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Post by excess650 on Apr 26, 2009 13:48:51 GMT -5
Hi I got a message from some ebay seller in Bangkok that wants to build a seat cover for a 78 special. He was wondering what years that would cover. It is a company that does replica work so I though a little help would be useful to the group. So, I have a 78 special. It is a side hinge seat. Anybody know what other years use the same pan, foam? Thanks
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Post by Mat on Apr 27, 2009 7:53:29 GMT -5
All Specials use that side-mount seat--'79 and possibly '80 as well.
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Post by excess650 on Apr 27, 2009 9:05:55 GMT -5
I know what would help. Is there a picture guide of all the models and years that show the bikes from a side view? Any ideas how I get this info. Each year must have had a manual. I will cruze the yamaha home site.
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rwp
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by rwp on Aug 30, 2009 13:40:09 GMT -5
I just picked up an 80 Special yesterday. Haven't had time to think much about my approach, however, the seat was going to be the first to go. It has an aftermarket high back stepped seat along with what I think is a Yamaha accessory sissy bar. I removed the bar and the seat immediately. I was curious about how the seat was constructed and pulled the dirty, torn cover off. The seat back is supported by a sheet steel back spot welded to the pan. I realized that the spot welds can be drilled out easily, leaving me with a usable hinged seat pan. AND there is a huge block of foam that may let me carve out a seat bottom and a foam cafe rear like some of the old BMW's. The point of all this is that there are a lot of old king and queen or similar seats out there with bad covers, that could provide a pan and usable foam for very little money.
Actually it's an 80 according to title and seat config.
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Post by 5twins on Aug 30, 2009 15:01:05 GMT -5
'78-'80 used the same side hinge seat on the Special. '81-on had a different seat, cover, more of a step, and no side hinges. These seats had a tab that hooked in the front, a double latch/lock assembly about midway back, and I think they lifted right off the bike when released (not hinged to it at all).
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Post by CaptDan on Sept 11, 2009 6:53:45 GMT -5
I believe the seats changed on the Specials from side-hinged to rear latched in 1980. The seat lifts entirely off my 1980 Special -- no hinges. This matches MikesXS replacement parts and seat discriptions... "Seat Assembly - 1980-84 "Special" models - Rear Latching Lift Off Type Only! Exact Replica of Original - Complete with rear Latching mechanism, base damper rubbers, Document holder, Steel seat Pan, Original fabric, Attractive 1980 deluxe style pleating. NOTE: These seats DO NOT fit any other Yamaha models or models of XS650's not listed above. We do Not have seats for the 78-79 specials (side hinge type). Part #68-6901." www.mikesxs.net/products-17.html#products. |
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Post by rem280 on Feb 19, 2012 16:20:06 GMT -5
just looking at this old thread...i have a 1980 special 2...it has side hinges and side latch...i read somewhere that some 1980's have rear latch...mine has matching frame and engine numbers ( 3go...........).
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Post by xsleo on Feb 23, 2012 20:48:22 GMT -5
The Special II's used the side hinge seat 78-80.
Leo
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