Seats

[Schwiggy]

So I'm wondering if anyone has run into this before and maybe has a solution.

I just won an auction on a new seat, its a different style than what I had on my bike. Its the style of the bike on the top. (Taken from the home page.)

And my bike is the style of the one on the bottom. (Also taken from the home page.)




I think its a cool look, and the seat was cheap and is in very good condition. If whoever I bought it from happens to hang out here... thanks.

Now, silly me, I didn't look into if these seats were compatible. It bolts up fine, but the gap between the top of the side panel and the bottom of the seat plastic is an unsightly wedge. I guess these older(?) XS11 side panels weren't on an angle like the newer(?) ones?

I'm still trying to figure out the different models of XS11's and so far I can pretty much only differentiate between the standard and the special.

[CatatonicBug]

The seat pans are different for the '79. They take a setup that is unlike any other year. IIRC, the other Standards interchange with each other, as do the Specials, but the '79 is unique. Is your old seat pan shot? If not, you can get it re-covered with any style foam you like. Take it to a local upholstery shop, and most will take care of you for around $100.

[Schwiggy]

Ok, good to know. Thank you. My old seat pan is in pretty bad shape and I bought this new seat + pan in very good condition for well under $100.

I think I may try some things to cover the gaps, because it does fit on quite well aside from that. I'll also need to color match the new seat plastics to the rest of my bike, but it may give me incentive to repaint the whole bike.

[crazy steve]

Well, I guess there really isn't a 'solution' per se; while most parts will swap between the various years/models of XS, you will run into things like this. Yamaha made changes almost yearly on these bikes and on some stuff you do have to pay attention, with seats, sidecovers, and rear fenders being among the parts that changed, if only subtly.

To 'cure' your 'gap', you have three choices; find a correct '80G seat, try to swap to the '78-79 'standard' sidecovers (which opens a different can of worms as the mounting tabs on the frame aren't the same), or alter the seat (which will mean a custom cover). If you have the original seat and the only thing wrong is a bad cover, new reproduction covers are available here:
http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/...ake=YAMAHA&HP=
Swapping sidecovers is much harder, as the shape/mounting changed, plus the joy of trying to find a good set; sidecovers are probably the most-missing parts on these bikes (after OEM exhaust) and can be very expensive.

Good luck!

[fredintoon]

- - - Now, silly me, I didn't look into if these seats were compatible. It bolts up fine, but the gap between the top of the side panel and the bottom of the seat plastic is an unsightly wedge. - - -

Hi Schwiggy,
bolts up fine equals compatable in my book.
The allegedly unsightly wedge is hidden by your powerful manly thighs when you are on the bike and when you are off it, just don't look.
And yeah, it seems like Yamaha re-styled the sidepanels for a pastime, they did it so often.
However, most of them can be adapted to fit on different models even if you have to reinforce the upper attachment areas and Dremel different holes or slots.
FWIW, my XS11SG wears the rightside panel off (I think) an XS11F but you can't see both sides at once, eh?

[Schwiggy]

Wow... haha that's the best answer yet. And now I feel like less of a man for even suggesting there was a problem.

You are right, its really only a problem when I'm off the bike... and then its not really my problem, its who evers looking at it's problem!

Good deal.

[natemoen]

Wow... haha that's the best answer yet. And now I feel like less of a man for even suggesting there was a problem.

You are right, its really only a problem when I'm off the bike... and then its not really my problem, its who evers looking at it's problem!

Good deal.

But you only really see your bike when your not on it so if you think its a problem then that is all that you will see when your not sitting on the bike.... just to turn it around!