Special or Standard?

engine22 · Full Member Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 104

How do I know what I have? I want to purchase a new commando exhaust system from mikes, but I dont know if I have a special or a standard..
What is the difference in the exhaust system of a special or standard anyways?

easytravel · Posted: October 11, 2008, 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

megaphone mufflers on the special, reverse cone on the standards, I don't know of any others but there may be variations. Plus the sweep of the header is different between the 2 models. Do you not have side panels or any nameplates on the bike? Look at pics on 650motorcycles.com or 650choppers.com and compare. Is your back wheel 16 or 18" ? High bars or low? stepped seat or flat? I'm sure there's alot of differences between the 2 other than whats mentioned here, what year is it?

jayel · Posted: October 11, 2008, 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

depends on your serial number but the specials had the buckhorn bars, stepped seat, and the rear shocks were tilted forward at the top mount for more of a angle .... exhaust systems the standard headpipes have sharper bends the specials have a smoother curve

engine22 · Full Member Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 104

its a 78, PO said it was a special but he didn't seem to know what he was talking about, 16" rear tire, stepped seat. Local shop said they thought it was a standard frame but they weren't sure.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

The easiest thing to spot on the frame is the rear peg/muffler mount. The Standard had a loop off the main frame, the Special just a curved length of tubing with a gusset. The shock mount dimensions are given here as well so you could check them .....

Yamahopper · Posted: October 12, 2008, 8:26 am Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

Can you post a few pics of her?

engine22 · Full Member Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 104

Based on the frame I'm guessing its a standard because it has the loop off the frame where the mufflers are mounted, here is a pic of her, what do you guys think?

jayel · Posted: May 1, 2009, 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

nice... looks like someone put on a 16" rear and a special seat... serial # starting 2F0-000*** = Standard, 2F0-100*** = Special

nj1639 · Posted: May 1, 2009, 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

Sure like them standard headers.

jayel · Posted: May 1, 2009, 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

yes standard headers and special gas tank some body did some switching

Retiredgentleman · Posted: May 2, 2009, 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

Looks like a clear case of S.A.D. Someone trying to make a standard into a Special. Special Anxiety Disorder ,seems to be getting more common, as those with standards, choppers and bobbers seek out ways to get that "Special" look. The disease can really only be cured by taking ownership of a real Special. Rolling Eyes

jetmechmarty · Posted: May 2, 2009, 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

engine22,

Your bike is (or was) a standard. It looks as though it could easily be restored to original.

nj1639 · Posted: May 2, 2009, 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Special or Standard?

Retiredgentleman wrote:

Looks like a clear case of S.A.D. Someone trying to make a standard into a Special. Special Anxiety Disorder ,seems to be getting more common, as those with standards, choppers and bobbers seek out ways to get that "Special" look. The disease can really only be cured by taking ownership of a real Special. Rolling Eyes

Yeah, I've got the 'Standard anxiety disorder' myself.
Nice lookin' bike, did you get the old parts with it? Mix 'n match, every week a new ride, Ha!

engine22 · Full Member Joined: Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 104

yeah the only thing I have put on new is the handlebars and fender (the old one was dented and rubbing the tire from the PO laying it down), everything else is the product of the PO's S.A.D. I dont really care myself I think the bike looks nice and it rides the same either way, I was just curious as I want to get a new exhaust sometime in the near future and knew that the exhaust mounts different for standards and specials. Unforturnately I was not given the old parts with it, just an imitation 650 special

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