'79 vs '80 Seat

[greybeard555]

Can someone tell me if a seat from a '79 XS1100 will fit on an 1980 XS1100 There is one for sale on ebay but he doesn't know the answer. No sense in bidding if it won't fit. Or better yet, does anyone happen to have a seat that will fit the '80?

Thanks,

[natemoen]

If it is a 79 special it will NOT fit. Standard seats I believe interchange through all years on standard bikes

[bikerphil]

On Standards, the seat pan is different between the 78-79 and the 80-81 to accommodate the location of the ignition box. The early years the box is mounted in the rear, the late in the front. There are some other minor differences also, such as a tail cowling on the early models. There may also be some clearance issues with the side covers, as their design was also switched in 1980.

[natemoen]

I knew the cowling and side covers was different but I didnt know that changed the seat. Learn something new everyday!

[cheezy]

couldn't you just use the plastic inner fender from the 80 to mount the ignition mod, and use the 79 fender and seat?

[dbeardslee]

I've got a 79F, and I have both seat types - the one with the plastic cowel that's exposed, and one with the metal cowl that's covered with fabric. They both fit fine. My brother has an 80G with the earlier seat type, and that also fits fine.