new midnite owner

[redbone]

finally got myself amidnite 1100, always wanted one...maybe notso much now. anyway nowthat i'm waiting on a new caliper i find the turn sigs dont work. replaced with a new flasher relay and still n.g. any one have any clue where i should begin to look. fyi., i have no owners manual, clymers. haynes or none of those, i'm kinda flyin blind

[GtrMn]

Electrical gremlins on these bikes can be tough. One of the first things I did was replace the fuse block assembly. It was brittle and corroded. also, with the key on...check to see if your hazard switch works..good place to start. Then check the connections at your turn signal switch.

[tinman905]

I had the same problem also .I took a part the switch to find lots of corrosion ,cleaned it off and everything was fine .

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Redbone,

Glad to see you finally got fully registered and was able to post!

In the LINKs section you'll find one for the Owner's Manual for an 81SH, fairly close, will give you basics in controls, etc.!

You'll also find a thread about the Official Yamaha Parts site, you can view exploded views of every part/system of the bike. There are also wiring diagrams you can D/L.

The Hazard flasher is a separate circuit from the turn signals, but using it will tell you whether the bulbs and sockets are working properly. IF they don't blink with the hazard...it's usually a switch on the bottom of the left turn signal housing, then you'll probably need to do a bit of cleaning of the connectors, the grounds for each signal can corrode and prevent proper current flow.

However, the flasher units can fail. Did you replace it with an OEM unit, or an auto one from the store? The 3 prong type don't work, you need to use a 2 prong unit, just have to try it the one of two ways it will fit into the turn signal socket!

The switch housing can also get corroded, the wires can come unsoldered within, etc., as well as has been mentioned, the fuse holder fragmenting!
T.C.

[redbone]

good info on 1980 midnite

thanks for the info on the flashers...bsically i bot this knowing there were a couple things wrong. that came up later, but the prev owner has the oil filter bolt mangled to the point where it is almost not there. most liklly have to drill out and destroy housing. i would also like to take the 4 into 1 header and put it back to original. so my question is can i still find the black 4 into 2 pipes that werre original?? any help greatly apprecialted.
redbone

[GtrMn]

No go on the black MNS pipes...I wish I could find a NOS set too. The only option I've found so far would be to take a set of aftermarket headers and have Jet-hot do a gloss black coating...expensive though!

[Pat Kelly]

Jet Hot isn't as expensive as I thought they would be.
Here is their reply to my inquiry:



"We really appreciate your interest in JET-HOT. This is a follow-up to
our instant response to your inquiry. This e-mail has your PRICE
ESTIMATE and some technical information you need to have.

JET-HOT is the number one supplier of ceramic coated headers in
the world. We invented this coating and have over 20 years of
experience in the science of engine exhaust technologies. We also want
to let you know that we just sent you, by priority mail, information
that should help you make your decision. You should have this within a
few days. This packet contains several independent technical articles,
a JET-HOT 20 page brochure, and a video.

Technical benefits are as follows : Looks great, reduces
under-hood temperatures significantly and more, keeps pipes up to 40%+
cooler, Gives you 1-3% extra horsepower, extends average header life by
at least 10 times, and improves safety in an accident by reducing the
probability of fireballing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We can coat almost anything you want including manifolds, oil pans,
springs, and a whole lot more!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The price to coat a 4to1 motorcycle header and muffler (muffler should
be removed), coated in&out with the sterling silver finish (muffler
removed is coated outside only) , is $160+s&h back. Add $20 for the
flat black,blue or grey finish. The NEW copper finish is also $20 more.
The NEW SEMI Gloss black finish is $50 more ( please note: the semi
gloss black part must be coated in&out).The SEMI Gloss black has a
1100F
temperature tolerance. We'll need them here for 3-5 days plus shipping
time back. The NEW SEMI Gloss black will take 8-10 days. If the parts
are chrome or nickel plated,add $40 to the total and 2 days for
stripping.I will send you our full information package to get you all
the coating benefits in greater detail.

Jet Hot also carries a coating called Jet Hot 2000. This coating runs
up
to a temperature of 2400 degrees. It does NOT provide as much
insulation
as the other coatings. The Jet Hot 2000 only comes in a flat black,blue
or grey finish and has a gritty texture on the outside. The Jet Hot
2000
runs $100 more than the sterling silver finish . This coating takes 3
days longer than the sterling silver process.We suggest Jet Hot 2000
for
set ups with nitro,turbos,etc.

Jet Hot has recently introduced some NEW coatings which are shown on
the
web site. The newest is called EXTREME STERING (MC-15). The EXTREME
STERLING is a coating that is very similar to the Jet Hot 1300 sterling
silver but has a slight duller finish and has an orange peel look. The
texture of the coating isn't as smooth as the sterling silver, there is
some slight texture. This coating can handle 1450F without
discoloration (vs. the sterling silver which is 1300F). After 1450F,
the
coating will become dull/grey but will not fail till 1700F. After
1700F,
the coating would blister/flake off(vs. sterling silver which fails
above 1300F). It has the same corrosion resistance as the sterling
silver. It slightly better insulation qualities than the sterling
silver
coating. The Extreme Sterling coating will add $50 more than the 1300
sterling silver .

If you want to get the silver finish but are running high exhaust
temperatures, the Extreme Sterling is a good option.

The Extreme Sterling coating is a good option when running a turbo,
nitro, super charger, etc.



All parts receive a 3 year unlimited guarantee that covers chipping,
peeling, cracking, discoloration, rusting. New parts also get a
lifetime rust through warranty as well. "

So, $210.00 + s&h, not too bad for a good looking system. After I modify my 4 into 1 I'm sending it there for the semi-gloss treatment for my MNS exhaust.
I may send my OEM exhaust off my E there too as it's in great shape other than bad surface rust.

[TERJE ANDERSEN]

Hi Redbone !

Congrats with your "new" midnite ! (pictures??)
I think it is easier to win big money in a lottery than finding a NOS exhaust for the 80 special, ( 81 special and the european xs1100s has also identical exhaust.) I have been looking for an exhaust like that for years. I found a NOS right side exhaust in Canada last year for only $99 ,but is still missing the left side............ Well, I am sure there are some NOS exhaust around just collecting dust,an waiting for a xs1100 lover !
Your electrical problem should not be a big probem,check for corrosion inside the flashers and on all connectors first.
Good luck with your midnite !

[TERJE ANDERSEN]

Hi again Redbone !

Sorry ! Ofcourse I did not meen 80 special - I meen 80 midnight special ! (But not easy to find NOS exhaust for a special eighter !)

[manshack_one]

The blinkers on my 79/80 special wouldn't work until my bike ran for a little while. I guess the system had to charge up completely first. Now they just don't want to cancel and require fiddling with to get it set back into the middle spot between L and R.