Will XS850 shocks physically fit onto an XS 1100??

[twinwillows]

I just bought an XS1100 that the PO removed the shocks & put a hardtail on.. Way too rough a ride so I need shocks.

I've found 850 shocks & wonder if they'll fit onto my bike. It looks like they should.

Anybody have an opinion?

Thanks
Twin

[soccer4m]

should fit

Hi, I put on xs750 shocks on one of my 78 xs1100's,,,so the xs850 should also work. Check the overall length and the end bearing size, on the end of each shock. SO,,,,,should fit, but remember the 850 is probably sprung a bit lighter so you may have to rotate the spring adjuster to tighten up for the added weight. I left mine in the middle as I like a nice plush ride and not into canyon carving. Good luck, Mikein Sun Diego

[Jerry]

Ok, a few things. First, the XS11 uses a slightly different shock mount bushing for the left and right side. Normally new shocks come with an assortment of bushings to choose from, not a problem. If you are going to pull the shocks from an 850 you may need to hunt up some new bushings for them to fit properly. I don't know if the 850 (or 750) use the same different-size bushings as the 11, suspect they do not.

Stock length on the XS11 for shocks is 12.5 inches long. Shorter shocks will lower the bike, but you sill give up suspension travel. Longer shocks will give you the opposite, longer travel but raise the bike. In either case I would not recommend going more than an inch either way from stock, i.e 11.5 - 13.5 seems to be workable lengths.

Springs on the shocks control the action of the shock. Stock spring rate on the XS is something like 90/120, meaning it takes 90 pounds of force to compress the shock 1 inch for the first couple inches, then 120 pounds to compress the shock each inch for the last couple inches. (Times 2 because of the 2 shocks installed on an 11.) The 750 / 850 shocks may have different sprig rates, so experiment a bit when you get on and ride the first couple times. The 11 is heavier than the other bikes, and you may find you want to change springs to get different handling characteristics; the springs may be weaker than you would like.

Last item is shock fade. Generally, the shocks from the smaler bikes do not have the same fluid capacity as the 11 shocks, particularly if you are going to a shorter shock. While riding the fluid heats up and causes the shock to loose some of its ability to compress and rebound. If you are putting on smaller shocks, keep an eye out to changing handling as the shocks warm up. If the loss of control is to extreme you may want to consider some aftermarket shocks that come in a larer diameter (more fluid) design.

So yes, you can probably get the shocks to fit OK, and depending on your weight and riding style they will probably work OK. Just check them out first until you are fairly certain you know how the shocks will work in most situations.

[jwhughes3]

good write up jerry...

Alot of good things to consider when selecting a replacement shock other than "will it fit".

John in San Antonio

[TomRodgers]

"fit" is a relative term. You can make 10 lbs. of sh!t fit in a 5 lb bag. You can "fit" a big block engine into a chevette... its the little things that make the difference!!!

Check measurments, and bushings and you should be okay.