xs vs xj mounting hardware

[PalletjackRacer]

Just curious if the XS1100 and XJ1100 have similar enough frames that a "touring" package from one would mount on the other?

I have an XJ1100 and if I find the bags and trunk (I already have the X-1 fairing) I like from an XS model (I know there are many XS1100 models so it may depend...) I'd like to know if they'd fit before buying them (was that enough parentheses for you? ).

I guess along with this comes the natural question, and what about the XJ750, XJ650, etc...

I'm guessing the 1100's are close if not the same but the 750's (et al) are going to be a different size and therefore different mounting hardware.

Is my best bet to just buy what I like, taken from whatever model (within the XS/XJ models) and then have something custom made?

Any help would be appreciated.

Ignorant in Alaska...

[CatatonicBug]

Unfortunately, mounting the bags is going to be a difficult proposition if you are taking them from an XS and swapping them to an XJ. In fact, swapping between a Standard and a Special within the XS family is very difficult, as the mounting points are different. If you have fabrication skills, that will probably be your best bet. Depending on what kind of bags you are looking at, you can always cut/weld a bracket that will suit your mounting points. Trunks are mostly universal, as long as you can find a luggage rack for your bike. They usually just mount to the existing rack with 4 bolts and a thin metal frame underneath.

[PalletjackRacer]

bummer

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was afraid of. I don't have any skills to do the fab'ing so I guess I'll just have to be patient then.

Blessings!

[crazy steve]

It's not as tough as C'bug makes it sound...

The XJ shares quite a few parts with the XS, so a couple of quick measurements will tell whether or not XS bags will easily fit. The bags mount at three points on each side; the top shock bolt, the turn signal hole in the frame, and the passenger footpeg bolt. The shock bolt and footpeg are in the same place as the XS Special, so if the turn signal is too, you're good to go.

To determine if it is, make these measurements. With the bike on the centerstand, the centerline of the turn signal hole and the top shock bolt should be about 27.5" from the ground. The distance between them should be 10.75". If these measurements match your XJ, you can bolt-on any bag set-up that will fit a XS Special. You can also fit a set off a standard, but there will be some minor mods involved. The only difference between the standard and Special is the location of the rear footpeg; the top mounts are the same. The Special footpeg is a bit higher (1.25") and further foward (.5") compared to the standard, so a small bracket to bridge this gap is all it takes.

You'll obviously have to relocate the turn signals, and you'll have to build something for that and do some rewiring, but this will be true no matter what bags you mount unless you're lucky enough to find a set of bags off a XJ where the PO has already solved that problem. I'm fairly sure that the XJ has the same dimensions as the XS Special as far as mounting bags, so happy hunting!

[Jerry]

I put Vetter bags from a Standard (I think) on my XJ several years ago. Only fabbing was to add a short length of flat steel to the bottom of the Vetter mount, as the XJ's rear foot peg is farther forward than it is on the Standard. I would have to measure it, think it was in the 4" range. Other than that, they went on OK.

However, any touring package not specifically designed for an XJ will have to be modified to fit. With touring stuff from an 1100 it should not be a big deal, but there will be some work involved.