replacement exhausts!

[sarrebmat]

I own a 81 midnight special. I thought that the current exhausts were the originals, but now i am not so sure according to http://parts.yamaha-motor.com the descripion of the exhaust should be ( MUFFLER ASS'Y 1 (4H3-14710-00)) However the number on my exhaust are 3h3-14721 and 3h3-14711. I would love to try and keep my bike as yamaha intended, and renew them with the right items. this looking to be a very expensive option. So could anyone tell me if any other yamaha original xs1100 exhaust will fit my machine, as there are a few xs exhaust systems out there that say they fit xs1100s. please help

You have helped me out many times before and i cannot thank you enough. Yours Gary (Chadderton, Oldham, Manchester, UK)

[fredintoon]

originality, a costly goal.

Hi Gary,
the on-site photos show the '81 Midnight Special with a blacked out 4 into 1 muffler system. You are quoting two different Yamapart #s so you must have a 4 into 2 presumably chrome system instead?
If so and if you really need to restore the bike to 100% stock & buy a kosher Yamapart 4 into 1 exhaust system, that could cost a serious amount of cash. Me, that's not a drain I'd pour my pension money down.
This old fart's advice? Suck it up; there's better ways to spend the money.
A different (rather than a correct) Yamaha exhaust system will also cost a fair penny but will not restore authenticity so why bother? If the chrome on the current exhaust system is good, polish it and smile; if it's rusty, fizz it with semi-matte black manifold paint.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Pat Kelly]

The exhaust on my MN Special is in great (not perfect) shape. I'm considering taking it off and storing it. I'll then sand-blast and (black) paint my 4 into 2 Jardines (and put the stock, rusted exhaust back on the E).
The problem with this is I bought the LG because it is a bone-stock, all original parts, in great shape MN Special.

Decisions, decisions........

[John]

There are two sets of OEM pipes on ebay right now. One is chrome and the other is black, for a Midnight. They ain't cheap. but they are in nice shape. Any pipes for a SPECIAL will fir the Midnight. The Standards will fit, but not properly, and the mufflers stick out tpo the back of the rear tire.

[pshaw]

You can also check out your local motorcycle junk yard. I found a good set for my xj100 for only $200.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Sabbremat,

Like you said, those numbers are from the 79 series, however the parts #'s on the US catalog are a little different, and in the US, they didn't make the Midnight Special until 80. So...if your pipes are black chrome, not sure where they came from! Perhaps Yamaha released a MNS for Europe in late 79 before it was in the US!? If they are CHROME, then they are definitely not Midnight Pipes!!

Like they've said, it's next to impossible to find Original parts in pristine condition. These aren't like those fancy antique auto restorations where you need to verify each part for authenticity!
T.C.