Seat Height Reduction and Single Seat Modification

I know this is not on a Bandit but I thought some might still find it worth considering.


Firstly being built a little like a Hobbit has required me to have the seat modified on both the previous Bandit and now the CBR650.


In Queensland seat cowls are no longer acceptable for single seat registration

Single seat registration can be gained by having the seat less than 500mm long. The workaround is to have a "hump" added to the back half to make it "non user friendly". The modification will save me around $190 per year in the reduction of CTP.


A local motor trimmer did the deed for $120. I would have asked Paul but it is a bit of a ride to get there.

That looks the goods non bandit Dave

BanditDave wrote:

A local motor trimmer did the deed for $120. I would have asked Paul but it is a bit of a ride to get there.

 But it's worth the trip once you get here though    
Looks the part Dave .............($120.......... they must work for peanuts up there ......you sure it wasn't an upholsterer     )

I didn't have any peanuts on me so I had to pay him in cash.



BTW Shannon (the motor trimmer) said he has had many opportunities to do household upholstery but has stuck to automotive thingies because the former is way too boring and monotonous.

I think he gets a good deal of his business from "petrol heads" restoring older cars so his work is very varied which must make it interesting.

I reckon my new seat is similar to what Valentino has. I think that is about all we have in common. He goes just a little bit quicker than me.

BanditDave wrote:I didn't have any peanuts on me so I had to pay him in cash.



BTW Shannon (the motor trimmer) said he has had many opportunities to do household upholstery but has stuck to automotive thingies because the former is way too boring and monotonous.

I think he gets a good deal of his business from "petrol heads" restoring older cars so his work is very varied which must make it interesting.

I reckon my new seat is similar to what Valentino has. I think that is about all we have in common. He goes just a little bit quicker than me.

Correct ...trimming is far more varied & interesting than upholstery ( I've seen the result of "some " upholsterers taking on stuff like hoods & some of the more intricate parts of trimming etc. ..............each to their own I suppose , but a little beyond their  field me thinks    )

Looking great, Dave. 
The hump looks more comfortable than most stock pillion perches of late. 
You can get single seat rego and still throw ya missus on the back. Well done. 

Well, after a mere 7 weeks from buying the bike I fronted up to Queensland Transport with my modified bike and all necessary paperwork.

It was fairly clear to me that the Customer Service Officer (funny title - I question the middle word!!) had never encountered such a process before. She had to seek advice from two other Customer Service Officers before finally handing me the letter advising the change was done.

What probably hurt my feelings a little was that my bike was not inspected for compliance. What if I was trying to cheat the system??

Anyway, contacted CTP provider and sent paperwork to them.

Looking forward to refund of 10.5 months of $190 per year fee difference and $190 each year thereafter.

I guess this can be regarded as a happy ending.

You went to a government department and ended up with a happy ending

I'm moving to Queensland

BanditDave wrote:

I guess this can be regarded as a happy ending.

Not what I was led to believe " happy ending" meant   ................but a good result none the less Dave    more money for accessories now ( or more " happy endings "  )

BanditDave wrote:I know this is not on a Bandit but I thought some might still find it worth considering.


Firstly being built a little like a Hobbit has required me to have the seat modified on both the previous Bandit and now the CBR650.


In Queensland seat cowls are no longer acceptable for single seat registration

Single seat registration can be gained by having the seat less than 500mm long. The workaround is to have a "hump" added to the back half to make it "non user friendly". The modification will save me around $190 per year in the reduction of CTP.


A local motor trimmer did the deed for $120. I would have asked Paul but it is a bit of a ride to get there.

Wow, only not quite 4 - 5 months ago I single seated my storm and all I needed was a seat cowl and exhaust hangers that didn't have passenger peg holders. Took that to an inspection station and $50 later had a certificate to take to the main roads client relations officer, (the spud behind the counter)and bobs your auntie.

I'll have to get details of you to get my bandit seat done next time I'm in the bay seeing the family. I want to keep the height as I'm tall but a bit of reshape and better padding.

Hmmm seeing it was that easy I might have to go searching for a good motor trimmer in Mackay to see what they can do , can't see the mrs getting in the back any time soon

Bosco15 wrote:Looking great, Dave. 
The hump looks more comfortable than most stock pillion perches of late. 
You can get single seat rego and still throw ya missus on the back. Well done. 

What a horrible thought   Maybe she could be secured with cable ties and duct tape so she doesn't fall off.

Actually, I wouldn't want to get caught up here in Qld. I don't think our police officers have a lot of sympathy for hardened criminals (people who carry pillions)

madmax wrote:You went to a government department and ended up with a happy ending

I'm moving to Queensland

1. There's a rainforest plant up this way called Happy Moments. The leaves have a beautiful top but lots of prickles under which apparently cause extreme pain. I think I would wrap myself in these leaves rather than visit some government departments

2. We don't want any more Mexicans up here. We probably should build a fence to keep you lot out I understand it worked for rabbits.

Corsa79 wrote:I'll have to get details of you to get my bandit seat done next time I'm in the bay seeing the family. I want to keep the height as I'm tall but a bit of reshape and better padding.

Hi Corsa,

PM me for details

Ghostbandit wrote:Hmmm seeing it was that easy I might have to go searching for a good motor trimmer in Mackay to see what they can do , can't see the mrs getting in the back any time soon

I had my 09 Bandit seat done by Corbin Motor Trimmers in Juliet Street

I paid close to $200 for an initial plus follow up visit as I had to take it back as I wasn't happy with the shape.

BanditDave wrote:

Ghostbandit wrote:Hmmm seeing it was that easy I might have to go searching for a good motor trimmer in Mackay to see what they can do , can't see the mrs getting in the back any time soon

I had my 09 Bandit seat done by Corbin Motor Trimmers in Juliet Street

I paid close to $200 for an initial plus follow up visit as I had to take it back as I wasn't happy with the shape.

Thanks for that,