Putting an XS11 Standard Tank on A XS11 Special

[enjine]

I've searched through the forum here and found out that it is possible to mount an XS11 Standard tank on an XS11 Special body. I didn't think it would be possible, but fortunately it sounds like it is.

People have said it will fit with a little work. But what does 'a little work' mean?
Is there a write-up available on how to do this?

I'm about to start restoration on a buddy's 1979 XS11 Special and aside from swapping out the handlebars, he'd like a different tank.

any help would be GREAT!

thanks, and looking forward to learning more from this forum

[Silent]

Depending on the sending unit in the tank you are getting, you'll have to swap your current one into the new tank. You'll also have to re-rout or extend the sending unit wires. You'll have to remove the Octy, re-route the fuel lines, and add a T into the vacuume so you can supply vacuume to both petcocks on the standard tank. Other than that it's a direct bolt in. You can follow the link in my sig line for more info. I have a standard tank on my '79 Special.

[Silent]

Ohh yea, you might have to notch your seat pan to clear the overflow port on the standard tank. I had to on my Special king/queen seat, and on the custom pan for my current seat.

[fredintoon]

I've - - - found out that it is possible to mount an XS11 Standard tank on an XS11 Special body. - - -
People have said it will fit with a little work. But what does 'a little work' mean? - - -

Hi enjine and welcome,
in short form:-
Tank itself drops straight on. It must have it's own taps & fuel cap (they don't swap)
The Standard taps need vacuum hoses from #2 & #3 carb boots. (Dump the Octopus)
Best gas feed is from leftside tap to rightside carb tee c/w in-line gas filter & vice-versa.
Swap in the Special's thermistor fuel level sensor because the Standard's rheostat sensor
is not compatible with the Special's low fuel warning red light.
Note that the fuel sensor access is on the other side on the Standard tank
so the thermistor wiring should point forward instead of back
or it will be upside down and not read right. You may have to lengthen the wiring.
Note that when the thermistor is the right way up the red light will come on just as you run onto reserve.
If you have the thermistor upside down the red light will not come on until about a 1/2 mile before the reserve runs out.
OK, now the tank is on but the seat won't fit.
I had to crop 5/8" off the front of my seat pan and make a notch to clear the fuel filler pocket drain tube connection.
(this is an opportunity to replace the seat cover if needful)

[enjine]

Wow Silent that truly is an Odyssey of a rebuild. Great work, i'm sure I'll use it as reference material when my XS11 rolls in.

Fredintoon, thanks for the writeup. I don't have the bike yet so I'm sure I'll understand the steps better when I can look under the seat and get a visual for what you're describing. I've been reading up on dumping the octy so that is all good.

When I do go through your steps, I'll take pix and post a visual how-to based on your instructions.

thanks a lot!

[Silent]

Thanks

Feel free to ask any questions that you might have. I'll be installing the rearsets that came in last night sometime soon, so that link will grow a bit longer