'79 XS1100SF Aynor SC

[Prisoner6]

Thanks, Marty ...Did a little searching and found the numbers:

Rake - 29.5 degrees
Trail - 5.12"

So, do Specials achieve the same trail as Standards by having shorter triple-trees only, or is it the shorter 'tree and the leading-axle fork combined?

[jetmechmarty]

Right. The Special has shorter trees and a leading axle. Doing that achieves the same rake and trail as the standard.

[MPittma100]

Forks

Right. The Special has shorter trees and a leading axle. Doing that achieves the same rake and trail as the standard.

Is this example (Special with Standard Forks) any better off with that change (other than the brakes) or should it be put back to the Special forks. And what is the advantage of the 650 brake over the 1100 brake?

Thanks, Mike

[jetmechmarty]

Put the forks back, or put standard trees on it.

The XS650 is still in use for vintage racing. It was in production for 15 years. There are a lot of brake pad options for those calipers. There are fewer options for the Weird Harold Special calipers, although I'm quite happy with what I put on mine.

[MPittma100]

Forks

Put the forks back, or put standard trees on it.

The XS650 is still in use for vintage racing. It was in production for 15 years. There are a lot of brake pad options for those calipers. There are fewer options for the Weird Harold Special calipers, although I'm quite happy with what I put on mine.

Marty,

Forks for the Special seem to be readily available on Ebay. Are all of the year models the same?

Mike

[jetmechmarty]

Marty,

Forks for the Special seem to be readily available on Ebay. Are all of the year models the same?

Mike

Yes. All XS1100 forks are 37mm. The Special forks are all the same length.

Somebody on this forum turned me on to SBS ceramic brake pads. I sourced them inexpensively from Ron Ayers in NC. I'm happy with their performance. Michael Morse at 650 Central can get your stopping to the next level. A chat with him is worth the price of admission.

[madmax-im]

180 miles from me but no time to go and check it out This bike would be an excellent candidate for a Georgia domicile...

[Old Red]

It’s about 200 miles from me and about 30 miles from my mother in-law. I was just down there at Christmas, wished I had known about it then. If it doesn’t sale, I will try to check it out the next time I am down there. It will most likely be in Feb. before we go back down.

The Other Earl

[madmax-im]

It’s about 200 miles from me and about 30 miles from my mother in-law. I was just down there at Christmas, wished I had known about it then. If it doesn’t sale, I will try to check it out the next time I am down there. It will most likely be in Feb. before we go back down.

The Other Earl

Hey Earl...I'm up in Wendell...didn't realize we were that close by...well a good hour away...

[Old Red]

Madmax, I am about 75 miles east of Wendell. When it warns up we need to meet for lunch some time.

The Other Earl

[MPittma100]

None. Handling might scary unless the standard triple trees are fitted as well. Standard forks allow for XS650 brakes. There are lots of good options for XS650 brakes.

What is the difference between the Standard and Special triple trees?

Mike

[jetmechmarty]

Special trees bring the forks in closer to the frame than the standard. The difference is made.up.with the leading axle.

[MPittma100]

Trying to Understand

Special trees bring the forks in closer to the frame than the standard. The difference is made.up.with the leading axle.

As I attempt to understand this - the advantage to the Standard forks is mainly to gain access to the 650 brake options. Not changing to the Standard triple tree when changing to the Standard forks on a Special causes handling issues. Do I have this right?

How can one tell the difference between the two triple trees?

Mike

[bikerphil]

As I attempt to understand this - the advantage to the Standard forks is mainly to gain access to the 650 brake options. Not changing to the Standard triple tree when changing to the Standard forks on a Special causes handling issues. Do I have this right?

How can one tell the difference between the two triple trees?

Yes, Standard forks will except brake modifications better than the Special forks. The Special forks do utilize an extra internal slider bushing which may/may not improve performance.
Yes, there will be handling issues if just the forks are swapped and not the TT's.
The way to tell the two types of TT's apart are the Standard lower TT pinch bolts are in the front and the Special's are on the side.

[madmax-im]

Madmax, I am about 75 miles east of Wendell. When it warns up we need to meet for lunch some time.

The Other Earl

Yes that will be cool!