XJ650 UK or Seca

I've got a 1980 4K0 XJ650 UK bike. Am I correct in thinking that the XJ650 RJ Seca is the same bike but made/branded for the US market.

This article, https://ridermagazine.com/2012/11/12/retrospective-yamaha-xj650rj-seca-650-1982/ would suggest that the "Seca" name was added as a promotional ploy for the US market.

It would be good to understand if the UK & Seca bikes are the same in order to gain and pass on information between owners.

 

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Above is seca in the North america market

above is a Maxim

 

The Seca name is a convenient way to identify the model

 

This is my 1980 XJ650 (UK), looks the same as a Seca but only has 650 on the side panel, not Seca 650.

 

The seca name is coming from the Laugna Seca race track in the united states. the bike was a 1 year issue in U.S. and I think a 2 year issue in Canada.
in the rest of the worlld it is just called a XJ650

as you have listed it 1980 4K0 XJ650 UK bike is common way for the UK the 4K0 identifies it it is the frame ID also model id in your case
examples from
TECH TOPIC: Model ID and VIN's


COUNTRY: EUROPE

MODEL NAME: XJ650
STREET NAME: 1980 XJ650
MODEL ID CODE: 4K0
FRAME ID: 4K0
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 000101
NOTE: styling and features the same as North American XJ650RJ Seca model, has dual front disc brakes, an oil cooler, and uses the non-YICS 653cc engine.

COUNTRY: EUROPE

MODEL NAME: XJ650
STREET NAME: 1982 XJ650
MODEL ID CODE: 11N
FRAME ID: 4K0
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 055101
NOTE: styling and features the same as North American XJ650RJ Seca model, has dual front disc brakes and an oil cooler. UK model.

MODEL NAME: XJ650
STREET NAME: 1982 XJ650
MODEL ID CODE: 11T
FRAME ID: 11T
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 000101
NOTE: styling and features the same as North American XJ650RJ Seca model, has dual front disc brakes and an oil cooler.


COUNTRY: GERMANY

MODEL NAME: XJ650
STREET NAME: 1982 XJ650
MODEL ID CODE: 11R
FRAME ID: 4K0
SERIAL NUMBER STARTS AT: 050101
NOTE: styling and features the same as North American XJ650RJ Seca model, has dual front disc brakes and an oil cooler.

 

In Canada we had 2 versions but both are 1982 models.
The silver one I believe is most similar to the US version, addition of oil cooler and richer jetting is all I'm aware of.
The red ones have the YICS motor and electronic tach.

I'm curious what developments the UK/Euro/AUS models saw? Did you get the YICS version?

 

There are electrical differences as well. But mainly they are the same bike.

 

My XJ650 4K0 (UK) was manufactured in June 1980, the first month of production for this model, it's a non-YICS version.

I have read that at the same time as YICS was introduced, the silver colour was dropped.

 

Yes. In the U.S. marketing firms found out rather early that we like names that are easy to remember, epsecially if they evoke a desirable image in the mind. The Seca models were named after the Laguna Seca racetrack, which is built on a dry lake and hosts the AMA Grand National races which Yamaha dominated throughout the 80's.

 

Pity Yamaha never got this - the vaious chasis and model code variations of xj is bewildering.

 

Is this Yamaha list any help, https://dropbears.com/y/yamaha/xj67info.htm

 

I've got a uk model (from germany) with oilcooler (in parts) and a canadian one without. The latter now has an oilcooler aswell (SecaRat). Both are 750 cm3
Electrically I did not find many differences so far.

 

Interesting, I've now learnt that some models were imported without oil coolers during speed restriction days.

 

You are correct. USA got 3 xj650’s
1. 650 Maxim
2.650 Seca ( standard Xj650 for everyone else)
3. 650 seca Turbo (like was available to everyone else, too)