My cousin just had his stock seat re-foamed and covered by a place that does boat seats. I'm sure you can find an upholstery shop of some sort that'll build you something to suite you. I made a seat pan for an FXR once , and cut up a couple old life jackets for the foam. It's not very thick and proved to be comfortable when riding 4-500 miles a day.

 

if it's a stock 85 seat, there isn't any foam to take out of it. the seat on my 85 is as thin as it gets and it's hard as a rock.

 

There is a conflict of interests here - reaching the ground - and safeguarding an injured back. I don't think the model year has any influence, except perhaps the seat, if that is unique, but a decent custom shop can get around that problem, as a new seat base isn't difficult to make.

Using shorter shocks usually also involves using cheap ones - with the consequence of a cheap ride, but to get the best out of that consider contacting Howard of HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal. He is our suspension guru and can advise and supply custom built shocks that work.

However, what about rebuilding your rear subframe? It would require a custom shop to cut and lower the frame tubes where you sit - between shocks and seat nose, then make a new seat? Should be possible.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have a couple leads of the forums that might just help me in this. AsTech Seats tell m they have modified the stock 85 seat successfully. IF you look at the seat pan from the bottom, there is room ot dish the seat and add gel plus some foam. Not cheap but that could be the route I go. Also Lepera think the can fabricate a new seat for me, again not cheap but an option. So maybe I can get this done soon.
Again thanks for the replies.

 

11.5 " progressive rear shocks would lower you 2" or so. For the seat, I'd get with lepera and have them work with you to fit a Monterey solo to your glide, you would gain another 1'' to 1.5". They worked with me to make it happen on my 89.