a NEW '79 XS1100 Special

[zookey]

My husband has had a 1977 XS750 Special for over 20 years, he found a XS1100 Special on Craigs list and went to look at it on Sunday and now it is in our Garage. it is a nice looking bike for the most part. A little time and effort, a little TLC, and he will have a nice bike. As far as we can tell right now it needs alittle carb work and that is about it.

My question is ......... I have read around here and elsewhere that the true size of the motor of an 1100 was actually 1101cc. While cleaning and inspecting better his new "Passtime" I found a dataplate that says this bike has a 1102cc engine. Does this mean the bike is diferent than what we think?? Is this unique?

It also is suppose to be a 79 by the title but the data plate gives a date of 9/78. Or are bikes like cars...... they come out late the year before their make and modle year?

I am sorry if I sound totally ignorant when it comes to bike issues, but I am ......... well the mechanical side anyway

Any help will be appreciated.

[tab1324]

where in minnesota? I'm in BP and have an 82 XJ with ONLY 1101cc. You must have a superbike there.

I'm guessing that's on the data plate on the tripple tree stem? I don't know everything about these bikes so maybe there is something "special" about it. I had a 79 that I sold last year but didn't notice the dataplate.

Either way, he'll like the bike. It's very powerfull. From my experience, the later machines seem like a much better handling and riding bike (my 82 vs. my 79).

Good luck and have fun.

Tom B.

[HobbyMan]

I believe the original size is 1101.6 That rounds up to 1102

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Zookey,

The XS11 was rated at 1102cc/67.25CuIn in the 78-79 years, and 1101cc/67.18CuIn in 80-81 years, so it's SPECIAL, but not Xtra Special!!!!

Yep, made before the actual model year, you can check the frame/engine #..against the list in the MISC Forum thread about serial numbers for what year/model it really is!!

I just posted a reply to another NEWBIE regarding what to do with carbs, where to find info, etc.! Take a peek!!

So...does this mean that YOU get to ride the 750 while He's on the 1100???

Have fun!!!
T.C.

[egsols]

Welcome Zookey,

Yup, my 79SF was manufactured 09/78 and my other 79SF was manufactured 01/79.

[zookey]

Thanks guys for all of your help and responses.........

Today I had a chance to stop at the local Yamaha...... they did inform me that the 78-79 Specials did have the 1102cc engine as to all the other years did drop back down to 1101cc.

tab1324 -- we are up by the Red Lakes in Northern MN. We bought the bike from a guy in Brainerd. As far as the handling of the bike....... considering my husband is used to riding the 77 750 I think he will really enjoy the 1100 and the handling shouldn't be a big issue. But thanks for the heads up.

TopCatGr58 -- That is exactly what the guy at the Yamaha told me today..... then tryed to sell me a NEW bike because "no one works on those OLD bikes anymore" Just wanted to make a sale.

We did order the carb. holders today so we can clean the needle and seat (or float??) to clear up the flooding issue the carbs seem to have. Nothing it doesn't need anyway.

I have a feeling the 750 is being taken over by the son! That is okay as I kinda like the "backseat".

The husband is even talking about going to Sturgis this year...... Could definately be an interesting summer!

[Paintman]

Hi Zookey

Welcome and Congrats on the new XS if you decide to head to Sturgis this yr i live 30 mins away i go every yr and im always up to meet feloows XSers"
John

[TADracer]

Congrats on your new Special. . . . . now, you are hooked!

On top of the transmission housing will be the VIN number cast into the case. 79's start with 3H3. Also, if you look on front of the motor just above the oil pan between the middle exhaust tubes you will see 1102 cc cast into the block.

So that all begs the question, why the difference in cc's? is it due to the later heads having larger chambers?

[zookey]

@TADracer --- As you mentioned the motor number 3H3 do you know what the rest of the number stands for? The number off the line, maybe? Would be intresting to know ........ most of his numbers after the 3H3 are zeros.

@Paintman ----- And will definately keep you in mind when we do the Sturgis thing.

[egsols]

The numbers after the 3H3 are the serial number of the bike. I have two 3H4000176 and 3H4001072. I talked to Yahama trying to figure how many were made in 79 (Canada) 3H4 being the Canadian model. He said Yahama made about 200 for Canada in '79. I asked why the over 900 difference in numbers. He said first 3 are country code, i.e. 3H4 vs 3H3 and the rest are consecutive serials. In other words the first bike was numbered 101 and they make so many for one country, then switch to another run for another country and then back again. So the last number is unique across the world of XS's for that year.