My new 1100 Midnight Special project bike!

[scarecrow]

CatatonicBug.
The Master cylinder I used is working great. Both front brake calibers work at the sametime and stop the bike straight. I know had to do a couple of panic stops with the bike. Live in Florida. Hehehe.
The Lg I have is unique. Alot of the Yamaha Ads and information that was released on the bike in 1980 are or are not on this bike. That is why I'm always searching for someone who has a vin number less then the one I have
4H3-000351. Yes I bought the bike new. It was still in the crate when I bought it and assembled that day. I would love to find another original master cylinder as everything else is original. except tires

[nickdude911]

So they must have all specials or 1100's in those serial number sequences sine mine is 3550 and they supposedly only made 250 each year.

[natemoen]

Yeah it seems the specials are just all mixed throughout and it has been proven that there is way more than 250 per year that have been made.

[crazy steve]

...they supposedly only made 250 each year.

That number has been brought up many times, but there's never been any sort of confirmation. All Yamaha ever said was that these were to be a 'limited production' model to be sold for a premium price. The magazine write-ups at press introduction time mentioned that the MNS was to have a 'numbered plaque' on each one (something that failed to appear on the production models; because that would have shown that they weren't as 'rare' as everybody thought?) and that each dealer would receive 'at least one' to generate showroom traffic. I'm pretty sure Yamaha had far more than just 250 dealers, even in those days. Washington (where I live) currently has nearly 40, and California has almost ninety. Texas and Florida have over 60 each, and even Alaska has 10. That's only 5 states and you've already gone over 250.

And seeing how many of these keep turning up 30 years later, that '250' number would make the survival rate for these much, much higher than for the 'regular' XS models; pretty unlikely.

[CatatonicBug]

The Lg I have is unique. Alot of the Yamaha Ads and information that was released on the bike in 1980 are or are not on this bike. That is why I'm always searching for someone who has a vin number less then the one I have
4H3-000351. Yes I bought the bike new. It was still in the crate when I bought it and assembled that day. I would love to find another original master cylinder as everything else is original. except tires

You can get a Mater cylinder that LOOKS just like the LH one, but is designed for the dual caliper setup on the LG at MikesXS for $79 (#08-0265). Why did you replace the stock one in the first place, and not just rebuild it? I hope you've replaced the brake lines on that thing in the last 30 years too?? They were only supposed to last for 5 years.

[cywelchjr]

You can get a Mater cylinder that LOOKS just like the LH one, but is designed for the dual caliper setup on the LG at MikesXS for $79 (#08-0265). Why did you replace the stock one in the first place, and not just rebuild it? I hope you've replaced the brake lines on that thing in the last 30 years too?? They were only supposed to last for 5 years.

I've noticed in the manual that the calipers and MC's are supposed to be rebuilt every 2 years, and the brake lines replaced every 5. I wonder how many of these bikes that haven't been converted to SS lines still have the original factory lines (I'm really not sure mine are, as up till the last PO it appears to have been maintained really well, but someone that knew what they were doing, so they may well have been changed at least a couple of times). Seeing how the PO's PO told him the fairing that came with the bike was installed by the dealer when it was bought, I might be the 3rd owner (I might not be thought) and most signs really are that it's got a lot of miles (I believe the ODO to have turned over once) but well maintained.

[Rasputin]

Simple way to see if they are stockers is look for the rubber ring that is required by DOT. This will say the year they were made. I will post a pic of one just cause I am out in the garage with a camera

[CatatonicBug]

The date should actually be stamped on the rubber lines themselves. I guess the ring is the alternate method of date-stamping them.

[natemoen]

I know my lines still have the 11/77 rings on them so I am sure mine are new. They do feel spongy though! Still plan on replacing with SS this winter though!

[Rasputin]

The ring shows the date of manufacture. Nate if yours say 11/77 on them then you have indeed the original brake lines. I would get rid of them. the stainless steel lines not only are new and better but they look cool too

[natemoen]

The ring shows the date of manufacture. Nate if yours say 11/77 on them then you have indeed the original brake lines. I would get rid of them. the stainless steel lines not only are new and better but they look cool too

Oh yeah I know. I do plan on getting rid of them and put the braided SS lines on this winter! My rear brakes really didnt work this summer cause the steel line had rusted and clogged the line. I blew it out and got the line cleared some so I had a little braking power from the rear but not much.

[nickdude911]

Its Alive!

Well after 10 years of sitting I fired the MNS up today. Runs absolutely perfect. Noticed my petcocks are leaking at the tank so ordered some new gaskets and should be set to ride!

[natemoen]

Congrats! Have fun riding when ya get her on the road!

[nickdude911]

Update on the winter porject.

Thanks to TopCat I got my new fuse box installed! Only took about 20 minutes.
[IMG][/IMG]

Then I spent about 2 hours on the rear wheel, cleaning an cleaning and cleaning. Looks good and I just got my new Battlax tire mounted.
[IMG][/IMG]

[nickdude911]

Well I also have the carbs finished and cleaned up, now I am waiting on my SS brake lines that I ordered, and hope they fit. All I need to do now is get my front tire mounted, brakes installed and put it back together. Noticed I have a small oil leak from the cam chain tensioner, so probably gonna tackle that as well.

This is how she looks today.