The Lowering

[John]

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]

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

[Wildkat]

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.

[chevy45412001]

i wanna see

post up some picks of the weed eater...lol

[Wildkat]

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)

[bs78xs1100]

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

Thanks, B

[John]

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.

[k2j2r3]

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??

[81xsproject]

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.

[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.

[cywelchjr]

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.

[fredintoon]

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.

[Ken Talbot]

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.

[red bandit]

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.