1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special

With its cruiser-inspired design, the 1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special stood out thanks to its inline-four engine and shaft-drive system, delivering unmatched speed and smoothness compared to other cruisers of its era.

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In the late 1970s, Yamaha pioneered cruiser-style motorcycles among Japanese brands, starting with the vertical-twin 650 Special and later introducing the V-twin Viragos.

The popularity of these models led to numerous imitations (though it's worth noting that the Virago itself drew inspiration from Harley-Davidson). Interestingly, some of Yamaha's imitations evolved from its own lineup.

A prime example is the 1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special, a motorcycle that stood out with its distinctive black-and-gold finish, shared by several other models in the series.

Derived from Yamaha's XS1100 sport-tourer, launched in the late 1970s, the 1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special broke the mold with its classic Japanese inline four-cylinder engine, a departure from the popular V-twin design.

Additionally, it retained the shaft drive system, a feature inherited from the XS1100.

Though its extended fork, teardrop-shaped tank, and stepped seat clearly identified it as a cruiser, the double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine delivered performance that surpassed the capabilities of most V-twin models at the time.

Components typically finished in chrome, like the exhaust pipes and handlebars, were instead treated with "black chrome," while the air-cleaner cover and rear grab rail received a "gold chrome" finish.

Although the cruiser trend persisted, Yamaha's Midnight Special series had a relatively brief production period. The 1100 model, in particular, was produced in limited numbers.

Only 250 units were manufactured in 1980, followed by another 250 in 1981, making them highly sought-after collectibles today.

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1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special Pictures

While the 1981 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special motorcycle boasted unconventional cruiser power, it retained classic cruiser elements like an extended fork, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a stepped seat.

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