for folks.

So how was your weekend?

Last edited by outerbanks; 03/19/2012 11:17 AM.

2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014) 2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster 2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
outerbanks #483758 03/19/2012 1:57 PM
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Holy muther of OUCH! Thats really gotta suck, and I feel your pain. Litterally. I cut the tip of my right middle finger off back in October on a table saw, wasn't luck enought to have it reattached.

Awesome idea on the seat cusion.

Re: ghetto seat adjustment
Leithal #483759 03/19/2012 7:18 PM
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Thanks Leithal, I could post some pictures my wife took but it might be a little too rough for the board! Supposed to take the wrapper off in 1 week and I'll get my first look at the rebuild.


2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014) 2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster 2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Re: ghetto seat adjustment
outerbanks #483760 03/21/2012 1:57 PM
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Yep, that was a stupendously dumb thing to do. I can say that cos I did the same with a dirt bike when I was a kid and have been warning folk not to do it ever since. What may seem like a quick way to clean your chain can go real bad real fast. Hence why the third finger on my left hand's a little short and sports a horror movie scar.

Re: ghetto seat adjustment
Leithal #483761 03/24/2012 12:32 AM
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Quote:

Holy muther of OUCH! Thats really gotta suck, and I feel your pain. Litterally. I cut the tip of my right middle finger off back in October on a table saw, wasn't luck enought to have it reattached.

Awesome idea on the seat cusion.




SO MATT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN YOU PICK YOUR NOSE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT 1/2 YOUR FINGER UP THERE?


Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."

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