Headlight and turn signal replacements?

[datter]

Hey all,

As I've decided to leave the front fairing and all the dressing off this bike, I'm left with no headlight or front signals.

I'm wondering if it's possible to remove the headlight from the fairing and use that, or if it would be better to buy a replacement? If that latter, is there anything in particular I should be hunting for presuming I'm not going to find a true XS headlight/blinkers?

Thanks,
datter

[John]

You can use the turn signals from most any XS series of Yamaha. The headlight bucket, ring and fork ears from an XS 750-850 Specialwill fit. Without you stating what model of XS11 you have I don't know what parts are interchangable. If it is a Standard, then you must use XS11 Standard parts. If it is a Special, then the above parts will work. My bike had the bucket, and ears from an 850 Special on it until last week when I swapped out all of my front end pieces with those from a MNS. If it is a Std, I have some turn signals for it, if you would like.

[datter]

Well to be honest I think it's a standard, but as per my back story here I'm still sorting it all out. The permit papers I have just say 1981 XS1100 with no denotation as to which model it is. As it happens there are no Yamaha logos or anything on it at all, even on the gas tank so I'm not sure how I go about finding out for certain.

It's got a square headlight in the fairing, which I think makes it a standard.

Anyway, if the blinkers you have are the ones I need I'd be very interested in them. I want to get this back together and on the road as soon as I can and all... the hardest part so far is just getting up to speed on someone else project, and learning exactly what I have and what I need to do.

Thanks,
David 'datter'

[mro]

Don't Know???

Check your serial number with these
Click>>>http://www.xs11.com/specifications/serialno.shtml


mro

[John]

Are the gauges square or round? Is the front axle mounted on the bottom of the forks or kinda up a few inches from the bottom on the front of the forks? Square gauges and axle on the bottom is a Std.

[John]

I just re-read your introductory post on how you aquired the bike, and it being a 78, it would be a Std, as the Special didn't appear until 79.

[datter]

Hey all, I realize this is terribly confusing but as said I'm still sorting out what I have here. Although I'm very familiar with riding having owned various bikes between the ages of 9 through 29 continuously, this one is a totally new project to me.

At this point I know for a fact it's a 1981, as that's what it says on the permit/transfer papers I have. No mention of it being a standard or otherwise, though having checked out the guages (which are square) and the lower front forks (wheel attached at the bottom, not behind the fork) I'm pretty sure it is in fact a standard.

Here's a pic of it, as it sits in my driveway today.. devoid of seat, gas tank, front fairing or any means of actually starting it.


As said, the bags are coming off and the fairing isn't going back on... so I'll detinitely need to locate some front blinkers and a headlight, unless it would be better to dig the headlight out of the fairing and use that, but I suspect that's unwise.

John, I'd be very interest in the turn signals you mentioned. Maybe we can talk about it and sort something out. How much do you want for them?

Actually, we could take this to email if you like I'm at datter@gmail.com or just pm me here. If I don't hear from you I'll no doubt track you down and contact you, as I really can't wait to get this baby running.

Thanks,
David 'datter'

[randy]

Dave,

Looks like you have a special with standard forks! Engine, frame and handlebars are special.

[John]

If it is an 81, then it would be the Venturer or whatever it is called, but it is the H model indeed. It had the frond end of a Standard, but the pipes, and muffler/rear foot peg brackets were that of a Special. It was the factory full dressed touring bike. It should have the 6 gallon tank also. You should really keep it original, IMHO.

[livelifenowff]

It's a rare view to see everything torn off like that and wow what a clean bike. Overabundance of aftermarket and used headlights probably will lead to to see the sense in grabbing something along those lines. Not to mention, without the full dress, i think the round headlight would look a lot better. plus, that way when you feel like throwing the fairing back on you wont have to go through un-jerry-rigging the square headlight and reinstalling it into the Fairing. lots of part bikes for original Yamaha equipment around not to mention accessibility to custom lighs, chopper lights. SUCH a clean bike though

just my opinions,
Kyle

[datter]

Thanks for the comments and thoughts. Good thinking about leaving the headlight in the fairing, just in case... and you're right a round one would look better than square for sure. You're also right about it being super clean, it's in tremendously good shape... my father-in-law was an engineer and had this thing completely apart on more than one occasion and was very, very finicky about cleaning it up, and restoring it properly.

You'd never guess he nabbed it for $100 Canadian.

[mro]

You'd never guess he nabbed it for $100 Canadian.

Is that anything like monopoly money ??

So did you check serial number to see what model it is?
What randy and john says sounds kinda right, but US Venture "early gen models" officially started in 1983 but don't know what was available in the great white north.

Yamaha Canada site doesn’t have the parts catalog and accessories only go back to 95' so could not get any info there.


mro
sure does look clean

[datter]

I haven't checked the serial number yet, though I wish I had of remembered that this afternoon when I was out there. It's a bit late atm.

Where would I find the serial number on the bike? I'll check tomorrow when I'm home from work.

David

[mro]

Right side on engine above clutch cover (behind cylinders) and on the steering neck same side. If numbers don't mach someone has R&Red the engine.


mro

[mro]

BTW

If you keep picture size down to about 640 X 480
will fit on screen nicely and no need to scroll.



mro