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Hello forum! My name is Ben and I live in Indianapolis Indiana. I just bought a 1980 midnight special. A project to be sure. Very rough but all there except airbox and seat. It has a 70s style king queen but with the swooping back rest for the pasenger all one piece. I am looking forward to discussing on this forum and picking a few brains. Im a man on a tiny budget so it could be a long time to a pretty bike. I hope to have it road worthy shortly and hopfully enjoy it this summer before tearing into it. Any way I just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks in advance.
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Remember, eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
1980 XS1100 Midnight Special
2007 Triumph Daytona 675 -
Welcome to the madness Ben!
I spend quite a bit of time in Indianapolis, my employer has an office there and I do alot of work for Indiana Universities and the Ivy Tech schools. It can be fairly economical to get these bikes looking decent. Although the MNS parts are harder (read often mroe expensive) to get ahold of at times.
If you have pics of the bike, we would love to see them! That seat sounds like the stock seat that came on some of the 79 and 80 XS11 Specials.Life is what happens while your planning everything else!
When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.
81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection
Previously owned
93 GSX600F
80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
81 XS1100 Special
81 CB750 C
80 CB750 C
78 XS750 -
Welcome! Any questions you have go ahead and ask!Nathan
KD9ARL
μολὼν λαβέ
1978 XS1100E
K&N Filter
#45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
OEM Exhaust
ATK Fork Brace
LED Dash lights
Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
Green Monster Coils
SS Brake Lines
Vision 550 Auto Tensioner
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore RooseveltComment
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Welcome aboard, fellow Midnighter!
As DG said, we like pictures! It's always nice to visually follow the progression as we work through the years of neglect.
1980 XS850SG - Sold
1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).
Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
-H. FordComment
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Welcome! I also have a 1980 MNS. The seat you have was a dealer "option", and big in the time. The MNS has a slightly different pattern on the seat over the '80 Special, so keep that in mind. Satin black high temp paint and work will take care of a lot of the cosmetic problems. The gold on the wheels and such CAN be had from DuPont, as I did find a match a while ago. I didn't get the number, but it shouldn't be hard to find again if you need it.
Don't forget to read up on the bike, and what to look for in a neglected on. There are members near you, so if you need help it should be easy to get.
Ray Matteis
KE6NHG
XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!Comment
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Greetings, and welcome! Congratulations on your newfound hobby!XS1100SG - Obsession
Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes."
-- Jack BurtonComment
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Welcome to the site. I also have a 1980 MNS. I love it, and enjoy it as much as weather permits. As said before, the parts are a little harder to find. If you intend to rail the twisties a little, then it may be worth while to change from the original bars, as i hear they are a little tough on cornering fast. Could be wrong. Ask all the questions you want. None are dumb questions, just unanswered questions. Use the search bar to help find posts on things.1980 XS1100LG Midnight
1991 Honda CBR1000F Hurricane
"The hand is almost valueless at one end of the arm if there be not a brain at the other"
Here's to a long life and a happy one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer and another one!Comment
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Welcome!
Hey! I'm in Northern Il & will soon have a bunch of parts available. I'll let you know. These won't be MNS but black paint can change that.
Have fun! These are the coolest bikes ever. I had 4 HD's b4 these & they don't compare.Tom Clisham
Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
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'78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN
'80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA
79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper
79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCEComment
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Welcome aboard!
81 SH Something Special
81 frame, 80 tank and side covers, 79 tail light and carbs, 78 engine, 750 final drive mod, Geezer rec/reg, 140 mains, LH wheels
☺
79 SF MEAUQABEAUXS
81SH Nor'eas tah (Old Red)
80 LG Black Magic
78 E Standard Practice
James 3:17
If I can make at least one person smile, or pee their pants a little, or maybe spit out their drink; then my day is not wasted.
“Alis Volat Propriis”
Yamaha XS 1100 Classic
For those on FBComment
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Ok I think I have my 2 photos loaded right. Some of the worst rattle can pair ever but the wheels are in great shape.Remember, eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
1980 XS1100 Midnight Special
2007 Triumph Daytona 675Comment
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It set me back a whoping $500. Throttle cable is broken. No air box. The tank had been drained. Just heard it run off starting fluid of a sec. No engine noise no smoke. 13,800 on the clock. Need battery. Been stored inside for a while. Brake calipers locked when we were unloading. Im very handy with a wrench and can do almost all work myself. Im looking at getting it road worthy asap and riding it mostly as is this season.
As far as twisties go that's what my daytona lives for. Im wanting a this one for vomiting and long rides. Daytona is NOT comfortable. This one is. I can't wait to get on it.Remember, eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
1980 XS1100 Midnight Special
2007 Triumph Daytona 675Comment
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That seat may well have been how it was sold off the showroom floor. Over all we have seen MUCH worse for the same money. last year I bought one that sat in a barn for a few years, guy even painted the barn with the bike sitting in it, uncovered. Can you say OVERSPRAY.
Look at teh FAQ section on what to look for in a neglected XS11, and definitely go through ALL the maintenance items in the shop manual before you take it out for a spin. Stopping is MUCH more important than going on a bike! So take all the calipers and the MCs apart and clean them up really good.
I'd say you got a good deal on the bike! Enjoy the sickness of XS11 ownership!Life is what happens while your planning everything else!
When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.
81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection
Previously owned
93 GSX600F
80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
81 XS1100 Special
81 CB750 C
80 CB750 C
78 XS750Comment
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Hi Indy and welcome,Originally posted by IndyXS View Post
FWIW, if you hate that hiback seat there was someone here recently who really wanted one. Swaptime?
BTW, if this is your first experience with the XS series Specials, the front brake pads are meant to be tapered like that.
And if this is your first XS11, note that the engine runs backwards.Fred Hill, S'toon
XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
"The Flying Pumpkin"Comment
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I would happily swap for a regular seat. That one is not in great shape. Needs recovered. Anyone interested can msg me for pics.Remember, eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
1980 XS1100 Midnight Special
2007 Triumph Daytona 675Comment
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Welcome Indy!!!!!!!
Deny1978 XS1100E - The TimeMachine
1980 XS850 Special - Little MoComment
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