Lowering 79 XS 1100SH

[blkryno]

Lowering a 79
I have a 1981 XS 1100 Special that I bought in 81 this bike is almost totally stock and in great condition. This is my baby and is always going to be as it is. Recently I picked up a 1979 XS 1100 Special with 28000 miles on it. It still had the unused tool kit in the original Yamaha pouch. That’s going in the 81 just cause. This bike needs some electrical work, I was told the battery is not charging. I put a fully charged battery in and rode it and it ran well with plenty of power so I bought it . I haven’t started testing the electrical system yet but I can see some obvious wiring problems ( broken connectors and such) and it needs a good cleaning. The tank has a small almost unable to see dent but the paint on the tank and side covers is in great shape and original. Even so this is going to be my scratch and dent bike. I’d like to bob it some I really like the look of this model so I want keep the XS look and feel. I’ll leave the color (black-gold), put on a stock exhaust that I have that has some dings and dents. I like the stock 4 into 2 better than the 4 into 1 that’s on it now. The pipes are solid but they have some surface rust over the chrome. If I can’t clean them up well enough I may just paint them black. What exhaust paint works best? What is a full exhaust in fair condition (has a couple of thin scrapes) from a 1100 Midnight Special worth? I might consider using those instead. Single seat, forward controls etc. etc. I want to lower the rear end an inch or two so I am wondering if anyone knows what set of shocks and springs (do not want a hard tail) from another bike that would be shorter and able to mount . I can cut and weld but I want to change it as little as possible because I may want to put it back stock someday . Any ideas or watchoutfors from any of you out there would be welcome. This is my winter project for 2010

81 XS1100 Special
79 XS1100 Special
more to come I think.

Blkryno

my bike photo links

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[Brad]

Har_ _ _ or 85 Honda rebel

I've been told that a newer Har_ _ _ sportster has 10 or 11 inch and a 85 Honda Rebel has 10.5 inch shocks. I dont know what weight they are supposed support or the weight of the bike they came from, think about that before you drop your height then find out the clearance is not the same when you hit a bump doing 75mph. I wanted to do the same with mine but a little research says not. Looking cool and having a low rider is not the same as a pass from an engeneer who designed your ride. To each their own, I'm a guy who chopped as well and there are few of us here. Good luck and post some pics....Brad

[blkryno]

Thanks Brad,

I know that if you change something it can change everything, but nothing ventured...ahh... nothing ventured. I want to try it. I've got my 81 to ride the way the engineers figured it. I really like their set up. Thats why I got another one to play with, I'll look into your suggestions.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I have been looking for the right price on some used Harley Dyna shocks for mine to lower it as well. The Harley shocks are almost a direct bolt on i guess. The reason for Dyna shocks instead of Sportster shocks is the weight capacity. I can't ride two up with the lighter shocks. You can buy new Progressive shocks that are 11 inch, but they are about $260.00.

[crazy steve]

I have been looking for the right price on some used Harley Dyna shocks for mine to lower it as well. The Harley shocks are almost a direct bolt on i guess. The reason for Dyna shocks instead of Sportster shocks is the weight capacity. I can't ride two up with the lighter shocks. You can buy new Progressive shocks that are 11 inch, but they are about $260.00.

Actually, the OEM Harley shocks are not a bolt-on. They use a 1/2" bolt/shock stud, the XS uses 14mm (.550") studs on the frame and final drive, so you'll need to drill those bushings out. Plus the bushings are wider, so it won't fit in the shock mount on the swingarm unless you grind it narrower. The Harley-specific Progressives will fit, as the bushings are narrower and have 5/8" holes. Progressive furnishes spacers to make them fit the Harley.

I thought they'd fit too.... mine do now.

[fredintoon]

Lowering a 79 - - - Single seat, forward controls etc. etc. I want to lower the rear end an inch or two - - -

Hi ryno,
shorter shocks will work for that. You will also need to shorten the side stand so the bike won't fall over and shorten the centre stand so you can lift the bike up on it.
Plus the frame will scrape the ground on corners real easy.
If you are doing this for style these things won't matter to you but if you are inseam-challenged a lower seat should be a better solution.

[blkryno]

Hi All,

Sorry I don't get back on line as soon as ya'll respond with advice and ideas. Right now I'm insulating the garage so I can work through the winter. I am going to look into the harley shocks it seems that would be easiest. I think I am going to get some shocks off ebay just to see how it would be to cut some down too. I like to keep all the stock parts I take off up on the shelf. I've been reading alot about to cut or not to cut, of course there's about equal opinons and experiences for each side of the question. I worked on commercial and residential overhead doors for a number of years although those were torsion springs and these would be compression springs. I want to throw my vast amount of curiosity at the problem. Other questions I have is what is a good paint to use on the motor and maybe on the exaust. Just black for this job. I've seen some at the big stores for grills and such but that doesn't seem right or maybe it is. That stuff is flat black is there any in a gloss or a satin finish that would work well. Again this is a winter project so I'm not locked into any specific direction just yet. I am just trying to get a picture of what I can do and stuff that is available. The people on this site helped me get my 81 back on the road after about 15 years of sitting in the garage. We have been riding it the last three summers. So this is the place I start. I've gotten alot of comments from people on the 81. This year I even had a cop pull me over for speeding... he said, but all he did was look at my bike and talk about the one he had back in the day. Never looked at my license or asked me my name. Yea, I was speeding just a little:. I don't mind talking a little and getting no ticket:

[fredintoon]

- - - I think I am going to get some shocks off ebay just to see how it would be to cut some down too. - - -

Hi ryno,
the spring part of a shock can be shortened and it's cut end reshaped quite easily.
What takes real skill is shortening the hydraulic damper the spring sits around.
And unless you can do that, the shock won't be any shorter, eh?

[blkryno]

Hi Fred,

Yea, thats the kind of stuff I need to know. I haven't taken this stuff apart yet so I don't have any idea what that is going to involve. But, we learn as we go along. thanks.

Blkryno

81 XS1100 Special
79 XS1100 Special