Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
27th March, 2024 13:00
1980 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special
Rare limited edition
Estimate
£7, 000 - £9, 000
Registration No: JAJ 133V
Frame No: 4H3-001894
Engine No: 001894
CC: 1100
MOT: January 2025
Rare in the UK XS1100 Midnight Special model
Presented in distinctive Black and Gold standard trim
Supplied with some receipts, catalogue and a V5C
The Yamaha Motor Co was formed in 1955 as the powered vehicle division of the massive Yamaha Corporation more famous for making musical instruments. The first bike produced in 1954 was the YA-1, like the BSA Bantam a copy of the German-made DKW RT125 but in typical Japanese fashion this was soon improved upon with the launch of the YA-2 in 1957. This proved to be an immediate success in sporting events in Japan starting a long tradition of achievement that goes on to this day in Moto GP. More famous for their performance two strokes, the four stroke XS-1 650cc twin was first seen in 1968 and by the late seventies Yamaha had a full range of XS models from 250cc to 1100cc. The Midnight Special was based on the standard XS1100 but with distinctive all Black paintwork with Gold features. Only produced in 1980 and 1981, it is thought that only 250 were made each year.
This Midnight Special has spent most of its life in the USA before being imported into the UK and authentically restored around 2019/ 2020, keeping as much originality as possible. A distinctive and rare limited edition model with its all over Deep Black finish and Gold features, it certainly stands out from the crowd still wearing its black chrome 4 into 2 exhaust system. Run recently (see video) it passed an MOT on the 12th of January and comes supplied with lots of receipts, an American magazine featuring the model, an original sales brochure and a current V5C.
