My 81 XS project begins

[DeSiard]

Well, it's finally decided to stop being 100 degrees outside, so i'm ready to tear into this 81 special I bought back in the summer.

It hasn't been run in about 3 years, so first order of business is to clean out the little bit of rust in the gas tank and see what it's going to take to get it to crank up. After that, i've got a pretty good laundry list of things to keep me busy all winter. Off the top of my head I know i'm going to have to rebuild the front brake calipers (the PO completely took off one side and put it in a box), and i'm going to have to replace the boot that covers the U joint. It needs new tires too.

I'm hoping I can get it running by spring. Who knows what else will be uncovered along the way.

[brcree]

Same Bike

Hey De: I have the same bike 81 special H. I can tell by the black ring around the Yamaha logo on the stater cover. Good luck with it and I hope you don't have a time like I have had bring-en mine back to life. Now into the Dremel tool fix and have found 3 broken teeth on 1st gear. This is hopefully my last major fix before I hit the road with it. Its going to be my fav bike I can tell already! Great forum here, lots of good info and guys to buy parts from!

[WMarshy]

...I have the same bike 81 special H. I can tell by the black ring around the Yamaha logo on the stater cover...

The starter cover is not in either of his pictures... The alternator cover is though...

Welcome to the sight, nice looking project bike! If you have and doubts about anything do a little search on here. Lots of great info in the archives, most likely everyone has already made all the mistakes for you and wrote about it here. Worst case, you spend the time you saved doing it right by looking for the correct info on here...

[brcree]

???

Read it again...Stater....not starter.......

[WMarshy]

Thanks for clarification...

[DeSiard]

Thanks for the welcome. Sharp eye brcree! I've got the side panels in a box on my work bench. I don't think any of them have the emblems on them though.

I've been reading through this forum a lot and book marking the threads that cover things that i know i'm going to need to reference. This is a great community and i hope i'll be able to show some progress on the bike as it comes along and actually contribute some here. Right now I just feel like a sponge. lol

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard! It looks like you've almost got a complete bike there. Take your time and ask questions. Use the search tool on the forum, and you'll find hours of reading on just about any topic you can imagine!

If you don't have a manual yet, you can download one from the link in my signature.

[81xsproject]

What's up with that exhast...? It's really short; I like it! Any branding...? I like the tittle of your thread

[DeSiard]

What's up with that exhast...? It's really short; I like it! Any branding...?

I like the exhaust too. I was thinking it was just the stock exhaust that's been painted flat black, but i'm not sure unless it's been sawed off. I shined a light in it the other day and there are no baffles of any sort in it. It's going to be LOUD when it finally roars to life.

@CatatonicBug thanks for the encouragement! I downloaded the manual from your link and then i ordered a hard copy. I figure I'll be able to get the hard copy into the garage easier than a computer.

[natemoen]

Looks like a prey decent bike to srat off witj! welcome aboard

[greatnw]

Congratulations! I did this last year and none of this is hard on a bike compared to working on a car.

Take your time, do a precise job and have fun with it.

These are great bikes. Torque to spare and simply a lot fun to ride.

There is no problem that someone here hasn't already solved. This place is the best.

[DGXSER]

Congrats on a great starting piece. Bike looks to be in good condition for sure.

I'd pull the carbs and give them a good once over before you try to fire it up. Hopefully the PO drained the gas out before it sat forever, otherwise your in for some fun!

There is a thread on here of my Banshee bike project. Started off with a much less cared for machine. But it shows all the things I went through with it.

And do by all means go throguh all the breaks thoroughly before you try to ride it. Gotta have the whoa, before you go.

[brcree]

81 special h

Thanks De...........yes and the plates that the foot pegs are bolted to also have a black inset accent as well.....the only year I have seen this on, could be others but, anyway...good luck ol son! Ge-ten ready to swap out my trans gears....found the broken teeth down in the eng.

[CatatonicBug]

found the broken teeth down in the eng.

Yet another reason to do the dremel fix WITHOUT flipping the bike.

[DGXSER]

Yet another reason to do the dremel fix WITHOUT flipping the bike.

Hey Bug, I would remove the trans pan and let it drain for a few with it upside right either way, to much oil left in there to turn it over before you do.