Yamaha XS1100LH Midnight Special
Yamaha XS1100LH Midnight Special | |
Manufacturer | |
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Production | 1981 |
Class | Standard |
Engine | Four stroke transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. |
Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
Top Speed | 126 mph / 202.8 km/h |
Ignition | TCI additional vacuum adjusted! / electric kick starter - Witch is separated from the engine, for emergency mounting only |
Spark Plug | BP6ES (NGK) or N-8Y (Champion) |
Battery | GM 18Z-3A / 12v, 20 AH |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Suspension | Front: Telescopic fork. Rear: Dual shocks Swing arm, preload adjustable |
Brakes | Front: 2x 298mm discs Rear: Single 298mm disc |
Front Tire | 3.50-19 |
Rear Tire | 130/90 -16 |
Weight | 258 kg / 568.7 lbs (wet) |
Recommended Oil | Yamalube 10w-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 15 Liters / 3.9 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 126 mph / 202.8 km/h.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.2:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Wet, multi-disc (8 drive plates, 7 driven plates).
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 3.50-19 front tire and a 130/90 -16 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 298mm discs in the front and a Single 298mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork. while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks Swing arm, preload adjustable. The XS1100LH Midnight Special was fitted with a 15 Liters / 3.9 US gal fuel tank.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Yamaha XS 1100LH Midnight Special
Yamaha's Black Boulevard Cruiser
You've got it, or you haven't, that certain something that
causes heads to turn and eyes to follow. It isn't necessarily good looks that
produces this reaction, it's the right combination of critical "ingredients".
This conclusion was what Yamaha kept firmly in mind when they set about
designing their Special to top all Specials.
They researched color combinations carefully, thoroughly, and
reached a positive conclusion: When you want a color that stands out in a
crowd with an unmistakable mystique that is unique onto itself, that color is
black. Not another color can command and capture the attention as black does,
nor does any other color have the impact of black. Impressive, but when you
want to go beyond impressive, all the way to "unique" you need something out
of the ordinary that has what it takes to hold its own against so formidable a
force as black.
There was only one substance that would hold its own; what
else but gold. Throughout the centuries the appeal of gold has never wavered
for man. The metal has been searched for, died for and sought after without
diminishment of fervor or candidates. When teamed together, black and gold are
a potent combination, but still not good enough to satisfy Yamaha.
When you want to build in a feeling, a special aura that all
identify, you've got to go a long way to find a single word with so much
legend-folklore is you would-as "midnight". It is a time-it is a happening. It
identifies with the shroud of the unknown and holds the possibility of the
beyond. Midnight, it is the time when neck hairs rise, hearts beat faster; the
bewitching hour, good or bad. No doubt about it, Yamaha did not leave a stone
unturned when they set out to build a Special among the world of the Specials,
including their own line of the same. They succeeded. Yamaha's introduction in
1979 of the 1980 Midnight Special, both the 850 and 1100 version, had the
complete attention of the press who were in attendance at the show. At the
time we first saw the Midnight Specials, they were fitted with genuine gold
plated gas caps, and plans were for the limited production models to be so
equipped also. The fluctuating price of gold, not to mention the price of
gold, put a stop to this and Yamaha instead relied on their own ingenuity to
save the day, and the buyers' wallets.
Developing a plating process called Sy-Gold (for synthetic
gold) it is a beautiful finish that also does well at matching, or at least
co-existing well, with the gold painted surfaces of the midnight. The gold
paint was another Yamaha feat, referred to as Nebula Gold on their literature.
As to the black paint, Yamaha realized it would take more than an ordinary
paint job and their answer was "New Yamaha Black", not a regular production
paint finish, for sure. Detailed sanding to prepare the metal surface,
multiple coats of black, which is water-sanded then cleared, with additional
black that is again sanded, baked, and finally, polished.
The ultimate cap to this production exclusive was the
utilization of black chrome for the exhaust. Black chrome is not an easy
finish to work with; many have tried only to discard its use. Yamaha
experimented and came up with a process that seems to serve their purposes, at
least for the moment. At present, the pearlescent black finish of the pipes is
not as durable as chrome and care must be taken to protect and preserve the
finish. An owner is given special instructions on the care of these pipes,
such as using only a quality wax containing no abrasive additives and
polishing the pipes after cleaning them with a mild detergent. It is most
important to dry the pipes (using a soft cloth) before water spotting or this
spotting will become a permanent fixture of the pipes.
The Midnight Special series may not be for everyone, not only
because the amount of Midnights available is limited, but because it takes a
certain type to own a Midnight. The Midnight is a unique machine that falls
into the category of Panteras, Porsche Carreras and so forth. The bike is not
necessarily for those who are inclined towards the tendency of being
practical. Worrying about a fancy black paint job, your Sy-gold plated and
Nebula gold painted finishes as well as if there are any water spots on the
pipes is definitely not for all. But thinking the 1100LH Midnight Special is
only a beautiful machine is not particularly accurate. In the case of the
1100LH, underneath all that black and glittering gold is a regulation 1100
Special, which is basically the proven XS1100 package. Yamaha has had this
transverse-four performer on the line for several years-it was the first of
the 1100cc size Japanese powerplants and time has been very good to the 1100cc
Yamaha. It is an accepted high-ranking member of the touring motorcycle
sector, it is popular with the street rider, and those who like horsepower are
also admirers of the XS1100 motorcycle family.
The Midnight Special includes all the good features of this
XS1100 family, plus some items that are elite onto itself. For instance, the
Unified brake system. This braking system was developed by Yamaha to stop a
motorcycle more easily and conveniently. Utilizing a triple disc arrangement,
two at the front with a single at the rear, the Unified Brake System has a
proportioning valve (P-valve) fitted in the hydraulic brake, line that links
the left front and the rear brake calipers. The P-valve is connected to the
master cylinder by a small metal brake line.
The Unified Brake System provides for simultaneous,
proportioned actuation of the rear brake caliper and the left front caliper
when the brake pedal is pushed. For the rider who has listened to the tales of
"front brake "disaster", this system can make a difference in a panic
situation where a rider who does not automatically respond in a panic
situation with the application of both front and rear brake. For myself, being
a longtime advocate of always using both brakes simultaneously when stopping,
it was hard to notice much difference until I forced myself to use only the
rear brake. The system worked well. The bike is very stable with either the
use of only the rear brake, or both rear brake and front.
The system functions as the brake pedal is pushed so that the
master cylinder pressurizes the input line to the P-valve. This valve will
allow an equal amount of pressure output to both the front and rear brake
calipers, as was generated during the application of braking. Beyond a
predetermined point, the P-valve will automatically begin limiting output
pressure to the rear brake caliper while maintaining direct input to the front
caliper. The more pedal pressure, the more the ratio of front to rear brake
pressure increase in a linear fashion. There is no doubt that this system
improves stopping distance for those riders not inclined to use a front brake.
New features include self-canceling turn signals, and one we
consider an important step made by a manufacturer is the relay switch in the
headlight circuit that permits starting without the headlight being on. Once
the engine has fired the headlight will come on, which saves a substantial
drain on the battery. The Midnight Special is equipped with a 20 AH battery,
which is one of the better ampere ratings found among the Japanese
motorcycles. The Midnight 1100LH is fitted with a halogen light so this amp
rating edge is important even if it is unlikely that an owner of a Midnight
Special is going to be very much inclined to hang electrical accessories on
their striking cruiser. When you buy a bike such as this, details are all
important and Yamaha paid attention to this theory by fitting the Midnight
with all kinds of extras; such as the built-in wheel locking chain that
simplifies security; the new ball-type mirrors that blend well within the
lines of the bike while maintaining rider visual contact with traffic and
surroundings. Little things like a protective cover over the main switch
keyhole are details the white raised letter Mag Mopus tires , as well as the
turbine-style cast wheels are detail attention.
Some riders have had a less then receptive rapport with the
seating accommodations of the Japanese Specials. The Midnight 1100LH has
configurations that take handlebar to seat to foot arrangement carefully into
consideration and the result is a Japanese custom that you can feel
comfortable astride. The pullback bars are the right height and width to go
along with the location of the seat, which by the way, has been redesigned and
accounts for the marked improvement. If you want a brief summary of what the
Midnight Special 1100LH is, it is everything you expect of a Yamaha 1100 with
the added exclusivity of being an elite among the elite.
Source Touring Bke 1981
Make Model | Yamaha XS 1100LH Midnight Special |
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Year | 1981 |
Engine Type | Four stroke transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. |
Displacement | 1101 cc / 67.2 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 71.5 x 68.6 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression | 9.2:1 |
Induction | 4x Mikuni BS 34SS Carburettor |
Lubrication | Wet sump |
Ignition | TCI additional vacuum adjusted! / electric kick starter - Witch is separated from the engine, for emergency mounting only |
Spark Plug | BP6ES (NGK) or N-8Y (Champion) |
Battery | GM 18Z-3A / 12v, 20 AH |
Generator | A.C. Generator, voltage regulator, rectifier |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 95 hp / 70.8 kW @ 8500 rpm |
Max Torque | 9.2 kgf-m / 66.5 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm |
Clutch | Wet, multi-disc (8 drive plates, 7 driven plates) |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Primary Reduction System | HY-VO chain & gear |
Primary Reduction Ratio | 25/25 x 58/35 = 1.657 |
Final Drive | Shaft |
Gear Ratio | 1st 38/17 (2.235) 2nd 39/24 (1.625) 3rd 36/28 (1.286) 4th 32/31 (1.032) 5th 30/34 (0.882) |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork. |
Front Wheel Travel | 175 mm / 6.8 in |
Rear Suspension | Dual shocks Swing arm, preload adjustable |
Rear Wheel Travel | 80 mm / 3.1 in |
Front Brakes | 2x 298mm discs |
Rear Brakes | Single 298mm disc |
Front Tire | 3.50-19 |
Rear Tire | 130/90 -16 |
Rake | 29º 30 |
Trail | 130 mm / 5.1 in |
Wet Weight | 258 kg / 568.7 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 15 Liters / 3.9 US gal |
Consumption Average | 40.3 mpg |
Braking 100 - 0 | 39.7 m |
Standing ¼ Mile | 11.7 sec / 114.2 mph 183.8 km/h |
Top Speed | 126 mph / 202.8 km/h |