whats the difference: 81 xs1100 and 81 xs1100s

[navy528]

i have a 1981 xs1100special and im looking at possibly buying this 81 xs1100 standard. what parts will not fit onto my special? will the seat, tci box, and gas tank fit? he wants 400 bucks for it but it doesnt run. ohhh! and are the carbs the same?? an extra set of carbs and airbox would be good since ive jetted and podded the ones on mine.

thanks.

[DGXSER]

The tank will bolt right on, but will interfere somewhat with the stock seat. I am not certain on the seats, should match to the frame spots, but not the side covers or the grab rail IIRC.

The carbs, TCI, and airbox whould all be the same and freely interchange. The entire engine and electronics such as coils and timing assembly and most all the other bits sill freely interchange. Side covers, seats, front forks and triple trees, as well as front fender all are not 100% easy swapout. The gages will swap, but the special has a fuel light, standards have a fuel gage. Some minor stuff like that.

[natemoen]

Gas tank will interchange but you have to change the sending unit to match the gauge cluster that you are using (i.e. special sending unit for special gauges and standard sending unit for standard gauges) otherwise the gas gauge (standard) or light (special) will not work. Also the petcocks are different and require slightly different plumbing but that is not a big deal. BUT the petcocks DO NOT interchange, they have a different bolt pattern.