i need to shave the seat, (what type of foam should i use again? ive been reading 1" auto foam?? should it be dense? how about 2" ) plus it would be nice to get to my battery...the manual says to take it to the dealer....ahha....thanks

I don't know if it's like this on the '03, but I think so: Remove the small plastic side covers below the front seat and then remove the seat mounting bolts underneath. The seat goes right off. As for the shaving, I know som people have just removed the seat cover (stapled on), cut some of the foam away and then just stapled the cover back on, tightening it to fit.

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thanks for the heads up man! my buddy and i were frustrated in a dark garage at midnight. looking forward to planting the feet! ill let you know how it goes

Maybe you can drop the front a bit too. I slided the forks 20mm upwards in the triple tree, making the front lower so my wife can flat-foot it again (after I installed another rear shock, raising the rear 4"! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif). This will also make the steering somewhat faster, but I'm not sure whether you can do it on a naked (because of the handlebars). If you do it, make sure the front fender doesn't hit the radiator when the forks are fully compressed.

I wouldn't recommend dropping the rear, as this makes steering slower http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif

If you have any ??? about this, just ask http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

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Martin

ok, i got the seat off but a buddy suggested that i adjust the preloads on the bike so he set them both at setting 1 from 3 and it feels a bit lower. how will this effect handling, etc...? should i leave it at factory setting 3?

btw, im 5'6" 155lbs amd am still going to do the seat mod..hehe

ok, so i go to the upolsterer and he quotes me $75 to shave down existing stock foam...not even to replace w/1" auto foam. so i tell him ill come back if i mess the mod up myself...hah..if im going to have to pay, then im going to give it a shot first! so it goes....so do you suggest shaving from the topside or underside?

Lowering front preload will make the bike somewhat faster steering, but also make the front softer http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif Shouldn't be a problem at your weight, though. Lowering rear preload will make it steer slower. If you do both, steering should be about the same, just with a softer suspension...

I haven't shave the seat myself, but I probably would shave the bottom (unless it's glued to the seat plate), that way you won't feel uneven cutting as much as if you cut the top.

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Martin

ok guys.....just finished the shaving of the seat. I actually shaved the bottom of the foam with a steak knife! take a look at the link below for before/after pics. hope this helps someone.

ofoto web pic album (http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=171270340182_89142223405&colli d=62674223405&page=1&sort_order=0)

Nice work http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif Did it lower the seat height enough so you don't have to mess with suspension? The pics will probably be useful to someone - there are usually a lot of ?s about this mod over in GixxerGirls http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

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Martin

yeah it seems like it works! im now almost flat footed but i did adjust both preloads to setting #1. I'm going to bring it back up to fty #3 and see if that works out...definetly feels better w/my feet planted!