New member, new bike.

[Baz]

Hi all,

I was 14 on the 12th of April 1979.
I came down on my birthday to find a plastic model kit of a Yamaha xs 110 Midnight Special.
I was beyond happy. I had posters of the bike and now a model.
It was the first time I remember looking at something and being just in awe of the beauty of it.
I genuinely, couldn't even begin to wonder, what it would be like to see one in the flesh.
My brother and I joked 'Imagine coming down to find a real one' and I remember thinking...one day, one day.

Well, for this birthday (last Saturday) 35 yrs later.....







She was made in 79, regd on the 1/1/80 and since then has done 6000 miles.
I can see that millage at least doubling this summer. :-)

I got back into bikes in 09 when I got a dirt bike.
That got me thinking about my first dirt bike, a kdx 175. So I tracked one down.
I never thought about road bikes as I had never done a test, But having the vintage kdx again made me wonder if I could ever have a midnight special.
I thought to hell with it and passed my test, then went looking for one.
It took a year to find the 'right' one. But I am smitten with her. :-)

[dpotter58]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! What a way to treat yourself. I love the midnights!! Great bikes.

[Old Red]

Happy Birthday and congrats on an awesome bike!!

The Other Earl

[TomB]

Hi Baz, nice bike.

And nice place to live, visited many times and my brother lived there for a while, he worked at Strix up Ronaldsway.

[madmax-im]

Great story...Happy Birthday and Welcome to Ch11. You have a fine example of a MNS

[MarkD]

Happy Birthday, Baz-- Great find! Congratulations! You will love the bike--Careful, it's a powerful critter!

[Prisoner6]

Nice

WELCOME to the group, Baz!

And congratulations on your "dream" bike from all those years ago. That's a very nice MNS you have there!

You will enjoy it here on the forums ... lots of great info/advice/help, and also a great group of people ...

[Prisoner6]

Careful, it's a powerful critter!

That's good advice, Baz ...

You picked a heavy, powerful bike ... if this is indeed your first street bike, please use caution as you become familiar with it ...

And yes, you will absolutely love this motorcycle!

Enjoy!

[MPittma100]

Welcome

Hi Baz, welcome to the land of XS11 fanatics. Very nice looking MNS - a dream come true. You will have to invite us up to one of the TT races.

Mike

[MaximPhil]

Happy Birthday Baz. A fine example of the MNS. as already said lots of power with mediocre brakesso mind how you go.
Phil

[Baz]

Cheers Guys,
And thanks for the warm welcome.
When I passed my bike test early last year, I got a fazer 600 (which I hated).
Then I got an 81 z1000 csr (whilst I was looking for a mns) I still have the z1000. I think I may restore it.
But, anyway, yes I know what you all mean about the power v brakes. The z's brakes are even worse.
The mns seems to have a very 'lazy' power delivery, but once at half throttle in any gear the shove comes in quite hard.
the thing that impresses me most straight off, is the torque.
Any gear from bottom revs and it just pulls like a train.
The other half is still headbutting me as she adjusts to the instant on/off of the shaft drive. Hahaha. The secret to smooth seems to be, be in top unless your stationary :-)

[jjz28]

Happy bday baz, very nice MNS!

[xs11lover]

Nice story Baz. I see you are as messed up as the rest of us! Great find. I guess you know what a prize it is. Welcome.

[mikubuilder]

welcome to the madness, she's a beut

[Marker]

Happy Birthday & Congrats!!!

Hey Baz,

Welcome & Happy Birthday! Wow...what a great find!...and a great birthday gift. I also treated myself on last year on my birthday ['78E]. Ride safe!