When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This may be a little late, but I just thought of it and it's a simple fix. No need to remove the seat or anything. Just remove the bolt from the cylinder shaft to the mechanism. A T40 torx bit and 1/4" drive required. It is accessable from the inside from each side of the top storage well. Tie the cylinder shaft to the retainer around the top base with a black zip tie. That's it, enjoy the top down driving.
Wish I thought of this sooner.