XS1100… Need helping IDing specific model/year

[antwan26]

Picked up this bad boy for $150 buckos.

Anyone have any ideas on what year it is? Or model? Hoping to get some information on it.

thanks all

[DiverRay]

Engine and frame numbers will give us the info we need. Front forks are Standard, but tank is from a special. What is your location? The EU and Canada use different serial numbers.

[antwan26]

Engine and frame numbers will give us the info we need. Front forks are Standard, but tank is from a special. What is your location? The EU and Canada use different serial numbers.

From the US. I tried looking, is the vin on the right side of motor?
Thanks for reply!

[Radioguylogs]

Looks like a 1980 (XS1100LG) or 1981 (XS1100LH) with different front forks.

[antwan26]

Looks like a 1980 (XS1100LG) or 1981 (XS1100LH) with different front forks.

How would you go about tracking down what forks the bike has? Thanks, sorry for all the questions.

[DEEBS11]

Non XS11. Maybe Virago?

[cajun31]

How would you go about tracking down what forks the bike has? Thanks, sorry for all the questions.

Your bike is what we all call a Frankenbike. The wheels and motor would suggest it started out as a 1980LG Midnight Special. You will see a serial number on the right upper side embossed in the motor. Unless it was removed there was originally a tag on the frame that will have the year of manufacture with a serial number. Looks like this bike was modified and that serial number tag may be gone. The rear fender and tail light are also not xs1100. Your best bet would be to track down through previous owners who had the bike and what they know. Do you even have a front brake caliper? You can go through schematics on Partzilla.com and try to figure out what those front forks are from. I tried looking and finally got tired. They may not even be Yamaha.

The carburetors do not look like xs1100 either.

[oldyam80sg]

Bobber project gone in a different direction. Front end definitely not Yamaha. I would think very confusing to order parts unless you know what it is.

[red bandit]

Side cover on engine is 81 midnight special unless someone painted it. Wheel is repainted. slotted brake disc looks like 81. but it looks like it was painted too. Forks look standard. Definitely frankenbike. This is fun.

[Schming]

How would you go about tracking down what forks the bike has? Thanks, sorry for all the questions.

If you got a good title with the bike, which should tell you the year and make, the numbers on the engine and frame neck should match.
If so, you have a starting point to figure what you have and how much time and effort ($$$) depending on what your vision of a complete safe bike is, to end up with.

[DiverRay]

Turn the forks all the way to the left and look on the right side of the frame between the top and bottom triple tree. There should be a VIN number stamped into the frame. Let us know what the first five digits are. The engine number is stamped on a part of the engine that has lines about 1/3" long,||||||||||||||||||||| The engine number will be stamped in the middle of the lines.

[cajun31]

I see the front master cylinder on the handle bar with the front brake lever. Would like to see pictures from the right side of the bike. The brake caliper might allow better identification of what those front forks are from. What are your future plans for the bike?

[DEEBS11]

Turn the forks all the way to the left and look on the right side of the frame between the top and bottom triple tree. There should be a VIN number stamped into the frame. Let us know what the first five digits are. The engine number is stamped on a part of the engine that has lines about 1/3" long,||||||||||||||||||||| The engine number will be stamped in the middle of the lines.

[antwan26]

Thanks for the reply’s everyone - have been slowly sifting through them. Future plans for the bike are: new seat, get some straight handle bars, take rear fender off maybe? Writing up a to do list now of crap I gotta get done, to hopefully get it running.
The bike has a bill of sale, previous owner couldn’t find title. When looking, I remember seeing a vin on the engine. There was also a hole with a plug that said something to the extent of “kick starter here..” Any ideas? Maybe older models came w a kick starter?
again, thanks for the reply’s everyone. Hope to get photos posted tomorrow morning, cheers.

[cajun31]

Thanks for the reply’s everyone - have been slowly sifting through them. Future plans for the bike are: new seat, get some straight handle bars, take rear fender off maybe? Writing up a to do list now of crap I gotta get done, to hopefully get it running.
The bike has a bill of sale, previous owner couldn’t find title. When looking, I remember seeing a vin on the engine. There was also a hole with a plug that said something to the extent of “kick starter here..” Any ideas? Maybe older models came w a kick starter?
again, thanks for the reply’s everyone. Hope to get photos posted tomorrow morning, cheers.

Yes the older models did have a shaft protruding and had a handle stored on the bike. If we are correct about your engine being a 1980LG it did not have the kick starter gear and they plugged the clutch cover basket like you have. Try to take close up pictures of the carbs. I am really curious to see what kind of caliper is mounted on the front right side.