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  • #1

    Possible seat swap?

    Howdy folks. I've recently acquired a '79 XS1100SF that has sat for around 5 years, and am in the process of going through and repairing it.

    I'm curious to know if this complete seat type would work on a '79 XS Special? I've got a king/queen on there now that looks good with the Vetter and bags on, but I'm thinking about running this bike naked for awhile since I also ride a fully faired FJR. I'm not to keen on the looks of the bike naked with the current seat, but I think the seat on this one looks outstanding.

    Shamelessly stolen picture from thewiz




    I'm not planning on selling the king/queen or the fairings or bags or anything, just thinking about adding a seat. Thanks for the input.


    Last edited by Ken Talbot; 02-15-2009, 01:15 PM.
    Ray

    '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
    '07 FJR1300
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Silent - You can get a king/queen seat like the one in the pic that will fit a 79 standard, but I don't think a special seat will fit. Be thee aware that the king/queen seats on a standard tend to put the family jewels right up on the gas tank. If you're tall it can be an uncomfortable riding position. Highway pegs could help. If you want to try one, tupperj may have one he's willing to part with.
    Last edited by dbeardslee; 02-15-2009, 01:10 PM.
    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

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    • #3
      I think he wants to put a standard seat on a special.

      Comment

      • #4
        Robert - right you are - my bad. Same goes though - can't swap the seats without modification.
        I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

        '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

        Comment

        • #5
          Yes, I'd like to put a Standard seat on my Special. Mines the one in the lower pic in post #1, however it doesn't look as good this week.



          How much modification is required to put a standard seat on a special? I'm totally ignorant to the differences between the models.
          Ray

          '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
          '07 FJR1300

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by Silent View Post



            How much modification is required to put a standard seat on a special?
            So much for keeping the rubber side down, lol. The Standard seat won't fit on a Special unless you are planning on changing the gas tank to the Standard type, or doing some drastic modifications to the front of the seat. There might also be a problem with the TCI interfering with the seat pan, depending on what year the pan is.
            2H7 (79) owned since '89
            3H3 owned since '06

            "If it ain't broke, modify it"

            ☮

            Comment

            • #7
              Thanks for the wisdom. Changing out the tank to a regular tank was suggested by the PO to get more range out of the bike. That may be an option depending on cost of a regular tank. Moving the electronics doesn't look like that big of a job either. If it doesn't cost an arm and a leg I may be up for trying it out. I don't want to do anything to the bike that's irreversible.

              Whats going rates on a standard tank and seat with the cowling?
              Ray

              '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
              '07 FJR1300

              Comment

              • #8
                I see the tanks on eBay from time to time and the seats. Price will depend on the condition, so check it out. The regular seats are harder to find than the king/queen type, most dont like the looks of the later, so... If you could find a Standard seat off an 80-81, you probably won't have to move the TCI, and they got rid of the cowling in 1980, IIRC.
                2H7 (79) owned since '89
                3H3 owned since '06

                "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                ☮

                Comment

                • #9
                  Seats ...

                  Hey, Silent .... the photo in your initial post is a 79F that I recently picked up. Has the original seat and cover although the cover is pretty much toast. I like the look of seat on this model ... 'tail cone', elegant grab rail and the trim strip down the length which makes it look slimmer. Was only used on 78 and 79 Standards.

                  The photo below shows the original seat and cover on my 79SF in real good condition.

                  Last edited by Ken Talbot; 02-16-2009, 11:08 PM.
                  80G Mini-bagger
                  VM33 Smooth bores, Pods, 4/1 Supertrapp, SS brake lines, fork brace

                  Past XS11s

                  79F Stone stocker and former daily driver, sold May '10 now converting for N.O. to cafe style
                  79SF eventually dismantled for parts
                  79F Bought almost new in 80, sold for a house
                  79F The Ernie bike sold to a Navy dude summer 08
                  79SF Squared-off Special, Vetter/Bates tour pkg., Mikes XS coils, G rear fender and tail light. Sold June 09

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Silent - The petcocks are setup different on the standard tanks than on the specials and they are not interchangeable. The ones on the standards are notorious for leaking. They can be replaced with manual petcocks for about $75.

                    What kind of shape is the inside of your tank in? If it's clean and shiny on the inside you might want to stick with it. A lot (not all) of the parts tanks you will find are rusty inside and you run into issues of derusting and sealing. It's doable - just giving you a heads-up.

                    The easiest way and cheapest way to go may be to keep your existing setup and just have the seat refoamed and recovered, or you can get kits to do it yourself. You may even be able to modify the existing foam and come up with something like The Wiz is showing for not much cash.
                    Last edited by dbeardslee; 02-16-2009, 11:56 AM.
                    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      This seems like the seat swap is going to be a bigger ordeal than it's worth. I think I'll just 'run what I brung' STS. I'll just put her back together as a touring setup and run that way. If I find I can't put the miles down on the king/queen, then I'll look into having Russel rework the seat.

                      Thanks for all the input
                      Ray

                      '79 XS1100 Special - An XS Odyssey <<-- Click it, you know you want to!
                      '07 FJR1300

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Check with some of the on-line catalog places and JCW. IIRC, you can still get a "custom" seat for the specials. Swapping tanks is a big hassle, besides, you wont wanna ride more than a couple hours on a XS anyway.
                        When a 10 isn't enough, get a 11. 80g Hardbagger

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