std. forks 78-80

[SFSPECBIKER79]

set of forks came off my 80 std with 14000 miles, good cond. 110.00 bucks also covers shipping costs

[cywelchjr]

Forks off an 80 would only be a direct replacement for an 80 or 81. For a 78 or 79 they would be changing to air over oil from the non-air forks of the earlier models.

[natemoen]

That should still work fine though Cy.

[cywelchjr]

Yes, but potential buyers should be aware of the difference. They use different fork seals and different springs in stock form. So while they will slide on in either case, there can be issues. That said, there may be some who WANT to change over to air forks, in which case these become more valuable. BTW, I have found that the standard air shocks are much harder to find out there than the non-air ones. It's also a little harder to find seals that are meant for air, which can also be a problem.

[crazy steve]

While the springs are different, the seals are all the same for both air and non-air forks. And there can't be a big difference in the springs, as Progressive list the same kit for all XS11 models. Plus there's been owners that have converted the older forks to air by just installing the caps...

[cywelchjr]

While the springs are different, the seals are all the same for both air and non-air forks. And there can't be a big difference in the springs, as Progressive list the same kit for all XS11 models. Plus there's been owners that have converted the older forks to air by just installing the caps...

I'm pretty sure when I check that there are double lip and triple lip seals, and the double lip won't hold up to air pressure.

As for the progressive springs, they also say to not use air with them. You're correct though that the same seal will fit either one, as the only difference is the inner sealing surface from what I have heard. But the springing IS different between them, the springs for the air forks are a little lighter, as they depend on the air to assist them, and will sag alarmingly without any air pressure with stock springs.

And remember, progressive lists the same springs for the specials too, and we KNOW those aren't the same, they say to use a pvc pipe spacer on the specials to get the proper pre-load.

[fredintoon]

- - - And remember, progressive lists the same springs for the specials too, and we KNOW those aren't the same, they say to use a pvc pipe spacer on the specials to get the proper pre-load.

Hi Cy,
Progressive includes a length of PVC pipe in their spring kit and tells you how long to cut it into spacers to suit a Special.
Their springs are a definite improvement on the ones in my forks.
Dunno if that's just new & stiff vs old & sagging or if the progressive coil wind is a real improvement but the forks do work better.
And the Dennis Kirk replacement fork seals do hold the air in.

[cywelchjr]

Hi Cy,
Progressive includes a length of PVC pipe in their spring kit and tells you how long to cut it into spacers to suit a Special.
Their springs are a definite improvement on the ones in my forks.
Dunno if that's just new & stiff vs old & sagging or if the progressive coil wind is a real improvement but the forks do work better.
And the Dennis Kirk replacement fork seals do hold the air in.

My understanding is that the seals are interchangeable from the early and late forks, but that the double lip seals will blow out with air pressure and the triple lip seals will hold. Now it's possible I am completely wrong, as I have been so in the past, and I'll be do again. I know the older forks designed for not having air and the air type forks use a different type of spring, although the special I not sure on. But IIRC the standards use a progressive wound spring on the 78 and 79 forks and a straight wound spring on the 80 and 81 forks. I'm guessing that the air pressure used as part of the suspension works a little like a progressive spring anyways?

[crazy steve]

My understanding is that the seals are interchangeable from the early and late forks, but that the double lip seals will blow out with air pressure and the triple lip seals will hold.

The UK parts fiche shows the same seals for all the XS11 forks, air or not.

Now, not to say that there wasn't a difference at one time...

[cywelchjr]

The UK parts fiche shows the same seals for all the XS11 forks, air or not.

Now, not to say that there wasn't a difference at one time...

I think the only way to know for sure would be to see the parts lists from before the 80 models compared to after and see if the part number changed. Since a seal that would hold air would of course work without air, it would certainly be no reason to stock two parts after that point.

[SFSPECBIKER79]

set of forks came off my 80 std with 14000 miles, good cond. 110.00 bucks also covers shipping costs

still have these 4/6/11