Wow!

[cywelchjr]

Just got back from the test run with the new XJ shocks that came in the mail yesterday (new to me and brutus that is). All I can say is WOW! What a nice ride. Smooth as butter. I didn't find them to be any taller than the stock shocks (checked them against the originals, exact same length), and if anything they sit very slightly lower than the originals under just the weight of the bike, but the stance seems about the same.

Only one quick question from you XJ guys, what are the air pressure specs for these? Normal pressure and max are what I'm interested in. I'm assuming that the max is at least the same as the forks (30 psi) and I'm trying out 28 psi next (I'm a big guy) after trying out 12 psi at first. 12 psi I find scrapes a little early for me, so I'm trying a little higher.

I figure I'll change the oil in them later, for now I'm running what came in them. I put them upside down for 8 hours and then back rightside up overnight before I installed them, so I hope the oil levels are even. But I'll say, I'm liking how it rides with them on. Took about an hour to install them, which included having the slightly clearance the right side shock to get the lower bolt in. Other than that it went smooth, I just flipped them around to avoid the helmet lock, maybe later I'll go ahead flip them side to side, but I didn't feel like fighting with the bushings to do that.

But again, WOW!

[Yahman]

XJ rear shock air pressure?

Standard air pressure: 14 psi
Max air pressure: 57 psi
Min air pressure: 14 psi

Larry

[cywelchjr]

Standard air pressure: 14 psi
Max air pressure: 57 psi
Min air pressure: 14 psi

Larry

Good, sounds like 28 may be a good starting point then. I'm out on a test ride so I'll report back on the ride later.

[Ivan]

I was pretty amazed at how well the rear end settled down when I put mine in. Te ride is sooo much nicer. Plus no more jacking around with the spring adjusters is nice too.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Crap.....

.... something ELSE I have to find and buy!

[trbig]

Most of the time, I run mine up around 40 psi and the dampener on 4. That gives me a decent ride when I'm loaded with gear, then a stiffer ride after I get where I'm going, drop off the gear, and go ride.

Just a suggestion.


Tod

[cywelchjr]

Most of the time, I run mine up around 40 psi and the dampener on 4. That gives me a decent ride when I'm loaded with gear, then a stiffer ride after I get where I'm going, drop off the gear, and go ride.

Just a suggestion.


Tod

I may try increasing it. I thought it was riding pretty good at 28, but I'll give it a try a bit higher. Only thing I don't like is getting the air in it. I really didn't want to fight with the bushings so I just flipped them around, so the schrader valve is a little hard to get the tire pump onto. It would be a LOT better if it were the other way around, but I didn't feel like spending a couple of hours getting those bushings out and swapped on such a beautiful day. Frankly I wanted to see how they worked. I do have the damping set at 4. Does anybody else have trouble getting air into the forks and shocks with a bicycle pump? It's a real hassle, maybe this pump is just not what I need.

[CatatonicBug]

Don't you have a compressor? Heck, I carry a small compressor in my saddlebag, that plugs into the cig. lighter in the fairing.

[trbig]

It takes such a miniscule amount of air to increase the pressure, that any type of compressor would be tough, but could be done by using the stop switch. I use a small bicycle pump that would hook onto the underside of the main frame of the bike, so it's small enough to hold in my hands and get where I need it. Just make sure the gauge of it is in small enough increments to be able to really see what it's putting in.


Tod

[Yahman]

When I'm at home I use a compressor with a regulator set to the pressure that I need. I check it with my gauge to make sure its right before I hook the air to the bike. On the road I use a small bicycle hand pump like Tod mentioned.

Larry

[Ivan]

When I'm at home I use a compressor with a regulator set to the pressure that I need. I check it with my gauge to make sure its right before I hook the air to the bike. On the road I use a small bicycle hand pump like Tod mentioned.

Larry

Now that's thinkin' with yer dipstick, Jimmy!

[cywelchjr]

Ok, here I go hijacking my own thread. Does the special use shorter shocks? I have had several people state that they either had to get used to a higher sitting bike or that they can't use the XJ shocks because it would make the bike too tall.

When I got ready to install mine, I checked the length of them with against the stock shocks and they were both exactly the same, 12.5 inches. As a matter of fact, I changed them one at a time, and except for having to clearance the right lower eye to fit into the frame, the first one slid right on. For that matter, so far I have found the bike to sit slightly lower when I'm sitting on it. I'm still playing with the pressure, but I'm not understanding why I was told it makes the bike taller and that someone can't use them because their bike would be too tall and they couldn't balance it with them.

I just hate to see others not consider something that could improve their handling as much as they have done for me because of a misunderstanding of shock lengths if it's not true.

[3Phase]

When I got ready to install mine, I checked the length of them with against the stock shocks and they were both exactly the same, 12.5 inches.

Cy, I didn't measure the shocks when I changed them but I probably should have done that. Sorry about that.

I got on the bike afterward with only 10 or 15 lbs of air in the shocks and I was more on tippy-toe instead of flat-footed. Maybe the P.O. had put shorter shocks on at some point or my legs shrank while I was installing the shocks.

The lower shock bushings aren't too difficult to swap. I used a bench vice and, I think, a 14mm socket to press them out. I put a little paraffin wax, not oil, on the shock eyes when I pressed the bushings back in.

I have one of those 'Slime' 12V compressors and the hose clips onto the air valve, no problem. A quick 2 second blast with the On/Off rocker switch puts in about 20 to 25 lbs of pressure, then I remove the compressor's hose and use a precision gauge to bring the pressure down to where I want it.


Regards,

Scott

[CarolynS]

Check the stock specs...that seems short...I thought they were stock at 13.75, but I'm no expert...
We lowered my bike almost 4", custom built the fork ends(so that it could be returned to stock easily), re-routed the brake lines, lowered the back to 10" shocks(easily turned back to stock)without ruining the drive-shaft and U-joint.
I only have about 4" of throw on the front end. It's a one-person bike unless we modify it again, but who am I goin' to ride on it? NOONE! I ride alone!!!