MIdnight Specials

[xs11lover]

I know this won't make me any friends around here but I'm sick of the midnight talk. They're always listed on ebay. There are two nice ones listed now. I was told they made at least one for each dealer in each country. I've looked at a bunch of them. If the gold plate isn't falling off the black chrome is shot. Most of the motors have white spots all over them. Yes the good ones are few but I think that's because they didn't hold up as well as the standard or special. I'd take a nice 80sg with the red specks in the paint any day over a midnight.

Here is you pic, sorry it's not an 1100 but it's the only midnight I've owned.
I picked it up on Ebay with 4,300 miles. It was a two hour drive from my house. I paid $500 and I was the only bidder.
Does that bike really look better than this one?

Or this one?

or this one?

Maybe this one.

How is that for some pics?

[mro]

Does that bike really look better than this one?

What kind of question is that?
Thats like answering that you love one of your kids more than another!

mro
PS, sorry your sick and hope you get well soon

[T99Ford]

Garrett, you crack me up. I always look forward to your posts! It is not fair, though, posting your shiny bikes all the time...

[crazy steve]

...Due to the low numbers of existing MNS out there, I'm almost afraid to ride it very much. That and the low mileage, I want to keep the value up....

Typically, a limited-production 'cosmetic' model won't bring much (if any) of a price premium at resale time compared to a standard model from what I've seen. With all else being equal, a special trim package of some sort will add from zero to maybe a few hundred bucks to the price. Low mileage will add more, but you're not getting much enjoyment out of the bike if you don't ride it. To see this in action, Harley is the King of limited-production 'specials' and their 'special' bikes are very rarely worth as much as $200 over their 'plain' siblings; $50-100 is typical. This is to the chagrin of buyers who bought into the 'collectibility' hype.

A special cosmetic model can actually hurt you at resale if it's not complete, if a knowledgable buyer is aware of how hard the needed parts will be to find. I'm not saying you couldn't get a premium price from the 'right' buyer for one of these, but for the majority of buyers, it won't make any difference...

Performance sells much better, and I think that's one reason you see very nice '78 models bringing the big bucks.

Hey, if you like your MNS, ride it and enjoy it, and don't worry about it's 'value'...

'78E original owner

[jmnjrpa]

Mro

Sorry for the misunderstanding. On the mismatched numbers I was referring to the MNS because there are a lot of PO's that want to sell their bike as a MNS.
The 19 of 20 would be a conservative estimate on frankenbikes. If you changed ANYTHING that was not a wearable part then it is NOT ORIGINAL! Say for instance any mods like pods or you didn't like the handlebars, octi, mirrors, or seat, etc... You might want to rethink that.

[jmnjrpa]

XS11lover

What's your problem with the MNS owners? I don't knock your bike. I think it looks fine but I also just happen to like the black gold better.
Just a personal taste. Actually outside of the color scheme and looks they are the same. The 81 special and 81 MNS have the SAME engine, tranny, clutch, final drive, etc..

[crazy steve]

...If you changed ANYTHING that was not a wearable part then it is NOT ORIGINAL! Say for instance any mods like pods or you didn't like the handlebars, octi, mirrors, or seat, etc... You might want to rethink that.

I'll agree with John with one caveat; replacing parts is considered ok, but unless it's replaced with an exact duplicate (whether new or used), then it's no longer original.

'78E original owner

[jmnjrpa]

Yep

Mine ain't original! Kept it close to the scheme but it is personalized for comfort / improvements. There are some areas I went further with the black and gold scheme.

[mro]

outside of the color scheme and looks they are the same

Yes and No
Yamaha paid a little more attention to detail on the MNS.

It really boils down to what you like,
want just to have a ride
want to customize
or want to restore

I like a little of each all tho most of mine are close to "original".
A NOS exhaust seems to be the hardest thing to find or afford

mro
BTW, as far as an XS as a monetary investment ... there be better
I got em because I like em

[crazy steve]

Mine ain't original! Kept it close to the scheme but it is personalized for comfort / improvements. There are some areas I went further with the black and gold scheme.

And that's the way it should be. I've never understood some owners slavish dedication to maintaining TOTAL originality, even when that meant putting up with a design flaw, limited performance, or personal discomfort because it doesn't 'fit' them right. If an owner is that worried about it, hey, take off the offending parts and store them for that future time when you want to go back to stock.

ENJOY the damn thing!

'78E original owner

[jmnjrpa]

Mro

You lost me here.

Yamaha paid a little more attention to detail on the MNS.

care to explain?

[Pat Kelly]

If you read the articles of the time on the MNS, Yamaha put more effort into the "finish" of them. The frame welds were cleaned-up so there is no splatter, the welds are smoother. This dosen't make for a stronger or better weld, it just looks nicer. They also spend more labor on the paint. More attention to detail on the quality of the finished product.

Functionally the MNS is no different than any other Special. It was the "purtyness" they were marketing.

For a long trip or riding in winter, or day to day riding I prefer my E with all the touring gear. Special events or just a casual twisty day (or night) I turn to my MNS.

[jmnjrpa]

Thanks Pat

Functionally the MNS is no different than any other Special. It was the "purtyness" they were marketing.

Gotcha.

For a long trip or riding in winter, or day to day riding I prefer my E with all the touring gear. Special events or just a casual twisty day (or night) I turn to my MNS.

+1 on that. Only have one runner, but I do have the complete touring package to put on it for trips.

[xs11lover]

jmnjrpa "What's your problem with the MNS owners? "
I don't have a problem with anybody, I like all the xs's. Even 650s. I've just gotten fed up with the 250 made thing. I'd bet all my bikes that more than 250 were made.

[MNS494]

I thought i had one of the last one's made......vin # 000494.....problem is, date of manufacture is 7/80......couldn't find the thread cat-bug was talking about....the one where there is way more made than thought..........