New member

[mm1ut1]

Hi!
Below is my recently purchased 79 Special. I call it the Mystery Machine because it has been refurbished several times and when working on it I find that certain things have been done to it. Why is a mystery to me.
Picture on the right is my late father. He owned several 1100s over the years putting over 100,000 miles on each before it was retired to the farm. You might say he liked to modify his bikes too……
I bought mine because of him. I owned many Yamahas over the years but never an XS 1100 as I tended to favor the triple and twins.

[2manybikes]

Welcome! A lot of good info on here and plenty of experienced members who can offer advice when needed. Really cool pic of your dad, thanks for sharing it.

[Forden]

Awesome pic. Loaded for bear...

[bikerphil]

Interesting mods done on that red bike.

[jetmechmarty]

Greetings! We are acquainted on another forum. That appears to be a well executed mash-up.

[jetmechmarty]

It looks to me that your bike is a 1979 XS1100SF (Special).


The seat crowding the side covers tells me the seat is likely from a 1980 Special. The front brake rotors are also from the later model. Headlight, taillight and clocks are from a standard.

If you're interested, an aftermarket seat that fits your bike is available here: https://texavina.com/xs1100-special-79/ 1981 Special is pictured.

[bikerphil]

I think the bike is a 78-79 Standard with an 80-81 Special front end and tank. I would bet the VIN prefix is 2H7. A picture of the right side of the bike would tell us some more.
It has a Standard rear fender.

This piece right here says it's a Standard frame...

[DiverRay]

Phil, you nailed it! Looks like front end was changed, but the rest is '79 Standard. Side covers say it, look at Marty's pic.

[bikerphil]

I like the look of the stepped seat with the cowl, cool mod. I would have used the sportier Special rear fender with the Standard tail light. I did that with my 79F.