Special with standard tank...

[gringojason]

Can anyone direct me to a picture of what a Special looks like with a Standard tank on it? I am considering buying a Special because it's a good deal, but I love the look of the tank on the Standard, so I am wondering what the hybrid looks like. Also, how much will a Standard tank run me? It is possible to trade my Special tank for someone's Standard? Are they pretty equal in value? Thanks...

[psycoreefer]

Standard tank will probably run you around 150 + depending on how much work it needs to make it nice. Probably not going to get someone to trade you for a special tank, most folks want the extra capacity of the standard tank, or even the elusive venture tank....

The main differences between a special and a standard are:
Special has....
Different forks and triple tree - including strange brake calipers and axle "off center" off the forks
"Buck Horn" bars
Smaller rear rim
Round gauges, and turn signals
rounded small tank

Standard has
Traditional looking forks with the axle centered and "normal" brake calipers
Standard bars
Larger rear rim
Square gauges and turn signals
Bigger tank

IMHO if you like the looks of the standard better, your better off paying a bit more for the standard then trying to Frankenstein one, Unless of course your planning on changing the gauges, signals and forks out anyways...

[draketrumpet]

If the bike is really too good of a deal, for $200 you can get a 4 gal auxiliary tank from this place.

Or, for probably an equal amount of work as Frankensteining you could probably build your own. Either way is a probably a better deal, and when you are around town, just take it off.

[gareth]

The Stand-ecial







This is still a work in progress...Now has different exhaust, solid mounts, braided cooler lines, accel coils ( as of today)..and some other winter add-ons;
But I like the look of the standard tank, and the extra mileage is handy.

[psycoreefer]

I can't see it.....

[gareth]

Sorry, tried to embed image and messed up...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Gareth

[psycoreefer]

Nice looking bike, are those factory bags?

[gareth]

Bags are factory from a full-dresser. The mounts and crash-bars were cut down to fit the tighter Special dimensions and there was some trimming of the aluminium sheet metal rear bag supports to fit around the sliding backrest rack. The storage is handy. Even if the lids flew off a few times on a group ride... One of the pre-season jobs is to integrate safety straps across the top of each bag to replace the bungee cords that I have been using up until now..

G/

[fredintoon]

Can anyone direct me to a picture of what a Special looks like with a Standard tank on it? I am considering buying a Special because it's a good deal, but I love the look of the tank on the Standard, so I am wondering what the hybrid looks like. Also, how much will a Standard tank run me? It is possible to trade my Special tank for someone's Standard? Are they pretty equal in value? Thanks...

Hi Jason,
looks like this:-



The sidecar is optional

You gotta salvage the Special's fuel sender to put in the Standard's tank or the red fuel warning light won't work.

[psycoreefer]

Hi Jason,
You gotta salvage the Special's fuel sender to put in the Standard's tank or the red fuel warning light won't work.

I heard it was the other way around, if you don't swap senders that red light is on all the time!

[WMarshy]

Bags are factory from a full-dresser. The mounts and crash-bars were cut down to fit the tighter Special dimensions and there was some trimming of the aluminium sheet metal rear bag supports to fit around the sliding backrest rack. The storage is handy. Even if the lids flew off a few times on a group ride... One of the pre-season jobs is to integrate safety straps across the top of each bag to replace the bungee cords that I have been using up until now..

G/

Thats a very nice looking special you have Gareth, I have the same set of bags on my std and had the lid come off more than once. One time before I got the idea that bungee straps could keep them on and a second time after I forgot to use the bungee! The first time some guy pulled up next to me while I was cruzin about 65 making weird hand gestures trying to tell me I was missing my cover. Since then I took them off but miss having the storage.

Gareth, what mod did you do to your airbox, I like the idea of keeping the crome from the original box but getting the benefit of running pods... Also, what did you use for the crome strips on your side cover?

[gareth]

Carbs are rejetted Kawasaki ZRX 1100 carbs using Mikes XS pods. The outside carbs have the chrome caps that the Harley guys use on their Keihin CVK36 carbs.The original airbox is gutted to allow it to fit around the pods. Basically just remove everything behind the chrome side panels of the original airbox. The "airbox" remaining still separates into upper and lower pieces so that maintenance is easy and helps support the pods. I didn't like the "gap" that results when riders remove the airbox for pods and leave the side panels..
Its a Franken-Spechandard now..

[gareth]

and

Chrome strips were from the Shiney Chrome Bling section of the local Autozone ( same section you can buy the furry dice and the fake tailpipe extension...) and scribed to the surface of the side panels..

[gringojason]

Gareth....THAT IS IT!!! That's the bike I want...it's BEAUTIFUL. The chrome, the luggage rack, the details...that is a sweet ride. I love it. Thanks for the pic. What year is it? It's a Special with a Standard tank?

[gareth]

Glad you like it...1979 Special, Standard tank, other farkles and sparkles.