when is a 650 seat not a 650 seat

[bandwidth69]

Hi everyone. Stll ahving no luck with getting a descent seat for my UK spec 650 Z. There's a lot of seats out there that CLAIM to be from a 650 - but this is the second one iv tried that just won't fit!
I'm happy with it and will keep it as a spare - but my most rescent aquisition seems to be from a US bike. The underneath is the same - pan shape, side hinge and lock catch all Match. The problem is closing the thing. It immediately fowls the Z's rear light unit. This leads me to believe the seat is used to not haing one near it and that it is a US spec - chrome light and indicators on the fender job.
My original seat was heavily chopped as the guy who I bought the bike from was...vertically challenged - so isn't very deep. Interestingly, the seat says on it CB 550! in felt tip pen. So I don't know what that's about.

Is a 650z seat the same as a CB 550 seat?

Anyone else got any experience in this - please help???

[Ibsen]

No, the 550 and 650Z(UK model) is not the same. I'll see if I can find the parts numbers and compare them, but I think the 1980 CB750F2, and maybe the CX500(not the US custom model) might have the same seat as the 650Z. They both have the same rear light unit as the 650.

The seat on the picture of my bike in my sig line is the correct 650Z seat.

[bandwidth69]

Hi. Cool many thanks - it makes sense for Honda to carry SOME parts over I guess. You know what its like - something looks the same so must be the same eh? It snot my first e-bay cock-up, but its fine really. My bike is exactly like yours - (though not as clean) so I'm almost there again. Trouble is I'm seatless now as I had to butcher the already heavily butchered original seat to free the hinge mounting bolts!
You know the worst of it? I had a perfectly good Italian racing seat on my donor bike when i first got my CB - and I binned it! Hell - Iv spent £30 on it (plus a brake resevoir and throttle cable - yes I got one in the end!!!) so I may as well try dave silver and get the real deal for £80 or whatever it is of our good old english pounds!

[Ibsen]

That's a shame about the Italian seat.

I checked the parts numbers, and they are not the same. But the 78-79CX and the 79-80 DOHC750 have got the same rear light unit as our bikes as far as I can remember. I think an Email to David Silver might be helpful to find out if those seats will fit the 650 as well.

[bandwidth69]

I appreciate you checking. Thank you. I'll e-mail dave Silver and make sure that when I get a seat - its the right one. hey, look on the bright side. Iv got a US spec seat, a US spec grab bar - all i need no is the rear ligh/indicator unit and I'll have a tidy enough hybrid i guess!

[Ibsen]

I have bought one of those custom grab rails by a mistake too.

[bandwidth69]

I notice now, that your bike doesn't have a rail fitted does it! CBZ bars go out - US spec go in! ah well. The bikes off the road for the winter anyway. Got a while to look at it again.

[Ibsen]

You are right, I don't have one either. I have been looking out for one but it's hard to come by.

[bandwidth69]

Ok. Iv had enough. buying stuf online is just too easy isnt it? Dave Silver have sorted me out with a seat for the old CB and as a bonus, a speedo cable for my CBX 750 FE. Maybe i could gather all the bits and pieces i have from the donor bike and build up that one!

This bike was just sold on e-bay UK for about £600.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-HONDA-BLUE-C ... dZViewItem

and this little beauty is going for about £200. Shame - cost that much to collect it from where I live.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HONDA-CB650-1978- ... dZViewItem

[Ibsen]

The last one would make a cheap parts bike, or a good project bike, for someone.

I'm glad they were able to help you out with the seat.

[Chris]

I have an old (2005) JC Whitney catalog next my throne and I noticed they list new upholstery for some CB650's. I don't know if they have the one you're looking for or how they fit, etc. but it might be someplace to look.

[Vatch]

The 650Z's on the west side of the pond have much smaller tail lights. Plenty of room for the grab rail between the seat and the light.

And we're pretty sure nobody has a bike as clean as Ibsen's. At least nobody that actually rides their bike.

[bandwidth69]

You mean you RIDE them too? Iv got enough bits (apart from the tail piece that is) to covert mine into a US spec CB now! As far as I can tell, the seats are almost the same - except that the rear of the US ones seem to be deeper at the back end coz the seat goes all the waydown flush to the rear mudguard. Some other CB's including CBz's - have their toolbox hidden inside the rear light cluster. What about the US models?

I thought I was on to a winner - hinges and seat catch all matched, the profile of the seat pan looked OK. Nevermind. Any more visual tips to save an ususpecting e-bayer buying the wrong item in the future? Oh - and don't get tempted to buy unless you can see pictures of the seat upsidedown!

Now - just to wait for the Dave Silver item...

[nickjtc]

:Some other CB's including CBz's - have their toolbox hidden inside the rear light cluster. What about the US models?

The tool kit on the US spec bike is held in a tray rivetted to the top of the rear mudguard.

[Chris]

My tool kit was stuffed inside a tray behind the left side cover when I purchased the bike. Once I took it out, I couldn't get it to fit back in so I intend to purchase a tool bag that mounts on the forks below the headlight. I now store my registration and insurance documents in the tray behind the left cover as well as the leads for my battery tender. I'm also wishing for a set of saddlebags like Chris's this Christmas. Hey, Chris, could you measure those for me?