Seat Fitment for 81 XS650

cretin75xs650 · Full Member Joined: Dec 24, 2008 Posts: 99

I'm in the process of purchasing an 1981 XS650 and would like to make it a cafe style racer. I need help with the seat fitment. I am interested in installing Mike's XS seat but he has it listed as fitting 74-79 standard models. Has anyone installed the seat on a later model? If so, could you tell me how or what you did to fit it? Does anyone have any alternative seat fitments? I'm new to this and am excited about getting this project off the ground with miminal cost. My budget is around $1000, the mc will cost me $500. So any help would be appreciated. Pics would be great also.
Thanks,
Cretin

KYLEPRESTON · Posted: December 29, 2008, 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Fitment for 81 XS650

Are you looking to keep stock setup? or are you looking to get a specific look reguardless?
If you look under gallery and my bike I used the seatpan from a tx750 that I cut down tacked and bolted to the frame. works great and I don't really need to get under the seat so it works. Now having said that I have a 73 so my frame and seat are not like the later style. but, something can always be worked out. it just depends if you want to keep the stock latches and access

Kyle

cretin75xs650 · Full Member Joined: Dec 24, 2008 Posts: 99

On the 81 the seat is lifted off and is not latched like earlier model XS. I did not want to modify the frame, though I see options available. I will probably take my seat, remove the cover and cut down the foam. Make it like a cafe style seat with a humped back section then re-cover. Have seen some good ideas on DO THE TON forum. Thanks for your input...

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