Alright, let’s talk about this little project I took on with my Honda Shadow 650. The seat height, it was bugging me. I wanted to lower it a bit, make it more comfortable for those long rides, you know?

Getting Started
So, first thing I did was look around, see what others had done. Turns out, the Shadow’s already got a pretty low seat height, like 25.6 inches, which is great for a lot of folks. But I wanted it even lower. I found out that the 650, also known as the “American Classic Edition,” is kind of famous for being, well, very Harley-like. That got me thinking about how I could make it even more my own.
Diving In
I started by taking off the seat. It’s not rocket science, just a few bolts. Then, I looked at the seat pan, the base of the seat. My plan was to shave down the foam a bit, to lower the height. I used a marker to draw out where I wanted to cut, being careful not to go too crazy.
- Remove the seat: Easy enough, just unscrew the bolts.
- Mark the foam: I drew a line where I thought I should cut.
- Cut the foam: I used an electric knife for this part, it’s much easier than a regular knife.
- Shape the foam: After cutting, I used a sander to smooth things out and make it look nice.
The Tricky Part
The hardest part was probably making sure I didn’t take off too much foam. I wanted it to be comfortable, still, so I took it slow, cutting a little at a time and sitting on it to test it out. And let me tell you, the electric knife, it’s a lifesaver. Slices through that foam like butter.
Putting It Back Together
Once I was happy with the shape, I put the seat cover back on. It was a bit of a struggle to get it stretched back over the new shape, but I got it in the end. A few staples here and there, and it was looking pretty good. I bolted the seat back onto the bike, and there it was.
The Result
I hopped on, and wow, what a difference! It felt so much better. Lower to the ground, more in control. I took it for a spin, and it was like riding a whole new bike. I even added a sissy bar/seat rest later on, made it even more comfortable for longer rides. And you know what? It looks pretty awesome too.

So, that’s my story of lowering the seat on my Honda Shadow 650. It wasn’t too hard, and it made a huge difference. If you’re thinking about doing it, I’d say go for it. Just take your time, and enjoy the ride!