Had to Sell the 81 but Now I have a 79

[GAXS1100SH]

Hello all, because of financial reasons I had to sell my 81 Special a couple of months ago, I have missed it alot.
But , Recently I came across a 79 Standard that had been sitting for several years.
I have gone through everything, and what was once a Rust and Dirt Bucket on two wheels, is now a Daily Rider. Not a show piece (on a shoe string budget) but presentable, I think.
I love these bikes, I will attemp to upload pics. Bike has 68,000 miles on it.
Thanks, Steve.

[CatatonicBug]

Very nice!! Do you have any "before" pictures?

[GAXS1100SH]

Before pics

Unfortunatly I do not have before pics, batteries were dead in the camera at that time.
Just picture this, Rust and Dirt on Two wheels, there is NOTHING I did not have to touch.
Now she Runs and Rides Well.
Thanks, Steve

[SFerinTEXAS]

Can you tell much difference in the power compared to the SH? Sure can between my SF and XJ.

[GAXS1100SH]

Yes

Yes, To me the 79 is much smoother and a little stronger, the 81 always had that annoying motor vibration between 2500 and 3500 rpms.
Both have great power, I love these old bikes.
Thanks, Steve

[natemoen]

Very nice looking!

[Rickrod3]

Nice Bike

Did you do the paint yourself?
If so; what did you use to apply the paint and what paint type?
I really like the stripe it reminds me of my RD400F I rode as a kid.

Rick

[GAXS1100SH]

Paint

Ah, Pictures always make bike look better than they really are.
I am on a shoe string budget so, the paint you see is Caliper paint from a
can, and the Rally Stripes are decals that I purchased from Ebay.
I get comments on it where ever I go.
I like it because its different.
And I also like the bigger tank on the Standard.
Thanks, Steve

[petejw]

you've done a great job,
the bikes come up really well.

[11Rider]

"Presentable" is an understatement. I like it alot!

[79XS11F]

Looks Great! You did a good job on here. These bikes do clean up nicely don't they.
Rob

[gui_tarzan]

What pipes did you use? That's almost exactly what I want for mine.

[GAXS1100SH]

Pipes

I know that the headers are stock, and to tell you the truth I assumed that the Mufflars were stock.
Someone chime in and let me know if otherwise.
It sounds just like my 81 did also.
Thanks, STeve

[davidsymons53]

Very nice looking. Can you tell us how the seats compare, comfort wise.

David

[GAXS1100SH]

Seats

I always had a problem with the 81 Special Seat, It always felt as though I was being pushed toward the tank, and after half an hour my ars was toast.

Now comes the 79, I replaced the seat cover from one from over the pond, the foam was in good shape so I left it as it was. This seat fills amazing, I have already taken a couple of 100 mile jaunts with no problems with the ars.
And the bigger tank is deffeniatly a plus.

So far getting 30 miles to the gallon on the 79, I got 32 on the 81 until I took the fairing off then I hot 30.
I just put the Plexifairing on the 79 so maybe I can get it up to 32.

I can't seem to be able to keep my hand off of the throttle.
Thanks, Steve