1979 XL500S’79
- It descended from a long line of Elsinores, although it was never called by that name
- One color was available: Tahitian Red
- The fuel tank and side cover stripes were black, red, and yellow
- The control levers and kickstarter arm were silver (next year they would be black)
- The speedometer had a 100 mph (160 kph) limit
- The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
- The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began PD01-5000054.
1980 XL500S’80
- It came in Helios Red
- The gas tank and side cover stripes were red, orange, and white
- The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
- The bottom triple clamp was also black
- The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit
- The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
- The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began PD01-5100001.
1981 XL500S’81
- It came in Monza Red with Black
- The gas tank and side covers were 2-tone red and black
- The “XL500S” side cover graphic was red and white
- The speedometer and instrument light pod were separate
- The front fender was longer
- The box-section swingarm was silver painted steel
- A manual compression release lever was added
- The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
- The bottom triple clamp was also black
- The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit
- The front wheel was 23″ while the back was 18″
- The exhaust was a 2-into-1 system
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor
- The transmission was a 5-speed
- The serial number began JH2PD010*BM200001.
1982 XL500R’82
- It came in Monza Red
- The gas tank, side covers, fenders, and frame were red
- The seat, fork boots, number plate panels, and engine were black
- The bike had a Pro-Link suspension, 12-volt electrical system, and a 2-into-1 exhaust system
- The front wheel was 21″ while the rear was 17″
- It also featured double leading shoe front brake
- The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder linked to a 5-speed transmission
- The serial number began JH2PD020*CM000021.