Build Quality

[XS1100carbon]

Has anyone noticed a better build quality on Midnight Special's?

[bikerphil]

I have read that the frame welds are ground down smoother than other models.

[XS1100carbon]

Quality

Just picked up one today for 500 bucks, pics tomorrow. Welds seam a lot better.

[crazy steve]

That was one of the excuses...err, reasons Yamaha gave for charging the premium price for a MNS. They did have better assembly detailing, but there were no claims made about the mechanical assemblies....

[IanDMacDonald]

I wonder how badass it was to see that Midnight Special when it first came out. No other bike like it (except smaller siblings obviously). A very nice-looking bike next to the Standard.

[wingnut]

They had a MNS in the showroom when I bought the only new bike I have ever owned in 1980. It was interesting to me at the time but truth be told I liked the black (with the ruby metial flake) and chrome special next to it a lot better so I bought that one. Maybe not my best move but I ended up selling the special 2 years latter anyway. Would love to have the opportunity make that decision again now

[mack]

1980

I remember I had my SF for a season by then and was in the dealership for a tune up to start the new season. They were trying to talk me into dealing in my bike for a shiny new midnight. I was looking at it and thought to myself,"look at all the work you'd have to do to keep it looking like that!" Then they started it. It had a sharper, higher pitch to the exhausts than the deep throaty tone of my SF. I just shook my head and said no thanx. Little did I know how prophetic my thought were.

[mack]

Quality

The welds at the yoke are about the only thing I found that was superior on the LH over the SF. I find the newer carbs mickey mouse. Lighter cams and why they chose to put a separate main fuse on the other side of the bike by itself is still confusing to me. The speedo belongs in toys r us. Mirrors are smaller. I don't like the seat as well as the saddle that came with the SF and I absolutely hated the braking system on the LH model. Gave me the creeps. And this may sound funny, but it rides and handles differently to the SF. The black and gold make it look smaller too. When I put them side by side, the SF looks like a more muscular bike.
When I first looked at the SF, there was an F right beside it. I sat on both, listened to both and liked both but the SF just fit my eye. It looks like what I've always considered motorcycles should look like. If I had to choose one, but only one, it would still be my choice everytime. It's never left me on the side of the road and I've never had any trouble keeping up with anything in the fast lane when I'm traveling.

[IanDMacDonald]

Great views guys. Thank you.

[XS1100carbon]

Quality

Just noticed that the reflector's in front of the gas tank on the MNS have a plastic mount and the other special's have just a steel bracket. There's steel under there I assume , but just another case of more effort in the factory build.

[motoman]

I wonder how badass it was to see that Midnight Special when it first came out. No other bike like it (except smaller siblings obviously). A very nice-looking bike next to the Standard.

........pretty badasss lookin' for the time period. Almost caused me to change my mind when I bought the Venturer new.

[mack]

venturer

The venturer will be the last one I look for to complete my stable.

[crazy steve]

Just noticed that the reflector's in front of the gas tank on the MNS have a plastic mount and the other special's have just a steel bracket. There's steel under there I assume , but just another case of more effort in the factory build.

If you've seen those missing on other bikes, that's because somebody left them off. The LG had no 'special' parts on it (other than part color or emblems) compared to the 'regular' Specials, the LH was the same except for different wheels, brakes, and fork lowers (all of which were used on the '82 XJ).

[cajun31]

original LG owner here

What can I say .... as soon as I saw the LG in one of my cycle magazines I had to have one. My dealership got two in and I bought mine in Feb of 1980. It really wasn't that hard to keep clean when new. Of course letting one sit up for ten years didn't do it any good, however it runs and is still as strong today as when new. I have had it so long now that I could never part with it. I suspect that when I pass my kids will let her go. I will tell them about this site in the interim and at least it will go to someone that could appreciate it for what it is.

[Prisoner6]

Quote: Posted by cajun31>
What can I say .... as soon as I saw the LG in one of my cycle magazines I had to have one.


I felt exactly the same way when I first saw a brand new '79 SF sitting on the showroom floor back in 1979!

Only difference is, well, it took me nearly 35 years to finally get mine! - bought it in Aug. of 2013.

So cool that you bought your Midnight brand new and have kept it all these years ...