| MODEL | YAMAHA XS 850SG MIDNIGHT SPECIAL 1981 |
| Year | 1981 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 826 cc / 50.4 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 71.5 x 68.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 57.7 kW / 79 hp @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 66.7 Nm / 49.2 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm |
| Ignition | Transistor controlled |
| Induction | 3 x 34 mm Hitachi HSC34 carburettors |
| Start System | Electric and kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | Air assisted telescopic forks, 175 mm / 6.9 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm, 4-way adjustable damping, 99 mm / 3.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 267 mm discs |
| Rear Brakes | Single 267 mm disc |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2175 mm / 85.6 in |
| Overall Width | 900 mm / 35.4 in |
| Overall Height | 1190 mm / 46.9 in |
| Seat Height | — |
| Wheelbase | 1450 mm / 57.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 140 mm / 5.5 in |
| Dry Weight | 241 kg / 531 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 258 kg / 569 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25H-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.00H-17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The Midnight Special was the all-black, gold-trimmed factory custom version of Yamaha's three-cylinder shaft-drive XS850, the 826 cc successor to the XS750. Finish details included pearlescent black exhausts and synthetic gold on trim parts. Mechanically it follows the standard XS850 sports-tourer.
