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Just about to buy an xs1100 midnight

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  • #1

    Just about to buy an xs1100 midnight

    Hello!
    I'm a long time 1976 Goldwing GL1000 rider who is very close to switching by purchasing a 1981 xs1100 midnight special. A couple questions to the board please:

    As there is no owner's manual, can I get some answers to:

    What are the different letters? xs, xj, xs1000h?
    What is the gas tank capacity on the xs1100 midnight?
    Oil capacity?
    Is it easy to change the oil?
    What goes wrong that I should look for before I buy this bike?
    Obviously, most all of you like this xs11, when I rode this bike I was amazed at the quickness, which is frankly why I'm changing. My biggest concern is that the bike felt just a bit cramped for my body, I'm 6'0", but I think I can fix that with a change in seat (I feel a tad too close to the front of the bike, but I'm held there by the bucket seat).

    I'm reading all I can on your website, but I've just not come across answers to these questions. One other thing:
    in first gear when I really jump on it, it is lightning fast but then seems to "skip" for a second, almost like it slipped out of gear for an instant. Any thought as to what this might be?

    Thanks for any and all answers. I've had my gl1000 for 11 years, so this is a big jump for me!

    Mike
    The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Oil capacity is 4 quarts. I would run 15/50 or 10/40 (castroil for me).

    Fuel is 3.6 gallons I think...

    The "skip" in first and second is a known weakness...

    Check here under transmission for tips:
    http://www.xs11.com/tips/repair/index.shtml

    The different model letters are listed here:
    http://www.xs11.com/specifications/index.shtml

    Good luck with your Midnight (they're just better!)

    CUAgain,
    Daniel Meyer
    Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
    Find out why...It's About the Ride.

    Comment

    • #3
      Thanks for the info. I bought the midnight special even with first gear kind of hurting. That thing is just too blasted snotty to pass up, what a ride!

      I read all about the tranny trouble, but it seems that second gear is the usual culprit, and my problem is in first. Assuming I can fix it (BIG if!), where do you find a new first gear? Are there any aftermarket fixes for this, or are we simply stuck with ebay and bone yards in a search for parts for the transmission?
      The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

      Comment

      • #4
        The parts can be had new....maybe one of the guys will post with the link.....

        Lot's of times just some cleaning of the dogs/slots in the sides of the gears will take care of it....hopefully one of the tranny crunhing folks will speak up!
        CUAgain,
        Daniel Meyer
        Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
        Find out why...It's About the Ride.

        Comment

        • #5
          First gear is a problem also. I haven't had the second gear problem, just first. The best fix is to remove the trans gears and some get recommendations for machine shops in your area. Ask around at some independent motorcycle shops. If the machine shop is experienced with bikes, most likely they have done some "undercutting" on the gears before. There are some tips here on trans repairs, and it describes what undercutting is. I recently rebuilt my engine, and had both first and second gears done. My cost was $60, but I got a good deal. If you have a steady hand, you can do the same thing with a Dremmel tool. (Black & Decker fix). I've done that in the past, and it works well.
          Actually the fuel tank is rated at 3.9 gals, and the Clymer repair manual calls for 20W40 oil, but that is difficult, if not impossible, to find, so Castrol 20W50 works well.
          Good luck with your Midnight. With some good, sensible ownership, it should last you many years. I've had mine for over 13 years now, and no major breakdowns. (Knock on wood). I see you've already owned an another old classic, so you already know how to care for it, so Sit back, enjoy, and HANG ON!!!!!

          Comment

          • #6
            When changing the oil, not only do you have to remove the filter housing but also the bolt/plug just to the rear of the filter housing, I'm saying this because I've seen were people would assume that by removing the housing, you'll get all of the oil out, thus, over filling the crankcase. I own a 79sf, I think the fuel tanks are the same size. When I got my tank back from the painter, It took 4.25 gall to fill. Now this is from totally empty I believe that you have 3 gall primary and about a 1/2 gal. reserve. Mabee just a little shy of these numbers. You can safelly say that a stop every 100 miles would be good untill you figure out the personality of "your" bike. If I'm hotrodding mine, I'll stop every 75-90 miles for fuel. Just cruzin at around 65-70 I'll stop about every 110-130 miles. The XS family has an old clutch slippage problem. This I believe was an oversight in the manufacturing of the beasts. Alot of ponies and not enough clutch spring. There are fixes for this located in this forum. The Xs is also know to have fuse box problems but here in this forum There are threads showing how to upgrade to the spade fuse type block. As far as rider comfort, I'm 6'0" and feel a little crunched but that's what highway pegs are for. There are after market foward contols out ther but they are rare. If you do find a set with floor boards and can pick them up for around $150-$175. Get em cauz ya got a heck of a deal. The differences in the XS, XJ etc.. are the different models On the left side of the page click on Specifications and go from there. Good luck, Welcome, And Congrats on you XSiveness. This is just the begining of an addiction that's just a little more expensive then smoking.
            S.R.Czekus

            1-Project SG (Ugly Rat Bike)(URB)
            1-big XS patch
            1-small XS/XJ patch
            1-XS/XJ owners pin.
            1-really cool XS/XJ owners sticker on my helmet.
            2-2005 XS rally T-shirts, (Bean Blossom, In)
            1-XVS1300C Yamaha Stryker Custom (Mosquito)
            1-VN900C Kawasaki Custom (Jelly Bean)

            Just do it !!!!!

            Comment

            • #7
              Thanks for the tips on the oil change, I'm going to change it tomorrow if I can find a filter in my small town. My xs came with a clymer's manual but no owner's manual. Is the clymer's enough or should I seek out a shop manual too? I found with my honda that the shop manual really filled in some gaps in the clymer's.

              I'd also like to change all the oil in the drive train, but I have no original tool kit or "level gauge" that is supposed to come with it. Anyone know what the depth of two marks in that guage is?

              I'm still kind of stunned at the g's created by this xs. Wow. Not a goldwing at all, hardly even related. Once I get that first gear figured out, I might have to try to pull that front wheel off the ground!
              The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

              Comment

              • #8
                You can buy the oil filter at NAPA stores. It comes with new o-rings. You can get the workshop manual, along with a lot of other info, from Rob Mills at: www.xs11.com/tips/cdrom.htm for $10 -- this is a must have and a great price.
                Bill Murrin
                Nashville, TN
                1981 XS1100SH "Kick in the Ass"
                1981 XS650SH "Numb in the Ass"
                2005 DL1000 V-Strom "WOW"
                2005 FJR1300 Newest ride
                1993 ST1100 "For Sale $2,700" (Sold)
                2005 Ninja 250 For Sale $2,000 1100 miles

                Comment

                • #9
                  We just had a go around about the dipstick oil level gauge for the middle and final drives. There are a few threads about this with measurements for making your own as well as purchasing. I made one out of an old hacksaw blade and one rivit from info in the tech tip colum
                  S.R.Czekus

                  1-Project SG (Ugly Rat Bike)(URB)
                  1-big XS patch
                  1-small XS/XJ patch
                  1-XS/XJ owners pin.
                  1-really cool XS/XJ owners sticker on my helmet.
                  2-2005 XS rally T-shirts, (Bean Blossom, In)
                  1-XVS1300C Yamaha Stryker Custom (Mosquito)
                  1-VN900C Kawasaki Custom (Jelly Bean)

                  Just do it !!!!!

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Dragonrider.That is deffinetly a pretty bike. I wish you wouldn't keep putting that picture up, I keep going back and looking at it time and time agian and saying to myself, " man that's a good lookin bike " One day I'll get me a midnight just so I can say I've got one. Just kidding about not wanting the pic posted.
                    S.R.Czekus

                    1-Project SG (Ugly Rat Bike)(URB)
                    1-big XS patch
                    1-small XS/XJ patch
                    1-XS/XJ owners pin.
                    1-really cool XS/XJ owners sticker on my helmet.
                    2-2005 XS rally T-shirts, (Bean Blossom, In)
                    1-XVS1300C Yamaha Stryker Custom (Mosquito)
                    1-VN900C Kawasaki Custom (Jelly Bean)

                    Just do it !!!!!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Hey there Michael,

                      Congrats on your acquisition. My 1st gear went out first, then followed by 2nd a few months later. So I did the Dremmel fix on both sets, 1st slots engage with 4th dogs, and 2nd slots engages with 5th dogs. The 1st gear slots are a bit tougher to cut because it's solid, and the slot and dog mating surfaces are actually flat instead of round, but it can be done.

                      If you'll go to the LINKS section, look for manual for 81H/SH you'll find a link to D/L the owner's manual for this bike, the SH is the Special, same as the Midnight, just not as pretty as the MN!! The file is ~6Mb in PDF format, scanned from my own original manual!

                      I'm waiting for the master moderator to re-post my tech tip on the tranny fix, it got lost during our recent hacking a few weeks ago!

                      So.....aside from searching the posts, check out the tech tips from the main FORUM page, just scroll the page down, you'll see them!
                      Then come back here for any other questions you don't find answers to!
                      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

                      • #12
                        Thanks for all the great tips. I am printing the manual as I type this, and would also love to see the black and decker fix you wrote up Top Cat, just as soon as it's available. Right now, first gear works fine unless I snort on it, then it slips. So I think I can make it to this winter when I'd like to try fixing it.

                        This is a terrific forum, and I'm very grateful for all the tips already. Thanks to everyone--

                        The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Midnight Special

                          Hello...

                          Just F.Y.I.
                          All Midnight Specials('80-'81) are designated the LH model.
                          The fuel tank capacity is rated 15 liters (4.0 US gallons)
                          (pg.17 / Yamaha LH Factory service manual)

                          I own a complete Factory service manual that includes EVERY printed word on the Yamaha XS...ALL years...ALL models

                          If anybody needs any information "straight from the horses mouth"...just ask!
                          I can even tell you what color it REALLY was (or should be)!

                          This is the "Holy Grail"...yea it's the one they never let you look at...back in the day...when you went into the Dealership.

                          Now we own it!
                          And if you need something...I'll look it up for you!

                          "A man is as only as small as the problems that confront him"
                          Sir Winston Churchill
                          (cir-1939)
                          MO-N-STEVE
                          '79 SF "MO's Missile"
                          '79 SF "That Old Black Magic"
                          '79 SF "the Tomato Can"
                          '80 SG "The BEAST"
                          '80 XS850-SG "STILETTO"
                          '81 SH "The NEW KID"
                          '76 CB 750 K5 "The Orphan"

                          Comment

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