[Back2dirt]

Hello everyone- been riding for over 45 years, but wanted to get "back in the dirt" so to speak. I have a Honda Valkyrie as my main ride but just bought a new SCR two weeks ago. I haven't had this much fun in years. This bike is just crying for more air. Has anyone tried the Vance & Hines VO2 naked air Intake? Also, the stock seat is a butt-braker, has anyone found a solution- seat pad?

 

[flatrack]

Hello everyone- been riding for over 45 years, but wanted to get "back in the dirt" so to speak. I have a Honda Valkyrie as my main ride but just bought a new SCR two weeks ago. I haven't had this much fun in years. This bike is just crying for more air. Has anyone tried the Vance & Hines VO2 naked air Intake? Also, the stock seat is a butt-braker, has anyone found a solution- seat pad?

I have a VO2 on my SCR, its great but I kind of rushed when I bought it. I like the look of the oval one on the Hageman bike more. But all in all Im happy with it, i think its a quality piece. I also have the V&H Competition slipon,,again there are other pipes out there I've since discovered that I like more...

 

[eddie]

(snip) Also, the stock seat is a butt-braker, has anyone found a solution- seat pad?

I went as far as to construct an entirely new seat pan, padding & cover. (last photo) I got the foam density wrong and will address that once a suitable replacement is found.
1st two photos. :
For the money, I was really surprised how well a simple mod to the stock seat turned out. My Yamaha dealer was helpful and sold me a new OEM seat at cost to experiment with. I pulled the cover off, marked out an area along the centerline and then took a long kitchen knife and sliced the "crown" of the front portion level. Next, I took 80 grit sandpaper and shaped it smooth again. This was actually quite easy, just very messy. LOL
Lastly, I cut out a 1/4" deep section for a $35 piece of raw seat gel I found on eBay. Once in place with a shot of 3M "77" spray adhesive, I stretched some knit cloth (t-shirt piece!) over the top and tacked it down with a few stainless steel staples before reinstalling the original cover. Now, I can run a full tank of gas out without parts of me going numb. =)

 

[Back2dirt]

Eddie, your seat rebuild looks awesome. It looks like it was done by a professional. Unfortunately, I am not that handy. Also, Flat-track- since you opened up both the air box AND exhaust, did you need to remap your fuel/air ?

 

[OpenRoad]

why the additional T-Shirt piece over the gel pad in your seat mod?

 

[flatrack]

Eddie, your seat rebuild looks awesome. It looks like it was done by a professional. Unfortunately, I am not that handy. Also, Flat-track- since you opened up both the air box AND exhaust, did you need to remap your fuel/air ?

This is the subject of much debate. Some people think its required while others do not. I DO plan on reflashing ECU over the winter...my bike has over 4000kms and runs great!

 

[YamiGuy]

Might as well play it safe and get the flash done, at least this bike has a lot of owners so those waiting for responses should get them before going for the tune themselves. I'll be sitting on the sidelines as well

 

[eddie]

why the additional T-Shirt piece over the gel pad in your seat mod?

It helped smooth out the transition edge between the seat foam and gel material. Otherwise, there would be more of a visible line with the seat cover in place. If the factory were to include the gel as an option, they could change the seat foam mold include the gel in the process. That would eliminate the seam. Me? I cut a trough in the seat foam by scoring the area carefully with a razor blade and then plucking out the foam, sanding the area smooth as I could afterward. It was like trying to whittle a ballerina figurine out of a block of balsa wood with an axe, ;-)