Common Parts?

[81XS1100-2006]

An 80 XS Special just came on to my radar, while I'm still putting the final touches on my 81 standard.

I am thinking of combining the two for parts. Anyone know just what ISN'T common, (tank obviously but what else won't fit?)

[Do Lee]

ISN'T common in what way? Do you mean different between bikes? Or what is not interchangeable?

[81XS1100-2006]

Not interchangeable. Thanks.

[Do Lee]

Almost every is interchangeable with the right pieces that are needed to incorporate the change from one style to the other.
Frames are pretty much identical except for maybe around the neck tube for the steering trees and holding tabs for the side cover.
Tanks are interchangeable, I have a standard 5 gallon tank on my 79 special. Seats are not easy to interchange because of the location of the TCI box on the special verses the standard. I guess if you replace the rear finder (inner and outer) the seats would also interchange. Side covers also might not interchange with out some modifications. My side covers would not interchange due to the holding tabs on the different frames. If you swap out the pickup coil/governor ass'y from the 81 model to the 80 model or vice versa the TCI (ignitor unit) will also need to accompany the pickup coil/governor ass'y. BTDT. The standard has a 17" rear wheel the special has a 16" rear, interchangeable with modifications.

I'm basing off of a 79 special, (daily rider) and an 80 standard (parts bike) that I picked up. I have several parts from a standard incorporated on my special.

Putting the frames from the special and standard that I have the only differences that I see is the tabs that hold the side cover on the frame.

[TopCatGr58]

Non-interchangeability!

Hey there KB,

The front calipers are NOT.
The Triple Trees are NOT....IF you want to keep the same amount of Rake/Trail...Special angled closer to engine, Standard out!
Forks are NOT, again, different length and location of front axle.
Brain Box(TCI) is NOT...80=2H7, 81=4RI series.
Rear rim is NOT, it's a 16", Standard is 17.
Front Fender NOT "probably", it will sit up away from the top/front of the tire MORE due to allowance for location of front Special wheel vs. the Standard.

The gas tanks actually ARE, just don't look the same. Also the sending unit is different, and the Standard float gauge won't fit into the Special.

ALL Brake rotors ARE, Rear caliper IS, Essentially ALL engine components, carbs, drivetrain ARE. The ignition components under the timing cover are different...80 has cent. and vac. adv, the 81 only has the Vac. Advance....cent. adv. is IN TCI!
Front brake MC is designed with steeper angle for fitting on the buckhorn handlebars, so could be angled funny when put on flatter Standard bars, but would otherwise work!
Gauges will swap, but may require plug changes, and you only get an low fuel idiot light with Special vs. actual fuel level gauge.

I'm sure some others may be able to add to this.
T.C.

[John]

I have a 78E parts bike, and I have found that the R/H rear footpeg bracket/muffler mount, will not fit on a Special. The distance between the rear engine mount/front foot pet fitment bolt hole and the bolt holes for the bracket where it attaches to the frame, near the rear brake lever pivot, are off by about 1/2 inch

[GNEPIG]

.. would anyone like to guess what model this one is?.

[motoman]

It's configuration. front suspension, peg bracket side pieces, brake rotors, etc. says it to be mostly a 79 Special.........but I'll bite, whatca' got?.........

[John]

Without trying to look at your profile, I would venture to say it was an 80-81 Special in another life.

Well, I peeked at the profile, and I was wrong. That was my first guess, but there are other pieces o it that made me think differently.

[GNEPIG]

.. anyone else want to guess?.

[81XS1100-2006]

Thanks So Much.

This is exactly what I needed to know.

I'm really angling for the carbs and maybe a few things here and there, then to sell the special to some lucky sort. Probably in the next two weeks or so.

It's a super clean 80 special with some mods:


vs my standard:

[GNEPIG]

.. ok 81XS..06, the picture of my black bike in the picture above is pretty much the answer to your original question..
.. John said it right, just about everything on both bikes interchange except the large aluminium brackets that hold the passenger foot pegs/mufflers.
.. what is the bike in the picture?. the frame is a 79 standard, i put the 16 inch rear wheel on it from a 79 special, the rear fender and tail light assembly is 79 special, the motor is from a 80 midnight special, the seat and side cover are from an 80 special and the gas tank and the whole front end assembly are from a 79 special. . oh yeah and the gauges are from an 80 special.

.. it would be in your better interest to keep them both, parts are parts and the parts are not getting any easier to find or cheaper.
if you have to get rid of one you will at least want to keep the exhaust that is on the special. if you dont believe me ask John.

[motoman]

guess for the most part.......I made the closer to right guess then.

[81XS1100-2006]

I'm goin to see it tonight, I'll let you know.

GNEPIG, those spaghetti pipes are pretty, I've got an oil cooler on my standard though, dunno if they'll fit.

Anyone got any advice on fitting the 16 rear on the Standard?

[John]

Is your oil cooler a Lockhart?

Or is it stock? I have a Lockhart cooler on mine with the spaghetti pipes. I was able to route the oil lines with no proplems, and I just secured the hoses to the frame with tie wraps or zip ties.