Shock Question

[cywelchjr]

Ok, didn't find anything in a quick search. Will XJ1100 shocks work on an XS110, as in bolt up and function properly? And can the air shocks be rebuilt like the forks can? I ask because I might can pick up a pair of XJ shocks for a reasonable price and if they will work, and especially if they can be refurbished then I may go for them for the adjust-ability. So, what say you?

[bikerphil]

Rebuild thread here....

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...threadid=13400

[trbig]

I don't know about a simple bolt on swap, but I do know people that have run them on their XS.

Bigfoot rebuilt a set one time and did a write-up. You could contact him about that.. seems I remember he had a heck of a time but maybe found an easier way?

BUT.. if you're patient, you can find a good set on Ebay that won't need to be rebuilt for cheap. Just remember that the oil can travel from one shock to the other through the connecting line if held upside down or sideways. If they haven't been kept upright, I turn them upside down and let them sit overnight like that. The next day, I grab the center of the line between them and hang them up from that point right side up and let the oil drain back into them for another day.

I love the adjustability of them from cruising with little/no pressure and a low dampening setting to shooting some to them to firm them up and go scrub the outside of my tire.

Tod

[tinman905]

Here a set on Flea bay $29.95

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Yamaha-XS1100-110...item518d3ab119

[3Phase]

Cy, they'll bolt right up.

I don't remember the details right now but I had to install them 'backwards' with the damper adjuster wheel facing the inside of the frame to get the air line to fit across to both shocks.

The shocks work great! and it's like riding a different bike. I just can't see the damper settings.

I've been out riding between rainstorms this week but I have them pulled right now to clean them up and change the fluid so I'll see if I can figure out why I put them on 'backward' last time and how to install them with the adjuster wheels facing the right direction.


Regards,

Scott

[cywelchjr]

Ok, I just bought the set on fleabay. I've been watching them for a while, and those guys are stupid. These are the ones selling parts off an XJ as XS parts. Of course a lot of them WILL interchange, such as the footpegs, so I have XJ footpegs and now I will have XJ shocks.

[3Phase]

... now I will have XJ shocks.

The shocks will bolt right on but you have to reverse them to get the air line to fit across the frame without hitting the helmet lock. Tod's given you the straight dope about equalizing the oil in the shocks before you put them on the bike.

To install them quickly and get out of Dodge, loosen the air line and turn the shocks around 'in place'. They'll bolt right up but that puts the damper wheels facing inward toward the frame. They work fine.

To install them correctly, switch the shocks over to the opposite sides to get the damper wheels facing outward. The lower shock bushings won't fit so you have to press out and switch the lower bushings.

The shock rebuild Tech Tip mentions the quantity but not the type of oil to put in the shocks if you drain the the ooze that was in there for the last 30 years. A search for XJ shock oil found the oil level and weight: 5w oil (75 mm 2.95" from the top).


Regards,

Scott

[b.walker5]

.... so I'll see if I can figure out why I put them on 'backward' last time.....

Too many beers perhaps ??

[3Phase]

Too many beers perhaps ??

No, no beers... <sniff><fx:wipes tear from eye> a 250 mile night ride that had to get done so no time to play nice with the installation and the exact details only lightly ensconced in the old unforgettery until I did some more work on them today.


Regards,

Scott

[TopCatGr58]

Tech Tip Revised!

The shock rebuild Tech Tip mentions the quantity but not the type of oil to put in the shocks if you drain the the ooze that was in there for the last 30 years. A search for XJ shock oil found the oil level and weight: 5w oil (75 mm 2.95" from the top).


Regards,

Scott

It DOES NOW..thanks Scott, it's been added to the tech tip!
T.C.

[Poprock]

Lose the helmet lock and bolt 'em on. Be sure and change out the oil. 5w is what the book calls for. I might try ATF next time just to see if there's a difference. It's working great in the forks.
I like 'em on my bike. The adjustability TRBig mentioned is an excellent feature.

[3Phase]

It DOES NOW..thanks Scott, it's been added to the tech tip!
T.C.

Thanks, T.C.! I read the Tech Tip several times then spent some more time searching the web for the XJ oil spec and it was here at my fingertips on Channel 11 the whole time. After spending a rainy afternoon today reading up on the latest about shock oil and fork oil and ATF and motor oil and hydraulic oil....

Lose the helmet lock and bolt 'em on.

Hey now! It's always nice to start taking bits off your bike just to change shocks and the ride is good and all but I use the helmet lock!

Be sure and change out the oil. 5w is what the book calls for. I might try ATF next time just to see if there's a difference. It's working great in the forks.

I like 'em on my bike. The adjustability TRBig mentioned is an excellent feature.

It's nice to have choices that weren't even available 30 years ago but ATF is closer to 20w.

In a nutshell so I don't veer off into yet-another-oil-thread: Rear shocks have slightly smaller oil passages than damper-style front forks and automatic transmissions and internal combustion engines. They use lighter oil like the new cartridge-style forks but there are huge differences between brands and even within the same brand.

A little bit from a dedicated home oil tester posted over at Bob Is The Oil Guy: Motor Oil for fork oil?

Here's a decent Suspension Fluid Wiki.


Enjoy! There's a lot out there to choose from!


Regards,

Scott

[DiverRay]

Scott,
You can ALWAYS MOVE the helmet lock! As long as you can't get to the screws without removing something else, it should be secure.

[3Phase]

Scott,
You can ALWAYS MOVE the helmet lock! As long as you can't get to the screws without removing something else, it should be secure.

Ray, I tried that first. I'm all about doing things the easy way whenever possible! It's easier to swap the lower shock bushings, flip the shocks and leave the helmet lock right where it is.

The crossover air line rubbed on the tab where the helmet lock attaches and you KNOW why I named this bike 'Columbo'. I'd have to grind off the tab or, at best, I'd be trying to fix a leaking air line with bailing wire, duct tape and chewing gum and replacing the lost shock oil with used motor oil. I guess I should find a spare air line for road trips anyway and stash it with the spare brake and clutch levers.

"Just one more thing!"


Regards,

Scott

[Ivan]

If you installed them backward to get the air lines out of the way of the helmet lock, then wouldn't it work just to swap left to right, so the adjuster is still accessible from the out side?