Introduction plus wiring/air shock questions!

[Firewind]

Hi everyone, I'm from Minnesota, just picked up an XS11 this last week end. and it needs, well a lot of love IMO. Here's a picture!



So my first task with the bike is going to be, fixing the air shock leak, removing the fog lamps, extra break lights, trunk, front air defector, moving the air compressor from the trunk to under the seat, fixing all the bad wiring that has caused the bike to melt wires, and replacing the tires which have no life to them at all.

So my question begins with the air compressor setup, the relay died and they pulled all the wires out of it and pressed them together, burned the switches out, so now I don't know what goes where exactly, and it's becoming a nuts in my head. Is there a wiring diagram that covers the air compressor and the switches for it? Or does anyone have any pictures of there's that I can use as a cheat sheet?

Also with the air hoses, is there any upgrade options for them? These are super thin plastic hoses and I am fearful of them breaking. Maybe I am just paranoid.

[CatatonicBug]

Air compressor?? These bikes didn't have an air compressor. The wiring diagram is in the back of the manual (free download from the link in my signature). What model/year is that? I can tell it's a Standard from the round mirrors and square headlight/turn signals, but I can't tell what year.

Looks like you need a seat too...

The front forks are air shocks on the specials (not sure what years had them), but the rears are NOT air shocks. They were not air shocks until the XJ in '82. If you have air shocks, they are not stock, and they sound like they've been jerry-rigged in there... Lots more pictures might help to get some of that mess sorted out.

Welcome aboard!

[Firewind]

It's an 78, which I beleive means it's an XS1100E?

I went down and took a closer look at it, as today I am taking some of the stuff off. So it's only the rear shocks that are air, I thought the front shocks were also air. I also found out that it's the right hand side shock that has a crack in the hose. Maybe changing out for standard shocks is better idea...

Here's some pictures!

Air pressure gauge with air pressure push button switches


Air compressor


Air rear shock connection.

[Ken Talbot]

Love it - air-ride suspension on an XS, just like the big trucks!

BTW - welcome....

[CatatonicBug]

Well, if you can get the electical figured out, I see no problem with keeping those shocks on there.They are definitely NOT stock items, so the wiring should all be outside the wiring harness, and easier to identify. You should probably replace the air lines, but the material that was used on them is pretty much correct for that application. You should be able to find more at Home Depot.

[mro]

Lincoln XS

air-ride suspension on an XS, just like the big trucks!

Ford stuck it on a few models. Works great when new, but when it becomes a problem you can't even drive the ... things.

As long as the shocks can support the bike if the air fails then it's kinda different and sorta cool.

I gave my Mark VI to a mechanic who worked for me about 2 weeks after I dumped $2,500.00 into it. One of the best deals I've ever made. He still drives it ,(and claims to love it) but I think it's keeping him poor. My town car had about 60,000 on it when the air ride turned it into a "low rider". After dumping $500.00 into that one I took it to the wreckers. Lesson learned


mro

[motoman]

Yea... there great Ken! Have an air-bag blow if you REALLY want a rude awakening! Don't even ask......lol.

[Firewind]

As long as the shocks can support the bike if the air fails then it's kinda different and sorta cool.

Hmm, that is something to consider. Since I know these ones won't support it (per the previous owner saying he had to fix them on the side of the road) maybe I will just get rid of them. Looks like another item going up for sale soon! I guess this means I gotta find some new shocks too. xD

[cywelchjr]

Hmm, that is something to consider. Since I know these ones won't support it (per the previous owner saying he had to fix them on the side of the road) maybe I will just get rid of them. Looks like another item going up for sale soon! I guess this means I gotta find some new shocks too. xD

I would suggest finding a set of XJ shocks as they are pretty close to plug and play, and will pretty much support the bike without air although it will be a bit low. Then you might be able to hook up that air system to them to allow for on the fly adjusting of them. I have to say that the ride with air shocks is FAR better than with stock shocks. The ride on mine is so much better I can't make myself think of going back. If I get another, the FIRST thing I'll do for improvements (after the getting it on the road part) will be XJ shocks. That with the 1980 air forks, makes for a fully adjustable ride, the only thing I'm missing (other than a fork brace) is being able to adjust the dampening. If I could do that I would be happy as a clam.

[Firewind]

I would suggest finding a set of XJ shocks as they are pretty close to plug and play, and will pretty much support the bike without air although it will be a bit low. Then you might be able to hook up that air system to them to allow for on the fly adjusting of them. I have to say that the ride with air shocks is FAR better than with stock shocks. The ride on mine is so much better I can't make myself think of going back. If I get another, the FIRST thing I'll do for improvements (after the getting it on the road part) will be XJ shocks. That with the 1980 air forks, makes for a fully adjustable ride, the only thing I'm missing (other than a fork brace) is being able to adjust the dampening. If I could do that I would be happy as a clam.

I have to admit that air shocks do sound nice. However, the air compressor isn't going to fit under the seat as nicely as I had thought, and I will either have to get a smaller compressor, or smaller motor to spin it, and by the time I go through all that, and getting XJ shocks, I am thinking I may as well just go for standard shocks.

I was thinking of picking up these, since they are fairly cheap. Anyone have any thoughts on these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamah...Q5fAccessories

[cywelchjr]

I have to admit that air shocks do sound nice. However, the air compressor isn't going to fit under the seat as nicely as I had thought, and I will either have to get a smaller compressor, or smaller motor to spin it, and by the time I go through all that, and getting XJ shocks, I am thinking I may as well just go for standard shocks.

I was thinking of picking up these, since they are fairly cheap. Anyone have any thoughts on these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamah...Q5fAccessories

Frankly with the XJ shocks you don't need the compressor, that would just let you adjust on the fly, but with a bicycle pump and air gauge you should be fine anyways. Frankly the ride is so much better than standard shocks I can't see going back. I would just find a set of XJ shocks and go with them in normal config (meaning manual filling and such).

[bikerphil]

The S&W street strokers in that eBay ad are nice performance shocks, I've run a set before. They might be a bit old tho, I don't think they've made those for a while. They have good compression damping, unlike the stock XS11 or Harley "comfort" shocks.

[tadtl1]

S n W shocks rustrods

Hi,

I wouldnt use those shocks from ebay unless you want to throw your money away. Those rods are extremely rusty, and will wreck the seals the first time you ride it over a serious bump. If you can find another shock set and put those purty springs on, that might work, but thats a fair amount to pay for springs that you dont know how heavy duty they are and how well they will work for you.

[cruiser]

Welcome Firewind, another Minnesotan, wooohooo! There are a few of us around. Complete your signature with your model and location when you can.
All kinds of knowledge and help here. You came to the right place.

[DenyP]

Welcome again from Minnesota!

Deny