Just aquired a 1980 1100 midnight special

[bdeakes]

HI folks, I just aquired a 1980 1100 midnight special. Got the bike for free! its been sitting in a shed for 22 years and hasnt been moved or started since it was parked in 1988. I know it needs tires, battery and probably needs the carbs rebuilt. also the brake master cyl. looks like its no good(looks lioke the fluid leaked out all over the controlls. I need advice on what else to check, where to get the parts at the best price, and any technical help I can get. I have never worked on anything motorcycle related other than Harley's, so this is my first Foreign bike. Be gentle!!

[DGXSER]

Welcome to the site.

If you look in the FAQ area, there is a thread on "What to look for in a neglected XS". It is a pretty thorough listing of things to look over.

My experience with one that sat for two or three years would say count on cleaning the carbs, the brake systems (Master Cylinders, and calipers front and back), The air box, the gas tank and the petcocks. After all that fun, try to start it up.

Actually, I would first try to turn the engine over by hand. Pull the roundish cover on the left hand side of the bike by removing the four allen head bolts. Nothing oil sealed here, so just pull it off. Then use a 6mm allen wrench in the bolt in the center of the timing plate and try to turn the engine over. You could also remove the spark plugs to make it easier.

[Crazcnuk]

Unless you find a crack, the master cylinder likely just needs a clean.

Brake fluid absorbs water and eventually forces it's way out through the breather.

The brake fluid should look like coffee flavored grease by now!

[dpotter58]

HI folks, I just aquired a 1980 1100 midnight special. Got the bike for free! its been sitting in a shed for 22 years and hasnt been moved or started since it was parked in 1988. I know it needs tires, battery and probably needs the carbs rebuilt. also the brake master cyl. looks like its no good(looks lioke the fluid leaked out all over the controlls. I need advice on what else to check, where to get the parts at the best price, and any technical help I can get. I have never worked on anything motorcycle related other than Harley's, so this is my first Foreign bike. Be gentle!!

where do you live?

[SFerinTEXAS]

The search feature will be your best source of info for your questions. I am sure I put a few hundred hours in it before I started on my 3rd 79special. Also was the first one I ever got to run well. Bless this Site. PS when searching go to the oldest threads and work up. Less confusion back then.More to the point.

[CatatonicBug]

Woohoo! Another Midnight! Download one or both of the manuals from the link in my signature. You have some reading to do. Take some pictures, and show us what it looks like too! You'll be glad you did later, when you can see the progression and look back at what you've done. You've definitely found the right place for assistance, and it sounds like you've got the right idea. If you get stuck on anything, ask here FIRST, before you try anything "creative". I guarantee that several folks on here will have already dealt with whatever problem you're facing.

[crazy steve]

...Actually, I would first try to turn the engine over by hand. Pull the roundish cover on the left hand side of the bike by removing the four allen head bolts. Nothing oil sealed here, so just pull it off. Then use a 6mm allen wrench in the bolt in the center of the timing plate and try to turn the engine over. You could also remove the spark plugs to make it easier.

If it's been sitting that long, oil the cylinders (kroil, WD40, kerosene, something!) and let it sit for a day or two before you try spinning it by hand. It wouldn't hurt to pull the cam cover and oil all the cam lobes either. After that much time, that stuff has to be bone dry.

And don't throw anything away, no matter how bad it looks, until you know for sure you have a viable replacement. Some parts can be very tough to get. These ain't Harleys, with their miles-deep parts well.

For replacement parts, two places that are popular are http://www.partsnmore.com/ and http://www.mikesxs.net/. Mikes sell only for the 650, but some parts are the same. There's been reports of rather uneven quality on some stuff, so don't throw.. etc.

Welcome!

'78E original owner

[bdeakes]

where do you live?

I live in VA in a town called Tappahannock. I found the bike in one of the sheds at my girlfriends fathers house. After asking him about it, he told me I could have it. He drove it up into the shed in 88 and it hasnt moved since. Going to take a week to unbury it out of there!

[bdeakes]

If you look in the FAQ area, there is a thread on "What to look for in a neglected XS". It is a pretty thorough listing of things to look over.

My experience with one that sat for two or three years would say count on cleaning the carbs, the brake systems (Master Cylinders, and calipers front and back), The air box, the gas tank and the petcocks. After all that fun, try to start it up.

Actually, I would first try to turn the engine over by hand. Pull the roundish cover on the left hand side of the bike by removing the four allen head bolts. Nothing oil sealed here, so just pull it off. Then use a 6mm allen wrench in the bolt in the center of the timing plate and try to turn the engine over. You could also remove the spark plugs to make it easier.

Thanks for the info. I'll be posting reports, and hopefullly not having to ask too many questions.

[fredintoon]

HI folks, I just aquired a 1980 1100 midnight special. Got the bike for free! its been sitting in a shed for 22 years and hasnt been moved or started since it was parked in 1988. I know it needs tires, battery and probably needs the carbs rebuilt. also the brake master cyl. looks like its no good(looks lioke the fluid leaked out all over the controlls. I need advice on what else to check, where to get the parts at the best price, and any technical help I can get. I have never worked on anything motorcycle related other than Harley's, so this is my first Foreign bike. Be gentle!!

Hi bdeakes and welcome,
a freebie midnight,eh? Gawd, it's hard to type while writhing with envy!
As has been posted, there's a detailed resurrection checklist on this site.
Coming from a Harley background, a thing you most likely will not know is
The XS11 engine runs BACKWARDS
Weird, eh? It's because it's primary reduction is a Hyvo chain instead of the pair of gears that the XS750s & XS850s have on an essentially identical drive train.
And the front brake pads are supposed to be tapered.
In short, it goes like smoke, shifts like a Russian tractor, will last forever and you're going to love it.

[brcree]

Lucky Sod......

I wasn't lucky enough to find a MS...but did come across a 81 spec. that had sat for about that long. Master cyl was toast...complete rebuild...thank goodness for ebay, just keep looken and you can find good stuff cheap! Rear master cyl. also toast. Cleaned out all brake lines aswell. Air box full of mouse nest, Junked old orig. fuse block with updated one from Topcat. He sells them for 10.00 bucks! Tank was a rust bucket so, found one on ebay for 126.oo that had a great paint job and no rust, petcocks and all!!! Good luck......lots of great info in here man! About to start mine up for the first time soon!!

[dpotter58]

I live in VA in a town called Tappahannock. I found the bike in one of the sheds at my girlfriends fathers house. After asking him about it, he told me I could have it. He drove it up into the shed in 88 and it hasnt moved since. Going to take a week to unbury it out of there!

I'm about 80 miles away in Leonardtown md.. Did you get it dug out of the shed?

[lvrsnr]

mine had been parked since 85 when I found it 4 years ago,,, and I would highly recommend not only puling the valve cover to put fresh oil up there, but also removing at least one of the cam bearing caps. on mine the contaminates in the oil had caused the aluminum bearings to oxidize and transfer to the bearing surface of the cams, which is easy to polish off, but would not have been good for the head or cams if I had tried to fire it up without a complete tear down first. also you will have at least one cylinder that is rusted due a valve being opened, (allowing moisture in). lots of work but just as much pride of ownership when you are done...excellent score.

[Toolmaker Tim]

Questions!

Don't worry, you will have LOTS of questions! Most have been asked before, but ask them again. I might need them answered!

Congrats on your new bike! You will love it! Especially when it leaves the Harley guys in the dust!

[bdeakes]

I'm about 80 miles away in Leonardtown md.. Did you get it dug out of the shed?

Got it out and trailered it home. only thing I found out after actually getting to LOOK at the bike is it is NOT a midnight. it is an 80 eleven special. no gold, no black chrome. Oh well, its still an xs1100 for free! Havent had a chance to start fiddling with it yet, been busy at work and doin honey-do things. Hopefully soon!!! Found out the bike has a different frame. The original owner was killed on the bike and the frame was busted. The guy I got the bike from says he used the correct frame but I'll have to check the numbers. He said he got the frame from a motorcycle junkyard and thats the only thing not from the original bike. Will post some pics soon!