'81 special comparison with O/S models

[petejw]

Im just curious about the differences in
the '81 special model compared from here
to the overseas models,

my bike when original had, -
*an all black motor,
*the rear tail/brake lite is mounted with the number plate
to the rear guard.
*seat fitted with grab handles, comes with no grab rail.
*carbs fitted with 110 main jets across all carbs,
*pilot jets are all 40's
*black chrome on - headlite bucket
- surrounds on the tach and speedo
- rear view mirrors
- rear mud guard
- gear lever
*tho the front guard, forks, tank and side covers are all
painted black.
*front blinkers mounted on bottom of tripple tree.
*rear blinkers fitted to tail/brake light assy.

tho i gotta admit from what ive seen on here, i prefer the
US models.

[Stralya]

Pete, your bike is sweet mate!

[AlanB]

Hi Pete,

Your bike (RH?) is almost the same as the European "Sport" version (5K7). They are pretty rare, even here, and quite sought after.

much of the bodywork (Tank and panels) are the same as the Specials. My bike started life as a US spec SG, passed through a stage of looking like a Sport, and now looks a bit more individual.........

If you want to make your RH look more like an SG, a couple of the UK members are looking for some of the specific Sport/RH parts..........

AlanB

[petejw]

Hi Alan,
Was hoping ud chime in,
I thought my bike would b more similar to the UK model
more so than the US model,
let me know wat parts the others are after, I have a spares
bike, mite be able 2 help out with parts,
tho shipping could b a bit rich.

Mine' the RH model,
i think from memory 5N5 serial No:

I like the US specials, I like the grab bar,
and the tail/brake light up near the grab rail,
i also like the blinkers on the side near the seat.
and the alloy motor.

[AlanB]

Hi Pete,

You should find a few pics of the UK bikes HERE! (click!)
We did not get "official" imports of the 1100 Specials, (although some of the smaller ones were very popular!) But plenty have been imported later; Including my bike (SG!)

Your bike is very similar to our "Sport". Euro version has a 5K7 prefix, and came with a braced frame. I am not an expert, but I know there are a couple of differences around the rear guard and tail-light between our 5K7 and the RH..... Don't know about the rest!

AlanB

[Wildkat]

Ha!

Here I thought I was going to be able to do a real comparison for you... and then realized that my 81 is a little bit of several different years...
The main thing I have noticed in difference though, is your bike seems to be a chrome version of the Midnight... You have the curved wheels that the 81 Midnight has while my wheels are the black star pattern...
My original engine was silver, as are the headlight mounting brackets, the headlight bucket and the casings for the speedo and tach...

I have a backrest that replaced the handrail, the tail light has been moved to the fender and we have so many parts around here, I'm not certain what came from what anymore ...and since my resident Guru has already gone to work... I can't ask him...

I've seen pics of your bike... it's really nice! and I would think it would be a bit rare... one of those times you can really enjoy being unique... until it's time to find replacement parts...

[petejw]

Ive also noticed Ive got an alloy
front master cylinder, on the other bikes
ive noticed theyre plastic, is this correct?

btw, the master cylinder polishes up beautifully.

[Wildkat]

How did you manage that one?

Is it stock for your bike?
as for it polishing up nicely...

Mine looks just a little better than doodoo (plastic)... but my engine is getting shinier by the minute (hour)(s)...

[TopCatGr58]

A couple of photos

Hey Pete,

Take a look at these images, the first is an 80SG but are essentially the same as the 81SH. The second is the 81MNS!



SO, you can see in the upper photo, it comes with chrome gauge buckets, headlight buckets, straight spoked wheels, the MC is the plastic reservoir, even though the engine is all natural aluminum, on MY 81, the lower jugs were blackened out along with the valve cover, and the final drive unit, with just the accent lines bare aluminum. The head and rest of the engine case was bare aluminum.

You'll notice on the lower pic, the MNS has the smaller all metal MC reservoir because it had the linked brakes, and only needed a smaller capacity MC to drive the 1 right front caliper vs. the older XS's that were larger to drive both front calipers!

But on both, including my 81SH, the tail light is mounted on a bracket just under the grab rails, and has a small license bracket and light near the end of the fender. And the turn signals are mounted to frame brackets in the rear, and on the headlight ears on the front.

Hope this helps, but like Alan said, think your machine is closer to the UK 1.1 sport! T.C.

[petejw]

Thanx for the input guys,
Mine is pretty similar to the MNS,
the black chrome parts
on my bike, looks like there painted black
tho in the pic on the MNS.

Quote:
Is it stock for your bike?
as for it polishing up nicely...

Mine looks just a little better than doodoo (plastic)... but my engine is getting shinier by the minute (hour)(s)...

It did come stock with the bike, my 82xs parts bike also
has the alloy M/C.

pic of bike when i first got it.



bike as is atm.






Any excuse 2 post a pic. :-)
I dont like the look of the rack, but its practical
when doubling my daughter.
Ive also polished the alloy muffler.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Pete,

Are you running SS lines on the front, and have you separated the linked brakes??

When I went to rebuild/resurrect my machine, before XS11.com, my MC was toast, and so I got the all alloy one from a wrecker yard. It wasn't very strong or have enough capacity to adequately apply the front brakes without almost hitting the handlebars with the lever! But after putting on the SS lines, it easily drives both front calipers with just a little pull action and I don't crush my fingers between the lever and the grip anymore!

I don't have any experience with the black chrome, so can't comment on how well it may buff up? Good luck!
T.C.

[petejw]

Hey TC,
Im not running SS lines just yet,
but want to when money allows. :-)
I do have that problem, that you do have to apply the front brakes hard to adequately stop.
The brakes arent linked either i think, how can u tell?
Ive never had a proper look, is there a line that goes from the front brake to the rear?

[TopCatGr58]

No Pete,

The line comes from the Rear MC along the frame and up to the left front caliper. The front MC should then only have 1 line going to the right front caliper. IF your front MC is connected to both front calipers via the brake lines, then they are NOT the linked system, but you may be experiencing the vinyl stretch expanding syndrome of the old lines that is not there with the SS lines!
T.C.

[petejw]

T.C The front and rear are independant of each other.
There is also a lot of flex in the brake hoses and S.S lines
would definately improve the braking, thats next on the list. :-)

I have power buffed, the black chrome rear view mirrors, I wouldnt recommend it if u like the deep black look, but mine had a few light scratches which spoilt the original look, but it still has a beautiful shine when polished that looks quite unusual, a chromey look with a black tinge to it. (hard to describe) which i still like. (the 2nd pic shows a good pic of the mirror against the chrome.)

[glenno]

'81RH

Hi Pete, long time between drinks. I think you need to look at the lengthg of the foot brake arm as well as the the length of the gear change. The standard, special and RH (UK 1.1s) had different length rearsets. A friend of mine altered mine, bars, rearsets, cables, did away with the clutch in start cable, because of age, mine not the bikes.

The original RH bars are worth good money so dont chuck 'em away.
After you spent all that time and money would havebeen easier to bring one in from o/s and had it complianced.
Glenn

BTW......I am now at Nabiac.........goodbye Sydney