81SH, Frankenbike?

[Bonz]

Here are some pics of an 81SH in the showroom of a dealer nearby. Manufactured 6/80 (so it's an 81), frame and engine serial numbers match (same full number, beginning with the number 4, didn't write it down).

Looks like it has carb tops from an MNS, FD from an MNS, speedo from a 79SF, side covers from a 79 SF, kickstart nub on right side and black plastic square-ish "tube" that might housed a kickstart lever at some point? Also dual 2-1 aftermarket system, no crossover and black (at one time) valve cover and lower fins on jugs, with plain finish on the head fins.

After you guys helped me figure out the lightly frankenbiked 80G I picked up last fall, how'd I do in identifying this one in terms of the features?

Here are some pics below.

[GLoweVA]

I didn't think the reflectors on the shocks were supposed to be red, but orange. I could be wrong.

Not stock, the air 'assist' gauge setup for the front forks.

That is a stock left side saddle bag frame, but with the missing bag, why is the turn signal mounted there?

The exhaust looks like MAC's 4 into 2's.


I want a good laugh, what was the 'dealer' looking for an asking price?

[Bonz]

-Saddle bag is being held up by my hand while I take the picture with the other...

-Didn't mention fork air system, as I've seen a number of guys do that to their bikes, good mention though.

-Don't know about the turn signal, maybe so the saddle bags could be mounted and not interfere with the signals?

Dealer is asking $1799. The manager is a friend of mine, said bike values don't go back past 30 years in his book, so it's a guess, maybe a bit high, but gives him room to make a fair price out of it. I didn't chime in, but I figure around $1200 would probably be fair coming from a dealer.

[crazy steve]

Yeah, that bike has been 'restored' from assorted bits....

If the serial number starts with a 4, it's a '81SH ((not likely to be a '80 MNS). Besides the '79 speedo, it's also got a 'standard' handlebar clamp, the kick starter has been added, it's got '78-80 alternator and ignition covers on the motor (might even have a '78-79 clutch cover which could explain the kicker). The FD could be a XJ or MNS piece. Sidecovers are '80-81 MNS. The plastic box is for the 'anti-theft' cable supplied on the '81 bikes (usually missing; the cable that is...). MAC exhaust with the Harley-ish 'taper' mufflers.

The asking price for a dealer is about right too...

[Bonz]

Great info Steve, thanks for chiming in! What about the valve covers being black, and the lower engine fins black, with matte metal finish in between?

[GLoweVA]

Taking another look at it, maybe 1200 isn't so bad a price afterall. It's nice and shiney and doesn't apear to have any leaks. (if it did, it probably wouldn't be on the showroom floor)
I'm sure the service dept went thru it and at least changed the fluids and such, so If it'll pass state inspection, and the tire tread is like new, then $1200 is probably a very good price. I'd have to take it for a test ride to see if 1st & 2nd gear were okay.
I'd also have to pull the right side cover off and look at the fuse block.

I did just notice that the head has been painted, the cam cap plugs on the right side should be black, not silver.

Are those extra headlights/driving lights up front on each side above the headlight?

The black plastic trim piece aroung the tach is bigger than the one on the speedo. Could the tach be from a different model, like a 750 special? JAT.

[crazy steve]

What about the valve covers being black, and the lower engine fins black, with matte metal finish in between?

That's 'normal' engine paint for the US-spec '81 motors (besides the MNS), also the XJ (although the XJ parts are markedly different). The cam plugs were painted silver as OEM.

Somebody spent some time 'fixing it up' but originality obviously wasn't a priority....

[Bonz]

You guys have eyes in the back of your eyes, and knowledge beyond your good looks. Good observations on all those points, I've learned even more about bike ID for the future.

[DAVINCI]

Here's a shot of an 'unmolested '81 SH (serial # starts with 4R0). This is with a Venturer fairing mounted

[GLoweVA]

Here's a shot of an 'unmolested '81 SH (serial # starts with 4R0). This is with a Venturer fairing mounted

That's got to be an optical illusion !

The bike stands up by itself ! ( no kickstand and no center stand ?)

The toddler's head looks kinda funny there too, until you realize that there's a side car attached.

Funny looking horns mounted under that fairing.

[jetmechmarty]

SH final drive is supposed to be black. SH side covers are correct. It appears mostly original to my eye, other than the obvious changes previously noted. Air forks are standard on the SH, too. This one has them joined with a gauge as an upgrade.

[DGXSER]

Here are some pics of an 81SH in the showroom of a dealer nearby. Manufactured 6/80 (so it's an 81), frame and engine serial numbers match (same full number, beginning with the number 4, didn't write it down).

Looks like it has carb tops from an MNS

- Yep Agree those are MNS carb tops.

FD from an MNS

, - Nope, that is stock for the SH black with the fins shaved.

speedo from a 79SF

Yep, SF speedo, only round one that went to 160.

side covers from a 79 SF

The side cover shown looks stock from what I can see. The SH was the only Special with the text in cursive and the "Nike Swish" underneath it.

kickstart nub on right side and black plastic square-ish "tube" that might housed a kickstart lever at some point?

If the engine serial number matches then yes the cover has been swapped, along with the Alternator and Timing covers, the SH had the black circles around both of those covers.

black (at one time) valve cover and lower fins on jugs, with plain finish on the head fins.

Yep, this is again stock for SH, the valve cover is painted black with the fins shaved, same for the jugs. Head is left aluminum.

And the SH was the only model with the yellow reflectors on the downtube (well, maybe the H not sure on that one.) And the reflectors on the shocks were red as shown. The SH also had the black rings inside the foot peg brackets as shown. And the serial number would start with 4RO.

[donebysunday]

Here are some pics of an 81SH in the showroom of a dealer nearby. Manufactured 6/80 (so it's an 81), frame and engine serial numbers match (same full number, beginning with the number 4, didn't write it down).

Looks like it has carb tops from an MNS, FD from an MNS, speedo from a 79SF, side covers from a 79 SF, kickstart nub on right side and black plastic square-ish "tube" that might housed a kickstart lever at some point? Also dual 2-1 aftermarket system, no crossover and black (at one time) valve cover and lower fins on jugs, with plain finish on the head fins.

After you guys helped me figure out the lightly frankenbiked 80G I picked up last fall, how'd I do in identifying this one in terms of the features?

Here are some pics below.

How did you get 125 RBHP out of this bike ????

[crazy steve]

And the SH was the only model with the yellow reflectors on the downtube...

The SG/LG had the frame-mounted reflectors also. The H had reflectors installed on the fork lowers...