82 XJ650 wiring harness in a 80 XJ650 - Will it work?

Are there any major differences? I see them on eBay listed as 80-083 but I am suspicious as to whether they know for sure or not. Anyone here know for sure?

I did a search but suprisingly found very little on wiring harnesses.

Thanks

 

Yes it will work but there are some subtle and not so subtle differences.
For instance, the 82 and later harness will have provisions for the electronic tach. Additionally, the newer harness will have all of the starter safety interlock relays and such built in. Unless the harness comes with all of the relays and you can bodge a side stand switch in there somehow, you will need to make quite a few modifications to the newer harness.
The best way to go about this is with both the existing system schematic in one hand and the donor harness schematic in the other.
Unless you are competent with electrical work, I'd avoid that path.
By the way, could you insert your general location in your signature so that folks that might be able to help you can gage how far you might be from them?

 

Cool thanks for the info. I'll update my profile with location info later tonight. Gotta run now for dinner with the wife.

As for working with the electrical system - I just don't have the schematics yet but I build robots as a hobby so I'm pretty sure I could make the mods. I'd definitely want all the proper gizmos attached though. A kickstand switch would be easy enough to defeat. Either jumper the connection permenantly or add a switch to the side of the cover over the ignition.

Thanks for the reply!

 

OK - info updated