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  • First Contact

    Greetings! First time taking a look at the site. Got it from Ken in Revelstoke when we were going through there last summer (I'm a bit of a procrastinator). Would appreciate it if he could contact me about that front fork wobble prevention bracket.

    Sun is getting stronger here in northern Ontario and starting to think about getting the bike in shape for this year. '81 XS1100 Midnight Special. Bought it in 2004. In storage for several years so only 12,000 km at the time. Only needed rear shocks (dry seals) to get on the road!

    Hadn't rode in about three decades so stuck close to home and only put on a couple of thousand km the first season. Discovered the hazards of letting local shops do maintenence; and driving with old brake fluid in system! Rear wheel lock at 90 km! Fortunately no broken bones.

    Last summer expanded ride range a little and drove across Canada and back (thus meeting Ken in Revelstoke) with a couple of buds. One had an '02 Harley the other a '98 BMW Touring. First entry in my log, "Man am I out-classed!" But, the Harley suffered brake failure in Calgary and the Beemer lost its speedometer on the way back; and, except for some excessive oil and gas consumption, my Special cruised all the way!

    The oil consumption I figure had to do with valve seals (dried up from lack of use) because after a few thousand kms it settled down a bit so I think a job on them should help. I think the gas had more to do with 'tank size' than anything else so I am wondering if anyone could suggest another tank that would give me more range and not be too hard to switch to?

    I know, I shouldn't mess with the look, but gas stations are far apart here in the north and carrying a gas can is a smelly pain in the .........so, please help.

    Paul

  • #2
    Hello again, Paul! Glad to hear the rest of your trip went okay on the 'old' bike. The piece you want to check out for the front end is a TKAT fork brace Contact TKAT at the e-mail address on his site.

    If you're heading west again this summer, think about joining us for a rally here in Revelstoke in August. The first bit of information is

    here

    About your only option for increased fuel range is to install a tank from a Standard. It will change the look of the bike, and it will take a bit of re-plumbing of fuel lines, but that will let you push to over 300km between fill-ups. Of course, it also helps to be getting the full 40 to 50 mpg that these bikes are capable of in proper riding tune. For a few articles about the tank swap, use the words 'standard tank on special' in the search tool at the top of the page. Than all you have to do is find a nice tank and get it finished in Midnight trim.
    Ken Talbot

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    • #3
      Getting Tanked!

      Hey there Paul,

      Another option is to get an XJ tank!! They are a bit rare also, but have the teardrop look that would match your special design a bit better than a Standard Tank. There is some modification that has to be done to fit it. I've been told that the handlebars and fork tubes can hit the front edges of the tank if they are turned too far left/right!? Also the bottom/end portion secures considerably different than the XS.

      I have an XJ tank that I'm going to be fitting onto my Special, and will be taking photos and such on the mods I need to do to get it to fit! The XJ tank is supposed to be 5 gallons, vs. the 4 of the Special!
      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


      • #4
        Hey Ken and T.C., many thanks for the info.

        Yes Ken I intend to do the tune thing, but I am new at this so I may have to call in some reinforcements. If you remember Eric, he is an engineer and is itching to get at it and I have a friend who is an awesome mechanic ( a few miles from here though - good chance for a ride) so I should be ok.

        We will be out that way in August so we will definitely check out the rally site and see if we can "tune" it in!

        Many thanks again. I will probably be back.

        Regards,
        Paul

        Comment


        • #5
          Paul, a third option is to check with maxxum, on this site. He used a two gallon outboard tank, mounted on the rear rack, and plumbed it into the standard tank. He was able to go over 350km on a single fill, and NOT have to stop and pour fuel. I saw the set-up at the Reno ralley last fall, and it was nice.
          Welcome to the site of all information XS.
          Ray
          Ray Matteis
          KE6NHG
          XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
          XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

          Comment


          • #6
            Get Tanked!

            Saw a tank for a STandard on Ebay, a little rough, but in decent condition, there were NO BIDS on it!!

            4612786845 STandard Tank! no bids, 1d22h left, but that was yesterday evening, so now it's probably less than 1 day!
            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


            • #7
              Thanks for the tip on the tank, Top Cat! I checked it out but the seller only ships to the lower 48. Still looking........
              Paul

              Comment


              • #8
                We don't need no borders!

                Hey Labelles,

                SO...find an Xsive across the border, win the auction, and have it delivered to that Xsive, and then take a short trip across the border and pick it up!
                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


                • #9
                  Working on it.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Paul,

                    I will leave you a standing offer as a waypoint for shipping. I am in Midland MI, which is 2 hours out of Sarnia and 6 hours out of the Sault. I have in-laws and a sister in Sudbury so we wind up getting there a few times a year, a lot more family in SW ontario and it seams we are in Canada every few months for something. So, if you go the ebay way and are in a hurry you can ship it here and I will just ship it again, if your in less of a hurry I can get over to Canada and ship via Canada Post, and if no rush I can hand deliver to Sudbury.
                    Scott
                    I have a bike and I am not afraid to use it

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Scott,
                      That would be great! I missed the tank this time (border thing) but I will keep looking and Midland is a lot closer than my brother in WS!
                      Regards,
                      Paul

                      Comment

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