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I have been asking several questions to get my bike up and running and have checked out a lot of forums. In doing so I have noticed there are several people that dont know really whats on their bike. I will be honest (i dont have a clue) other than what the previous owner told me. He said it is a 1980 xs1100 Special and I do have the title. From looking at other pics Im guessing mine has been stripped down (no farring or trunk/sidebags). My Questions. Is this a 1980 xs11 special or not? Is the bike mostly stock (seat except for the checkered duc tape lol that stuff can fix almost anything, exhaust, handle bars, etc)? And any other info about the bike.
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Brian
1980 xs1100 Special - Work in progress -
From the pictures it does look like a 80 Special.
Check out this post. You can check the model with your vin.
OzzFour wheels move your body, two wheels move your soul.
ATGATT, It could save your life!
1980 XS 1100SG
Dyna 3 Ohm Hi Output Coils
Pod Filters
DynoJet Kit
T.C.'s Fuse Block
Slip Streamer Turbo Windshield
Custom Tank and Side Cover Decals
V-Max Auto CCT -
Definitely an 80 Special
Hey Brian, Welcome to the site. You'll find all you ever need to know here. Excluding you love life.
This site might take precidance over that.
Your bikes absolutely an 80 special. It hasn't been stripped. Specials didn't come stock with fairing, bags, etc. Owners or dealers added them when desired. In fact, I have a full dress 80 Special. My wife's favorite backseat ride. I like it too.
Good Luck with you project. It's as much fun to bring these back to life as to ride them.
If you ever want to get rid of the rack on back let know first.
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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Brian, your bike appears to be a completely stock '80 Special except for the mufflers. Those have been grafted to your stock header pipes. Of course, the rack/sissy bar and w/s are aftermarket....Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two
'78E original owner - resto project
'78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
'82 XJ rebuild project
'80SG restified, red SOLD
'79F parts...
'81H more parts...
Other current bikes:
'93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
'86 XL883/1200 Chopper
'82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...Comment
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Did the slotted rotors start in '80 or '81?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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Nate, the first XS11 with slotted rotors was the 1980 special.Comment
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handle bars on the 80 xs come way back? I have driven a goldwing but these handle bars seem to bend way back.
That they do.......we here call them roto-tiller bars.........a few like them, most swap them out.81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.Comment
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Cy
1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
Vetter Windjammer IV
Vetter hard bags & Trunk
OEM Luggage Rack
Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
Spade Fuse Box
Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
750 FD Mod
TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
XJ1100 Front Footpegs
XJ1100 Shocks
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.Comment
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W/s means windshield or wind screen.
Wasn't sure about the rotors, now I know.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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I TRY to keep up on the differences from year to year and model to model, but I learn new stuff all the time, like that the LG apparently got the circle on the generator cover and ignition cover in 1980 before the other models. Yet another bit of trivia for me to memorize.Cy
1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
Vetter Windjammer IV
Vetter hard bags & Trunk
OEM Luggage Rack
Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
Spade Fuse Box
Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
750 FD Mod
TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
XJ1100 Front Footpegs
XJ1100 Shocks
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.Comment
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Hey BB,
Folks have already answered your other questions, just commenting on the handlebars. You've ridden a gold wing, those bars also have a decent rise and pull back, but a better angle for the wrist. Several of us have swapped the older GW bars for the rototillers to save our wrists! 7/8" bars will swap in just fine!
T.C.T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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Hey guys thanks for the info. What kind of bars can I swap out and what kind of job would that be? I use to ride a friends 1980 honda Goldwing and I thought the bars came back pretty far but I was very comfortable. The bars on this bike seem to come back to my knees and after I raised them it got really uncomfortable. I was just wondering if there is a right hieght that I can put these bars that might ride a little better?Brian
1980 xs1100 Special - Work in progressComment
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