new pics of cafe

[MeatTooth]

Here's some new pics of my bike. I also had a question about the front suspension. How mushy is the frontend supposed to feel? I'm really only use to motorcross bikes and it's been so long since I've had a street bike I can't remember what it's supposed to feel like.

[natemoen]

Nice! I love the paint!

Do you have a single air filter mounted to a common plenum?

Where is the battery?

[bikerphil]

How mushy is the frontend supposed to feel? I'm really only use to motorcross bikes and it's been so long since I've had a street bike I can't remember what it's supposed to feel like.

The stock tired springs will make the front feel mushy. Get some good springs and clean the internals of the forks and add fresh oil and you won't regret it. JMHO

[MeatTooth]

The airbox is just a piece of pvc that I cut one side off and fiberglassed a flat piece on. I then fiberglassed ends on and hole sawed four holes the same as the original so I could use the stock velocity stacks. Then fiberglassed a tube on the backside and used a high flow cone from pep boys.

The frontend is really really mushy I can bottom it out just by pushing on it at a dead stop! What fork springs does everybody like? Is there a certain brand or style that ppl have had luck with?


The battery is under the rear cowl and all electronics are under the seat.

[bikerphil]

Most people like the Progressive springs and have had good luck with them. You could buy some Race Tech springs for a little more money and they are a bit better. The cheap way ($0) is to strengthen your existing springs by cutting them down as explained in this thread....

You might just need new/heavier fork oil to make your stock setup a little better, but IMHO, stiffer springs is the way to go.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29889&highlight=fork+spring+mod

[yamahansolo]

I have stock springs with racetech emulators it handles superb...

[WMarshy]

Before you go crazy with all the things you could do to your springs, you should try adjusting the preload first. You should have some rubber caps or plugs on the very top of your fork tubes. Pop them off and you will see a slot for a regular screwdriver... Get one that fits good and push down on the screw and turn it. It has 3 settings and IIRC turning it clockwise will increase the preload and tighten them up. Give that a try and report back.

[TomRodgers]

will the emulators work with the air/oil forks???

[crazy steve]

will the emulators work with the air/oil forks???

Yes, but they recommend not using air for adjustment purposes... at least RaceTech does.

[bikerphil]

Before you go crazy with all the things you could do to your springs, you should try adjusting the preload first. You should have some rubber caps or plugs on the very top of your fork tubes. Pop them off and you will see a slot for a regular screwdriver... Get one that fits good and push down on the screw and turn it. It has 3 settings and IIRC turning it clockwise will increase the preload and tighten them up.

He has an 80, which doesn't have this feature. He has the air forks if they are the original forks that came with the bike. He could make some preload spacers out of 3/4" PVC to cheat and stiffen the springs.

[CatatonicBug]

If they are air forks, adding the proper air pressure should be plenty. 7lbs is what the manual states, but I run 12-15 with my fairing, due to the added weight. Either way, you should NOT be able to bottom out the forks by just pushing on them!

[MeatTooth]

Either way, you should NOT be able to bottom out the forks by just pushing on them!

That's my thoughts too. How much oil do you put into each fork leg? what method do you use to measure it out?

[CatatonicBug]

That's my thoughts too. How much oil do you put into each fork leg? what method do you use to measure it out?

The measurements are in the manual. Not sure what it is for a G. I just use a measuring cup with ounces on it. I have a glass measuring cup that I use for oil/fuel mixtures for my lawn equipment, and it works for fork oil too. Some folks have used the large syringes from farm supply stores too.

[bikerphil]

Should be about 250 cc's of 10w fork oil. The 15w will make it a bit stiffer, so you may want to go that way. Make sure you pump all the old oil out first after opening the drain screws. Loosen your two top triple clamp bolts before trying to break loose the air caps.

[natemoen]

Clymer manual says 241 cc\'s of fork oil for the G.