19?? xs 1100 Special

[GTXS1100]

So yesterday my buddy found this bike on craigslist and i told him i would go with him to look at it. The bike didnt have a title but i have a few frames with titles laying around so i told him no problem. We get there to look at the bike and the PO said he just payed 250 to get the carbs done. So my first thought was you just lost 250 cus the carbs looked like crap and one of the diaphams wasnt even sealing. Any way we baught the bike and took it home. i pulled off the carbs and opened them up. The guy told us it was an 81 but the carbs are the early 78 or 79s i think. they have the brass floats and the screws over the pilot holes. Its a special so i was thinking it was a 79. There also is no vin on the frame neck like my 80G so does anyone have any thoughts on what this bike could be ill try to post pics of it when i get some.
I tryed looking for crazy steves carb identifier thread but i couldnt find it. Any help is appriciated.

[bikerphil]

crazy steves carb identifier thread

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35964

[jjz28]

my 79 has vin on frame neck. I think it starts with 3h3.

[DGXSER]

Just from what you explained those sound like the 78-79 carbs. The VIN on the frame is the only way to know for certain what year and in what trim the beast started life.

The sticker on the frame may be missing, but on the right hand side of the frame neck, opposite the sticker, the VIN should be stamped into the frame. It is possible it got filled with paint or powder coat if the frame was refinished, but it should still be there.

Sounds like another project in the making. Have fun!

[DiverRay]

Use a power sander on the frame neck, and the numbers should come out as paint once you get down to the metal. That will also help with a title, maybe...

[GTXS1100]

To my knowledge the special didnt come out till 79 and since it has the early carbs i would bet its a 79. The emission sticker is gone too so the frame being refinished is a very good possibility.

[GTXS1100]

I dont know if the motor is original but ill grab the vin off it tonight and post it. Maybe that might steer us in the right direction. Im beting that it was just thrown together and nothing matches.

[DGXSER]

When I went to look at my current SH, the owner had it listed as a 79 Special. Until I found this site I could never have spotted all the differences and known what I was looking at. Now I find more often than not the folks listing these bikes either do not know or care and just put something in the ad.

On the rear fender, is the tail light low on the fender or high on the fender behind the seat? That is one of those things that is not commonly changed, so may be your clue to 79 or 80-81. But realistically, just because it has a special tank and special forks, or other parts, in now way ensures it started life as a special.

[GTXS1100]

Im not sure but i think the light is low on the fender almost at the bottom.

[DGXSER]

If it is a special, that would be a 79 then. 80-81 they moved the tail light up behind the seat.

[GTXS1100]

Thats kinda what i thought when i saw it. Ill post the vin tommorrow and see if the motor is a 79. Ill feel better if it is.

[motoman]

If it is a special, that would be a 79 then. 80-81 they moved the tail light up behind the seat.

..........if a Special............

[ddragon63]

first special came out in 79... first 3 digits of vin will be 3h3. if it has the stock pipes most of the vin will be stamped on them too.

[GTXS1100]

No stock pipes. Spaghetti!

[DGXSER]

Dragon, that is a part number on the exhaust not the VIN. The first part will match on your 79 as the PN will be a 3H3 number since that was the first year of the Special. That same 3H3 number is on all the Special exhaust systems.