Showa shocks are great!!

[Bonz]

That's a good question, so I have to defer to someone else on that.

The only thing I've heard is the air shocks (correct?) from an XJ can be adapted to an XS, but as for the Showa shocks that bolt straight on to the XS, I don't know if they would require modification (or the bike any modification) to go on an XJ.

Let the collective sort this one out, hope you get a solid answer.

[Cobia]

Glad you like them.

Hey hbonser,

Thanks for your reports on the performance of these shocks on your bike under different riding conditions. I've only ridden, one up, around town and on the twisties at Suches, GA and I was impressed at the way they managed the swingarm.
Fortunately, I didn't have to go through the trouble you did with the sleeves. Mine were missing three of them. Just went down to my local bike shop and picked them out of his spare parts inventory . (Sorted through two boxes of sleeves to find them, though.) Cost me two Hienekens.....
As with you, mine bolted right on, no hassle what so ever.
Regarding your lack of reference for adjusting your preload, mine have the stickers and I'll try to find some physical points of reference you can use to determine where you are, and maybe where you want to go.
BTW - You don't need a special tool to adjust them, an oil filter strap tool will do the job.
RE - The XJ shocks - They will fit, I have a J as well. As a matter of fact I was looking for a set of those but had second thoughts because of the hassle of keeping them inflated all the time. So I went with the Showas - simple solution for me, and I like the way they look as well.

[Cobia]

Showa adjustment

Hey hbonser,

Sorry Bud, I checked for any physical marks to be used as reference points in adjusting your shocks and didn't find any.
Nonetheless, maximum preload is all the way counterclockwise as you look at the shocks from the bottom up. Since they're installed, go all the way left with them. There are 5 levels of preload.
I weigh 240lbs and mine are set a the maximum, i.e. - 5 and that suits me just fine.
Hope this helps some.

[Bonz]

Thanks Cobia, I'll adjust them accordingly! I really like the shocks as they came, but didn't even bother to check if they were even set the same to begin with I got so jazzed on putting them on!

I'll report back once I've had a chance to ride with them if they aren't already on pos. #5.

[Cobia]

I know what you mean about getting jazzed up to get them on the bike. I had mine on the same day I got them!!!! But I'm fortunate to have a bikeshop nearby that's been in operation for 30 years and has a lot of vintage stuff laying around in their parts stock.

[cywelchjr]

That's a good question, so I have to defer to someone else on that.

The only thing I've heard is the air shocks (correct?) from an XJ can be adapted to an XS, but as for the Showa shocks that bolt straight on to the XS, I don't know if they would require modification (or the bike any modification) to go on an XJ.

Let the collective sort this one out, hope you get a solid answer.

The shocks from an XJ are pretty close to bolt on (just had to trim a tiny bit off the outside of the ring on the bottom to fit into the holder) so I'm pretty sure that anything that bolts onto the XS will bolt right onto the XJ since it clearly has more clearance around the lower mounting point (this is on the non-fd side, the fd side fits just fine as it is).

[Bonz]

Update

After a good number of miles on the new Showa shocks, I give them a thumbs up! They ride great (I weigh 275# plus gear) and look really good. Again, this is probably one of the more functional upgrades/replacements that anyone could do to their XS.

Now I just have to find the time to do the final drive swap to the XS750 rear end that I bought recently. That, plus a plexifaring wind screen I read about on this forum will make my 80 Special an even better road bike for extended runs.

[Cobia]

Rock 'n Roll!!

Glad the're performing as well for you as they are for me. Did you finally adjust them?
And yeah, the windshield is a must for a cruiser intended for long miles ahead.
I have this one on my G

[IMG][/IMG]

One important caveat though, make sure whatever windshield you get has venting ports where you can allow some incoming air. Two reasons for this:
1- You need air in the heat of summer, I had to take mine off this summer.
2- At highway speeds the shield creates a vacum which pulls you toward the front of the bike, much like drafting in car racing. On long rides this becomes very stressfull on your hands, wrists, and shoulders. Opening the vents will reduce this vacuum pull on your body.
Good luck bud.

[Bonz]

Hey, that's a nice looking Standard Cobia. That 'screen looks just like the one I was eyeing from JC Whitney. Plexifairing 3 I believe.

You know, I didn't adjust the shocks. Haven't been on it in 3 weeks (until I rode to work yesterday) and honestly I totally forgot to do it or check. I'm changing the oil this afternoon so I will adjust them if there are any positions to go to the left, and see how she rides when out warming it up before the oil change.

[Cobia]

Thanks for the compliment on the G, hopefully the J will turn out as well.

Hey, I was looking around on fleabay and found this windshield. Could be a real deal for you. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Natio...item3a5fec8694

[natemoen]

Question about the shocks. Are they rebuildable if need be?

[Cobia]

Nate,
They're factory shocks so I doubt they are. But for the price..... just get another set when they wear out.

[natemoen]

Can't find any cheap ones at the moment.

[Bonz]

Hey Natemoen,

I paid $60-$80 for my pair last fall from ebay, inc. shipping, can't remember exactly the price. I haven't ridden on anything except for the stock shocks, and can say even when the stock shocks didn't appear to be leaking early on in my ownership, the new-used Showa's are way ahead of the comfort and control vs. stock.

Here's a link to a pair that might be worth looking at? The seller states this pair has some pitting, but the picture doesn't look too bad. Plus, it's for a pair instead of a single shock like most sellers are doing. That way they are "matched" in terms of coming from the same bike, same miles on each shock, etc. Just be sure they will fit, but they look like the same ones I got from an earlier Shadow model. Maybe even contact the seller, and ask if he'll sell them to you outright instead of waiting out the auction?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Ho...item1e63e6d509

I was picky when I got mine, and wanted a pair that was is in really good outward condition, so was willing to pay a bit more than maybe I had to, but I got what I wanted.

Keep us posted if you get some and how you rate them.