My first project

[stevestrom]

Those look like XJ air shocks which are rebuildable and are air adjustable. I have a set of them on my 80G and very much like them. There is an article in the tech tips I believe that tells how to rebuild them. I'm not sure if I can tell but it looks like the air line might be missing. If this is the case, they would likely have no oil left in them and of course wouldn't do any damping. If he is willing to sell them and they are what I think they are, I would consider them a good upgrade. Be aware that you may need to clearance the eye on the right lower side a bit to get it to fit in on an XS, but it's not too hard to do, and you would have to either flip them around 180 or or remove the helmet lock to make room for the air line to go over the frame under the seat.

They are XJ shocks, my bike is an XJ. Good eye on the air line! I took it off because it no longer fits under the seat of my bike after adjusting the frame and seat pan. Still have it though.

[petejw]

They are XJ shocks, my bike is an XJ. Good eye on the air line! I took it off because it no longer fits under the seat of my bike after adjusting the frame and seat pan. Still have it though.

that would explain ur dampening problems. :-)

[natemoen]

Like I said, if you want to sell them, let me know!

[81xsproject]

If I remember correctly, the XJ11 air shocks won't mount on the XS because of the helmet lock. However, the shocks from smaller XJ's will. I had a pair from a either a 650 or 750 on my bike for a long time.

[natemoen]

If I remember correctly, the XJ11 air shocks won't mount on the XS because of the helmet lock. However, the shocks from smaller XJ's will. I had a pair from a either a 650 or 750 on my bike for a long time.

As Cy said, you can either flip the shocks over and use them upside-down or remove the lock.

[fredintoon]

They are XJ shocks, my bike is an XJ. Good eye on the air line! I took it off because it no longer fits under the seat of my bike after adjusting the frame and seat pan. Still have it though.

Hi Steve,
I just noticed and read all 9 pages of your "First Project"
A far cry from mine, installing a Cyclemaster powered wheel in a Hercules bicycle back in 1956.
Hint:- replace the bicycle font fork before it breaks off at the fork crown.
However, that's a really nice looking machine, a class A resurrection.
FWIW, don't get medieval on the motor until you have put some good break-in miles on it, most times they get better with use.
And if Nate don't want your rear shocks, I'll take them.
The next time I use my XS11's helmet lock will be the first.

[motoman]

Not 180 degree upside down Nate!..........left side to right and vice-versa...........

[cywelchjr]

Not 180 degree upside down Nate!..........left side to right and vice-versa...........

No, just rotate them horizontally 180 deg, puts the hose behind them instead of in front. If you swap them side to side, you have to press out the lower bushing on both of them and swap them. However, I have found that in over two years I have never ONCE used the helmet lock, I always put it in my trunk. So I'm going to flip them back around and remove the helmet lock, it's worked fine for Ivan even since his bike was rebuilt after the tool on the cell phone tried to kill him. I though you had to remove the bracket for the helmet lock, but on his they only removed the helmet lock itself, leaving the bracket in place and it's fine, the hose just barely touches, and there doesn't seem to be any motion there to speak of that doesn't seem to be an issue either.

I've put about 10,000 miles on mine, and never a problem the whole time. I plan on pulling them soon and draining and refilling them, but that's gonna be it for now.

[cywelchjr]

As Cy said, you can either flip the shocks over and use them upside-down or remove the lock.

As someone else said, not upside down, just turned around so the hose is in the back rather than the front. It makes the air valve ever so slightly harder to get to, but with Vetter bags on mine in the stock orientation I would have to pull the bags anyways, at least this way I don't have to pull the bags cause the valve faces forward instead of backwards.

[natemoen]

Ok, i am tired and dumb and at work so I don't want to think too hard here. I have always herd they fit if you "flip" the so I assumed that ment top for bottom. Instead it's just twist the shock 180?

[cywelchjr]

Ok, i am tired and dumb and at work so I don't want to think too hard here. I have always herd they fit if you "flip" the so I assumed that ment top for bottom. Instead it's just twist the shock 180?

I can't believe you just admitted in PUBLIC to being dumb! Yes, it's just a twist to put the hoses at the back so they don't get the helmet lock in the way, this is if you want to keep the helmet lock.

[stevestrom]

Like I said, if you want to sell them, let me know!

Still waiting for my new shocks to show up. I'll let you know once I have them off the bike.

[stevestrom]

Hi Steve,
I just noticed and read all 9 pages of your "First Project"
A far cry from mine, installing a Cyclemaster powered wheel in a Hercules bicycle back in 1956.
Hint:- replace the bicycle font fork before it breaks off at the fork crown.
However, that's a really nice looking machine, a class A resurrection.
FWIW, don't get medieval on the motor until you have put some good break-in miles on it, most times they get better with use.
And if Nate don't want your rear shocks, I'll take them.
The next time I use my XS11's helmet lock will be the first.

Hey Fred, is the breaking at the fork crown a problem with these bikes? This is the first time I have heard someone mention that. Yeah, I am hoping that a good run will have everything sorted out! As far as the shocks go, Nate has first dibs and I'll let you know after that.

[stevestrom]

Alright, a little more progress. Been busy for the last couple of days doing a valve service on the daily rider. I can't neglect the one that actually takes me places!



Put new fork tubes on, they were shorter than the stockers so unfortunatly my clip ons now have to go under the triple tree and it lays me out a little more; Oh well. Put the new shocks on today as well. I think they suit the bike a lot better. I am heading out of town for a few days but should have the seat covered and tail light installed by the end of next week. Hoping to also have the front brakes rebuilt and mounted up with the new MC at that point also. Getting close now! Here are a couple of pics of the new shocks.

[natemoen]

Very nice!!