Sat pick up

[planedick]

I will be picking up a really nice '79 Special on Sat. It has only 30K on the clock, hardly broke in. I'm thinking I will put the motor in Pathfinder while I build that motor to 1197cc. Nice chrome on the headers to replace the painted ones on Pathfinder.

[John]

Dick

Unless they are aftermarket pipes on the Special, they won't fit Pathfinder. Special pipes are angled upwards, and the footpeg/muffler brackets will not interchange, I've tried it all ready. Also, the header mounting studs are different lengths on the different models.

[DiverRay]

John,
Just so you know, Daily Ride CAME with rusted special pipe on it! The specials have shorter studs on the head, and the pipes DO curve up more. They did fit, although the spring for the center stand is bad because the cross over was in the way.
Headers will fit ANY of the bikes, and I think that's what he said was on the special.

[John]

Ray

I assumed he was refering to OEM header pipes, as the Pathfinder has painted header pipes, and chrome mufflers. I know the # 1 & 4 pipe/header are welded to the mufflers, but a clever man could work around that.
I'm suprised the Special pipes would bolt up to Standard footpeg/muffler brackets. When I installed the Spaghetti pipes on my bike, I had sourced them from a 78E. I had to swap out the header studs. The mufflers are more parallel to the ground, as are the Standard's, and there is a big gap between the muffler, and the mounting bracket. I tried to install the footpeg/muffler brackets from the 78E, to filll the gap, but they wouldn't even bolt up. Some of the bolt holes had different spacing.

[planedick]

Oh well

I noticed that the headers were in great shape with good chrome so I figured the headers would fit. *#$%@* It has what looks like stock mufflers too, also real nice. Bike has everything stock all in great shape. I am considering parting it out and keep the engine, headers, front wheel and ???? I'm thinking of putting the forks on Pathfinder hoping to make it just a bit lower, you know a parts bike. I am also considering putting the engine in Pathfinder temporarly while I rebuild the motor to 1197cc. This Special only has 30K on the clock.

[wa407mpp]

special pipes

I'm running a complete set of pipes off a special on my E and the only thing I had to do is use the special's center stand . So before you give-up on your plans try them on the bike .

[mro]

This Special only has 30K on the clock

Why not tune up the Special and ride it while you do Pathfinder engines.
Personaly do like the change from riding one XS to another and is very cool to have a "favorite" XS to ride depending on the occasions.


mro
(2)79SF
80G
80 to 82 XS/XJ (hot rod)
not running yet
80LG, 81SH, 79F
a few extra engines and parts

[mro]

xxx

000

[planedick]

Other parts...

Some of the parts are already spoken for and the Special has no windshield, fairing, bags, boxes and I would have to put it on my insurance etc. I do lots of freeway riding and I like to go fast so I need a windshield. I'll see better what to do after I ride it a couple of times. Maybe just keep it as my second bike, who knows? Maybe fix everything, shine it up and sell it for a handy profit.

[John]

Re: special pipes

Originally posted by wa407mpp
I'm running a complete set of pipes off a special on my E and the only thing I had to do is use the special's center stand . So before you give-up on your plans try them on the bike .

What is the difference between the stands? Is it the location of the cross brace between the legs of the stand?

[Hammerhead1st]

Hefty Profits...

Hey man, Any profit is good, but a pretty Special to cruise around town is even better...

[wa407mpp]

center stand

It been a long time ,but if I remember right the E stand is longer. The cross over pipe was different and the E stand wouldn't go up all the way. If you can part the two side by side you'll see what I mean. I might have changed the flanges too it has was about 8 or 10 years ago and thats in bike years.

[wa407mpp]

side stand

I just remembered that you and will have to bend the lever on the sidestand that you hook with your heal, because the special muffler is fatter where the lever folds up next to it. So it doesn't fold up all the way. I also welded a sawtoothed kickstand tab from a dirt bike on the end ball, it makes it easier to catch with my foot.

[planedick]

No pink

I looked over the pipe situation and it don't look like they would fit Pathfinder so I guess I have to find some elswhere. The guy couldn't find the title and I didn't get it running on all four so I didn't pick it up yet. Now I wonder what do I need another bike for? More expenses and less room in the garage and I feel guilty about parting out a good XS even if the parts are in such good shape and so rare.

[Stralya]

side stand

Well I also have a full special exhaust system on my E and oddly enough the side stand sits all the way up perfectly. The centre stand wont go all the way up though but thanks to wa407mpp, I now know that all I need is a special centre stand.

Hmm, who do I know in Sydney with a Special and four into one pipes????

Hey Pete, you there?