New guy with a 78 Special

Sandman

Sandman

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Hey guys!
I'm finally getting around to introducing myself after almost a month of being a member. I picked up my 1978 XS650 in the beginning of May and it definitly needs work. I'm looking to build a bobber out of it. This will be my first bobber build so it will take awhile, plus I have a couple other bikes I'll be working on while working on my house :banghead: hahaha. So far I've just been doing some work to get it running so I know what I'm working with. I've been reading some posts and there seems to be a lot of good information here. I look forward to learning about this bike and hopefully I can contribute some info, too. I am an auto body painter, have owned motorcycles since I was 14, and I do all my own wrenching so I am not too much of an amateur, but this is my first XS. Well I'll leave ya with some pics of the XS and my 07 Honda VTX1300 that has been my project over the winter (its about halfway done, maybe.)

sandman

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It looks like you found a pretty nice bike to start with. Hasn't been too violated yet.
Welcome to the board.
 
Yea, its not too bad. Looks like the carbs are from a later model and some wiring has been played around with, but all and all a good starting point.

The frame and motor are 78. I think the tank and carbs are 80's.
 
thats a drum brake frame, and hasnt been modified, theres no bolt holes for the brake master on the right side. Better check your vin. the seat and shocks, and grab bar are all post 80
 
the only way to know what you have is by an ID, look up the tech menu and down the bottom is the id charts.

looks to be an 81SH. the Special 2's had spoke wheels, the 78/79 Special has a different rear fender, taillight, grab-rail, seat is hinged, points ignition and disk rear brake on a mag. The 80 Specials have a different style clip on seat. 79 was the first year Special 2's come out and have metal side-covers and spoke wheels, the same as the 80G Special 2

Plastic side-covers didn't go on the frames till the 80SG
 
I looked up the VIN and it is a 2F0. The motor number matches, too. By the VIN it still looks to be a 77-78. It definitly has 80's parts though. I'm not sure whats goin on, but I'm glad I posted pics so you guys could catch all that, thanks! Looks like I'll have to do some more digging into it.
 
I thought rear drums were not brought back until 79... which means the vin is 2FO-15xxxx, or higher. Is that a misnomer?
 
you are wrong with your id. the 78/79Specials have different lugs on the frame for the hinged seat and side-covers. Post your frame and engine no's
 
I definitely could be wrong. I'm not sure that I'm identifying it correctly. I'll try to get some more pics posted tonight so maybe someone can figure it out.
 
The rear drum mag wheel is an 81 only. From late 78 to 80 they used a disc brake rear mag. After they went back to spoke wheels.
Leo
 

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