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  • #1

    Midnight Special?

    Hi everyone, first an intro:

    My name is Anand, I am 21, and from close to Toronto. I have owned a 1984 Maxim 400 since 2002, and love it. Now my question:

    I put my bike up on Kijiji, since I would like something bigger. I got a call last night from a man who says he has a 1985 1100 Midnight Special that he would like to trade for my bike. As far as I can see, the Midnight was only built between 1980 and 1981. But anyways, even if it is a 1981, it should be OK for me. He also says that the bike hasnt been started in 3 years, since he developed a back problem and wants to downgrade to something his wife can ride. Now, my question is that if it hasnt been started in 3 years, what are the chances that it will fire up, and what will it need to start?

    Thanks.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Definitely not an 85 Midnight... You're right... they were only made the two years...

    Here's a thread on what to look for in a neglected bike:

    Neglected XS/XJ

    Hope this helps
    81 SH Something Special
    81 frame, 80 tank and side covers, 79 tail light and carbs, 78 engine, 750 final drive mod, Geezer rec/reg, 140 mains, LH wheels
    ☺

    79 SF MEAUQABEAUXS
    81SH Nor'eas tah (Old Red)
    80 LG Black Magic
    78 E Standard Practice


    James 3:17

    If I can make at least one person smile, or pee their pants a little, or maybe spit out their drink; then my day is not wasted.

    “Alis Volat Propriis”

    Yamaha XS 1100 Classic
    For those on FB

    Comment

    • #3
      Go look at it and check the vin tag, could be he's mistaken on the year, could be he bought it used and whomever he bought it from was mistaken and the propogation of error bagen there. either way, it'll need some work, you'll have to look, read and decide. have a nice day and ride safe
      I am the Lorax, I speak for the Trees

      '80 XS1100 SG (It's Evil, Wicked, Mean & Nasty)

      '79 XS1100 F R (IL Barrachino)

      '00 Suzuki Intruder 1400 (La Soccola)

      '77 KZ400s (La Putana)

      Comment

      • #4
        Hmmm..?

        First built in '85 is unlikely, but first registered for road use would not be too outlandish... My bike was built in '84 ( I have a letter from that nice Mr Yamaha to prove this) It was first registered for road use in '85...

        Maybe it was stuck in the back of a dealer's showroom for a while..? Don't forget the VMax came out in '83, so XS/XJ sales plummetted...

        And... wasn't the LH produced during 80/81 and the LG during 81/82..?? If that's the case a late '82 bike could easily end up registered early in '85...

        Just thinking out loud really...

        Miti
        One of those terribly nice chaps on XS1100.com
        • XS1100S (5K7) '83 "Sport #1 - Trike Donor"
        • XS1100S (5K7) '85 "Sport #2"
        • XS1100LG (4W1) '80 "A Tribute to Brian"
        • Hesketh V1000 '82 - Dream Realised...

        Comment

        • #5
          midnights

          The lg was 1980 and the lh was 1981.
          I bought my Lg from someone who had is sitting for a couple years, biggest problem I had was with the pickup coil wires. I though it had carb issues then clutch issues and all sorts of stuff. I couldn't even get it to move from a stop without revving to 6000. All it took was about 15 min of soldering and it ran perfect.
          I heard somewhere that a problem with the fours is that one cylinder can be left exposed to the environment due to a valve being left open, and if it sits that way for a while that cylinder could be completely rusted out. Anyways, that's one thing to check.
          1980 xs1100 LG Midnight Special - first bike - pickup wire fix - fuel lines, inline filters, and inline shutoff valves - rebuilt calipers -

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by Miti-Babe View Post
            Hmmm..?

            First built in '85 is unlikely, but first registered for road use would not be too outlandish... My bike was built in '84 ( I have a letter from that nice Mr Yamaha to prove this) It was first registered for road use in '85...
            Thats possible, but the chances of a limited production bike sitting in the back for 4 years is unlikely.

            The guy is going to check it for me, clean the carbs, and send me pictures, so hopefully the midnight will be here soon!

            Thanks again

            Comment

            • #7
              If he'll just look at the steering neck and get the VIN number for you... he can leave off the last 4 numbers if that makes him uncomfortable... then we can tell you what the bike is.

              Tod
              Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

              You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

              Current bikes:
              '06 Suzuki DR650
              *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
              '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
              '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
              '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
              '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
              '81 XS1100 Special
              '81 YZ250
              '80 XS850 Special
              '80 XR100
              *Crashed/Totalled, still own

              Comment

              • #8
                Hey Folks,

                Remember, the XJ's were made thru 84 in CANADA, he's in CANADA? It might be one of those elusive Midnight Maxims...would be awesome if it was!?

                Hey Maxim, unless the guy is a good mechanic, or you are, you might want to NOT let him work on the carbs, but let you do them instaed. IF he's going to have a SHOP work on them, AGAIN, tell him NO and let YOU do it instead!!!

                Most shops don't know or don't care about working on CARBS, much less 30 year old ones!! Hope it turns out to be a sweet deal!!
                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
                  Hi Anand and welcome,
                  as has been posted, best you find out exactly what the bike is before going too far. I do hope the machine works out for you. Near Toronto, you say? Check out how much the insurance on that big a bike will cost you, eh?
                  Fred Hill, S'toon
                  XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                  "The Flying Pumpkin"

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Miti - The V-max came out in 1985. The Honda V65 came out in 1983.
                    Dave
                    1979 XS1100SF Special

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      the other thing to consider is that Yamaha also sold some viragos with the midnight special treatment I thought those were 750s but did the 1100 viragos get the same treatment? the vintage would be about right. anybody know (or care)
                      Alias Larry R in Kelso WA

                      When in dought, punch it.
                      XS1100LG Precious current
                      XS1100SF Ruby gone to a better home
                      KZ900B MIA stolen (ALL bike thieves MUST GET OFF THE PLANET more politically correct ???)

                      Comment

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