1980 1100 Midnight Special x2

[MidnightSnack1980]

I want to share my bikes and build ideas with you guys. They are a pair of 1980 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Specials. I'll just give some background info. My father-in-law was having a scraper come look at his bike, and I talked him out of it. He bought it brand new in 1980 and it had sat in his barn since 1987. He parked it running. Not much rust and workable. I have heard that these bikes are rare, (two built by Yamaha for every dealership in the U.S.). Not crazy rare but not an abundance of them running around. I figure parts would be impossible and I wasn't entirely wrong. So, I decided to sell some of my extra's and was contacted by someone wanting to get rid of one. He said he didn't want it anymore and it was ridden just a year or two ago. He dropped the bomb on me that he only wanted $250 for it. So, I now have two "RARE" bikes in my garage for a mere $250 bucks. Now, I don't know if one will run, but with two complete bikes here I think I can make one out of two. I know a lot of people want them brought back to originality, but I didn't like how they looked originally so I will include my Photoshopped idea. I haven't done much more than just tinkered on bikes so it is going to be a learning process, but what do I have to loose. Any and all advice is welcome. Enjoy!!


The first bike that was originally my father-in-laws


Another view of the same bike


The bike I found


Another View


Twins




Bike Idea


Photoshopped Idea

[MidnightSnack1980]

Oh I forgot to mention, I checked their Vin #'s and they are eight apart, both built 12/1979. One numbered ....1792 the other ......1800....thought that was pretty cool. Might have been on the same truck at one time.

[jwhughes3]

Nice score

Cool find. Have fun.

John

[xs11lover]

What they looked like

This is an 850 midnight but you get the idea. This one is all factory.

[xs11lover]

No love

You'll get no love around here hacking a midnight, but since the frame is already cut on the one you could do it up like this.

[DGXSER]

The first one looks very complete. It would be pretty easy to get running and sell for some good money or just ride it.

The second, its already been hacked up a good bit, hard to tell it ever wasa MNS.

My suggestion, clean up the first oen and get it running well, if you do not like the looks of it, sell it. You will never get mor emoney out of one of these bikes than you will selling a complete, clean, good running MNS like that.

As to yoru plans for the second one, looking at the exhaust I am a little concerned. Keep in mind, these bikes really do need some backpressure to run correctly. Over the years I have seen several folks try to run open pipes and not seen one yet that could tune the carbs to work with that exhaust.

[MidnightSnack1980]

Maybe there is some confusion...neither bike has been cut, hacked, or anything. I got both bikes with all the parts from their orginial state. I do understand that some like them restored to factory spec, but considering I saved one from the scrap yard, I dont really see a huge issue in what I am doing. At least it will still be alive. Just my opinion. As for the exhaust issue, I am confused what you are trying to say. I an using a Kerker four into one header that was used on this bike when it was on the road. I also have the 2 into one factory headers with dual exhausts. Maybe the photoshop was a bit confusing I apologize. And the idea of them being highly valuable if factory restored, I have found a couple on craigslist locally for under $1500. I appreciate the advice. I have researched these bikes quite a bit so although I may not be a frequent poster to the site I do understand these bikes. If I am unwelcome due to my difference of style, please let me know and I won't share my progress. I obviously will have extra parts I would be willing too share with the XS community. Thanks for commenting.

[MidnightSnack1980]

Here are the pictures of the two bikes as I found them. Sorry, in the pictures above I had already started stripping parts off of one.

Bike #1 My father-in-laws


Bike#1 Side Profile


Bike#2 CL Find


Bike #2 Side Profile

[jjz28]

I think they are talking about the frame looks to be cut in the back, among other things on the second one. It is not factory.

[DGXSER]

Looks like you cut the frame since you started your project. They were both fairly complete looking bikes.

Me, I will not lose sleep over your cutting up a MNS in particular, I am not a big fan of the gold wheels, and such. My point was from the re-sale value.

BTW, your not far from most of the SWOXS group here in SW Ohio. I know more than a few folks with property on Indian Lake.

[MidnightSnack1980]

Looks like you cut the frame since you started your project. They were both fairly complete looking bikes.

Me, I will not lose sleep over your cutting up a MNS in particular, I am not a big fan of the gold wheels, and such. My point was from the re-sale value.

BTW, your not far from most of the SWOXS group here in SW Ohio. I know more than a few folks with property on Indian Lake.

Haven't cut it yet. But plan on it.

That's cool they have places here. It is a very nice quaint place to come to. And it is a great place to get a bike ride in. I will have quite a few parts for sale that may come in handy to the SWOXS group, and hopefully I will get a bike running good enough to meet up with the group at some point.

[GTXS1100]

This is what they are talking about.

Bike Idea

The Frame on this bike has been cut the tail of the frame should go back farther.

[MidnightSnack1980]

I apologize for that picture. It was photo shopped also. It to date has yet to be cut. Sorry four being confusing

[MidnightSnack1980]

Progress?

I have made some progress this week in the crazy heat. Pulled the motor off the frame I am using. Started cleaning the frame up. Also, got my new handlebars. Mounted them to see what they look like, and it looks like I am going to have to relocate the front brake master cylinder. It will make the bars look cleaner anyway. And going to get a new fuse panel to clean up the rats nest. Here are some pics of the progress.

[jwhughes3]

lightweight!

As light as that frame looks you could make a nice pushbike out of it!

The bars look good - I think you need to look for a replacement MC that isn't slanted like the special's to look like it belongs there. MikesXS has some or you could swap for a Standard MC.

John