80 Special Colours

[xs650man]

Hi there, Im new to this site and have just acquired a 1980 XS1100 Special, it is painted a very dark metallic purple, looks black from a distance. Im trying to figure out if this is the original color, I have my doubts as the rear mudguard is black.

Mark
NewZealand

[DGXSER]

IF you look at THIS FAQ, it gives the factory colors for each year and model based on VIN.

[MPittma100]

Colors

Other than taking an existing painted part of the bike to have it color matched, are there newer paint numbers that can be mixed?

MP

[xs650man]

IF you look at THIS FAQ, it gives the factory colors for each year and model based on VIN.

Ok, according to that my bike was either Black Red or New Ruby Red, would the very dark purple on mine ( as I see it ) be the Black Red ? Dont suppose anyone has a pic of the Black Red ?

[DGXSER]

The Black Red is Black with red flake. You only see the red fleks in the sunlight.

I bet you have the New Ruby Red...Here is a New Ruby Red tank, with 30 years of age on it....

[xs650man]

The Black Red is Black with red flake. You only see the red fleks in the sunlight.

I bet you have the New Ruby Red...Here is a New Ruby Red tank, with 30 years of age on it....

So does it look purple up close and is your rear mudguard black ...

[DGXSER]

Yes it does look almost purple up close. More of a plum color. The rear fender or mud guard on mine is chrome. What is the VIN first three in yours? I do know that Oceanic or European versions are different than US versions in some ways, like colors of parts. But it is not uncommon for the fenders to be painted if the chrome gets to pitted, done it myself. Or the PO may have needed to replace the fender and they found one from a MNS that was factory chromed in black chrome finish.

[oldyam80sg]

Rear mudguard underneath is black on mine and a chrome fender.And i have the black red tank but doesn't look purple.More black than anything.

[CatatonicBug]

Rear mudguard underneath is black on mine and a chrome fender.And i have the black red tank but doesn't look purple.More black than anything.

Mudguard = fender for the folks down there. The RH ('81 Special, Oceana version) version had black fenders just like the Midnight Specials, so that may be how they put the '80 Special together for the Oceana version as well.

[xs650man]

Yes it does look almost purple up close. More of a plum color. The rear fender or mud guard on mine is chrome. What is the VIN first three in yours? I do know that Oceanic or European versions are different than US versions in some ways, like colors of parts. But it is not uncommon for the fenders to be painted if the chrome gets to pitted, done it myself. Or the PO may have needed to replace the fender and they found one from a MNS that was factory chromed in black chrome finish.

Yes plum is probably a better description . My VIN is 7A8......... and engine # 3J6......... which is also stamped on the steering head next to VIN . The bike has a chrome front mud guard ( fender ) and came with a spare one painted the same color as the bike which may be the original one. The guy I bought it off reckoned its possibly the only one in N.Z. Can any Kiwi members confirm that ?

[fredintoon]

Hi Mark,
that FAQ don't list an Oceana XS11SG at all, never mind what the colour was.
So, is the FAQ wrong or is the bike an import or are you sure about what the bike's model year is or if it's a Standard instead of a Special?
But WTF, paint it whatever colour you like.

[xs650man]

Hi Mark,
that FAQ don't list an Oceana XS11SG at all, never mind what the colour was.
So, is the FAQ wrong or is the bike an import or are you sure about what the bike's model year is or if it's a Standard instead of a Special?
But WTF, paint it whatever colour you like.

Im just curious if its the factory paint or not, according to the FAQ its a USA bike which is quite possible down here. Its definitely a Special, heres a pic here

[fredintoon]

Im just curious if its the factory paint or not, according to the FAQ its a USA bike which is quite possible down here. Its definitely a Special, - - -

Hi Mark,
'80 Special for sure but somebody's made a few changes.
Front disks ain't slotted although the rear is. (XS11SG has all 3 disks slotted)
Aftermarket exhaust.(Mostly the stockers have rusted away)
Blacked out alternator cover.(XS11SG has a polished cover)
Black rear mudguard. (XS11SGs had both mudguards in chrome)
The paint looks black in the photo and it seems to be the same black on the tank, sidecover and mudguard.
I can't tell from the photo if it's Yamaha red black or plain ol' basic black.
And as I discovered when trying to fix a blemish on a BMW tank there's all manner of different shades of black around and they are mostly just 50 shades of very dark grey.

[xs650man]

Hi Mark,
'80 Special for sure but somebody's made a few changes.
Front disks ain't slotted although the rear is. (XS11SG has all 3 disks slotted)
Aftermarket exhaust.(Mostly the stockers have rusted away)
Blacked out alternator cover.(XS11SG has a polished cover)
Black rear mudguard. (XS11SGs had both mudguards in chrome)
The paint looks black in the photo and it seems to be the same black on the tank, sidecover and mudguard.
I can't tell from the photo if it's Yamaha red black or plain ol' basic black.
And as I discovered when trying to fix a blemish on a BMW tank there's all manner of different shades of black around and they are mostly just 50 shades of very dark grey.

Yeah I noticed the front discs arnt slotted and the Alt. cover has had a small repair hence the paint. Yes the tank ect look black but they are very dark purple/plum. I think the whole front wheel/ brakes maybe off a different model as the face of the spokes arnt polished like the back wheel .

[crazy steve]

I think the whole front wheel/ brakes maybe off a different model as the face of the spokes arnt polished like the back wheel .

I think you're right; the rotors look too small to be XS11. If the fronts are smaller than the rear, somebody has swapped a 750/850 front end onto it. The rear fender has been shortened too...