Fuel Sending Unit

[xs1100newb]

Hello all,
Before I can remove the rust from my gas tank I need to purchase a fuel sending unit. I have a 1979 XS1100 Standard. There are several units available on Ebay for a 1980 Special. According to bikebandit the parts are different. Does anyone know if the 1980 Special unit will fit on a 1979 standard?

Thanks,
Adam

[DGXSER]

The special and the standard models used two different fuel level methods. The standard models use an actual float to determine actual fuel level. The Special just indicates when fuel drops below a certain level by turning on an "idiot" light to let you know your soon to join the walking crew if you don't find gas soon. So none of the Special model fuel sending units will work with your Standard rig.

But, any year standard sending unit will work on any year standard bike.

[bikerphil]

The Standard is for a fuel guage, so it has an arm on it. The Special is a thermo-resistor for a warning light. Yes, they will bolt on the same though. You can just make a metal plate to cover it for cleaning.

Yeah, what Don said.

[xs1100newb]

If they are different in every regard, how are you certain they bolt on the same?
Sorry for my doubtfulness, but I would like to be certain to some degree before I purchase.

[DGXSER]

They are actually on the same size and shape mounting plate and the hole in the tank is the same. So they will bolt in either and plug the hole up. They just will not work the gage or light.

[bikerphil]

Yes, people put Standard tanks on their Specials, and use the Special's thermistor to rig up their fuel light.

[xs1100newb]

Ok, thanks guys. I am going to buy the unit off the 1980 special. I will probably also use it while I am doing the electrolysis, since it does not matter if it works.

Adam

[fredintoon]

If they are different in every regard, how are you certain they bolt on the same?
Sorry for my doubtfulness, but I would like to be certain to some degree before I purchase.

Hi Newb,
they're the same so they could use the same gasket for both senders and use the same punching die for both tanks which saved on tooling costs.
WTF they put the sender holes on the opposite side on the Specials I just dunno but it means you gotta put the thermistor sender in backwards to make it read right on a Standard tank.

[b.walker5]

Maybe i've missed something here, but if you just want something to 'go in the hole' and it doesnt need to work then why dont you just cut out a bit of plate and drill some bolt holes in the right places ?? Gotta be cheaper than anything on fleabay

[natemoen]

Maybe i've missed something here, but if you just want something to 'go in the hole' and it doesnt need to work then why dont you just cut out a bit of plate and drill some bolt holes in the right places ?? Gotta be cheaper than anything on fleabay

I was going to ask this too. I mean you could use a little piece of sheet metal, or heck you could even use some wood. Why spend money on something that is basically pointless and worthless for you?