What have I gotten myself into?

[Fix]

Well, I made the trek from Lake Orion MI to Plainfield Indiana yesterday. 720 miles round trip. I picked up what appears to be most of a 79 special. There's also some curve-balls. Here's a link to the whole haul. There's lots of stuff I haven't taken pictures of yet, like the triple tree and wiring.

http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x.../Bike%20parts/

I've got some questions as I decide what I'm going to do.
First off, the exhaust is in good condition, would that bolt up to my '78?
Second, What do those seats go to?
Third, can anyone identify these?


I'm sure I'll post more in this thread as I figure out what I'm doing.

[Yahman]

Looks like a new valve stem for a wheel.

Larry

[Larrym]

Wag

Uhh....I'd say a shiny new, possibly SS replacement valve stem for the tubeless rims???

[Fix]

Wow, I've got maybe a dozen.

[DGXSER]

You got some pretty nice parts there. One seat loks to be for a 78-79 standard. The other seat looks to be for a 79 special perhaps.

That exhaust looks to be the holy grail, complete exhaust stock from a Midnight Special!!

Otherwise, the fairing looks pretty dodgy, the wheels appear to also be form a midight special. You should check the numbers on the neck of the frame and the engine to see if they match and what they are from.

[Larrym]

From 10 feet away it looks like...

Fix,

Can't tell f'shizzle, but the exhaust looks like a special. I maybe wrong here. It just doesn't look long enough to be a standard. The front may match up to the head but then the mounting points/supports won't line up without performing heroics.

One seat looks "Specially" also.

Have fun wit' da parts pile. Lots more to sort through and ID.

[Fix]

You got some pretty nice parts there. One seat loks to be for a 78-79 standard. The other seat looks to be for a 79 special perhaps.

Neither of those seats will fit on my '78 standard. The Maroon one looks to be hindge to flip up, the one without a cowl is close to a '78 in that it has the two bolts, but it doesn't quite line up.

I'll check the motor and neck numbers and see if they match. Lotta dust on a lot of this stuff, I need to see what cleans up.

[Fix]

Matching numbers on the engine and neck.

1979 XS1100SF 3H3-009965 Carmine Red, Black Gold

[tarzan]

The seat that hinges might be from an XS750.
That exhaust is as has been stated"the holy grail", and could be worth a small fortune if it is really good condition.

[DGXSER]

Looks like you are the proud owner of an XS1100SF or 79 Special. That exhaust should fit up to it fine. But if it is in decent condition may be worth more to some of the MNS owners.

The one seat might fit it, it would be different than the fit of a standard model 78 or 79. Bad news is the 79 special is also one of the most unique as in only parts for it fit it models when it comes to seats, and side covers and the like. Also a unique wiring harness.

[WMarshy]

Is the engine any good? I wonder how long it sat with no spark plugs in it. It looks nice though.

[ross]

hey there neighbor......

hey there fix....not sure about it yet, but "VERY" interested in the exhaust.....not sure if it will fit, but sure i will hear if it does or doesn't....would get even if the cones were all i could salvage...but looks like bolt on.....hit me up man....(dude, we gotta chat SOON!)....ride hard, ride safe...ross

[b.walker5]

Seats...

Seat 1 - XS1100 Special. Seat 2 - XS750 2D. Tank - Standard.

[Fix]

Is the engine any good? I wonder how long it sat with no spark plugs in it. It looks nice though.

It looks good so far. The plug holes are stuffed.

[Fix]

I'm thinking about using the '79 special frame and motor and swapping stuff over from my '78 standard that I'm missing. Or possibly just swapping the motor from the '79 into my '78.

So, to aid my decision making, I need to ask a few questions.

Is the engine from a '79 special different from a '78 standard? I really like the '79's paint and detailing.

I have carbs for both, but I'd like to use my '78 carbs on the '79 engine, as I know the carbs are good, and the boots on the '79 look great. Possible?

I assume the frame on the '79 is different, since the seat mounts differently, but how much different? Can I use the front end off my standard? How about the swing-arm and final drive?

Will my '78 stock exhaust work on a '79 special motor in my '78 frame? How about in the '79 frame?

Thanks in advance, and if there's a list somewhere that has answers like this, just point me at it!