years of forks

[Iron Duke]

Have 79 xs11 and was wondering will the forks with the v block? (air) fit on the 79(has lower tubes with holders at bottem,not on side.)without any mods? just what is the difference betwix these years ,the side mounts and bottem mounts,thinking of changing the bottem mounts for side mounts but not if I have to rework whole front end.

[bikerphil]

The Standard model forks have the center mount axle, the Specials have the leading mount axle. They can be interchanged along with the brake calipers and the speedometer drive, cable, and fender on to your Standard model. The upper tube diameter is the same for both types (37MM), but the triple tree offset is not. You will increase the rake and lessen the trail by going to the leading axle forks. I have done this before and I wasn't happy the way the bike handled at higher speeds. If you also want to change to the Special's triple trees to keep the rake/trail the same, you will then run into problems with the guage mounts. Here's a pic. of my Standard when it had leading axle Special forks...