The 78E Seat Cowl

[JCruze]

I know that most of the 78E models came equipped with the rear cowling but I'm trying to figure out whether or not there were any later models that came with the same part. Also If anybody has one that they are willing to sell, by all means PM me. Thanks.

[natemoen]

'78-'79 standards are the only ones with the rear cowl.

[James England]

They are readily available on eBay UK because that was the only model we had here at first. Shipping to the USA would not be expensive as they don't weigh much

[JosephM]

Fit on Other Models

Does anyone know how hard of a modification it would be to fit one of the cowl model seats on a different year bike (81 XS H)?

[crazy steve]

You'd have to cut a hole in the seat pan for the TCI; the '78-79 standards mounted that on the rear fender (the cowl covered it) and will hit the TCI on all other models. You still would have some large gaps in seat fit as these are all shaped slightly different. If you're willing to change the wiring harness, you could relocate the TCI.

For probably the best/easiest results, I'd try splicing the 'cowl' portion of the early pan to a late seat. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a rotted-out pan to get the piece off of....

[JosephM]

Tci

TCI is the little black box the size of a pack of Dunhills? Mine is right on top of my chrome rear fender. I must have had an aftermarket seat. Come to think of it, the seat was fiberglass, too. Until I butchered it trying to turn it into a cafe style fastback seat.

PS. Need to discuss your Jag with you. Great ride. And, with the LT1!!!

[natemoen]

TCI is the little black box the size of a pack of Dunhills? Mine is right on top of my chrome rear fender. I must have had an aftermarket seat. Come to think of it, the seat was fiberglass, too. Until I butchered it trying to turn it into a cafe style fastback seat.

PS. Need to discuss your Jag with you. Great ride. And, with the LT1!!!

That is right where the TCI should be on the '78. If you had a fiberglass pan then.yes it was an aftermarket seat.

[TomB]

Does anyone know how hard of a modification it would be to fit one of the cowl model seats on a different year bike (81 XS H)?

Be careful when trying this, the Specials and Standards have different seat mounts, the Standards frame lugs are lower where the sliding bolt fits. They will fit but tightening the bolt will cause distortion and ultimate seat base fracture.

If using a Standard type seat on a Special frame the rubber seat base feet that sit against the frame all along the seat won't be sat down apart from the front two, so the whole seat will be sat on the front two rubbers and the sliding bolts bracket, again, if sat on for any length of time may cause base metal fractures.

Of course you may get away with it and be lucky, or the seat base may bend to fit then not fracture, or use some deeper rubber feet/pads glued on.

Yes they will fit, just a heads up

[James England]

or use some deeper rubber feet/pads glued on.

When I bought a replica seat, it didn't quite fit, so I used the rubber/plastic feet from a radio... you know, the sort with recessed screws.. a bit like a doorstop. I actually screwed them to the seat pan using very short screws, of course. The trimmed them where required. It did the trick. I tried using glue before that but I found they kept falling off!