Frame differences

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MikeCas

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Hello. I'm a new member who just bought a 1983 XS650 that hasn't been started for 31 years. Could be challenging. Here's the question. I hate the step seat. I was happy to see that the frame has straight tubes. Is the frame similar to earlier years? Can I use a seat from an earlier year? The seat, bars and 16" wheel have to go! Thanks for your input!
 
MikeCas said:
Hello. I'm a new member who just bought a 1983 XS650 that hasn't been started for 31 years. Could be challenging. Here's the question. I hate the step seat. I was happy to see that the frame has straight tubes. Is the frame similar to earlier years? Can I use a seat from an earlier year? The seat, bars and 16" wheel have to go! Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...
Your 83 seat is "clipped on." It has pins in the front and clips or locks in the rear. The earlier Standard seats without the step are hinged. So no, they won't swap. You could have that seat recovered and the foam cut down flat.
 
Yes, the '82-'83 seats are badly "humped" and butt ugly, lol. They are comfortable though .....

hErhCcY.jpg


You can swap on a '78 - '81 Special seat on but it must be the "lift off" type. Some were hinged on the side. It is stepped too, just not as much. I put one on my '83 .....

UtQy2MY.jpg
 
All seats from the 80SG, (not including the 80G), to 84SL are clip on seats. The 80SG seat has a more sloped rise, (as per 5Twins pic), earlier frames from 74-79 Standards, and the 78/79and 80G, (including the 80G), Specials had hinged seats.............the 80G was modeled to look like the 78 and 79 Specials..... when the 80SG had the new style clip on seat and a new look model altogether

Model ID for all XS650's in this link http://www.xs650.com/threads/xs650-...workshop-manuals-and-other-information.30569/

There are aftermarket seats from Vietnam that use the same mechanism as the 80-84 clip on seats

Link to Texavina site 80-84 clip on seats. This states the seats are from 78-83 but the 78SE and 79SF/2F and 80G do not use these seats............yes it can get confusing with the changes around the Specials from 78 and on and a lot of companies that sell parts do not differentiate the differences. I can assure you my information is correct
https://texavina.com/xs650-heritage-special-1978-1983/

Here is a link to a review of Texavina hinged seat http://www.xs650.com/threads/texavina-custom-seat-review.57045/
 
Last edited:
The 80SG seat has a much less pronounced hump.. and it'll fit your 83.

z.jpg
 
I agree the 80SG seat looks better and is more comfortable..........unfortunately it is a one year only, and only on one of 2 models that come out in that year, so is not as easy to find as the stepped 81-84 seat
 
Here's a 1979 Special II from Doug's ID thread. The seat lock is on the left, so it's hinged on the right. 78 was the same. Neither one has the crossed pleats.

zz.jpg
 
5Twins, Got these from thexsCafe.

From a 79SII parts manual......Hinged seat
79 2F Suplimentry manual - parts Manualt46 46.jpg
80G parts manual............hinged seat
80 G - parts Manualt45 45.jpg
From the 78-79-80 E-SF-SG Parts manual. Pic shows the clip on seat but the parts list has different part no's for different seats where 3 no's, (#3, #4, and a blank # are different), state they are hinged and #5 is for a clip on.
78-79-80 E-SF-SG parts Manualt073 073.jpg

Sellers aren't going to look to closely and differentiate.............
 
Howdy folks,
My name's Curtis and I'm a relatively new member here. This place is great. Anyways, here's a couple of pic's giving an idea of what can be done with the factory 1981 Special seat. I carved the foam and had it recovered locally for about $100.
xs650 yard 006 - Copy.JPG
xs650 yard 008.JPG
 
Found an old pic of my 78 Special. If you squint hard enough, you can see the seat lock on the left.

1st XS. Fla 1980.jpg
 

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