Step by Step fork seal swap and lowering write up?

[79xs1100s]

Hey guys
Ive been looking to lower my 79 XS Special and found how to use the spacer method and cut the spring etc. But other than the general idea mof the job, I have no clue where to start. My bike needs fork seals so I figure doing this all in one shot wouldnt be a bad idea. If anyone can link me to a picture tutorial or something thatd be amazing. I do have the air shocks or whatever you call it (with a schrader valve) Thanks guys


-Mark

[TopCatGr58]

Sorry Mark,

THat's been on my ever growng list of tips to do, just never got around to it. Several folks have recently done this, would have been nice if they had taken some photos to send along with a write up!

IF you don't have a manual, find a post by Catatonic Bug, he has links for download, that will help you.

T.C.

[fredintoon]

Hey guys
Ive been looking to lower my 79 XS Special and found how to use the spacer method and cut the spring etc. But other than the general idea mof the job, I have no clue where to start. My bike needs fork seals so I figure doing this all in one shot wouldnt be a bad idea. If anyone can link me to a picture tutorial or something thatd be amazing. I do have the air shocks or whatever you call it (with a schrader valve) Thanks guys
-Mark

Hi Mark,
rather than cutting the spring, buy the spring set from Progressive.
They sell the same spring for the Standard and the Special.
The kit has a plastic spacer tube which you cut to the specified length on the Special but don't use on the Standard.
Note that the Standard and Special fork seals ARE DIFFERENT. Be sure to specify that you want the seals for a Special.

[79xs1100s]

well, ive seen the way Da-Bubble did it, which is technically the "old school" way to do it. I've paid $19 for forkseals, what ever for oil and got the Black Cupplings from my dad whose a plumber for free. If i can avoid spending any more for progressive springs I will.

[fredintoon]

Good luck with that.

well, ive seen the way Da-Bubble did it, which is technically the "old school" way to do it. I've paid $19 for forkseals, what ever for oil and got the Black Cupplings from my dad whose a plumber for free. If i can avoid spending any more for progressive springs I will.

Hi Mark,
I'm all for saving a dollar but although a spring can be quite easily cut short with an angle grinder, closing and grinding the newly cut end to shape is another matter entirely.
WTF, if it don't work out as you hope, you can buy the Progressive kit later. The good part is, the second time you take the forks apart will go a lot easier.

[79xs1100s]

i guess that makes sense, May as well try to cut them down first, if all esle fails i will save up for the progressives, Ill see what I can do

[fredintoon]

i guess that makes sense, May as well try to cut them down first, if all esle fails i will save up for the progressives, Ill see what I can do

Hi 79,
my cheapsketedness is really kicking in for you.
The plastic pipe you got from your dad cuts real easy, right?
Betcha you could profile the end of it to an exact fit to the top of your newly cut off fork spring.
Beats trying to forge and grind that cut end back to being flat.