The Lowering

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  • John
    XS-XJ Super Guru
    • Oct 2003
    • 5117

    #1

    The Lowering

    Well, it's done. SWMBOXS or Foster child, as it used to be called, is now "in da weeds!" I installed 11 inch shocks, installed the handlebar risers, and raised the fork tubes up 3/4 of an inch in the triple clamps, and it looks awesome! The steering is a bit quicker, and there are side and centerstand issues. It will lean to the left on the side stand still, but it is hell getting it up on the centerstand. I will need to shorten each by about one inch. I think when SWMBO gets to try it out, she will come back saying
    ' FJ11, What FJ11?'
  • ratbyk
    XSive Maximus
    • Jul 2002
    • 994
    • Sooke BC

    #2
    John, lots of luck on getting her to say; "what FJ?"
    Ken/Sooke

    Comment

    • Wildkat
      XS Special Gurette
      • Apr 2004
      • 3416
      • Location, Location

      #3
      What FJ?

      The FJ that could kick both our butts now... if it weren't in a million pieces all over the garage.

      By the time it gets back together... I'll have a good many miles on the XS... and have enjoyed every minute of it.
      81 SH Something Special
      81 frame, 80 tank and side covers, 79 tail light and carbs, 78 engine, 750 final drive mod, Geezer rec/reg, 140 mains, LH wheels


      79 SF MEAUQABEAUXS
      81SH Nor'eas tah (Old Red)
      80 LG Black Magic
      78 E Standard Practice


      James 3:17

      If I can make at least one person smile, or pee their pants a little, or maybe spit out their drink; then my day is not wasted.

      “Alis Volat Propriis”

      Yamaha XS 1100 Classic
      For those on FB

      Comment

      • chevy45412001
        XS-XJ Guru
        • Mar 2003
        • 1412
        • Jacksonville Florida

        #4
        i wanna see

        post up some picks of the weed eater...lol
        1982 XJ 1100
        going strong after 60,000 miles

        The new and not yet improved TRIXY
        now in the stable. 1982 xj11, 18,000miles

        Comment

        • Wildkat
          XS Special Gurette
          • Apr 2004
          • 3416
          • Location, Location

          #5
          Hi, my name's Kat... and I'm XSive

          It all started innocently enough. A ride on the back of the Old Man's XS when I didn't ride my own bike yet... and then the occasional ride on the back after I got my own bike, just to be a bit closer... Then, it happened... the inevitable... a real ride on an XS. It wasn't my husband's bike (well, it wasn't his primary bike) so there wasn't the fear that goes with crashing someone else's pride and joy. I got a kick out of the way it handled at first... It took turns easily... had great speed and acceleration... handled better than other bikes I have ridden (including my beloved FJ) and now... now it sits low enough for me to actually get the ball of my foot on the pavement at a light.

          Okay... so one more time on the road with the newest addition to our family... with an extremely comfortable backrest (that my oh so wonderful Husband modified to fit the SWMBOXS, he truly did a great job!) and highway pegs that go in front of you rather than behind you (as on that **** FJ) and I am hooked.

          XSive for life (but the FJ is still #1 in my heart... for now)
          81 SH Something Special
          81 frame, 80 tank and side covers, 79 tail light and carbs, 78 engine, 750 final drive mod, Geezer rec/reg, 140 mains, LH wheels


          79 SF MEAUQABEAUXS
          81SH Nor'eas tah (Old Red)
          80 LG Black Magic
          78 E Standard Practice


          James 3:17

          If I can make at least one person smile, or pee their pants a little, or maybe spit out their drink; then my day is not wasted.

          “Alis Volat Propriis”

          Yamaha XS 1100 Classic
          For those on FB

          Comment

          • bs78xs1100
            XSive
            • Apr 2006
            • 22
            • Ohio

            #6
            Anyone ever post/see pics of this bike? I'm really curious how it looks.

            Thanks, B

            Comment

            • John
              XS-XJ Super Guru
              • Oct 2003
              • 5117

              #7
              Foster Child

              I don't have any pics of it since I lowered it. Right now I am in the process of replacing the engine on it. It grenaded #1 piston a few weeks ago, and really messed up a bunch of stuff. Easier to replace the whole engine, than have to tear the original engine apart, and replace all those parts. I have a good 78E engine that ran good when I put it away for future use. The future is now. There are issues with the side and center stand. They need to be shortened by 1.5 inches.

              Comment

              • k2j2r3
                New
                • Apr 2010
                • 2

                #8
                Shocks

                Hey im looking to lower the height of my bike by using shorter shocks. but if i get a smaller size shock wont i have change the area of the holes to bolt the shocks too because the shock wont be as long??

                Comment

                • 81xsproject
                  XS-XJ Super Guru
                  • Nov 2004
                  • 3185
                  • Fortuna, CA

                  #9
                  I was never happy with how little lean the XS has on its side stand. There is a very easy and simple solution. Mount it in a vice, add heat, and beat the crap out of it with a big hammer until it meet your liking for bike lean. Makes it a lot easier to find acceptable street side parking.
                  '81 XS1100 SH

                  Melted to the ground during The Valley Fire

                  Sep. 12th 2015

                  RIP

                  Comment

                  • furious4
                    XSive
                    • Jun 2009
                    • 80
                    • St. Cloud Florida

                    #10
                    To adjust the side stand I just got out the torch and heated it up and leaned the bike to my liking. Make sure you have a spotter.
                    1980 Midnight Special Its so fast it blew the gold right off
                    mikes xs green monster coils, ss brake lines,
                    Previous Bike
                    1973 XS650

                    Comment

                    • cywelchjr
                      XS-XJ Super Guru(Deceased)
                      • Oct 2008
                      • 4450
                      • Sacramento, CA

                      #11
                      Originally posted by furious4
                      To adjust the side stand I just got out the torch and heated it up and leaned the bike to my liking. Make sure you have a spotter.
                      Don't you need to re-temper it afterwards to keep it from continuing to bend? I think I would prefer to figure out how much shorter I wanted it and cut that much out. Especially for the center stand since I figure you want the rear wheel just barely off the ground. I do agree that they don't really lean enough to make me feel good about a lot of parking areas. Maybe I'll take the side stand off my special frame and put it on. Or would that be too short? I don't want it to lean too far, just a few more degrees so it isn't so upright when parked next to the curb.
                      Cy

                      1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                      Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                      Vetter Windjammer IV
                      Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                      OEM Luggage Rack
                      Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                      Spade Fuse Box
                      Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                      750 FD Mod
                      TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                      XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                      XJ1100 Shocks

                      I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                      Comment

                      • fredintoon
                        Master of XSology
                        • Mar 2004
                        • 6795
                        • Saskatoon SK

                        #12
                        Originally posted by cywelchjr
                        Don't you need to re-temper it afterwards to keep it from continuing to bend? - - -
                        Hi Cy,
                        only if it's carbon content is above 1.2% so that it could be hardened and tempered when it was made.
                        Betcha it ain't, betcha it wasn't.
                        But if it was, a cut'n'weld would NOT be the way to go.
                        Fred Hill, S'toon
                        XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                        "The Flying Pumpkin"

                        Comment

                        • Ken Talbot
                          XS-XJ Super Guru
                          • Jun 2002
                          • 4251
                          • Revelstoke, BC

                          #13
                          When I lowered SWMBO's 'H, I took the sidestand to a machine shop and had them cut and reweld it. I think you can make out how much this was from the photo. Notice how little there is below the tab that holds the spring.
                          Ken Talbot

                          Comment

                          • red bandit
                            XSive Maximus
                            • May 2005
                            • 950
                            • central michigan

                            #14
                            When I lowered mine I put the original side and center stands on the shelf. Bought a spare of each, cut and rewelded both. If I ever want to go back to original, just swap it back.
                            79 F full cruiser, stainless brake lines, spade fuses, Accel coils, modded air box w/larger velocity stacks, 750 FD.
                            79 SF parts bike.

                            Comment

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