Greetings, I just bought this!

[EvelKeevil]

Thank you for accepting me. I'm extremely excited to have just bought a '79 SF. This has been one of my bucket list bikes for a long time (since I was a teenager in South Africa in the 80s) but I have absolutely zero knowledge of owning or maintaining one, so I'm going to be a complete pain in the neck in the months ahead, asking lots of silly questions. Apologies in advance!

[2WheelFun]

Your one step ahead of the game by buying one that looks to be in great shape!

[EvelKeevil]

Your one step ahead of the game by buying one that looks to be in great shape!

Basically solid but there are a fair few things that need attention, some more urgent than others. The carbs are seized solid, so will need to be stripped and probably completely rebuilt. The master cylinders also.
There is no key for the fuel tank. Is it normal to have a separate ignition key and fuel tank key on these? Or does it indicate that the tank has been changed? I won't know what the fuel tank looks like inside until I get a key and manage to open it!

There is a little oil leak from behind the headers, so I'm guessing this will be a weeping head gasket. If I have to take the head off I'll probably replace rings, cam chain and tensioners and valve stem seals, just as a matter of course.

The brake calipers will all need rebuilding too. The forks need rechroming so I'll get new seals and possibly replace the springs while the work is being done.

Obviously the seat cover needs replacing and the paint on the tank has a few scratches so I may well get it resprayed. Tyres will need replacing too. What tyres do people recommend?

[Bergman16]

Very nice-looking XS! I do think you have a later seat there, judging by the cutout for the later nested taillight. Also the vinyl pattern matches a US 1980 midnight special (not sure what it matches in the UK models).

The single key fits the ignition, tank, helmet lock, and left side cover lock (again, over here anyway). SO maybe a tank and seat replaced on that one?

Also it's possible you've got oil weeping from the cam chain tensioner which is in that area and very prone to leaks.

[Radioguylogs]

Your bike is in really nice cosmetic shape. The mechanical stuff can be fixed, but rusted chrome is hard to overcome.

I was thinking that seat was from a 1981 Special.

Like Bergman said, it's quite likely your oil leak is just the plug in the end of the cam chain tensioner. It's a comon problem. The OE pug is still availalable, and it's a really easy fix.

[EvelKeevil]

Great stuff, thank you. A couple of admissions to make. I have bought this bike without even seeing it. It's been sold by someone I have bought bikes from before who I trust. I run a business and couldn't get up there to see the bike, so I have bought it based on the pictures and discussions we have had. He knows me well enough to know that I'm not an easy customer though. It sounds very likely that the leak is the tensioner and that is kind of a relief. The question over the locks and the seat makes perfect sense. The bike has been imported to the UK from Nebraska.

[EvelKeevil]

[DiverRay]

Try to find a 1979 seat pan to replace the seat that you have! I had the same thing with my '79 Special, and ended up cutting and welding the pan so it would fit and look OK. The sides, from the front to the rear shocks, come down about 2cm farther than the '79. This will cause the seat to rest on the side covers, and break them. For tires, I run Michelin bias ply on my '79. So far they handle great, no sign of wear after about 2K miles.

[EvelKeevil]

I guess having the wrong seat is probably why the grabrail has been removed. So add that to the shopping list!

[DiverRay]

The '80 grabrail mounts to the frame. The '79 does not have the mount points. The '79 Special seat is a one year only seat! That is the reason I modified what I had. You may be able to find a seat at a breaker in the US, but other than that they do cost.

[EvelKeevil]

I have found a '79 seat base. Anybody know where I can get a cover and the foam?!!