Heritage Special

[member28833]

Hi Tillerman,
the only unchangeable difference between a Standard and a Special XS650 is the angle of the rear shocks.
Everything else swaps like LEGO.
1980 and newer XS650s have the desirable lift-off seat and no points ignition and can be parts-swapped to look just like a Standard.

That is so BS ! fredintoon. It is difficult to adapt later "Special" shaped seats and side panels etc onto a "Standard" or the Standard components onto a Special. None of the hangers or mounts are in the proper place. It would require welding new tabs all over and the flat seat of a Standard is especially hard to adapt to the Special frame angles. Even the top triple clamp and instrument mounts are specifically angled for the Special..

 

[jetmechmarty]

Thank you. So a standard seat will fit? I thought modifications were needed as standard is hinged.
Will standard side panels fit too?

Completely dependent upon your abilities and willingness to modify the frame. As for me, a standard is a standard and a Special is special.
Before I'd convert a Special to a standard, I think I'd get a used Bonneville. Not that the the conversion isn't possible.

 

[fredintoon]

That is so BS ! fredintoon. It is difficult to adapt later "Special" shaped seats and side panels etc onto a "Standard" or the Standard components onto a Special. None of the hangers or mounts are in the proper place. It would require welding new tabs all over and the flat seat of a Standard is especially hard to adapt to the Special frame angles. Even the top triple clamp and instrument mounts are specifically angled for the Special..

Hi Machine,
I'll concede that sheet metal & plastic side covers, side-hinge & lift-off seats and a shitload of other small parts DON'T swap.
But most of the big parts do. Engines & gas tanks.'76 & earlier; '77 & newer; forks, brakes, fenders & wheels etc.
And I've welded an extra tab on a disk brake swingarm to work with a drum brake rear wheel.
It ain't so much BS at it is knowing what'll swap, what won't, and what can be gotten away with.

 

[member28833]

OK, Well this thread is a potential new XS owner and member here asking, which we would like to encourage and support. We need to not assist in somebody getting in over their heads. It does seem that in the UK guys are having even more of a difficult time sourcing parts than over here on the west coast USA where it has been easy until lately. I encourage all new potential XS owners to figure out which style XS they desire and patiently seek out that.
-R

 

[650Skull]

Written about this so many times.........Travis deleted all this info from the Sticky thread when they updated the forum........

Here is a link to putting a Standard seat on an early model Special
79XS shows how it is done with pics
http://www.xs650.com/threads/standard-vs-special-vs-special-ii-seats.22157/

If you don't find a Standard look for these models

Being in Europe you need to find a US import 78SE.........79SF...........79SII or 80G, (SII). These models have a hinged seat and it is quite easy to put a Standard seat on these specials. The side-covers still have a slope that doesn't sit exactly with the standard seat but Standard side-covers will sit on the same brackets as the special side-covers............These specials have metal side-covers. ............if someone tries to tell you different when they are trying to sell you a laterXS650, they are bullshitting .

78SE


79SF


79SII


80G, (SII).


Is you find a 79SII or 80G these 2 models have spoke wheels with drum rear brakes

Europe did get an early model US Custom that has a hinged seat the same as the models above.....Later US custom models didn't

Early European US Custom
Vin No starts with 3L1 000101 to 020000

These have a clip on seat, no hinges
Later model US Custom

 

[jetmechmarty]

This is my Heritage Special. If you don’t like a Special and buy one to modify. I think this is the last thing you want.

 

[Tillerman]

Yes I think my mind is made up. I'm going to hold out for a standard. I'll keep watching the adds, sure one will turn up.

 

[AndersJ]

Texavina Seat for Heritage Special

Bike Seat Factory for Heritage Special

XS650SG, XS650H, XS650SH, XS650SJ, and XS650SK all use the same seat. Those two sites may provide other acceptable seat options. Mike's XS had a cafe seat for those Specials, but seems to have discontinued it.

Anyone using the seat I the first photo? Id be curious to see what it looks like mounted on a bike.

 

[nighthog]

Just be aware that this seat retains the housebrick rear light unit.