Does anybody know of an aftermarket seat where the back seat has been removed and there is an easily (no tools or even keyed) accessible storage area under the rear cowl?
Closest I've seen to what you're looking for is a Sargent seat. Been considering one for myself for a little while now. http://www.sargentcycle.com/howsvfr8.htm
Under Seat Storage Yep, sounds like Sargent World Class seat with insert pins, or you can do it yourself. Take extra seat (NOTE: extra seat, so you always have a whole one for 2 up). Cut pan just past rear latch assembly with sharp, fine hand saw. Cut vinyl about 3" past where seat cowl covers seat with very sharp knife. Cut seat foam about 1/2" past where seat cowl covers seat with very sharp knife or hand electric carving knife. Fold vinyl down to seat pan, staple in place. Go to hardware store, buy some insert pins about 3/16" OD (please measure for clearnace in threads to frankenscrew). Mount seat, mount cowl cover. Insert pins in hole and release. All done. I had to do this for my 3rd gen, except I don't mine screws for screws, keeps secure, some. Cheap way, my way. Larry
I modified a spare seat for my '99 pretty much the way SafetyPro10 describes. It made for a whole lot more storage. I can send some jpgs of it on the bike if you PM me your email. I don't use it anymore since I went with hard bags, but for a time it was great storage for commuting, rainsuit, etc..