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Too much plastic. What can I remove? Anyone tackled passenger seat area?

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pamajama

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey Folks! Love my PAS! Not sure if I've got a "seconds" quality part or something but the plastic seat pan (under passenger seat) has swirls of different colors that I don't see on any other PAS and they drive me insane. It got me thinking: this thing has a lot of plastic, anyone explored removing some? The plastic was a turnoff on my first look at the bike, but I was sold after a solid test ride. Anyway, I'm thinking, since I have full panniers and a top case, do I really need this ugly, swirly plastic? Looks like I could lose the grab bar pretty easily... and maybe trim down the area under the seat pan. Throw a few spacers in its place and call it a day. Looking for a sense check from the crew here.... What am I missing?

Thoughts on deleting the plastic grab bar: I can't really think of a reason I'd need to attach anything here given my panniers. If I need an extra bungee, the pannier rack is sturdy and will fit the bill. I also never ride with a passenger, so no need for anyone to hang on. And, speaking of, I'd love to do a passenger peg delete. Does anyone have a lead on an exhaust hanger in lieu of the foot peg/hanger bracket? .

Thoughts on trimming the plastic seat pan: Unless someone has already solved this problem, I'd have to retain the back portion for the tail light, but it appears I can trim the sides and lose the ugly swirly plastic and hang over portions.
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#3 ·
The plastic grab handles are garbage.
The rear sub base that holds your seat is necessary unfortunately.
However if you are running panniers then install the Touratech rear rack.
At least you will have something solid to grab onto when you lay your bike down as well as awesome tiedown areas on it.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Burnin Padrons said:
The plastic grab handles are garbage.
The rear sub base that holds your seat is necessary unfortunately.
However if you are running panniers then install the Touratech rear rack.
At least you will have something solid to grab onto when you lay your bike down as well as awesome tiedown areas on it.
Click to expand...
Hey BP, thanks for the reply! I know that the center portion of the seat pan/sub base is needed, but is there any other need? Reason being, I think I could trim it up like they likely did in the link above. They've got the saddlemen seat and that works with the OEM seat system. I'm thinking I'll trim off those bits that hang over the sub frame. Any concerns you'd see?

The touratech looks great! Looks like it would accept my top case, too!
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
pamajama said:
Hey BP, thanks for the reply! I know that the center portion of the seat pan/sub base is needed, but is there any other need? Reason being, I think I could trim it up like they likely did in the link above. They've got the saddlemen seat and that works with the OEM seat system. I'm thinking I'll trim off those bits that hang over the sub frame. Any concerns you'd see?

The touratech looks great! Looks like it would accept my top case, too!
Click to expand...
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Trimmed here, basically...
 
#6 ·
I’m sure you can trim the fat around the anchor bolts but if you plan on running panniers and a top box, you’d barely see the sub base assembly.
If you screw things up I do have another sub base new in the unopened box I’d part with at HD cost plus freight.
The sub base took 4 months for me to get but already received my first order which took close to the 4 months. Thought it would be good to have a spare but the touratech rack makes the sub base practically bulletproof
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
DukeSky said:
I removed up to 50 lbs off my bike. I ride it on the street only. Handles a lot better. I put the radiator end caps off a Sportster S.
Click to expand...
DukeSky, your bike looks great!! What I can see removed/changed: tail tidy, exhaust, brush guards, lower fairings/original radiator caps, left side passenger peg (nice delete!), adjustable shifter, maybe some savings on the rider pegs and brake lever.... Anything big I'm missing?

Not sure if you ride in wind/rain but interested if you noticed much of a difference after removing those lower pieces... My other bike is a bonneville and my legs get cold with zero wind protection. Really love what you did!
 
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1badPA
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