Differences between 79 thru 81 models

[GLoweVA]

I've been brushing up on my skills/knowledge of these wonderful machines and have found a few things that help me determine what year (special/std) by looking at it.
The easy ones are the 78/79 standards, the seat's bottom edge is almost straight and the side covers are squarish looking. (the only
difference between the 78 & 79 that I could find was a little different brake light/liscence plate holder)
The next easiest one is the 81 vice 80 standard. the 81 came as a touring package and had the larger tank and slotted rotors.

On to the specials (79-81)
79 had a lower mounted brake light, different grab rail and reflectors on the side of the forks and solid rotors.
80/81 had the reflectors on the side of the frame, tail light up under the seat, slotted rotors.
Difference between the 80 and 81: the side cover emblem, 80: XS Eleven Special 81: Eleven Special with a 'check mark'.

The Midnight specials 80/81 are easiest to determine by the wheels. the 81 had curved spokes and the 80 had straight.

I do need a clarification, i found that there were some 81 specials had curved spokes. I need a ruling on this. Maybe that was just an option at the dealer.

You ask: what prompted me to do all this research???? I was trying to figure out which seats were interchangeable and more importantly, if i can spot the differences from pictures as to which seat goes to which bike. When buying a used seat from anyone, (Ebay included) No matter what the description is, the picture tells a thousand words.
Currently I know I have the wrong seat on my G because it's smashing my TCI into the plastic fender.

[cywelchjr]

80 and 81 standard seats interchange, those are the ONLY ones (that apply) that interchange without modification. Anything else will either require modification of the seat pan, or relocation of the TCI. The other possibility might be, is the TCI in the stock position for an 80G?

That said, IIRC the earlier model standards the TCI is mounted down a bit on the fender so the seat isn't a problem, and to clear the earlier seats you have to create an indentation in the seat pan where the TCI is. Said indentation is only like 1/2 inch or so, and easy to do with a metal seat pan, no so easy with a plastic one like some of the aftermarket pans.

[crazy steve]

The '78/79 standards are pretty much identical, particularly if you have a early '79. The late '79 got the tubeless wheels, all '79s had the halogen headlight instead of the '78 sealed beam. There's a few other detail differences; the 'emergency kick lever' is chrome plated on the '78s, zinc-plated on the '79s, and some hardware is slightly different. The different taillight mounts you noted seem to be more of a 'what's in the parts bin' thing more than a year difference, as I've seen both types of mounts installed on both '78 and '79 standards (the difference is there is a 'euro' type mount that mounted the turns on those bikes, and some were used on the US bikes with the holes plugged. I've got two 78s, and had one of each on them..).

Seat fitment? Well, the '78/79 standard seats don't fit anything else (and none of the others will fit them because of the TCI location, among other things). The '79 Special and all later models mounted the TCI in the same place, so it's other factors that affect fit there, with the biggy being the amount of 'hangdown' on the side of the seat to 'fit' the sidecovers. The '79 Special and '80-81 standards share the same sidecover shape, so that will work, but there's a slight difference at the front where it fits against the tank. The '80-81 Special seats hang down quite a bit further, interfering with the sidecovers on other models, plus having the cutaway for the taillight.

If your seat is squashing your TCI on your '80, it's probably a '78-79 standard seat...

[GLoweVA]

If your seat is squashing your TCI on your '80, it's probably a '78-79 standard seat...

Yeah Steve, I've come to the same conclusion. Unfortunately it's an aftermarket seat with a plastic pan, so there's no way for me to 'make' room for the TCI. However, it's fine now because the inner fender has given way enough to not be an interference issue anymore.
So, my search continues for an 80/81 standard seat. (regular or King/Queen I don't care)
Not that I'm in any hurry to get one. Sure, my current one is ugly and coming apart, but at least it's something to sit on.

[crazy steve]

Unfortunately it's an aftermarket seat with a plastic pan, so there's no way for me to 'make' room for the TCI. However, it's fine now because the inner fender has given way enough to not be an interference issue anymore...

If it's a plastic pan, take a heat gun or propane torch to it; I've done some pretty major reshaping on plastic seat pans that way. Figure out where it's hitting, apply heat, and push in the needed clearance...

[davidsymons53]

Are the 80/81 special seats interchangeable?

[GLoweVA]

Are the 80/81 special seats interchangeable?

Yes the seats between the 80/81 specials are interchangable.
They have 3 different part numbers listed:
4W1-W2472-00-00
3J6-W2472-00-00
4RO-W2472-00-00
But any of these will fit any 80/81 special.
You can verify with the part finder here: http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/

[davidsymons53]

Yes the seats between the 80/81 specials are interchangable.
They have 3 different part numbers listed:
4W1-W2472-00-00
3J6-W2472-00-00
4RO-W2472-00-00
But any of these will fit any 80/81 special.
You can verify with the part finder here: http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/

Thanks. I am listing a King/Queen seat from an 81sh on eBay and I will state that it will fit a 80gh.

David

[crazy steve]

Thanks. I am listing a King/Queen seat from an 81sh on eBay and I will state that it will fit a 80gh.

David

That would be a SH and SG..... That seat will also fit a LG and LH (Midnight Specials).