XS11 shocks/lower

[MetalNJ]

I got a 81 xs11 with 12.75" shocks and wanted to lower it a bit, i have at least 5 or 6 inches between the tire and fender, does anyone know were to get lowered shocks for this bike, I saw some on mikes xs in size 11.5 wich would seem good but when i emailed them they weren't sure if they'd fit on a bike aside from a xs650??? I had a xs400 before this and used a lot of parts from other xs models so i figured this might work the same with the 11.

thanks

[BigDick]

I almost bought some really nice shocks myself that were about 1-2" shorter than stock but I wasn't sure if this would throw off the driveshaft angle too much and cause problems. That was really my only concern other than clearance issues with the brake caliper.

[MetalNJ]

****, i was looking at that too but figured it wouldn't matter, now you got me thinking it might. either way i need to get new shocks so if I cant figure this out i'll just get the standard size, I'd just rather have it lower in the back a bit

[DiverRay]

mikesxs sells parts for the 650 ONLY!! The thing is to NOT tell him the parts are going on an XS1100. You can get a few shocks with the 11.5" spacing, but you NEED to think about the spring rate. The XS1100 is about 150 lbs heavier than a 650, and the springs need to take care of that. You can look for a progressive shock, or just see if you can get the heavier springs for whatever shocks you find. I think some of the people here have used JCW shocks, and some of the HD shocks may also work. Just check the width of the shock eye, as there is only so much room for them to fit on the bottom right, and only so much bolt at the top.
Welcome to the site!

[MetalNJ]

thanks
lets see, 150 bike pounds, plus my 200lb ass and maybe a woman from time to time, thats a lot more weight....... I guess i'll seach around and see what I can find. I just hate ordering parts online to test them and not be able to run them right back to the store if they don't fit.

[MetalNJ]

Oh and what about the shaft??? if it is moved that much will it still shift right?

[BigDick]

something that may help you make a decision is this article that's from this site, it gives details on spring rate and makes a recommendation for aftermarket shocks but the article's almost as old as the bikes. It doesn't however say anything about driveshaft geometry.

[MetalNJ]

that was very helpfull i gotta say, I was wondering about the squraly feeling in the rear...
thanks

[DiverRay]

Oh and what about the shaft??? if it is moved that much will it still shift right?

It's NOT the shifting, it's the angle on the "U" joint. A drop of about 1" should be no problem. I went the other direction with one of my '79s, to 13.5", and had no driveshaft issue after 30K miles. I now run a pair of air shocks I found on ebay, and I'm happy with them. If I lose an air line, I WON'T be happy, as I'll be sitting on an unsprung machine. I did keep the old shocks as a "back up", but they are the 30 year old stock units, and are only for emergency use.
Do a search for lowering on the site, and you should find a few threads about it.

[dbeardslee]

I put a set of Mikes XS 12.75" progressive shocks on mine. Don't know about the load rating, but they work much better than the stock shocks that were on it. Fit was perfect. I'm right at 200 lbs, and even with a passenger it rides pretty good. Course that's on a nekid bike too.

[MetalNJ]

thanks for the help guys, all that info steered me in the right direction

[dwales]

Lower shocks

I found a set of new Progressive HD shocks. I don't remember the web site. It was a dealer. They were about 1 1/2" shorter. I had to drill out the bushings for the metric bolts. Other than that, no problems. If anything, it seems to have straightened out the drive shaft angle. 4 years and going strong.

[John]

Don't forget to shorten the side and centerstands or the bike will fall over to the right.
I lowered my wife's xs with 11 inch shocks, and raised the fork tube up in the triple clamp by about 3/4 inch. Had to shorten the stands by an inch or so also. Another problem, if you retain the center stand, and don't have a stock exhaust, the center stand pads, which sit on the ground, will be very low, and subjet to scraping, and bottoming out when in the up position.

[bigray03]

licks.com

11" progressive shocks. they also do applications for 10" shortys on metric bikes. Somewhere around the $200. mark.

[cowboybob998]

20 some years ago they sold lowering blocks for these that work ok, i have a set on a 78 goldwing that I have, I am going to lower mine when I get to that stage of this project and i may fab. a pair of lowering blocks, I like the blocks because you can use the stock shocks.