Rear Shocks

[Bonz]

Hey, take a look at this. Can't believe you guys haven't found the thread I'm attaching below via the search function yet...

These Showa shocks are eons ahead of the old stockers. Got mine used on Ebay for $80 a year and a half ago. I'm 6'11" tall, 275# and with a fully loaded bike for the Colorado Rally this summer or two up with anyone, my bike gets a heavy load at those times. Heck, alone I might weigh as much of many of you guys and your pillion.

These shocks flat work.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30050&highlight=showa+shocks

[Barnfresh]

Howard: Got some EBay Showa shocks last week based off your thread... I'll let you know - Thanks!

[Bonz]

Good deal, I think you'll be really pleased with them. Yes, let me know how they work.

[barrelguy]

Learned lots on this thread but have a quick question - I just finished cleaning up my rear shocks (original parts). They work fine and the bottom adjusters are in good order. On the top of the shocks is a small wheel marked 1-2-3-4 and it just seems to spin aimlessly without a hard stop at 1 or 4. One would think there would be a limiter of some sort at either end of the range. Any clues?

[bikerphil]

It is your rebound damping, 1 for soft, 4 for firm. It should have a click for each position, no hard stop at either end.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Damping

Like Phil said, just damping, the OEM were state of the art in their day, but today, much improved are out there. I like mine for two reasons, I wanted the exact showroom OEM looking bike I fell in love with in 1979 and 2nd, I don't throw mine around like a dirt bike and the 100 mile per hour freeway ramp days are behind me (although I did those on stock OEM 750 Special shocks back in 1979) I may only be pleased because I havent tried others, and the ones he got off the Honda look great, but I am called OEM for a reason

Learned lots on this thread but have a quick question - I just finished cleaning up my rear shocks (original parts). They work fine and the bottom adjusters are in good order. On the top of the shocks is a small wheel marked 1-2-3-4 and it just seems to spin aimlessly without a hard stop at 1 or 4. One would think there would be a limiter of some sort at either end of the range. Any clues?

[Bonz]

I'm the same way OEM4ME... My 80 SG is doing it's best to stay 100% stock, however those stock shocks just ain't the same after 32 years. My left shock started getting a dusty film on it. I could tell it was finally giving up the ghost and my desire to have a bike that would actually have some hint of rear damping made up my mind. Even compared to when the stock shocks weren't beginning to fade, the Showa replacements are much better, even though the Showa's have no damping adjustment, preload only.

On another thought... I have to believe that someone, somewhere has had the stock shocks serviced. Seals, bushings, whatever parts they may need should be out there in general, even if not specific for those shocks. Kinda like the new left side bearings (rear wheel) that are showing up again. Not made for the bike specifically, but they are the same part.

[bikerphil]

The factory shocks are sealed, not servicable.

[crazy steve]

The factory shocks are sealed, not servicable.

... as are almost all shocks. There's rebuildable aftermarket units out there, but they're big bucks. Even the much-touted XJ air shocks are sealed, at least the shock portion of the assembly.

[Bonz]

I understand they are sealed... That just means it should take a bit of work, but anything that can go together can come apart. Don't know if I'm talking apples to apples here, but a fellow on the V Strom Forum takes the stock rear shock, takes it apart, puts in shim stacks based on your need, welds a bung on it for charging/recharging the shock. The V Strom shock is supposedly not serviceable as well.

So that isn't a possibility with the XS shock, eh? Just askin' the question...

[motoman]

Think that scoot is mono-shocked, isn't it Howard? If so, that is a gas-charged shock and they ARE rebuildable, plus it has dampening clickers compression and rebound.

[cywelchjr]

... as are almost all shocks. There's rebuildable aftermarket units out there, but they're big bucks. Even the much-touted XJ air shocks are sealed, at least the shock portion of the assembly.

The XJ shocks are able to be completely broken down and rebuilt. All sections are able to be reached except for the actual dampening adjusting valve from what I've seen and I think you can get to that even if needed.

[Rasputin]

Check out the Ikon shocks available from www.laverda.ca
They are application made and have some designed specifically for the XS11's. They are rebuildable and apparently are Koni shocks after they were sold and renamed. Worth a look, but I am not sure of what pricing is.

http://www.laverda.ca/

[jetmechmarty]

FWIW, Mat Wiley of Race-Tech pointed me to YSS shocks. They are rebuildable and <$500. Race-Tech does not sell shocks in that price range, so I trust the recommendation. Still, that's a lot of money. $500 would buy a lot of take-offs. I depends upon what you want to get out of the bike.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Shocks

I think the ones you found look great on your bike If I had to replace mine, I would consider them if I couldn't find a good used OEM set. I am sure it handles much better with them, and looks great also. I know I sound crazy, but when I restored mussle cars, there was something I loved about having to drive the car, instead of it doing the driving for me, like the newer cars do. It did get harry at times, but that was part fun

I'm the same way OEM4ME... My 80 SG is doing it's best to stay 100% stock, however those stock shocks just ain't the same after 32 years. My left shock started getting a dusty film on it. I could tell it was finally giving up the ghost and my desire to have a bike that would actually have some hint of rear damping made up my mind. Even compared to when the stock shocks weren't beginning to fade, the Showa replacements are much better, even though the Showa's have no damping adjustment, preload only.

On another thought... I have to believe that someone, somewhere has had the stock shocks serviced. Seals, bushings, whatever parts they may need should be out there in general, even if not specific for those shocks. Kinda like the new left side bearings (rear wheel) that are showing up again. Not made for the bike specifically, but they are the same part.