What is It?

[greybeard555]

I have a 1980 XS1100 which I believe is a G model. It has a rectangular headlight though, does this make sense??

Thanks,

John

[natemoen]

if the gauges and headlight are square its most likely a standard xs. Post your vin and we can tell you for sure. use the vin on the steering head tube not the engine number, unless the numbers are the same then it dont matter

and yes G would be correct for an 80

[slow mo]

hi greybeard

welcome to xs11.com a great place to be! with my limited knowledge an 80 special will have a round light a standard will be square ,,your vin # will tell you exactly which bike you have! any questions will be answered here ,,just ask! ride safe ,,slow mo!

[DGXSER]

Hey John! Welcome to the madness of XS11.com!!

Yes a G model is a standard model for the 1980 year. The special was noted an SG and the Midnight Special the LG.

The standard models have a square headlight, and square shaped turn signals as well as square shaped gages. The tank is kind of blockish in form as well with "dents" for the knees.

Pics are always a good ice breaker! Then we can tell you all the stock items and what has been modded.

[fredintoon]

I have a 1980 XS1100 which I believe is a G model. It has a rectangular headlight though, does this make sense?? Thanks, John

Hi John,
XS11G is the designation for a 1980 XS11 Standard.
The Standard came with rectangular lamps and gauges, a 5.3 gallon tank, a 17" rear wheel and the front axle under the fork slider.
The Special came with round lamps and gauges, a 3.9 gallon tank, a 16" rear wheel and the front axle on the front of the fork slider.
Oddly, the Standard mirrors are round while the Special mirrors are rectangular.
BUT
this is only how the bikes came from the factory.
Most Special and Standard parts can be swapped between the two machines, like LEGO.
So you may have a "Frankenbike" that POs have modified to suit their own preferences or to replace collision damage with whatever used part was available.
The surest way to see what you have, or at least how the bike started out, is by checking the frame serial number.

[natemoen]

Here is a link to the VIN thread to figure out for sure what you have!

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396